Phillips's involving domestic drama (after Last Bride Standing
) follows L.A. career woman and New Orleans native Darian Cantrell, a 35-year-old with a dream job and a film-producer boyfriend. When she learns her little sister, Monique—a single mom with three daughters in what seems to be pre-Katrina New Orleans—has cancer, Darian rushes home to her sister's side. When Monique dies, their mother, Shirlee, who's married to a much younger man, thinks she's done enough parenting and expects Darian to assume responsibility for Monique's daughters. Darian's unexpected momhood involves multiple problems, but it brings her into contact with Brad, an old boyfriend, and now a divorced single dad who still adores her. It also brings her the unwanted attentions of a stalker. Amid all the drama, Phillips makes Darian courageous and worth rooting for. (Apr.)
