From Publishers Weekly
In his first novel, writer and television producer Wellen (author of the memoir
Barman) presents an uncommon love story; having already won the heart of his dream girl, college dropout Andy Altman now faces the hard part, winning the blessing of her crotchety father, Gregory Day, who also happens to be Andy's boss. After moving back to his hometown, Andy takes a job at the pharmacy and finds a great mentor in Gregory, the old pharmacist, until Gregory finds out that Andy's dating his daughter, Paige. Wellen balances a wacky plot about an illicit senior citizen drug ring with heartfelt coming-of-age storytelling and complicated family drama. Andy is endearingly dorky (charts and drawings of his amateur inventions are scattered throughout), and his close-to-cloying romance with Paige is saved by realistic roadblocks. A mid-book twist takes the story down an unexpectedly melancholy path, but Wellen pulls off a satisfying romantic conclusion. Part mystery, part romance and part screwball comedy, this novel keeps its varied elements from spinning out of control with a fresh, confident voice.
(July) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
"A delightful romantic comedy with unexpected humor and a wacky cast of supporting characters."
—
The Washington Post"Alex Wellen's engagement story is such a doozy, he lifted it frame by frame for his romantic, laugh-out-loud-funny first novel,
Lovesick."
—
San Francisco Chronicle"Pulling back the curtain on what men really think about getting married."
—Gwyneth Paltrow's
GOOP.com
"A screwball comedy about small-town love."
—The Daily Beast
"In his new book, Lovesick, CNN deputy political director Alex Wellen offers a new twist on the concept that only women want to get married."
—The Hill
"In the book Lovesick, Alex Wellen has created a character who steals our hearts from the first page. Andy just wants to marry the love of his life, Paige, but first he has to overcome the overt hostility of her father–who happens to be his boss–and the skulduggery of a group of geriatric goof balls."
—The Piedmont Virginian
"I love this book with a fondness that I have not felt since
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time or the last airing of 'It's a Wonderful Life.' It's warm and funny and true, and I did not want it to end."
—Mary Roach, author of
Stiff and
Bonk"Packed into this inventive, hilarious tale of small-town domestic realism is a parable for our times."
—Po Bronson, #1
New York Times bestselling author
"
Lovesick is a fresh, funny look at the rocky road to real love and a happy marriage. Andy Altman is an ordinary-guy hero with extraordinary heart and the story Alex Wellen creates around him is as touching as it is entertaining. As for Andy' s best pal, 83-year-old Sid — don't get me started!! He's the kind of character that jumps off the page and sticks with you for a long, long time. Read
Lovesick. You'll feel better about everything!!"
—Larry King, host of CNN's Larry King Live
"Alex Wellen has created memorable characters with emotional honesty, depth, and a great sense of humor. Andy and Paige will leave readers feeling simultaneously conflicted by their choices and warmed by the authenticity of a relationship that began when they were children. Lovesick is a must-read for anyone who believes that love conquers all, even when everything seems to stand in the way."
—Rosalind Wiseman, author of
Queen Bees and Wannabes, the basis for the film,
Mean Girls
"A humorous look at the adventurous transition from engagement to marriage."
- National Law Journal
