A Certain Smile

Rating:
Summary: Blah ze ending to a somewhat interesting story
Review: Yes, I am hooked on the writing talents of Judith Barnard and Michael Fain. Yet as I make my way through their books I find Certain Smile to have left me hanging. I rather enjoyed becoming aquainted with the main characters, Li and Miranda. Theirs is a romance that springboards from a reality close to home: they are of seasoned ages, he a professional, she a budding professional, both having children, both at a point in thier lives where taking chances on the unusual (dating strangers in a foreign land) is not all too ridiculous. Mostly, I enjoy the pictures the authors drew for me of a land I've not had the privilage of visiting. It inspired me to be more inquisitive of the culture. However, beyond these few basics which kept me reading, I was disappointed in the outcome of the relationship. Miranda's character, in the end, showed lack of maturaty inconsistent with the tenor of the relationship as it was developed throughout the story. Additionally, a bit of the storyline was next to unbelievable... the wheelings and underhanded dealings of Li's son... but that along with the romance is what makes this all fanasy. And fantasy is the escape I enjoy in my free time reading!