UNESCO director Sonnet Romano leads a charmed life: she has just been offered a sought-after fellowship, a handsome man is in love with her, and she is swept up in her biological father's run for Congress. Then she finds out that her mother is pregnant and there are serious complications, so Sonnet leaves New York and heads to Avalon and Willow Lake. Over-the-top reality show characters add interest, while beautifully integrated flashbacks help put everything into perspective. This engaging series is beginning to acquire classic saga-like dimensions. VERDICT An ambitious heroine who finally discovers what is important in life and a hero who's rising to the top but who has always known where his loyalties lay are front and center in this issue-centered, touching reunion tale. Wiggs (Marrying Daisy Bellamy) lives on Bainbridge Island, WA. (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

The ninth volume in Wiggs' popular Willow Lake series brings together several story lines in surprising and emotional ways to create a satisfying read. The story begins with Daisy's wedding and a brief intense connection between Sonnet and Zach. Sonnet returns to New York only to turn down a prestigious fellowship when her mother, Nina, becomes pregnant, then gets a serious medical diagnosis. Sonnet begins working on a reality-show production in town, and Zach is a lead filmmaker on the project. Minor characters shine, as always with Wiggs, including an insightful hip-hop star and kids from the reality show. Nina's story seems bleak at times, and Sonnet tries to help her while also trying to please her difficult father in a realistically portrayed struggle. Zach's role as white knight for both Sonnet and her mother is touching and funny. This tale of romance and family love is in the popular style of Lisa Wingate and Debbie Macomber and will attract new readers while delighting best-selling, RITA-winning Wiggs' many loyal fans.--Alessio, Amy Copyright 2010 Booklist

Wiggs returns to the lake in her new novel following Fireside. Sonnet Romano is missing one thing from her to-do-before-30 checklist: falling in love. At her stepsister's wedding, Sonnet is unexpectedly overcome by the allure of her long-time best friend, Zach Alger and succumbs to one night of passion with him. But Zach doesn't fit in with Sonnet's life plans so she never called him after that "glorious, sweet, impossible mistake." But when her mother unexpectedly becomes pregnant, and Sonnet learns that there are complications, she rushes from New York City to her mother's side in Willow Lake which puts her in direct line with Zach who has already decided that all he wants is Sonnet. Her mother's condition makes Sonnet re-evaluate her priorities: doing what is expected from her demanding father or doing what her heart wants. Sonnet's continued blindness regarding her father's controlling nature is at times frustrating, yet completely understandable. More problematic is that, while it's a comfortable read, the book lacks the chemistry and passion of Wiggs's previous works. (Aug) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.