Sure, I had one. An imaginary friend is one of the hallmarks of childhood that is soon outgrown. In James Patterson’s "Sundays at Tiffany’s," his latest romance release, written with co-author Gabrielle Charbonnet, Jane is a little girl whose imaginary friend is much needed and much loved. Michael goes with Jane everywhere, and as a little girl in a grown-up world dominated by her forceful producer-mogul mother, Jane thrives in the imaginary world.

Patterson, best known for his mysteries, has made his mark as one of today’s most versatile popular writers with graphic novels and books for teens as well as romances. His other more romantic releases are "Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas" (2001) and "Sam’s Letters to Jennifer" (2004).

The reader is drawn into Jane’s fantasy world in the beginning of the story, but Michael soon has to leave her and while the "rules" of imaginary friends dictate that she forget him, she never does. As an adult, Jane meets Michael again - and again he is a much-needed addition to her life. Caught between her still-domineering mother and a weak and phony fiance, Jane is still in need of true companionship and a bit of confidence.

I had some trouble suspending belief for the fantastical core of the story - an imaginary friend turning out to be real and returning to rescue, and fall in love with, his former charge.

Proponents of the happy ending need not worry here. Unlike some of Patterson’s books, there are no tear-filled moments. The novel is a quick read, perfect for the beach as summer approaches, despite its 320 pages. The characters don’t have the depth of Patterson’s previous romantic forays, but it’s a pleasant enough story. (Little, Brown and Company, hard cover, April 2008, $24.99)