Daisy Flattery has been working as an artist, after leaving her job as a teacher, and not having a great deal of luck keeping her head above water financially when her upstairs neighbor needs a fiance for the weekend.


Linc Blaise is interviewing for a position in the History Department at Prescott College and in a moment of panic invented a fiance. And now he needs to find a suitable woman to help him convince the powers that be that he's the right man for the job.

But Linc think Daisy is flighty and says the first thing that comes out of her mouth. His taste runs to trim blonds who fit in with his chrome and black furniture and track lighting. Daisy's life is mismatched and comfortable and her art is uncomfortable for a lot of people but she works hard to make sure she doesn't embarrass Linc during his interview.

In fact, everyone loves Daisy and when Linc shows up in the fall without her it's a problem. His intention was to create a new story about how they broke up but the department chair sends him to go get her so he does. Linc convinces Daisy to spend the academic year married to him - he wins by keeping his job and she wins by being able to paint and not worry about the bills. Each has some concern about what this says about their priorities and the growing attraction building between them.


One thing Linc didn't count on was everyone liking Daisy so much or Daisy becoming such an integral part of life in the community. The students he tutors start coming to his house even when he's not there, faculty he works with do the same, and everyone loves Daisy - including the dog she adopts as soon as she gets to town.


True to other Crusie stories there are some wonderfully funny moments but this story also has some unexpectedly touching experiences between the two main characters. This may not be a new Crusie - it's a re-release from Bantam - but it's new to me and may be new to many of you. One thing I know about it though is that you won't be disappointed.