Jordan Finch is separated from a bad marriage, raising a teenage daughter by trial and error. When his daughter Susan says she needs to buy a dress for the prom, he envisions his little girl in demure ruffles and lace. But fate leads Susan to Ali's clothing boutique Spangles and Ali's helping hand and expertise. Susan buys a dress all right but it transitions her from child to woman.

Ali's best friend Franny convinces her to attend her boss's swanky party and Ali thinking her social life couldn't get much less sparse agrees. There she meets Jordan Finch, a little uptight but with definite possibilities of a fling. Ali doesn't want a relationship; she wants a casual lover. Her upbringing by a rigid mother has defined her outlook on life. Avoid entanglements and go for the gusto, deal with consequences later rather than sooner. That view is apparent in her naval ring and tattoo, which defines her rebellious personality.

Jordan has never met anyone like Ali. He throws caution to the wind and asks for her telephone # at the party. It doesn't take long for Ali to meet his daughter Susan and they laugh at the coincidence that Ali is the one that fitted Susan for her prom dress. But Jordan isn't laughing. His little girl is growing up and Ali was the one who brought this to light in a big way.

The battle is just beginning as Susan and Jordan are at odds on her maturing into a young woman. Ali and Jordan disagree on his views of denying his daughter is growing up and the icing on the cake is Ali's disavowing her affair with Jordan is more than a fling.

I enjoyed the plot line of the story and was caught up in the tangle of Jordan and Ali versus the views of what is appropriate for a teenage daughter both in dress and dating. Susan and Ali's interaction was very enjoyable and you could see them becoming a family in the future. Jordan and Ali's relationship was more complex with Jordan coming off stuffy until he loosened up with Ali through passion. My problem was with Ali and her attitude, which rather than rebellious came off at times as plain bratty and immature. The best part, I thought, was Jordan's fascination with Ali's naval ring. He was both turned on by its uniqueness and almost obsessed to be dating a woman so free-spirited to have one.

The World According to Ali is an easy, light read that will entertain as well as immerse the reader in the universal problem of kids growing into adulthood before the parent is ready and the subsequent acceptance that life goes on, leading to many surprises.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Torie West
November 25, 2005