Domestic Pleasures

If Rosamunde Pilcher lived in 1980s Manhattan, she might come up with a romantic novel like this one. A large cast of characters is involved in various sorts of relationships; at the center are illustrator Martha Forbes and lawyer Charlie Leveque. Following the death of her ex-husband, Raymond, in a plane crash, Martha is dismayed to learn that Charlie, the lawyer who handled Raymond's hostile divorce proceedings, is now in charge of the estate. Although the two have little in common--except broken marriages and one teenager apiece--they're forced to work together. Gradually, the superficial barriers between them fall and they find themselves in love--and beset by other problems. Gutcheon's gift for witty dialogue and her canny observations propel the generously proportioned story. A particular strength is her sharp depiction of the teens and their relationship. Gutcheon ( Still Missing ) perfectly captures the milieu of upper-middle-class Manhattan, and the result is a vivid, entertaining novel. BOMC alternate; first serial to Ladies' Home Journal; movie rights to Pathe. (June)