Reviewed by Rosetta Diane Hoessli
***** (Five Stars)

 I’m giving five stars to her latest novel THE TWENTY-ONE-YEAR CONTRACT (the sequel to SECRETS, SHAME AND A SHOEBOX), in which L.B. Griffin recreates the cultural revolution of the 1950’s and 1960’s right there in England, where it all began. She propagates her seamless yet unpredictable storyline with delightful characters, some who don’t have huge roles but definitely need to be onstage, and two main characters – Kate Westfield and Harriet Laws – best friends who have no idea what’s in store for them.

 But the character I fell in love with is Uncle Jack, a drop-dead gorgeous, freewheeling, wealthy playboy who is so much more than he appears to be. To me, he personifies Ms. Griffin’s work; her stories and characters belie the simplicity of her writing style and show us by the end of the novel how deep and remarkable they really are.

 THE TWENTY-ONE-YEAR CONTRACT is the gentle study of an era that seems to now be repeating itself, yet Ms. Griffin doesn’t hit us over the head with a hidden political agenda. She’s simply telling it like it is, and I appreciate that so much. She examines the pain of loss and the human spirit’s need to overcome it, as well as the fear of abandonment and the longing to trust – all weighty themes that she handles deftly and with subtlety. This is a most satisfying and enjoyable read, and I highly recommend it!