They’re at it again, the mother/daughter writing team of Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella. Each July, a new collection of stories from their Chick Wit column in the Sunday Philadelphia Inquirer arrives just in time for some light summer reading. Included in I SEE LIFE THROUGH ROSÉ-COLORED GLASSES are some new stories that have not been previously published anywhere.

Francesca, being a single gal residing in New York City, writes about the pleasures and perils of the dating scene, among other topics. She expounds on how to do a breakup nicely and hopefully remain friends. She has dated a variety of fellows, but the guy who takes the cake --- literally --- is the one who tackles the remaining third of her birthday cake with a fork instead of cutting himself a slice. The remaining mutilated mess of frosting and chunks of cake crumbs is very telling. This dude is angry. And clueless, too. Yes, a breakup ensues.

"Lisa and Francesca are funny, honest and real. Each July, I look forward to the pleasure of reading and reviewing their latest book."

Francesca views a YouTube video of dog clipping and then tackles her beloved Shih Tzu, Pip. As the accompanying photo shows, Pip looks pretty good.

Lisa is well known for oversharing, and she may have passed that trait along to her daughter. The reader will decide after learning about Francesca’s first and only Brazilian bikini wax.

And Lisa shares the story of her health insurance carrier sending her a gift in the mail —- a do-it-yourself stool collection kit, which has the euphemism of fecal immunochemical test. You just know the story is going downhill from here.

When Lisa, an avid gardener of perennials, runs out of garden space in her yard, she finds lovely colorful pots on sale at 40% off at the garden center. Three trips later, she has 27 new pots filled with colorful perennials. A girl can’t have too many pots. Nor can she resist a sale.

She decides to purchase some wind chimes online but is bewildered by the variety of chimes for sale. She cannot figure out what she wants them to sound like. All the choices just make a decision too complicated. Will she or won’t she...buy a wind chime?

Lisa writes about the passing of her dear Corgi, Ruby, and also mentions the late remarkable Mother Mary in a few stories. Mother Mary is on every page of the book, whether she is mentioned or not. Because this is a very closely knit Italian family.

Lisa and Francesca are funny, honest and real. Each July, I look forward to the pleasure of reading and reviewing their latest book.