The Wedding Secret

The weekend before eagerly starting her new job as an assistant producer for the hottest talk-show on television, Cecile Duletsky serves as a bridesmaid in her much younger sister's wedding. Cecile attends the wedding alone, having just moved back to Chicago to start her new job, get closer to her family, and to forget her cheating ex-boyfriend. At the wedding, Cecile finds herself paired with Luke Shaw, a groomsman also tempting fate by attending the wedding alone. Attracted to each other and both susceptible to "wedding magic"--that unpredictable desire to hook-up at weddings when one is unattached--Cecile and Luke end up spending the rest of the weekend together. Cecile leaves Luke's condo without saying goodbye or writing down her number. After all, the hook-up was only supposed to be a temporary wedding-induced insanity. Moreover, she doesn't want to seem pushy, and she knows that Luke can contact the bride and groom to get her phone number if he truly wants it. Except that when she arrives at work on Monday, she discovers Luke is her new supervisor. Luke, having sworn off pointless relationships, is seriously irritated that Cecile disappears while he's sleeping. It must be her way of indicating it was just a one-night stand. But Luke realizes that he's unintentionally committed a cardinal workplace sin--participation in a co-worker romance. Although he immediately confesses to his boss that he's violated the no fraternization policy, he's told that if the relationship continues, he'll be fired. The only problem is that he feels a real connection to Cecile. The Wedding Secret meshes the perils and joys of moving closer to one's family, identifying one's true priorities, and determining what one is willing to sacrifice for even the possibility of love. This, the second installment in Dunaway's "American Beauties" series, explores the choice between the unquestionably great job and the mere chance for a great relationship. I was compelled to go buy the first in the series, The Marriage Campaign, and am eagerly awaiting the third.--Reviewed by Regan Loyd

The second of the American Beauties Series, Sorority Sisters, Friends for Life series, this one features Cecile Duletsky. Cecile is returning to her home town of Chicago, having landed a job as a producer for a rising local talk show, and acting as bridesmaid in her younger sister's wedding. Her goal is to have it all - if only she could find "Mr. Right" instead of "Mr. Right Now." Enter Luke Shaw - groomsman, and total hunk. The attraction between the two is instantaneous. And after a Wow factor post wedding get together, he's startled to find Cecile has left - without a note or a goodbye. Though he's tempted to call his friend, and Cecile's new brother in law, he has work waiting in the form of a file for his new employee. The shock comes when he find the new hire is none other than the very woman who rocked his world only hours before. Thanks to a non-fraternization policy of the show's host and executive producer, Luke and Cecile are forced to put business first. However, the attraction grows and both have to come to find a way to balance their career goals, their desire for `having it all - career, hearth, home and family' and their own fears - especially Cecile. With the help of friends, courage and love, the two find a way to keep their secret from their boss and co-workers, until the pressure becomes too much. Michele has done it again with a wonderful story - the sizzle is intense, the emotions are strong, and the humor is terrific! Don't miss this one - it'll warm your winter night and keep you turning the page!