LOST AND FOUND

Sam Washington, the beautiful but tightly wound heroine of this cute confection, is the "Queen of Control," marching along the partnership treadmill at her London law firm, her love life reduced to fending off a senior partner's advances. Unlike her friends—cheerfully promiscuous Gemma, fellow lawyer EJ, and blissfully betrothed Sophie—she has abandoned flings, commitment and getting close. Enter wild-card Ben, scruffy-sexy producer of dubious television documentaries like the lingerie-model exposéStorm in a D Cup , who finds and reads Sam's lost diary. Is Ben smitten by this glimpse into Sam's soul, or does he want to turn her embarrassing secrets into a reality show? Sigaloff (Name and Address Withheld ) expertly situates this fictional imbroglio on the Bridget Jones's Diary/Sex in the City plane, as Sam endures the humiliations and glamour of 30-ish singletonism, assisted by a gaggle of gal-pals who lunch, shop and spa their way through obstacles. Serious issues, like her father's lung cancer, occasionally surface, but are kept firmly yoked to the mission of helping her get her groove back. Sam can seem self-involved, and the narrative sometimes creaks with crossed signals and missed connections, but an appealing cast of characters, sprightly dialogue and a charming comic touch will keep readers turning pages. (Jan.)