Late and Soon a Novel

In "Late and Soon, " a host of characters confront their confusions in love. Claire, an art specialist at Sotheby's, lives in a world of glamour and achievement -- but after she runs into Toby, the young man her husband left her for five years earlier, she realizes that her broken heart never truly healed. Claire begins to question herself, her past and her future after she learns her ex-husband has also left Toby. "Late and Soon" chronicles Claire's emotional course, as she puts together a sale of paintings that could make her career. She is captivated by one painting in particular that speaks to her and is taken under wing by the painting's owner, an elderly, well-to-do society matron of the old school, who's parting with the painting for reasons that Claire finds poignant -- especially regarding her own romantic longings. And the possibility of romance does indeed loom. As Claire puts together her auction, she must decide whether or not to begin a relationship with Frank, her ex-husband's brother, who has come to New York in pursuit of her for so many years.