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.