Ten Girls to Watch

Shumway’s easy-going debut follows Dawn West, a recent Harvard grad living in Brooklyn trying to become a writer. She has few friends apart from her ex-boyfriend, and the only writing she manages is for a lawn care advice column. An assignment finally lands in her lap when she serendipitously meets the editor-in-chief of Charm magazine, whose “Ten Girls to Watch” feature is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Dawn’s job is to track down all 500 past winners for a special section in the magazine. Though intimidated by the numerous superstars on the list, Dawn dives in and connects with a spectacularly diverse assortment of women. The “Ten Girls” alumnae, and their overarching message that success comes in many forms, inspire Dawn to take charge of her life. She starts writing fiction again, reconnects with her family, and pursues a romance with Charm’s dating columnist. But when an almost unbelievable series of disasters strikes, her newfound resolve is tested. A smoothly paced plot, peppered with robust vignettes from Charm’s success stories and quirky details from Dawn’s life, ensures a fast, funny, and moving read. Agent: Kristyn Keene, ICM. (July)