Description

‘Warm, wise, witty, and just plain fun’ Maggie Shipstead

At a perfectly ordinary cocktail party, Francis is introduced to Billy and – although it slips right by him at the time – he falls in love with her at once.

Billy is a serious, often glum person. An economic historian, she is indifferent to a great many things (clothes, food, home decor), frowns easily and is frequently irritated.

Francis is older. He likes routine and a well-run household; he likes to pay for dinner, open car doors and call Billy at night to make sure she is safe.

Both are happily married – but not to each other.

So begins a whirlwind love affair, perfectly captured in this frank, funny irresistible novel, from its fabulous inception to its inevitable end.

A W&N Essential with an introduction by Caroline O’Donoghue

Publisher Review

Laurie Colwin is such a wise, witty and simply enchanting novelist — Nigella Lawson These should be read one at a time, perhaps just before bed as a respite from an especially trying day * New York Times * Virtually flawless . . . A tour de force * Los Angeles Times * Whether or not their love goes on is unimportant. The joy is in the intimacy, the utter weirdness and intensity of their connection * Lit Hub * An infallible recipe for happiness: read as much Laurie Colwin as you can — Emma Straub If anyone wrote eloquently and magnificently about affairs of the heart, it was Laurie Colwin * San Francisco Chronicle *