Review: Another fun read by Dee Desario!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 30, 2012
4.5 StarsLisby Shaw has left her "functioning alcoholic" husband; her two teenage children are too busy being teenagers to pay her much attention unless they have something to gain; and she has no career or hobbies to speak of.  In a word, she is in a rut, but Daria, her single and spunky television producer best friend, is about to change all that when she arranges for Lisby to star in a television reality show "The Kitchen Shrink".  The show is pitched as "Therapeutic Interior Design" and during the course of the show, therapy and carpentry are to go hand in hand.  As Lisby makes changes in her kitchen, she will also make positive changes in her life.  That is the plan, at least.  Although Lisby is not entirely convinced, Daria and Lisby's kids won't let her say "no" and besides, she really wants a new kitchen.This is the second book I have read by Dee Desario and I am once again impressed with her ability to draw such entertaining characters who truly come to life in the pages.  I think what I enjoyed most about this book was the authenticity of the family dynamics.  Lisby's relationship with her teenage daughter and son and even her ex-husband felt so incredibly real to me and I laughed at their banter on more than one occasion.  I absolutely loved Nicole and Ryan as they were quintessential teenagers.  The other secondary characters from Elgin (the set designer), Sam (the camera man), and Daria (the best friend) also added humor and some entertaining confict to the story.  Finally, I liked that while there was a romantic element to the book, the novel really focused on Lisby finding the spark in her own life again.Dee Desario is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!