Sydney Laine Allan has become one of my favorite authors during the past few years. She continually manages to produce quality novels that leave me laughing, crying, or tearing my hair out. Paranormal romances are not my usual choice of reading material, but I slogged through About Monday with no problem. Seeing how I enjoyed so many of Sydney’s other novels, I had a feeling About Monday would be a winner. I wasn’t disappointed.

About Monday’s heroine, Jenny Brown, is an average, hard-working girl with a budget-priced apartment and an unremarkable life. Co-worker Monica Stark is tall and gorgeous and has everything Jenny believes a woman could ever want. Not only is she attractive, but she’s wealthy and has a rich, handsome fiancé. One Monday evening when Jenny is at a low point in her life, she makes a wish that she were Monica. The following morning she wakens in Monica’s bed. Ready to make the most of a golden opportunity Jenny soon realizes, other than Monica’s kind, gorgeous boyfriend, Jason Foxx, life for Monica isn’t much better.

As a matter of fact, it proves to be even worse. Upon meeting Jason, Jenny learns he’s disgusted with Monica’s selfishness and has broken their engagement. But Jenny, in the guise of Monica, manages to repair Monica’s and Jason’s failing relationship. Jason finds himself falling in love with Monica again. After the two women switch places again, Jason knows something’s fishy. Suddenly, the old Monica has returned, though her edges have softened somewhat. When Jenny tells him about the ‘switch,’ he can’t believe it.

About Monday ends just the way a good romance should end—happily. I related well to Jenny’s feelings of insecurity about herself at the start of the book, recognizing some of the same feelings in my twenty-year old daughter. I found myself hating Monica in the beginning and loving her in the end. Jason is a strong man with a gentle heart, and I found myself attracted to him, which is unusual since alpha-male types usually appeal to me.

About Monday held my interest, with the exception of a bit of a pacing lag three-quarters through the book. At that point, I found myself growing disgusted with Jenny’s stubbornness in not believing Jason loved her instead of Monica. Thank God, the woman came to her senses in the end. Thanks for the wonderful read, Ms. Allan.

Reviewed by Nancy Pirri
©May 2006