Sunday's at Tiffany's by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet

Sunday’s at Tiffany’s by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet follow the life of a perfectly lovely, lonely little girl, Jane Margaux. Jane has one friend, Michel, who she turns to for comfort, kindness and attention. Michael, however, is her imaginary friend. Jane’s mother is a powerful theatrical producer who only has time for Jane scheduled in once a week, for their weekly stop at Tiffany’s to admire the jewelry. In the world of imaginary friends, rules exist. And Michael must leave Jane on her ninth birthday. According to the rules, Jane won’t remember Michael and he will move on to yet another child that needs him.

Fast-forward thirty years, Jane is working for her overbearing mother, dating a total self-absorbed jerk, and is still a lovely, lonely girl. Yet, she remembered Michael through her whole life. When something, call it fate, conspires to allows them to meet again, it could be her one chance at altering her life forever.

This is the first audio book I’ve ever listened to. I have to say that I’m hooked. How cool is it, to be able to listen to a book while doing all the things I have to do during the day. Thanks to the “culture of the Ipod”, it’s acceptable to walk around with earbuds in ones years. “Reading” while shopping, driving, cooking and cleaning. That’s my kind of multi-tasking! One more excuse to never watch or listen to the depressing news again!

Sunday’s at Tiffany’s is a very mushy romantic book. Part way through, I found myself thinking, “Wow, Patterson is a huge mushball!” I don’t know the logistics of the writing when James Patterson partners with another author, but after listening to this book, I would guess he’s more advisory than hands on. This is a book written by a woman, for women. I usually avoid books like this like the plague. I don’t like romance novels, and have little patience for the whole heaving bosum genre.

That said though, I enjoyed this book. The plot had a clever take on the whole imaginary friend thing. Although I’ll admit that I was a teeny bit creeped out by the adult imaginary friend. Everyone I’ve known with imaginary friends always has other kids as friends. (Yep, I’ve known quite a few people who will admit to having had them, either we’re all really imaginative or seriously messed up…..) I think that Michael could have been a bit older child and still been an adult when they met again, but that’s just my perspective.

For all that, I still enjoyed this book a lot. I was standing in line at the post office near the ending of the novel, in a particularly touching moment. I realized I was really really close to puddling up. (Note to self…don’t listen to tearjerkers in public places….) I realized then, that I did not only like the idea of this book, but the book as well.

Sunday’s at Tiffany’s would be a fast read, light and a bit fluffy, but good for some easy entertainment. Ellen Archer beautifully narrates the audio book to which this review refers.

My rating: