MY BEST FRIEND’S GIRL – Dorothy Koomson
Bantam Discovery
ISBN: 978-0-385-34132-5
April 2008
Contemporary Fiction

Leeds and London, England – Present Day

Kamryn receives a note from Adele, who was once her dearest friend. They haven’t spoken in over two years, ever since Kamryn discovered that Adele’s five-year-old daughter, Tegan, was fathered by Kamryn’s fiancé, Nate. But now, Adele is dying and begs Kamryn to care for the daughter who is so precious to her. Adele tries to explain what happened between her and Nate, but Kamryn refuses to hear it. She hasn’t seen Nate for two years, but still has not forgiven him for his betrayal. Adele and Kamryn became friends in college. At the time, Kamryn didn’t have a good image of herself, even after she lost weight and learned to dress, but Adele took an instant liking to her and they were soon best friends. Kamryn’s self-esteem improved while she helped Adele through the rocky relationship she had with her abusive parents.

Tegan is staying with Adele’s parents, and when Kamryn sees her, she finds a depressed Tegan locked in her room with rotting food and bruises on her little body. Kamryn packs Tegan’s possessions and takes her away. Although Kamryn never intended to have children, she always loved the little girl and cannot bear to see her hurt. Adele’s last days are happy now that she can see her daughter every day and know that she will be well cared for. Kamryn catches a glimpse of Nate at Adele’s funeral; he has no idea that Tegan is his child, but if Kamryn wants to adopt Tegan, will she have to tell him, and finally listen to an explanation of how it all came about? After her break up with Nate, Kamryn made her work her life. Now she has Tegan to love and care for and is learning to be the best mother that she can be.

Kamryn is a marketing manager for a large conglomerate of department stores. When she returns to work after a short leave, she meets her new boss, Luke, whom she takes in instant dislike. Will she be able to work with him? Will she ever find a man to love, or is she destined to be mother and father to Tegan? Will Kamryn and Tegan get through their grief for Adele?

A story of love, friendship, and forgiveness, MY BEST FRIEND’S GIRL is Dorothy Koomson’s debut novel in the U.S. It has its sad moments and its delightful moments as Kamryn comes to terms with fitting in her career with motherhood, and as she leaves her frivolous life style behind for something more serious and satisfying. With two men in her life, she has decisions to make as well as come to terms with her grief for Adele. Tegan is a sweet little child who loves her new mummy. The story is well written with just a bit of English flavor. The conversation is realistic and the pacing is good.

MY BEST FRIEND’S GIRL is a heart warming story that readers are sure to enjoy. Americans will be looking forward to more stories from the talented pen of Ms. Koomson.

Marilyn Heyman