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LUST FOR LIFE
Adele Parks (Downtown, $14)
Martha, a serious, married mom of two, and
sister Eliza, a video editor with a live-in musician boyfriend, watch
their relationships go kaput. Source of Angst Martha finds fun (but no
commitment) with new beau Jack, while Eliza goes on a gaggle of ho-hum
dates. Bad-Boy Line Under Jack's ''naked friends'' theory, he's allowed to
sleep with other women as long as he's honest about it. Lowdown Breakup
woes are hardly new, but well-drawn characters and believable emotions
elevate Lust. B+ — Clarissa Cruz
THE VOW
Denene Millner, Angela Burt-Murray & Mitzi Miller (Amistad, $23.95)
Three type A, African-American career girls in L.A. — journalist, agent,
actress — make a pact to be married within a year. Source of Angst If only
eligible black men were as easy to acquire as closets full of Prada.
Bad-Boy Line ''You and your girls have set some arbitrary timetable to
rope a brother...and you're wondering why brothers are afraid of
commitment?'' Lowdown Lots of insidery dirt, but too much man-juggling
becomes a circus act. B- — Nina Willdorf
EX AND THE SINGLE GIRL
Lani Diane Rich (5 Spot, $12.95)
Syracuse grad student Portia is duped
by her loopy Southern family into a post-breakup sabbatical at home.
Source of Angst A dreamy Brit author is a tempting distraction, but her
ex still looms. Bad-Boy Line A thundering ''...'' follows Portia's
audaciously raw profession of love to one suitor. In this case, the
strong, silent type is overrated. Lowdown Besides a minor overdose of
Steel Magnolias Southern quirk and an obvious ending, Ex is still
sweetly engaging. B+ — Leah Greenblatt
THE MAKEUP GIRL
Andrea Semple (Strapless, $12.95)
Sexy Faith has a hot PR job and a
hotter boyfriend — or so her family and friends think. Source of Angst In
truth, Faith works at a makeup counter, lives in a decrepit flat, and
barely tolerates Frank, the alcoholic, possibly suicidal yeti living
downstairs. Bad-Boy Line After trying to seduce Faith in the stockroom
and getting her fired, sex buddy Adam tells her: ''You'll get another
[job]. No problem, babe.'' Lowdown The loose ends tie up almost
ridiculously tight, but that provides some simple satisfaction. B — LG
