I didn't love the title of this novel - it made me think the main character would be smug and conceited, or the novel itself would be shallow - but neither one was the case. Curnyn does a good job developing the character of Grace Noonan, an unexpectedly complex woman who despite being blonde with a big chest, does not have a perfect life.

In fact, Grace was adopted and never got to meet her Eastern European mother. In addition, Grace is frustrated with men who want her "in their bed, but not in their lives." She also works for Claud-zilla (Claudia), an aging harridan who takes out her own unhappiness on everyone around her.

Angie DiFranco from Curnyn's previous novel, "Engaging Men," appears periodically, but Grace's more confident, nuanced narrative voice is more interesting than Angie's was. Recommended.

I really enjoyed this story and think any fan of "chicklit" will like this book. It is a more mature and sophisticated story. It starts alittle slow and doesn't really get going until around 100 pages in, but it turned out to be a very sweet and touching story. I really came to like Grace and could feel her hurt and fear of rejection that she has experienced in her life. I wish all chicklit could be this good.

A fun read that reminds you of the good things in life.

We first met Grace as a minor character in "Engaging Men." She is a very complex woman nursing some very basic wounds. The loss of her birth mother (before she had a chance to meet her) has left some resounding effects on her, particularly her fear of ending up alone.

Grace has always been a cool customer when it comes to men after bearing her soul and giving her heart to former paramour (and boss), Michael, only to have him abandon her under the guise that he cannot pursue a relationship with a colleague. When a condom breaks while she is with her current beau Ethan, she realizes she is not so upset about the possibility of becoming a mother, Ethan on the other hand is horrified, which causes Grace to send him packing, while she contemplates single motherhood. She is tired of men that want her in their beds, but not a part of their lives.

A chance meeting with her father's colleague Jonathan, at an art gallery sends Grace's pulse soaring, but feels she got the brush off. When they run into each other again, they soon begin to see each other, though she's not sure what she sees behind his mask of ambivalence (though soon all is revealed). Both of them feeling unlucky in love results in tender and reticent moments as their relationship evolves.

Then Michael re-enters the picture, engaged to another employee of the firm, and smarmily comes on to her. It is Grace's final straw and forces her to come to terms with her fear of abandonment, pride, and her possibly unrequited feelings for Jonathan.

I did not think this one was quite as good as "Engaging Men," but it does stand on its own merits.

I really enjoyed this book. The story was great and I didn't want to put it down. Since this book, I have read other Red Dress Ink books and liked those also.