After what seems like far too long since her last solo novel, Jennifer Crusie strikes again with "Maybe This Time", another engaging book complete with her usual wit, humor, and oddity. Of note, it is set in 1992, and the only reason I can figure is, the absence of prevalent cell phone use, which, admittedly, works well in the context of this story.
Andie Miller wants to move forward with her life, wanting to marry her fiancé, a good-guy writer named Will. But to do that, Andie decides it is time she face her past - and ex-husband - North Archer for the first time in a decade. Using the ten-years' worth of alimony checks that she has held on to and never cashed, Andie sees North, ostensibly to give him the checks and tell him to let the past be.
But the surprise is on her when North, secretly affected at seeing his ex-wife again, and newly appointed as a guardian to two children, who are relatives, begs her to try and fix his wards, as they have driven other nannies away and have been dealt with a lot of loss. Andie surprises herself by agreeing, telling herself it is only for a month, and then she can move on with Will.
What follows is a tale of ghosts who have a proprietary stake in the house where the children dwell, as well as one of the children, Alice, herself. Along with another ghost, vivacious young May, who also claims a connection to the kids (read to find out!), and her desire to have late-night chats with Andie about Andie's long-suppressed feelings for North.
While this book lacks the requisite cat or dog that Jennifer Crusie seems to adore, everything else - the chemistry, odd but endearing characters, and an interesting plot - is here. Add in a new angle that Crusie uses - the paranormal, which is both somehow endearing *and* chilling - and this is a unique novel. Complete with a smart-aleck psychic named Isolde with ghostly spirit guides, an intellectual who writes about ghosts but does not believe in them (wait 'til you read how he ends up!), a nosy/slutty/opportunistic reporter named Kelly O'Keefe, the creepy Mrs. Crumb, and North's brother, Sullivan, a.k.a. Southey. The book, as is the usual, does not scrimp on quirky characters.
Some say the romance ends up taking a back seat to the ghosts and kids, and maybe it does. But sometimes, as the saying goes, actions do speak louder than words. North's actions in the face of his own skepticism about the goings-on around him prove later that he is a man worthy of second chances, which Andie also yearns for. North seems to be broadly drawn versus past heroes like Cal Morrissey, but in a way, I think that allows the reader to fill in the gaps by reading about his actions and going from there. But he does possess Crusie's brand of dry humor and good looks and a streak of loyalty. Always a great place to go from!
Also somewhat new is the heroine as a sort of quasi-protective mother figure. Many of Crusie's past works have heroines who do not feel the need to have kids (and good for her!). Andie, while starting in the same mold, finds herself becoming quite devoted to the kids, finding she is maternal, after all, and willing to go against anyone - living or dead - to protect them. One scene I thought was heartbreakingly sweet was after a traumatic scare, Andie rocks Alice and sings "Baby Mine" to calm her down.)
I truly hope we do not have to wait another six years (her first since the also-wonderful "Bet Me" in 2004) for a solo novel.
So if you like a dose of paranormal with your romance, pick this up. I guarantee you won't want to put it down!
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Top reviews from other countries
Amazon Customer
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and its likeable
Reviewed in Australia on June 6, 2018christina wilson
great love and ghost story
Reviewed in Canada on February 22, 2016
Ludo
(3/4) Decostruzione e reinterpretazione di The turn of the screw
Reviewed in Italy on October 25, 2012