City Journal: Dear Catastrophe Waitress


What would life be like if you were Stacy’s Mom (you know, she’s got it going on)?


What would life be like if you were Stacy’s Mom (you know, she’s got it going on)? Jamaica Plain’s Halpin imagines how two people cope with being the subjects of hit singles. Philipa (whose ex wrote “Philipa Cheats”) and Mark (whose ex penned “Two-Minute Man”) spend years drifting, wounded by their loss and notoriety. When they meet, you’ll cheer for the much deserved happiness they find. The romance is sweet and genuine—and so is Halpin’s book. —Cheryl Alkon