Kevin Bradley wants nothing more than the perfect job, the perfect house and the perfect wife to give him perfect children. Considering that his relationship with Rebecca Davis has hit the five-year mark, it seems about time to settle down and reach some of the goals he's set for his 10- year plan.

Too bad Becca can't visualize what she's doing in the next 10 years, let alone the next 10 minutes. After a pitiful excuse for a proposal (an engagement ring stuffed inside a teddy bear's stomach and then resewn like a bad surgical incision), Kevin keeps the surprises coming with plans for Becca's career and even putting a down payment on a mud pit where their future home will be built some day. While some girls might be thrilled at the prospect of everything falling so easily into place, Becca is scrambling for a paper bag in which to breathe. Between the panic attacks and her smothering fiancé, it's time for a major change.

Becca's sister, Claire, has just gotten married and is living a life of luxury at their mansion in Beverly Glen, CA. Since her husband is working 18-hour days trying to make enough money to pay for the mansion, new cars and catering to Claire's very expensive tastes, Claire is lonely and demands that Becca come live in their guesthouse. Taking this as a sign, Becca packs her bags, dumps her emotional baggage and heads to L.A. where she's sure her career in fashion is about to take off.

As she waits for Paris and Milan to notice her, Becca becomes one of the "slashes" -- you know, a hostess/fashion designer -- at the very chichi restaurant, Rhapsody. Connor Sullivan, entrepreneur and owner of Rhapsody, has a yen for dangerous hobbies like sky diving, street luging and dating narcissistic women. Not looking to settle down, Connor seems like the perfect antidote to cleanse Becca of Kevin's manipulative and controlling ways.

After reading so many chick lit novels that all seem to blend together, Beth Kendrick has put out yet another charming book that will delight and entertain romance readers. Becca deals with her deteriorating relationship with a strength that many female heroines seem to lack. Although pegged by her family as the naïve child, Becca has her shining moments of realization about what she wants in life and knowing when her significant others aren't fulfilling her needs. Well-written with lots of wit and humor, FASHIONABLY LATE is a must-read!