Inside their picture-perfect homes, the residents of this quiet California suburb are not at all what they seem.

Lance is a former weatherman, now a buff yogi, stay-athome dad, and manager of his daughter’s Girl Scout troop’s cookie distribution. Belle is his precocious and quick-witted daughter. Darlene is a classic Type A work-a-holic, she has little time or patience for the needs of her husband and daughter

And just down the street are Alec and Wren. Alec, a womanizing businessman, is also the financial backer—and sometimes more—behind Darlene’s burgeoning empire. Meanwhile, Wren is a doting mother and talented yogi, ready to lay down the mat for a quick session with Lance.

As looming Santa Ana winds threaten to turn brushfires into catastrophe; Playdate proves that relationships are complicated and the bonds between families, spouses and children are never quite what they seem. What happens next door, beyond the hedges, in the romper room and executive office—it’s all as combustible as a quick brushfire on a windy day.

My Comments: I read this and it’s not my type of book.  It is kind of depressing although it is advertised as funny.  I guess I just don’t think that adultery is funny at all.  The story, however, was written well enough to engage me and cause me to finish the book.

I love the idea of a nurturing stay-at-home dad.  If the mom can’t be that, it’s great that the Dad CAN be! Our main character stays at home with his young daughter.  He cooks, cleans and keeps the home fires burning.  His wife is trying to start a restaurant and is gone long hours.

This book well depicts different areas of CA.  It is not glamorous in all of southern CA, although many times Hollywood would like to make it out to be so.  Some areas are desert and just plain HOT.  There are rich, snooty areas and poor areas.  There are beautiful areas, and just plain awful areas.  This book distinguishes between two such areas, and well I believe.

The cover is pretty accurate.  The characters ring plastic and several are players (kind of Barbie and Kennish).  The fire is crucial in helping the characters realize what is truly important in life – kind of predictable.

I hope you have enough information to make an informed decision of whether or not to read this book.  It’s not for everyone.

A special event in the national bestselling mystery series! Craft away the holiday season with the Seaside Knitters.

With the Seaside Knitters’ help, Mary Pisano converts her charming inherited home into a B&B. Her first week is booked by her very own family, in town to discuss their grandfather’s will. She’s hoping the tranquility of the setting will smooth over ill feelings among family members. But when her cousin Pam-a Sea Harbor, Massachusetts, native-is found murdered, she realizes she was dead wrong…

With the holiday cheer severely disrupted, Mary relies on the Seaside Knitters to set things right. They gladly offer their skill for unraveling crime, but it’ll take all their crafty know-how to unravel this deadly tangle.

My Review: I enjoyed this book, although at times I found it hard to follow and it didn’t have my full attention.  The mystery was engaging, however as far as being a Christmas book it was mild.  I felt that the story  just happened to occur during the holiday season, but it wasn’t a central part of the plot.  Being a grandmother, I enjoy reading about “older” characters.  This book had a mix, and the main character had been married a little longer than I have.  I appreciated the project that the knitters took on – that of knitting squares for orphans with HIV in South Africa.  Information on this project was given at the end of the book for others who might be interested in doing the same thing.  The good news is that this book could be read at any time of the year even though the title and cover are holiday-ish.  If you enjoy cozy mysteries, you might want to read this book.

I loooovvvee this cover. And I love the title, Love Starts with Elle (by Rachel Hauck). This book doesn’t come out until August!! How dare they tempt me with this gorgeous cover and most beautiful title and then make me wait so long!

And then there’s this one:

I think this is just one of the most beautiful and enticing covers I’ve seen in awhile. I mean it’s just gorgeous and perfect for spring! Only one more month to wait for this one! (The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter)

And last but certainly not least is this one:

I mean wow!!! What a gorgeous cover!! (A Constant Heart by Siri Mitchell) But guess how long we have to wait? Until October!!!

So as you can see, I’m easily swayed by the cover of a book. I love a beautiful cover and truth be told I love to look at the cover while I read a book and also after I finish a book I love.

What about you? What are some of your favorite covers? Have you ever liked a cover more than a book? What are some books you’re looking forward to? Do you like these covers?