Burning the Map, by Laura Caldwell

(0373250215)

Reading this book for me was a case of knowing which side my bread is buttered on. The author is related to one of our library board members. So being able to discuss the book coherently is a Good Thing.

Surprisingly, it's not a bad book (although frankly, I'm not sure I could bring myself to discuss much about it with The Board Member; it's pretty risque for that kind of conversation). We follow Casey as she hooks up with her Best-Friends-Since-College-Days, Sin (Lindsey) and Kat and heads off to Rome and Greece for one last fling before she settles down at her job in a Big Law Office in the Loop. Which she is dreading.

Before most of us would have recovered from jet lag, the girls pick up 3 Roman guys--may I add stereotypical Roman guys: scooters, gorgeous, etc. etc. Even though Casey is practically engaged to John back home in Chicago, she has a mild makeout session with one of these guys. Off to Greece where she once again finds herself in lip-lock with someone. And then the worst possible person shows up...

The book is actually pretty chaste, and the descriptions of Italy and the Greek islands are bang-on. The characters themselves are a little cardboard-y, but you can't help but like Casey--even as you want to bash her upside the head for being so dopey through 99% of the book. Having been that dopey oneself at that age, however, keeps one from getting furious at the poor girl.

All in all a nice read, especially for airplanes or beaches. Rather fluffy, but it sure made me want to head back to just about anywhere in the Mediterranean. And be 25ish again. [sigh]