WHAT A WOMAN WANTS is actually the story of what four women want. Childhood friends Faith, Shannon, and Monique reunite in Hilton Head following the suicide of their friend Cely. Stunned by Cely's death, the women decide to spend a summer in tribute to their deceased friend—living life based on their wants and needs, with no expectations but their own and no regrets. On the island, they meet and befriend another woman, Adrianna, who has her own tie to their late friend. In short order, the women discover they must face their pasts in order to embrace their present...and that the future contains a few unexpected surprises.

Ms. Jackson demonstrates why she is one of the most prolific writers of African-American romance. She deftly weaves the stories of these women into an intriguing and satisfying tale about finding love and happiness while making peace with one's past. At times I felt as though I'd entered the middle of a movie—there was so much going on with secondary characters that seemed as though I had missed the opening act—but the story captured and held my attention nonetheless. (In fact, I later discovered that several of the central characters appear in other works by Ms. Jackson. I enjoyed the story so much that I'm certain I'll find and read the previous works.) And there was something for everyone here, from sweet romance to sizzling hot. WHAT A WOMAN WANTS is a good read to start off the new year!