Beginner's Greek

James Collins

4/20/2008

Beginner's Greek is one of those charming novels that is hard to put down. My major annoyance with it is the cover art - it's cheesy for this upbeat, romantic novel.

Peter Russell first meets Holly when she sits by him on a cross country flight. By the end of the flight he knows he wants to see her again and again and again. She seems to feel the same way and gives him a special piece of paper with her first name and her L.A. phone number. When he finally settles into his hotel and decides to call her, he can't find it. He lost that precious scrap of paper.

When they meet again years later, Holly is dating, then marries his best friend, Jonathan. Peter goes on with his life and his career. He works for a large financial trading firm and has been advancing steadily. His current boss, though, is sabatoging him. All he can do for the moment is go with the new assignments until he can find the best way to get his career back on a good track. He is marrying Charlotte in a couple weeks. Although not perfect, life is pleasant.

James Collins has written his first novel about a genuinely good guy. Peter Russell is determined at his work and until the current boss, enjoys what he does. He realizes Holly is forbidden and instead makes a good life with Charlotte. He is not the shark of genre romance novels. He isn't a wimp or self effacing, either.

We don't see the day to day stuff - Peter is temporarily in a job position that he doesn't like. But except for the moments its pertinent to the story, we don't get or need details. He doesn't try to sabatoge his own position or have a devious way to get back at his boss. Although quietly in love with Holly, he doesn't try to take her away from Jonathan. His love for Charlotte isn't the same, but he believes he can make their marriage work.

As I think about it, Beginner's Greek never becomes a deep, intrisic tale. It's a more surface story. Yet it pulled me in. As things progress, I was frustrated for the characters, involved with the happenings of the story.

At times Collins pulls in new characters who seemingly don't have anything to do with the main story. Yet, especially in the case of Julia Montague, their ultimate function is brought to light. This even happens in the epilogue.

If you're feeling down, Beginner's Greek is a good book to read. It's uplifting and not maudlin. It's an enjoyable novel and worth the time.

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