"Hector and the Secrets of Love" by François Lelord
I really don't know what possessed me to read this second installment about Hector, but alas, it felt like a good idea at the time. So after the adventure of finding happiness in book#1, Hector finds himself in a strange position involving love. His lover, Clara, is a pharmaceuticals executive, and her company invites Hector to a conference about a drug focusing on the nature of love. Hector meets other psychiatrists as well as Gunther, the head honcho of the pharmaceutical company (and Clara's secret lover.) Apparently, the company had focused a lot of research and money on a love drug, but their head researcher, Professor Cormorant steals the elixir and heads for Asia. Hector is talked into following him on the company's dime to regain their investment. So yes, the book is still whimsical and simple since it is translated from the French, but I actually enjoyed this book more than the previous one. Hector is a strange character and not all that likable. He meets up with Jean-Marcel, and together they go on an Asian adventure. Of course, there has to be a love triangle, which involves Hector and Vayla (who was instructed to give him the love potion to see its effects). I don't know why, but this author likes to have his protagonist cheat on Clara in every book. I would think that fact alone would mean that he no longer truly loves her, but what do I know? Does Hector truly love Clara or is his lust for Vayla on the drug deeper than his first feelings? Overall, it's a goofy little book, which doesn't give many nuggets of new knowledge on love.
Jen's Rating: **