The Cottage by Danielle Steel

"Coop didn't 'do' unpleasant. He did pretty. And easy. And fun. And elegant. And gracious. He had somehow managed to weed out of his life the things he didn't like or that frightened him, and only acknowledged the things he found 'amusing,' and fun to do. The trouble was, Alex reminded herself, real life wasn't like that. And there was generally a lot more 'unpleasant' than 'amusing' in life. But not in Coop's world. He wouldn't allow the bad stuff in. He just pretended to himself and everyone else that the bad stuff didn't exist....He didn't 'do' broke either. He did it, but didn't acknowledge it. He just went on living, and spending, and playing."
                  -Alex's thoughts on Coop's attitudes, from the novel

I was reminded quickly in reading this novel why I haven't read any Danielle Steel in a long time. It was weak on plot, if indeed, there was one. I found it repetitive, predictable, and saccharine. My husband would call it "chick lit." The main character, Cooper Winslow, was very self-absorbed and superficial but other characters were more likeable. I will rate The Cottage a 2. It has been a long time since I read one so unsatisfying.

Coop, as he is called, is a former Hollywood leading man, a legend in his own time. He owns an elaborate mansion known as "The Cottage" which he can ill-afford since at age 70 he is not getting many acting roles. His accountant forces him to fire most of his staff and rent the guest house and gatehouse on his property. Jimmy and Mark become the leaseholders of the two. They are both single and mourning lost spouses.

The third main character is Alexandra Madison, a young and attractive medical resident, who meets Coop at a dinner party. They become an item although I never quite understood her attraction to him. She is something like 40 years younger and he is a well-known playboy! When Taryn shows up, the adult daughter Coop never knew he had, and then Jimmy's mother, one could just about figure on a love triangle, square, circle or some other geometric pattern.

I am guessing it will be a number of years before I choose this author again.