Act Two: A Review

Act Two: a Novel in Perfect Pitch is a delightful offering from Kimberly Stuart. This is the first of her books that I've read, though I've heard great things about her books. Particularly from a friend of mine who happens to be her agent. Any thoughts he was merely biased evaporated as I read this book.

New Yorker Sadie Maddox is the toast of the classical-music world -- and a bit of a diva. But lately her CD sales are sagging, not to mention parts of her anatomy. Maybe it's time for a change. So when her agent suggests a professorship as a small liberal-arts college, Sadie decides to give it a go...

Okay, sounds interesting. But put this diva on a pig farm...in Iowa. The contrasts are immense, and the shocks almost overwhelming. The book is written in Sadie's voice and I could almost hear the New York snobbery as she first lands in Iowa and wonders what she's done. If the smell doesn't kill her, the lack of ethnic food might.

Over the course of the semester the town and a certain veterinarian grow on her, even as she's convinced she could never stay.

This book is filled with the reality of what happens when our world gets tilted. I could see and understand Sadie's perspective even as the strong contrasts made the point stand out in a clear fashion. Life has its seasons. And my choice is to accept them with humor or battle them. What will I choose to do when my life is presented with a second act.

Ginger Garrett calls this a laugh out loud book, and she's right. The humor was wonderful -- I laughed my way through this book. And frankly, I can't wait to dive into more of Kimberly's books now that I've enjoyed this one. So this Nebraska girl gives the gal from Iowa kudos for an enjoyable read.