Charlize "Charlie" Edwards works as the personal assistant for Dean Stanton, one of the sexiest stars in Hollywood. Although Charlie organizes his work schedule, home maintenance, doctors' appointments, parties and even his dates, her own personal life is a disaster. She's on the verge of turning 30, still hanging out with her girlfriends from college, going clubbing and on bad dates, and then waiting by the phone for the guys to call. In an effort to let someone else learn from her misfortunate adventures, Charlie begins keeping a journal of advice for her future great-grand-niece, filled with all of the tidbits of information she wishes someone had told her along the way.

The upcoming dual crises of her birthday and her younger sister's wedding force Charlie to evaluate her situation and her role in her own unhappiness. She's desperately hoping that a recent one-night-stand will call her back for another date when she meets two attractive and available men at her birthday party. Jordan is the photographer from Dean's current movie project, and Doug is an attractive agent hoping to sign her boss as a client. Both men seem interested, but Dean is becoming more demanding and interfering, especially when he hooks up with one of Charlie's gorgeous friends. What will Charlie do when some days are just a TOTAL WASTE OF MAKEUP?

Charlie is far from perfect, but she is beloved by her friends, her quirky family and even her famous boss. From self-help phrases (Don't ever be afraid to be alone) to ironic cynicism (When all else fails, try the truth), Charlie's advice is witty and wise, even though she sometimes contradicts herself before the ink on the pages of her journal is dry. Charlie's love interest in the sensitive photographer Jordan was only unbelievable in that both of them used unreliable dial-up Internet access from home, despite coordinating busy Hollywood lifestyles. Just as the suspense in the movie Wicker Park could have been resolved with a cell phone call, some of the plot contrivances in this novel need an upgrade to broadband. In spite of outdated technology, this fun new novel from Los Angeles writer Kim Gruenenfelder is full of likable characters and good advice.