By Tiffany Ayuda

Bombshell by Linda Curnyn stars Grace Noonan, who is New York City’s new bachelorette. She owns up to an ungodly amount of shoes and more makeup than any other woman in New York. Blonde and bodacious, Grace is a sophisticated woman out to conquer the ruthless male-dominated business world. As a 34-year-old marketing executive for Roxanne Dubrow cosmetics, Grace struggles to be accepted in an industry that demands more youthful and daring women. However, Grace’s life changes drastically as her on-again, off-again boyfriend Ethan claims that having sex is completely different than having children. When the condom breaks one night while having sex, Ethan panics at the thought of a child and tells Grace to take the morning after pill. Grace realizes that Ethan is not the “right” man for her and ends the relationship immediately. When Grace’s period comes late, the possibility of being pregnant becomes more real to her. Instead of regretting everything, Grace embraces the possibility of being pregnant. She anticipates being pregnant because she feels that she will gain a new perspective of life. In the face of all this misunderstanding and betrayal, Grace contemplates trading her fabulous, single life for a more humble and unselfish life of a mother.

Disheartened and confused, Grace moves on from the relationship, but only to discover that her one true passion of selling beauty cosmetics has changed its trademark from “beauty beyond 30” to a 16 year-old face aiming to make the cosmetic line more accessible for teens, basically misrepresenting everything that their company endorses. Despite Grace’s ambivalence for the project, she contributes as much as she would for the “beauty beyond 30” project. In her quest to find romance, Grace stumbles upon Jonathan Somerfield, who is also working on her company’s project. After discovering that their fathers were friends at Columbia University, Grace and Jonathan’s relationship continues to flourish and their attraction grows stronger. Her relationship with Jonathan makes her probe through her elusive, painful past, looking for answers why.

The loss of her biological mother who she never knew has made a huge impact in Grace’s approach to life and her desire to succeed. Their relationship reveals a different side of Grace as not just a shopaholic, cosmopolitan drinking, promiscuous, typical New York City 30s single. Grace struggles with insecurities and other issues which are not usually associated with such a fabulous lifestyle.

In addition, Grace learns that Ethan is engaged to another woman because she is pregnant with his child. However, Grace gradually begins to accept the realities of life as she understands that not having the perfect body or the perfect life can be satisfying. From this book, readers can take another glimpse of the truth behind the stereotypical fabulous New York City lifestyle of a single 34-year-old woman. Readers can learn that a fabulous lifestyle does not completely satisfy all of life’s needs and desires. There are some things in life that success and physical appearance cannot bring. The secret to happiness is inside oneself.

Grace Noonan is a business woman trying to find success and love in the big city. (Image courtesy bn.com)