Reviewed by L.D.Y.

Trade, 340 pages, 2006

Rating: 9/10

Reason for Reading: It’s that weakness for chick-lit.

Synopsis: Thirty-three-year-old Iris Hedge has left California for a dream job in New York City, only to lose it to ‘restructuring’ before she’s even settled in. Now she’s broke and stranded in a city where she barely knows anyone, although it would seem that’s all it takes to accidentally land herself a new job…as a private investigator, checking up on possibly-cheating husbands. Not exactly what she was cut out for, but eventually a real job, and a real life, will come through…won’t it?

Why you should read this book: With a mixture of the silly (disastrous – and drunken – disguises) and the serious (Iris is separated from her husband, and throwing herself into a new city has meant reevaluating her entire life), you’re sure to be won over by an impressive writing style and by Iris herself. Lipton is pitch-perfect as Iris tries to integrate herself into her new life, making mistakes and bad judgement calls all for the sake of gaining some acceptance (and to avoid admitting to those back home – especially her husband – that she couldn’t make it on her own). A great story full of humour, the struggles of change, some attempts to dodge love, and, of course, the power of a few great outfits – this story is set in New York City.

Why you should avoid this book: The plot device for the ending is not the greatest thing in the world, but it’s easy to overlook because the rest of the book makes up for it.

Opening paragraph:

Val is not herself today.

Fabulous quotes:

I scribble madly to keep up with her instructions: I’m to meet Icarus/Elliot at the bar at the Hotel Royal in Midtown, have a drink, flirt a little. If he tries anything, I am to excuse myself and call Linda, who will be here at her office, blocks away, ready to trip-trap over in her high heels and confront him.
I look up from the pad. ‘You’re sure you want to do that? If it were me, I wouldn’t want a public scene.’
‘If he’s cheating, he deserves a scene.’ Linda jiggles one pointy-pump-shod foot and looks pointedly at my graph pad. I dutifully make a notation. ‘Next, your appearance. Sexy Lexy has red hair. I trust you’re comfortable with disguises. Buy a hair color you like at the drugstore and put it on my bill. Get the semipermanent kind and it’ll wash out in a week.’ She appraises my chest. ‘You’re certainly no Playboy bunny, so you’ll have to stuff your bra. Good. You’ll be less tempted to take your clothes off.’

I hop over a stick. ‘We’re supposed to be talking about you, not me.’
‘Why not? I think you’re very interesting.’
I put my hand up to smooth my new short hair, realize what I’m doing, and pull my hand away. I’m not on a date; I’m on assignment.

Also recommended: Miss Understanding by Stephanie Lessing; Everyone Else’s Girl by Megan Crane; Goodbye, Jimmy Choo by Annie Sanders.

Also by this author: It’s About Your Husband is Lipton’s first novel.

Author’s website: laurenlipton.com

Fun tidbit: Click here for a short piece Lipton wrote on how New Yorkers spot a tourist.

Would I read more by this author? I certainly would.

© Lisa Yanaky 2003-2007