When I Fall in Love - Softcover

Dart, Iris R

3.71

301 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0380731983 ISBN 13: 9780380731985

Publisher: Avon, 1999

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Funny, feisty Lily Benjamin has it all-as a top television comedy writer she juggles her demanding job, single motherhood, and a satisfying romance with a well-respected doctor. But suddenly her life is turned upside down. Her relationships grow lackluster, her housekeeper ups and quits...and,tragically, her mentor and boss dies-leaving her at the mercy of her new boss. Charlie Roth, known as the God of Jokes, is heartless, hilarious, and off-the-wall crazy...and with terrible problems of his own.

But when a new tragedy strikes Lily's life, Charlie's coldhearted exterior melts away, revealing the sensitive spirit of a man who understands heartache as no one else can...who helps Lily and her son rebuild their lives...and makes her believe that love can happen when you least expect it.

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Review:

Told with the same compassion and humor that drew readers to her bestselling book, Beaches, Iris Rainer Dart's When I Fall in Love is the story of one woman's search for true beauty and strength in today's cruel world. Lily Benjamin may have a great job as a comedy writer and a sweet cardiologist fianc�, but when her 15-year old son Bryan's spinal cord is severed by a gun shot, she can find no solace in humor or medicine. Bryan thinks life as a paraplegic will be dismal, and Lily can't muster any optimism either. When her new boss Charlie Roth shows little patience for her, Lily is dumbstruck. Charlie's attitude strikes her as particularly cruel and insensitive, considering his own disfigurement from cerebral palsy.

Even worse, however, is Charlie's new interest in Bryan. Determined to give Bryan and herself appropriate time to grieve, the last thing Lily wants is to have Charlie storming into the hospital and confronting them with his warped opinions on cartoon cripples. But as Bryan reacts to Charlie's offbeat humor, Lily slowly realizes that Charlie connects with Bryan in a way no one else can. Through Charlie's guidance, humor, and love, both Lily and Bryan gain a new perspective on life. As Lily reflects on her feelings for Bryan, Charlie, and her fianc�, Mark, she struggles to learn that, "It is only with the heart that one can see. What is essential is invisible to the eye."

Tackling the sensitive issues of disability and self-image, Dart's mixture of down-to-earth dialogue and realistic character development keeps the After-School-Special-Syndrome at arm's length. Our heroes have human flaws, and--with the exception of a minor wife-beating character--our villains are sympathetic. The evolution of Lily's own attitudes and outlook is genuine, and readers will enjoy strong secondary characters as well as some heartfelt humor in this unexpected love story.--Nancy R.E. O'Brien

About the Author:

Iris Rainer Dart is the author of eight novels, including the much-beloved New York Times bestseller Beaches. The mother of two children, she lives in California with her husband.

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