Chick lit meets romance....and they have a beautiful baby! I read a lot of romances but don't read chick lit at all. I have never seen an episode of Sex in the City. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this romance between career-driven Bronte Talbot and British graduate student Max Heyworth. He neglects to mention that he is next inline to be the Duke of Northrop. They were supposed to meet at a party thrown my mutual friends but his flight was late and she was swept up by Mr. Texas. She and Mr. Texas begin a whirlwind affair that ends up with her moving to Chicago to be with him and then deciding that he is only in it for fun and doesn't really want her. She is heartbroken and decides to find a Transitional Man - someone for a quick affair but nothing emotional and certainly nothing lasting. Only she stumbles over Max in a used bookstore and he isn't ready to fall in with her plans.Both Max and Bronte have parent issues. Bronte's father was an incredibly bitter elitist; Max's mother was a neglectful parent who didn't bond with any of her three youngest children. Bronte chose to rebel by going into advertising instead of something more academic and she also developed a fierce need to control her own life and not give in to any pressure from a man. Max was raised by his loving father which gives him a more open heart. Of course, being in line to be a duke also gives him a certain level of arrogance and desire to control those around him. These two strong people meet head on and have to find ways to compromise that will satisfy both of them. The romance was very realistic and still very romantic. Bronte doesn't find it easy to fall in love and change her life. Fans of both chick lit and traditional contemporary romances will both enjoy this story.
