Every now and then I stumble upon a truly delightful piece of women's fiction. TWO OF A KIND falls into that category. Christina Connelly, an interior decorator, is widowed, raising her teenaged daughter as a single mom, with the help of a few of her neighbors and friends. The last thing she's looking for is romance. But the bride at the wedding she's attending has set her up to meet Dr. Andy Stern, a potential decorating client.

Andy Stern is himself a widower with a teen son, one who finds himself repeatedly in trouble at school. Andy has not sworn off relationships as has Christina; he just hasn't found the woman with whom he'd like to be involved long- term, not that he's looking for forever anyway.

When Christina and Andy meet, it's not a case of sparks flying. She doesn't like him, and he's sure she's not right for him. But love has a mind of its own, and the pair find themselves embroiled in a love affair that looks sure to last—if they can overcome the challenges brought by their careers, children and extended family.

I loved the development of the relationship between Christina and Andy. Andy is everything she wants and needs, yet not. For Andy, Christina fills a void in his life. They have to deal with meddling parents, disgruntled children, and unexpected business challenges. But through all of that, they find a way into each other's hearts, reabiding in that when circumstances makes what matters most painfully obvious.

The secondary stories about Andy's unique gift within his profession and Christina's disreputable business associate added an interesting flavor to an already enjoyable dish.

Yona Zeldis McDonough writes with such a New York sensibility: a particular word, a turn of phrase, a focus on something that someone unfamiliar with the sights and sounds of the city might not notice. As I was reading, it felt as if I were in NYC, from Park Slope to the Upper East Side. This book made me nostalgic for a place I call home. My life in New York was different than that these characters, but I knew people, not so much like Andy Stern, but like Christina, Jordan and Stephen. I thought of them and missed them as I read. TWO OF A KIND is a one of a kind tale.

Book Summary

Ten years after losing her husband, Christina Connelly has worked through the pain, focusing on raising her teenage daughter and managing her small decorating business. But her romantic life has never recovered. Still, it’s irksome to be set up with arrogant, if handsome, doctor Andy Stern at her friend’s wedding. If he wasn’t also a potential client, needing his Upper East Side apartment redesigned, she would write him off.

This is never going to work, Andy thinks. Still grieving his wife and struggling with a troubled son, he’s not looking for a woman, and certainly not someone as frosty and reserved as Christina. Their relationship will be strictly business. Yet to everyone’s surprise—including their own— these two find themselves falling in love.

But if reconciling with their pasts is difficult, blending their lives and children to create a new family is nearly impossible. They’ve been given a second chance…but can they overcome all the obstacles in the way of happily ever after?