As Long As She Needs Me

by Nicholas Weinstock

Anyone who has worked for someone else knows the endless routine, the twisted psychology, and the near-impossible obstacle course that comprise the daily life of the assistant. And anyone who's gotten married knows that planning a wedding can be similarly daunting. For ten long years, Oscar Campbell has worked as the personal assistant to the legendary Dawn of Dawn Books, as famous for her temper tantrums as for the success of her powerful New York City publishing house. Yet none of Oscar's experiences has prepared him for his greatest planning his boss's wedding. In the tradition of classic screwball comedies and with flair for modern-day irony, As Long As She Needs Me is a masterful satire of the publishing industry, a romp through the wedding industry, and a sparkling fable of love and luck in Manhattan. Juggling monster agents and mega-authors, passed hors-d'oeuvre options and centerpiece styles, Oscar labors to pull together the event without falling apart in the process. Help arrives in the form of popular wedding columnist Lauren LaRose, with whom Oscar strikes a his editorial expertise for her nuptial advice. As the two work together to manufacture the romances of others, they stumble into one themselves -- a development that soon has Oscar secretly planning an event of his own. In As Long As She Needs Me, Nicholas Weinstock has crafted an irresistible novel of the highest comedy. A savvy tour through the high-rolling world of the book business and the grueling maze of single life in Manhattan, the novel is a riot of unforgettable characters and -- against all odds -- a love story for our time. Hilarious and wise, literate and charming, As Long As She Needs Me is an utterly delightful achievement.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[lowercase · Rating 3 out of 5]

really a charming book, but light -- like chinese food -- so maybe i won't remember it in an hour or so. the author is witty and gifted in coining a turn of phrase; maybe too gifted, because sometimes the story is derailed by an approaching-twee metaphor or almost precious analogy that might have been better tucked into the dialogue of another book. ironically, in a book about a writer made better by an editorial soulmate, this book could have used a little judicious editing. i hope he writes more, though, because, as i said, he really is charming -- as likeable as his protagonist, i think.

[Carole Mckee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unusual Story

Want a wedding without all the stress that goes along with it? That's exactly what Oscar's boss, Dawn, did. She threw the entire planning on his lap. But why not, considering she throws everything else that has to be done at him, too. He is so busy doing her bidding that his own life is being crushed. He wants a relationship with Lauren. But how can he let her know that it isn't his wedding he is planning? Unusual circumstances, but really an interesting story. I loved the ending.

[Diana da Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as charming and light hearted to read the second time around. Great quick summer read.

[Yoursexylibrarian · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had amazing potential. It started out funny and then we are introduced to the main female character, who curses every few words, and she just turned me off this book completely.

I don't mind occasional cursing in books. When reading a book starts to feel like I am watching a Maury Povich trainwreck, it is time to walk away from that book and read something else.

[Elba M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting

The book is a marriage between The Devil wears Prada and the movie The Proposal. This could had been a great humorous book, but it fell short. I didn't expect the ending which was great, especially thar since the very beginning his boss had been a real bit..ch. If the book had a different end, I would had given ⭐⭐, because the editor of this book should have warn the author about the amount of movies and books that had already used this book plot.😔

[Bri · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so hard to follow the way it was written. I can’t believe I finished it. I found myself toward the end skimming the page because I just wanted to be done.

[jennifer shank · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute ending but that’s about it.

[Denise Figueroa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished reading this book on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 5:55 p.m.

[Gina Giuliani · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read!! It made me smile a lot

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This frothy and frolicsome first novel is a "musical comedy without the music," in P.G. Wodehouse's phrase. Oliver Campbell, a tall, gawky but handsome former English major, is trapped in the job of executive editorial assistant at Dawn Books. Lauren LaRose, a beautiful but burned-out journalist, pens "The Aisle of White," a popular monthly magazine column devoted to trendy theme weddings. At the nuptials of Oliver's college roommate, Oliver and Lauren are seated together at the Butt Table (the opposite of the Head Table). In their early 30s and weary of dating, both live solitary lives, but as the wedding winds down, Oscar draws Lauren onto the dance floor. Once back in New York, their attraction is in classic comedy fashion challenged by obstacles and misunderstandings. Dawn, Oliver's nightmare boss, commandeers his time, demanding that he plan every detail of her upcoming top-secret marriage to literary super-agent Gordon Fox. Taking Oliver's obsession with wedding plans as evidence that he is engaged, Lauren keeps her distance and endures a string of disastrous blind dates. Will the two ever manage to get together? Although the answer is never in doubt, getting there is a merry and manic dance through the cutthroat world of New York publishing and the insanity of contemporary "coordinated" weddings. Clever quips (some misfire, but there's always another coming up), insider information, swift pacing and a bright cast of secondary characters are the bubbles in an entertainment as effervescent as Perrier-Jouet. Agent, Tina Bennett. (Apr. 1) Forecast: Weinstock paid his dues working at three publishing houses, so the tease of a roman clef is sure to generate buzz among those in the business. Like David Sedaris, he has been featured on NPR and his comic insights and deadpan wit will further broaden his appeal to a wide swath of readers.

A charming romance about an Assistant Editor, Oscar, and his horrible boss, Dawn of Dawn Books. Dawn makes Oscar plan her wedding. In the process, he falls in love and begins planning a scheme to make it his wedding day.

[Yvonne O'Connor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oscar Campbell is a single 31 year old man in NYC. He has worked for 10 years as the assistant to Dawn of Dawn Books - putting up with more than anyone should have to. Now, Dawn tells him to plan her wedding to an agent who cheats on her left and right. Oscar then meets Lauren - who writes a wedding column an enlists her help to plan it - in exchange for help writing the column. He likes her (and she him) but he has to keep her in the dark that he isn't the groom or risk blowing Dawn's cover. In the end, Dawn is saved, Oscar marries Lauren and they both quit their unfulfilling jobs.

Reading this, I was afraid there would never be resolution because 231 of the 245 pages were background and build-up! Lauren should have been happier when she found out the truth. Oscar should have just said he wasn't the groom - he could have said a big client was and not have blown the cover. Why would anyone care if Dawn married Gordon? Both were total jerks who treated people like Kleenex. The author just needed this twist wrap things up in wedding. Plus, why would Dawn float the bill for all of it??

Poorly conceived, ridiculously executed.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I type this, I am looking thoughtfully at my partner-in-crime, who brought this book into the house. You may take the raised eyebrows as a given.

I was seriously hard pressed to finish this, because I have a very low tolerance for OMG YOU'RE 30 YOU WILL BE SMOTHERED BY CATS AND YOUR BODY FOUND UNDER A PILE OF EMPTY LEAN CUISINE BOXES IF YOU DO NOT FIND A MATE NOW NOW NOW, even when delivered (or mocked?) by a male protagonist and a male author.

For me the most interesting part of this book was viewing it within the context of its publication date. I am finding more and more authors grappling with 9/11 in their works; this was actually published a few months before, so it is striking (to me) in its total absence of grappling.

[RivkaBelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

**2.5 stars
I wanted to like this one so much more -- it's the kind of catchy, "frothy" setup that makes for amazing movies and good indulgent reading, made more intriguing by being from a male POV. I *wanted* to love it ... Instead I mostly like it -- it's got its funny moments, to be sure, and the ending is what I wanted -- but ... It's too frothy. It's too fast. The writing is sometimes rather sloppy (ironically, considering the "hero" is an editor). It's cute enough, but not enough. Or maybe I was just wanting too much more ...

[Marty · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book kept reminding me of The Devil Wears Prada….. only this time the assistant to the Bitchy Boss is a man… Oscar is a 30+ single man who is at the beck and call of Dawn, the head of Dawn Books. In having to plan Dawn’s secret marriage, Oscar, actually winds up planning his own. He has fallen in love with Lauren, the writer of a Wedding Column for a New York paper. It’s all mis-cues and misunderstandings. Basically brainless...

[Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming romantic comedy starring a guy I would really like. Despite being tall, attractive, smart, and nice, Oscar isn't an alpha--instead he's the invisible assistant to a Devil-Wears-Prada-style publisher. He's stuck planning the boss-lady's wedding (and wondering how he let his life take this lame path), when he meets the woman of his own dreams.

[grundoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chick-lit meets "Ugly Betty", with appearances by bros, ISOs and a token non-hetero - written by a man. I have no idea why this even exists, but if it happens to be your thing, it's actually some decent writing (though our continuing friendship is absolutely due some scrutiny).

[One Book at a Time! · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not really a good book, I was lost during most of the book and toward the end skipped pages because it didn't matter to the outcome of the book. The conversation part of the book was not well written and I was lost most of the time. It could have been better but the ending was sweet.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unusual because it's a love story told by a guy, and even though it differs a bit, it's essentially a romantic comedy. Male assistant plans female boss' wedding but ends up getting married himself.

[Jo Layton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was witty and entertaining throughout. Weinstock really can nail personalities! Nice, light and fun.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

an amusing piece of fluff. little bit different writing style which was almost fun to read.

Give it a B-/C+

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

surprisingly written by a man, this is a charming romance with amazing writing.

[Marge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet book about meeting the right person and planning (or not planning) the wedding.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was kind of a cute "chic lit" love story. It was the author's debut novel.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little predictable, but overall a cute read for sitting poolside in the summer.

[Camille · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't get into this one. I tried but the pov is from the narrator and it trips up the story line. I stopped reading it. I'm sure its good it seems a lot like the proposal the movie.

I moved on

[Brandi Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, light read.

[Alex]

As Long As She Needs Me by Nicholas Weinstock (2001)

[Male · Rating 2 out of 5]

Olvidable.

Yup... already forgot.