About My Intended

 

"A moving and timely story." -- Ann B. Ross, author of Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind.

 

From Kirkus Reviews:

The unusual premise for this slim debut provides the initial lure, though the fine writing and subtle exploration of relationships supply the lasting appeal. Despite Hannah dragging her feet at every decision, she has finally opted to marry her longtime live-in boyfriend, Drew. Her hesitancy, based less on lack of love than on a fear that their homey relationship might change, haunts her when Drew suddenly dies of a heart attack. Feeling guilty because she didn't marry him years ago, Hannah proceeds with the ceremony and reception, without the groom, as a testimony to their love. She wants to prove to family, friends, and perhaps the ghost of Drew that her recoiling from marriage had nothing to do with any unresolved chink in their relationship. Not surprisingly, her plans are met with shock and dismay, particularly from Drew's parents, who see the whole affair as a mockery of their son's memory (and they don't like Hannah much anyway). Crumbling at every turn, Hannah finds it is her mother, Ruby, who saves the day, creating a mother-daughter bond that never previously existed. Whimsical Ruby plunges her maternal instincts into overdrive as she helps Hannah buy a wedding dress, discuss the unorthodox ceremony with the pastor, etc. With the end of her relationship with Drew, Hannah at long last discovers one with her mother. By the close, the slightly macabre aspect of all of this skillfully metamorphoses into something very natural and heartfelt. An odd first effort, secretly a love story, sweetened by its understated melancholy.-- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

 

From Booklist:

When Hannah's fiancé, Drew, dies, she realizes how uninvolved she'd been in their wedding preparations. Out of guilt and undying love, she decides to go through with wedding, sans groom. Everyone she knows thinks this is a crazy idea, but when Drew's parents bring in a minister to talk her out of it, he tells her to do what she feels is right and even offers to officiate. Drew is all that Hannah can concentrate on, and she sees him everywhere, whether in her work as a photographer or just wandering around Hoboken. Her mother, Ruby, is opposed to the fantasy wedding but surprises Hannah, who has always felt that she came second to Ruby's men, when she helps out. With her mother's support, Hannah, beset by memories, comes to understand more about her love for Drew and why she had been reluctant to marry. Beautiful imagery and eccentric secondary characters greatly enhance this unusual story. Written by Patty Engelmann.