As I'm always on the lookout for a new series to lose myself in, I thought I'd give the Dana McGarry stories a try. Like me, Dana McGarry is a 20-something, happily married career woman in the early 1970s. She has a challenging job in one of the most exclusive department stores in New York City and she is very good at what she does. Dana has been married for eight years to Brett McGarry, a rising star in his law firm who is about to be offered a partnership. The life that Dana and Brett have laid out for themselves seems to be going according to plan. Dana dreams that with partnership on the horizon for her husband she may soon have that country house and the children she dreams of. But we all know that life doesn't always go according to plan. Dana realizes that her life is poised for a major change but she mistakenly takes it to be a good change. She is offered proof that her husband, who has grown more distant over the past three years, is engaged in an affair. Should she stay in her marriage or go? Is it just a passing thing or an omen of what the future holds?

I loved this book! It has a timeless quality about it as it deals with the betrayal of a spouse and the aftermath of emotional upheaval. I also was thrilled that while there was extra-marital sex involved there were no cheap, tawdry, or sensational scenes. Sometimes the imagination is more creative than what is written. The character of Dana McGarry is endearing. I found myself cheering for her throughout the book - whether in a work-related scene or one with her friends and spouse. Brett McGarry tries to be likeable but in spite of himself just proves to the reader what a slime ball he is. Secondary characters populate the rest of the book but none overwhelm the McGarrys. That is just what a secondary character should do - be present without drawing too much attention away from the main characters.

A Very Good Life by Lynn Steward is an easy read, a real page turner. I couldn't wait to see what would happen to Dana next and stayed up later than I should have a couple of times. A terrific book to take when traveling or to read by the pool this summer. I'm so happy to have discovered Lynn Steward's books and look forward to reading the next in the series. ( )