Isabel Duncan knows her director's job at the small, but
prestigious, Emerson Bond Gallery in New York City, and she
has a real nose for sniffing out new artists, but when it
comes to men... well, let's just say she better keep her day
job. However, things are looking up at the Bond Gallery
with the new handsome and suave gallery dealer, Avery
Devon. Avery must be Izzy's reward for having to put up
with the gallery's newest find -- churlish, but uber
talented artist, Grady Cole.
Izzy has two best friends: Dixie who owns a successful
public relations firm, and James, who hasn't had a date in
this millennium. These three are one heck of a support
team, and Dixie is able to get Jamie a job at the New York
News. Lo! And behold! Jamie is soon writing the hottest
singles column in the Big Apple and fighting off women with
a stick. And Izzy -- she's still choosing the wrong men.
The thorn in Izzy's side, other than Grady Cole, is her
cousin Mimi, who is constantly one-upping Izzy and has been
since high school when she stole Izzy's "dream man."
Now, a newly engaged Mimi is actually stealing the wedding
Izzy had always dreamed of having.
PICK ME UP is chick-lit at its finest, and this compliment
is from someone who really isn't into "chick-lit." Zoe
Rice has created superb and colorful characters, placed
them in (mostly) believable situations, and gives them a
lot of zippy dialogue to speak. Some scenes are hold-
your-sides-laughing funny, and there some very poignant
incidents. By and large, though, PICK ME UP is a
real "pick-me-up" for summertime -- or anytime -- reading.
For years, Izzy Duncan has dreamed of becoming New York's
hottest art dealer. Now finally, her goal lies just within
reach. As the director of the Emerson Bond Gallery, Izzy's
expecting a whopping promotion--one she wants so badly,
she's almost afraid to hope for it.
Then Emerson Bond drops dead.
Suddenly, Izzy's fabulously huggable boss Freddie, the
adorable punk receptionist Kimmy, and devoted, well-
meaning Izzy herself might all be out of a job. The timing
couldn't be worse. Izzy's childhood nemesis has a wedding
coming up--and there's no getting out of it. And Jamie,
Izzy's best guy friend, finds his greatest success as a
newspaper columnist by advising all of New York to revive
the age-old ritual of the pick-up line--which seems to
work for everyone in the city except Izzy.
Izzy's happiness and professional future now lie in the
hands of two men: one, the new insufferable star artist,
who can't wait for any chance he gets to taunt Izzy
mercilessly, but whose show will be her most crucial yet.
And the other? The other is the new blood at the Bond
Gallery, Avery Devon--the man so gorgeous, she can't even
speak to him. The man who, if she's really, really lucky,
will teach her all about the art of love...and not just in
her dreams.
