Pants On Fire

A sassy magazine editor searches for romance among flamboyant artists and social climbers in Sydney. Georgia Abbott has all but given up on love after walking in on her cheating fiance. Tired of sulking around London, Georgia decides a change of scenery will be just the thing to cure her broken heart. On a whim, she accepts an editorial job at Glow Magazine and heads down under. Alderson, an editor at British Elle, understands the magazine business and does a magnificent job of sweeping the reader up in the glamorous world of fashion. She also has a special gift for dialogue and makes each chapter more outrageous than the last as Georgia gets to know the recovering addict, the bulimic and the self-absorbed promiscuous princess who make up Glow's editorial staff. Though Georgia quickly adopts the staff's insouciant attitude and quirky style, her introduction to Sydney's men doesn't go quite as smoothly. Alderson gets right to the heart of the matter-the men that women are drawn to and the men that women actually need are often quite different. Georgia falls for a succession of wrong men: the pathological womanizer, the handsome dim-wit who's in love with another woman and the underachieving artist who is far too fond of marijuana. The author is adept at exposing the powerlessness women often feel in relationships. Until Georgia builds her self-confidence and properly heals from her breakup, she'll never meet Mr. Right. Here, copious amounts of champagne can be a great way to kick up your heals with friends, but the path to happiness is found in self-reflection and purposeful living. As her year in Sydney comes to an end, there's a surprise or two in store for Georgia, providing hope that there are still good men out there. A lively romp down under. Vibrant characters, a beguiling setting and a plot that engages from start to finish. (Kirkus Reviews)