Pushing 30

by Whitney Gaskell

“The one thing you should know about me is this: I’m the consummate Good Girl. . .”

Ellie Winters is dependable and loyal and has a near-phobic aversion to conflict. But as her thirtieth birthday looms ever closer, she starts to feel like she’s lost the instruction manual to her life. She has just broken up with her boring boyfriend, despises her job, and is the last of her high school friends to remain single. Worse, her dysfunctional family is driving her nuts, and she’s somehow become enslaved to her demanding pet pug Sally, who she suspects is the reincarnation of Pol Pot.

One night, after a botched attempt to color her hair at home, Ellie rushes to the drugstore for emergency bleach, Sally in tow. Sally is accosted by a smitten canine admirer . . . but it’s the dog’s owner who captures Ellie’s attention. Television news anchor Ted Langston is witty, intriguing, and sexy. The only catch? He’s twice her age--and the only man on the planet who isn’t interested in dating a younger woman. And no one, from Ellie’s best friends to Ted’s ex-wife, wants to see them get together.

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Adult, Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Growing up, Whitney Gaskell always wanted to become a writer. Then for some unknown reason, she went to law school. TABLE FOR SEVEN is Whitney's eighth book. She also writes the Young Adult GEEK HIGH series under the name Piper Banks.

Reviews

[CaliGirlRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a light, fun read and also my first foray into the chick lit genre. Not sure I'll be making a return as I liked this book more so for the characters and this particular romantic setup.

This book reminded me of Sex and the City and read like an episode (or maybe a full season). Lead heroine and narrator Ellie Winters has both the conservative, good girl vibes of Charlotte York and the neuroses of Carrie Bradshaw. She's surrounded by her two best friends: the hard working tax attorney and straight arrow Harmony (this book's Miranda Hobbs) and the somewhat loose and bed hopping Nina (a twin of Samantha Jones). There's lots of relationship and sexual conquest talk over high powered lunches, party cocktails and big events. And there's also lots of designer name drops and pop culture references sprinkled throughout the text.

I like Sex and the City because it's just a pure comedy and good drama show for me and I like seeing what craziness Carrie and her friends get into each episode. I like the friendship and the slice of life feel of the show and got much of it with this book. I liked the love interest older man (which made me pick this book up in the first place) and although I didn't identify with a lot of what Ellie went through, I could sympathize with her situations and often times felt like shaking her as if she were a friend who has lost her way a little.

Part of me wishes this was the first in a series of novels because there are things that happened here that I want to see followups on but at the same time, I wouldn't want to see anything happen to deter the HEA at the end of the book.

All in all a fun read that I'll probably check out again a few years later down the road.

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I am turning 30 in a month and have embarked on a challenge to read as many books as I can about this milestone birthday. There were some parts of Ellie's character that I found completely relatable and others I did not. I found her to be a bit insecure, pessimistic and negative, sometimes too much at times, and that wore thin for me. There was a little too much "poor me" in her character for me to completely relate. However, that being said, overall I liked the story and in the end she learns that she has a lot more control of her own life than she seemed to think in the beginning - if only she would take control. This I relate to. I also wasn't totally into the older man relationship either but that's just my personal preference. Gaskell writes in a way that makes her attraction to him understandable and acceptable and that's part of the point of the story. Overall I liked this story, and would even recommend it to friends. But I won't likely be reading it again either.

[BookOfCinz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pushing 30 is the ultimate chick-lit. Ellie is about to turn 30 and she finds her life isn't where she wants it to be- she is doesn't like her job, her friends doesn't have time for her and generally life could be better. Honestly, if you've read any chick-lit, you've read this. It is super cliche and the ultimate light, predictable read.

[zeynep]

I read the goodreads reviews for this one before reading the book itself, which plummeted my expectations, which may be why I enjoyed it as much as I did 🤔
Ms protagonist can be a little generic at times (oh no, you mean she's clumsy, a trait that practically every quirky relatable chick lit protag has?????????) and tbh I am not quite sold on Mr protagonist's interest in her (like what drew him to her?) but I too am heading towards 30 and am cowardly and conflict averse and hating it but not knowing how to change. So Ellie's story resonated with me :(

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I finished this book in two days, mainly because it's a formulaic chic-lit novel. But if you like that sort of thing, this is for you. I orginally wanted to read a different book by Whitney Gaskell but no library in our area has a copy of it so I haven't been able to get a hold of it. Anyway, I chose this book, Gaskell's first novel after leaving a career in law and it was pretty decent. But you have to know how it ends even before you start it.

Ellie Winters is a lawyer in the litigation department of a law firm in D.C. but she hates her job, is almost 30, and has just broken up with her boyfriend, much to her overbearing mother's dismay. Then she meets someone who is much older than her and everything possible happens to keep the two of them apart including the typical misunderstandings so rampant in these types of novels with much thanks to the more clever days of Jane Austen.

The characters were okay. Ellie was somewhat relatable and she had a friend, Nina, who was the typical sex and the city gal. Then there was Harmony who for some reason seemed like a cool girlfriend but then turned into one of those Debbie downer friends and I couldn't figure out why that was. I thought maybe she knew something about the guy Ellie was falling for that we didn't, but that never happened. Harmony was just kind of a crappy friend.

The book was written in 2003 and I was surprised at how outdated some of the pop culture references were already. Ellie is surprised that someone can make buy so many things online! Internet dating is scary and only for people with strange sexual fetishes! But here's hoping that everyone's 30th birthday can end up with such an awesome birthday gift. (Read to find out.)

[Book.Girl49 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is light and funny. It was so funny, in fact, that I actually found myself laughing out loud. The main character is sarcastic but still light hearted enough to be normal. I can't say I would read this over and over again but I definitely liked it.

[Ren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best chick lit I've read, but not the worst either. Ellie's too high strung for my taste and I just wanted to slap her a couple times. The story is too predictable. Overall it was only okay. How bad is it that the most likable character was Sally, the pug?

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I loved this book. Perfect rom com. The only complaint I have is that there is the thing that you see SO much of in chick lit where if they would've just communicated instead of operating on assumptions then a whole lot of drama and heartache could've been avoided. I really liked Ellie and thought she was relatable. She hates conflict and just does what's expected of her and settles for her life as is. I also found myself swooning a little over Ted. Her friends, while not the best quality, seemed real and similar to friendships I have had in my life. Overall I've really liked everything I've read from Whitney Gaskell and would highly recommend this one as well. As others have said, this one gave me major Sex and the City vibes.

SPOILERS AHEAD:
This book is about Ellie. She is nearing 30, single and unhappy in her career. She's a lawyer, not because she loves it but because her dad is a judge and she felt like that was what would please her parents. However, she doesn't like it and is not satisfied by it. She gets awarded a huge case that most other associates would die for, but she's just dreading the late nights, etc. She's got a terrible coworker named Katherine who sabotages her and ultimately gets her fired.
Aside from work, she goes out one night looking like a mess to get some hair dye. She's got her little dog, Sally, with her and they run into Ted and his little dog. The 2 start talking and gradually that leads to a friendship/relationship but Ted is 20+ years older than her and he says he can't do it. He's also a famous guy in the news world. He gets her connected with a newspaper thats looking for a political cartoonist because drawing has always been her passion so thankfully she gets another job when she's laid off from the law firm. They go to a party together and she meets his ex wife Alice. Later, after they've cooled it but then restarted it, she goes to his house and Alice answers the door in his bath robe and Ted's in the shower. Instead of confronting the situation, Ellie runs and is miserable and ignores him, assuming he's back with his ex wife. He gave her tickets to a NYE party and she goes and thinks she sees him with his ex wife again so she gets black out drunk and wakes up in his apartment. She decides to finally confront something for the first time in her life and she tells him she loves him and they live happily ever after.
She's also got 2 friends in this story- Nina and Harmony. Nina is somewhat slutty but then falls in love with a skeezball named Josiah. She cuts out her friends and revolves her world around Josiah until one day she finds out he's got herpes and knows and is intentionally trying to give it to her. He also gets abusive with her so she leaves. She realizes her wrongs and Ellie forgives her. That takes a big person- I really admired Ellie for her forgiveness with her friend. Harmony doesn't play much of a role, but she gets engaged in the end of the story.
Overall, this wasn't anything ground breaking, but it was a fast paced, entertaining chick lit and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Summer · Rating 2 out of 5]

A total chick lit book. I picked this up for a light quick read. It ended up being an okay read, I didn’t get very into the story.
Young career driven woman falls for a much older man who struggles with their relationship. It sways between her friendship with two completely opposite personality girls and her pursuit of this man.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brain candy. I read this before it’s just a light fluffy cute read. I like it bc of the age difference between the main characters and the age difference I have with my hubby.

[Salita Demary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super fun little story and light read about transitioning from your twenties to your thirties. It’s full of laugh out loud and relatable moments.

[Jasmine Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved it but there were references and people I didn’t know because of the age of the book. The idea was cute but I got annoyed of the poor me mood in main character.

[Stefanie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ellie Winters is the perfect good girl. She never talks back, never confronts, and keeps her job as an attorney because her parents expect it of her. Catapulting towards thirty, she breaks up with her boyfriend just as he's about to propose, because she knows there has to be someone better for her out there. Then she meets Ted Langston. Ted is a television news anchor, charming and fun to be around. Ellie falls hard, but there's a problem - he's over fifty.

It's not a problem for Ellie, who is tired of dating self-indulgent young men. Ted sees it differently, and just can't reconcile himself to the gap in their ages. Throw in his clingy ex-wife, Ellie's college boyfriend who drops back into her life, and a myriad of other problems, and Pushing 30 dances to life from page one. Will Ted and Ellie see past their troubles and follow their hearts? Will Ellie develop the ability to stand up for herself, in order to get what she wants out of life?

I turned the first page expecting fluffy chick lit, but it turned out to be so much more. It is interesting to see Ellie's transformation from a people pleaser into someone with backbone and spunk. Her confrontation with her parents will make readers stand up and cheer, especially if they identify closely with her situation. The secondary characters add depth and tension, particularly members of Ellie's family and her best friend Nina. Pop culture references add a great deal of fun, but are not overused to the point of annoyance.

If Pushing 30 is any indication, Whitney Gaskell has a promising career ahead. This first novel is fun and thoughtful with a well-rounded plot, sure to please readers of contemporary romance. Don't let another birthday pass you by before picking it up.

[W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a light hearted chick lit novel, one that would feature the fun butterfly feelings that make you smile, a distraction from other current heavy reads as well as the stress of everyday life. I started Pushing 30, and it was perfect. Sigh. The first half, that is. It was exactly what I'd been needing, as cute and awww fluttery sweet realism as I could hope to find. And then there was a shift. It was like two books. The first half was easy to read, and I wholeheartedly give it four full stars, but the second half was so difficult to get through, and I hate having to ultimately give a final three stars to this one.

I'm not saying the beginning of this book is perfection or super deep or anything like that, but you have to know that already. I wasn't requiring all happy chapters, but the way the book continued, it was laborious and I found myself not caring one little bit about Ellie's family, and then even her friends. It was like wasted space in the book. Serious issues took up too much time without being handled in a believable or worthwhile way, so much so I was just frustrated and wanted only to see more about her relationship with Ted, which I guess redeemed it in the end. Still, once I finished the book, I was disappointed. It had been a good read and then just sunk; I'd rather it have started out slow and boring and then picked up. Whatever. I liked it enough.

But seriously, why does absolutely everyone wear cashmere? The book is dated, but the clothing references are really unnecessary when it gets so repetitive.

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't a terrible book, just completely formulaic and predictable, with underdeveloped characters. So basically, a completely stereotypical chick lit story. This is why this genre gets a bad rap people! By lazy writing.

The short version is, girl has no personality and does whatever her friends and family want her to do because she has no idea what she would rather do and also has no spine. Throughout the book she faces conflicts in her personal life (with her friends, family, and romantic interests) and professional life (she is sabatoged by a jealous coworker) and while the author makes sure to tie up her love life and relationships with her friends in a neat little bow, her work life and family struggles, the more interesting and less predictable parts of the story, are left as loose ends. And not in an ambiguous, 'you figure it out reader' kind of way, but rather, in an oops, the author forgot about this part and left it open ended mistakenly. Very lazy writing. I checked out two books from the library by this author and am now hesitant to open the other one.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the better ones i have read lately, after my last load of crap from the library last month. this one takes place in DC, which i always enjoy as a setting and the protag, Ellie is a lawyer, but hates it. Parents are involved, somewhat and pushing into what they think is best for her, not what she wants. She had two main friends who where easily identifiable and could tell them apart and tho not essential to the story, made appearances where and when needed. the main hook-up in the book was an older man, a news anchor in a town where politics rule. not an ass, but didn't learn too much about him either. i kind of left the book wondering how it's going to turn out in the long run. he's her dream man and they end up together in a non-cheesy way, but still, he's like almost 30 yrs older then her, so what they want out of life in the long run, can't be too similar and i kind of wonder how it will all work. many cliches, but not too cheesy.

grade: B

[Michelle Molinari · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not the biggest fan of the spineless leading ladies. I get so annoyed when they whine and complain that they are victims of their own life when they let others dictate their future. These women can’t get out of their own way and I’m supposed to feel sorry for them? Such is the case of the main character in this story. It’s an entertaining story but I just want to shake her half the time and tell her to do something. I feel bad for women who have things happen to them, even when trying their best and taking the lead in their lives…sometimes unexpected things happen.
The writing style is good but I think for any further books, the main character needs to be a little less oblivious. No one can misjudge that many situations and be such a pushover and expect the mass readership to sympathize with her. I just didn’t like her but I would give the author another try if her main character gets a backbone because she knows how to write.

[Kristin (Kritters Ramblings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Approaching 30 is an interesting time in life, maybe you are settled and married and just enjoying a happy time or maybe like Ellie you are trying to get things settled and it isn't working, either way turning 30 can be rough! I may have picked this book specifically to review this week as my 30th birthday may be tomorrow!

I loved how Ellie was trying to put the pieces together, it combusts and most of it comes together in the end! The characters were fantastic, they felt real, but each had great stories. I loved Ellie's friends almost as much as I loved her. I completely felt the angst of her upcoming birthday and how the expectation of where your life should be when you are entering your 30s.

No matter your age, this sweet throw back book from 2003, is a perfect addition to your late summer beach bag!

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings about this book. As I am turning 30 this year I thought it might be a fun read, however the book really is little about Ellie turning 30, but just about life during the months leading up to the big 3-0. There were a number of events that were going on and I wish Gaskell had more clearly focused on just a couple of them instead of light focus on all of them without a lot of resolution. Overall, a light and enjoyable read.

[Hodan (Ho.th.an) Jama · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, Ellie was a funny character and i loved the dialogue and the plot. i saw myself in her, the only big diff between me and Ellie is that i say what i think when a person does me wrong, i wish she did that more. this book is my first May-December book and i loved it, i got it b/c of that fact. it ended too soon i think, some plot lines were open ended and I HATED THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was a 5/5 book but i got to the last page and was like WTF!!!!! :-(

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book despite it being a pretty standard chick book. It is chock full of oops and sorrys and misunderstandings. in the book Ellie is trying to get a spine so that she can lead a life that she will enjoy instead of what everyone thinks she should do. I liked that both Ellie and Ted had to fight against what everyone thought would be good for them to realize that they truly wanted to be together. I however was sad to see a character used and no resolution. Good book

[Miriam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose this book solely on the facts that I am turning 30 soon and a lover of light chic lit. By the end, I can say I enjoyed it. My problem is how shallow and immature the main character, Ellie, is at the beginning of the novel. She is constantly judging others on their looks and seems to have a lot of ill wishes for others. However, she keeps referring to herself as a good girl. It definitely picks up, but there are much better chic lit books and authors.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just an OK read for me. I wasn't very interested in the relationships that were the focus of the book and I found the main character slightly annoying. I'm all for the "every-girl" and have no problem overlooking faults but the main conflict seemed somewhat ridiculous. Overall I enjoyed the writing more than I enjoyed the plot.

[Cori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a was a light, quick read that I picked up because I'm nearing 30. I definitely identified with Ellie on her job woes and existential crisis. There were aspects that I felt were covered a little too much (I don't care what dress you were wearing), and other aspects I wish had been explored more (what is going on with the brothers?) but overall enjoyable.

[Elena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very short read. Lazy job, I'd say. Story with sabotaging of Ellie's job has no conclusion. Storyline with her parents ends with "I'll think of it tomoroow". Situation with Alice in Ted's bathrobe and Ted in shower is absolutely unbelivable.
But the main heroine has her sense of humor. If not her spinless character, I'd like her a lot.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't a bad book; it just wasn't a very good book. The story follows a pretty set formula. And it still falls apart in the details: It is not that hard to keep track of depositions in a case file (I know from personal experience); nor is it that easy to become a political cartoonist (again, I know from personal experience).

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute story by Whitney Gaskell about a woman on the verge of turning 30 (or twenty-ten, as I personally like to call it) who gets involved in a May-December relationship and begins to question many aspects about her life.

[treehugger · Rating 3 out of 5]

GREAT beach reading. Chicklit, so don't expect anything mind-blowing or anything much deeper than the musings of a 29 year old freaking out about not being married with children by the time of her 30th bday.

Fun, light, like a forgettable but enjoyable pastry.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

chick lit --contempary time period.
Young woman unsatisfied with life, career, family
love interest --older divorced man

reminds me of standard romance plot -- major problem is the main character isn't talking to her love interest-- in fact she's not talking to anyone.