Marrying Mom. Olivia Goldsmith

      OLIVIA GOLDSMITH

      MARRYING MOM

Copyright

      HarperCollinsPublishers

      1 London Bridge Street

      London SE1 9GF

       www.harpercollins.co.uk

      This edition 1998

      Special overseas edition 1997

      First published in Great Britain by HarperCollinsPublishers 1997

      First published in the USA by HarperCollinsPublishers 1997

      Copyright © Olivia Goldsmith 1997.

      Olivia Goldsmith asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

      A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

      This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

      All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

      Source ISBN: 9780006499886

      Ebook Edition © MAY 2015 ISBN: 9780062424082

      Version: 2015-10-28

Praise for Olivia Goldsmith:

       Marrying Mom

      ‘What a great feeling to fall into the capable hands of Olivia Goldsmith. The author of The First Wives Club and Bestseller always serves up believable characters in slightly outlandish situations in a mixture that makes highly entertaining reading … The resulting romantic twists and turns are funny, but better still is Goldsmith’s sharp portrait of the maddening but lovable Phyllis … All pop novels ought to be as hard to put down as Marrying Mom.’

       People

      ‘Witty … full of funny New York moments and read-for-the-big-screen charm … Perfect comic relief.’

       New York Daily News

       Bestseller

      ‘Extremely satisfying.’ The New York Times Book Review

      ‘Like Jane Austen dealing blackjack … you keep licking your fingers and reaching for the next page as if it were another potato chip.’

       Newsweek

Dedication

      To Nan, with abiding affection.

      We’ll always have Paris.

Epigraph

      “Old age is woman’s hell.”

      —Ninon de Lenclos

Thanks to:

      Paul Smith for putting up with an insane schedule, and for giving me the house of my dreams.

      Jim and Christopher Robinson for their understanding and sacrifice on behalf of this book.

      Linda Grady, as fine a reader as she is a friend and writer.

      Barbara Turner for her love, humor, and for giving me this plot in the first place. (Don’t sue, sis.)

      Paul Mahon because of all those trips to Montana, Ireland, Michigan, and the rest. Lucky I don’t depend on you.

      Jerry Young for never putting me on hold. What are you wearing, Jerry?

      Sherry Lansing for sharing my vision, telling me jokes, and turning this book into a film.

      Aida Mora for keeping me supplied with endless Diet Cokes and making things homey.

      Allen Kirstein for encouragement when I needed it the most.

      John Yunis for tempting me to look better than I ever have.

      Flex (a.k.a. Angelo) for the streaks and blow job.

      Gail Parent, whom I can’t live without.

      Chris Patusky, who tried to pick me up at a book signing. (Hope that trouble with the bar association clears up soon, Chris.)

      Amy Bobrow for help with Wall Street lingo and with Matilda.

      Harold Wise, the best, most caring internist in Manhattan. You were right about everything, Harold.

      Diana Hellinger, the only girlfriend I have who will sing with me over the telephone.

      Lorraine Kreahling for putting aside our project while this book consumed me; thanks for being my friend.

      Amy Fine Collins for helping me with my ABCs. You know I’d always do it for you, girlfriend.

      Mike Snyder for being one giant earlobe. You were so slow you hurt my whole family, but I love you.

      John Botteri (a.k.a. Moe) for knowing exactly how many BTUs a girl writer needs.

      Barry LaPoint for your artistic talent, integrity, and for knowing which of the hallway doors to change.

      Laura Ziskin for kindly understanding and for giving this book up.

      David Madden, even though you wouldn’t marry me.

      Robert Cort for giving me the really key advice about Mom’s character. Wish this were an award, big guy.

      Arlene Sorkin, girl screenwriter extraordinaire.

      Andrew Fisher for his unmatchable expertise in dealing with the true professionals of the building trade.

      Kelly Lange, because being Queen ain’t easy.

      Anthea Disney, a real woman, a real CEO, and a real pal.

      Ruth Nathan, my inspiration in so many ways.

      Lynn Goldberg, because I still worship you, Lynn. And by the way, when are you going to put me up on your wall?

      Dwight Currie, superb book reader, bookseller, book writer, and bookkeeper (except for that last one).

      Michael Kohlmann, still “the nice one” and still my friend.

      Steve Rubin and Ed Town of Gallery North Star, Grafton, Vermont, for keeping me well fed and well hung.

      Edgar Fabro at Copy Quest, because no one can duplicate his amazing talents.

      Jody Post, because I miss you and I missed you.