AFTER years of ex-pat life abroad, the Freeman family return to England. The passion in Isabel's marriage has declined to the stage where she says yes to her husband Neil's advances simply because it's easier than saying no.

Then, for the first time in years, she gets a job - and falls for her dangerously attractive new boss, Patrick. Cue a sizzling affair.

This debut novel by actress Sarah Duncan - who has apparently worked at the Theatre Royal in York - is packaged as typical chick-lit. It's certainly sexy enough. But as things go wrong between Isabel and Patrick, and as Isabel's marriage to Neil starts to fall to pieces, the book develops into a surprisingly honest account of human relationships, and what can go wrong when we take people for granted. Only the artificially upbeat ending disappoints.

Updated: 08:42 Wednesday, June 16, 2004