The Ultimatum

By Dan Graziano

Book Overview

Henry's got it good. He's a semi-successful, if not yet famous novelist. He's got a good job and good buds. Best of all, he's got Layla, his long-time, live-in lover, a fast-track associate at a New Jersey law firm. Henry loves Layla and she loves him. Life is a banquet, until . . . The Ultimatum In a week, Henry and Layla are off to Maine for a friend's wedding. And if Henry hasn't proposed marriage by the time the bride tosses the bouquet, Layla swears they're finished. For good. Henry thinks if it's not broke, don't fix it. But Layla needs proof of his love and devotion. And she's not kidding. So who can he turn to for advice? Jake, his despondent divorced brother? His marriage-junkie golf friend, Big John? His outsized Peter Pan pal Pete, who simply won't grow up? Meanwhile Layla's got her two best girlfriends, tough-talking Gloria and sensitive Susan, giving helpful, contradictory advice. Time is ticking away on the most important decision of Henry's life. But it'll take a mad, high-speed road trip and some bizarre behavior--perhaps even an impromptu kidnapping--to point him in the right, life-changing direction.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060847972
• ISBN13: 9780060847975
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A fascinating peek into the thoughts of a man

This is a great summer/vacation read, that will make you laugh out loud. Although I felt I knew what the ending must be all along, I simply had to keep on reading this book until I got all the "answers." Which, is a lot to say for a mom of 2 with a newborn - I can barely get through a sitcom. This book not only held my attention, but the prospect of continuing my reading every night helped me get through the day. For any woman who wonders, "It's so obvious to me, but what's his problem?" (as i wondered myself while waiting for my not-too-swift husband to realize I was "the one" back when), this will not only enlighten you, but make you appreciate the male species.

delightful relationship drama

In New Jersey, Henry feels he is living a great life. He loves his girlfriend associate lawyer Layla and believes she feels the same way about him. He is making decent money and he has had some success as a novelist. His world crashes when Layla gives him until the bride at a wedding they will attend in Maine tosses her bouquet to propose or she is moving out. Stunned Henry cannot comprehend why she wants to change their relationship. As Layla expects her beloved to fail her, she flirts with attorney Ben. He turns to his buds like Big John the golf junkie, Pete the model for Peter Pan on adult childhood, and his brother Jake the divorcee for advice; Layla discusses THE ULTIMATUM with cut out his heart Gloria and Mother Theresa reincarnation Susan, whose respective advice pulls her in opposite directions. What will he choose as the one week ultimatum ticks away? The premise behind THE ULTIMATUM makes for a delightful relationship drama as the audience will know from the onset that the lead couple are in love. Henry has commitment issues somewhat caused by his being in a comfort zone that he does not want to alter while Layla believes it is time to move on either as a couple or separately. Although there is no action, fans of modern day contemporary tales will appreciate this character driven tale starring two likable protagonists supported by purposely hyperbolic stereotypical secondary players who bring out the best and worst in THE ULTIMATUM. Harriet Klausner

A GREAT SUMMER READ

I picked this book up and couldn't put it down until it was (sadly) over. I not only loved the relationship between Layla and Henry, but also the interactions with all the secondary characters. When Layla was hanging out with her girlfriends I was there with mine. There is plenty of tension and surprise to keep the pages turning quickly. The transitions from Henry's point-of-view to Layla's was so smooth, you could almost imagine this book had two authors - a male and female! What a fun book!