The Pink Ghetto

by Liz Ireland

When her creatively embellished resume gets her a job at a romance publisher, Rebecca Abbot is immersed in an estrogen-laden environment where, while battling against a rival editor and scouting out new talent, she gets a new outlook on love, life, and "happily ever after." Original.

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction

345 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Liz was born in Texas and credits a rural upbringing in a houseful of books for her lifelong love of stories. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, she moved to New York and worked various jobs (book clerk, world’s slowest professional typist, substitute teacher) before landing a job in publishing. Since then, she’s made her home in Austin, Portland (Oregon), Ottawa, Montreal, and now Vancouver Island in British Columbia. In her free time, she enjoys playing in local concert bands, watching classic films, and—of course—reading. In addition to her writing career, Liz has worked for two decades as a fiction editor. She’s a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and has served as a regional representative for Crime Writers of Canada.

Under the pen name Liz Freeland, Liz writes the Louise Faulk historical mystery series. She also writes women's fiction as Elizabeth Bass.

Reviews

[Sherri Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pink Ghetto was a fast and fun read. Rebecca is working and living in New York City with two college friends when she unexpectedly finds herself out of a job. In a near panic, she revamps her resume and submits it to numerous prospective employers. Rebecca is offered a position at Candlelight Books in an associate editor’s position but doesn’t have the first idea how to edit romance novels. With some uncertainty and a lot of luck, Rebecca finds her niche in the publishing world in spite of her ex and hostile co-worker.

I really liked Rebecca. She brings a realistic lack of confidence in herself as someone who grew up on the outside looking in and had to reinvent herself. In spite of that, she takes on a career she has no experience in and gives it 100% to make it her own. I kept expecting Rebecca to fall flat on her face and watch her career, self-respect and integrity go up in flames, but she manages to keep her head afloat, finds a wonderful man and learns some valuable lessons along the way.

I’m so happy I found this book and chose to read it now. I enjoyed the inside look into book publishing and some of the quirky characters Rebecca interacts with were interesting. I found myself unable to put the book down, capturing every free moment to read.

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very quick read about a young woman who stumbles her way into a job as an editor in a romance publishing house. Although Rebecca was quite naive, she works her way through the system, sees through the mooching ex, and realizes that her former employee is alive and well and living in a retirement home. That's important because Rebecca and Sylvie end up being more alike than not...it's all about reinventing and believing in yourself!

Go Cards! L1C4!!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this several years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Total Chick Lit and mind candy, but a delightful read.

[IrishFan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good quick read. It wasn't quite as good as say Madeleine Wickham or Sophie Kinsella, but it was in the same vein. Will try more of her books.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me of the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic. A fluff, easy read book about the world of Romance novels - something I know nothing about. There's just a few pages in between chapters that I guess are excerpts from a romance novel (I know a couple were from the book that a character was writing) but there was one that didn't seem related and was not clean content at all. It didn't add ANYTHING to the story and I was very disappointed that page was even included in the book. You could seriously just rip that page out and I think the book would be very much improved by it.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rebecca Abbot doesn’t know what to expect when she answers an ad to work for a publishing company. She desperately needs a job after her former employer moves into an assisted living facility, and her two roommates can’t be expected to pay her share of the rent. Rebecca fibs a bit on her resume and is stunned when she gets hired by Candlelight Books, a company that publishes romances. She is unprepared for the cutthroat world of publishing and a backstabbing co-worker.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novel of the down-trodden, which ended in a very believable way. Who knew the "best revenge" was just living your own best life?

I love books, and romance novels, and proper editing. This was about a woman who gets a job publishing romance novels. Not only does she have my dream job, but I really felt all her angst.

[Ashwise · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good, a nice quick read that left alot of loose ends, but it was nice to see what gose in the publishing world. I really hated the mooching ex though and was glad when Rebbecca's roommate finally kicked him out. I also liked the heroine, she was normal, and a size ten, a real person. The romance was ok, but a little underdeveloped.

[René · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silliness abounds in field of romance writers as the author begins to work as an associate in publishing. 47% of books sold are romance novels but it brings no glory to author. She's living with her ex and her best friend. Ex writes a book about HER embarrassing stories and much nonsense comes about.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun light book, It is about a woman/girl who gets a job a a romance novel editor and her life. She has a crappy ex boyfriend roomate and her ability to grow up. I enjoyed this easy fun read. Girl material

[Jen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun inside look at romance publishing. I really enjoyed this one, although the icky Fleischman was so repulsive he almost made me put the book down on more than one occasion -- but I'm really glad I stuck with it.

[Barbarac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty fast and entertaining read. Perfect for in-between serious books. Like most chick-lit, I can't really relate to the main character...but at least this woman seems to have it more together than the average chick lit heroine. And I liked that she had some pretty good female friends.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unfortunatly this was not the most recent thing I have read. My memory is a bit fuzzy. I do remember laughing out loud reading. I finished it rather quickly. The main character was someone that I could relate to.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. Overall I enjoyed this book, although at times it seemed kind of slow moving. I loved getting the inside look at the publishing industry, can you beat getting paid to read books. One of things I liked best was that I never would have predicted the ending I got.

[stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

total fluff about the girl who finally breaks free from the asshole holding her down.
maybe i liked it because i related.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

wasn't a quick read, but that's okay. lots of twists and turns that had me trying to find more time to read!

[Sarah Wade]

I never read it, it was lame and dirty. I just never deleted it from this list either.

[Lauren Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny read that you can really enjoy : )

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

rereading......

[Stacy Juba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun book set in the world of romance publishing. I couldn't put it down and instantly went to look for the rest of the author's books.

[Christiane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and easy, fast and breezy. Author reminds me of S. Kinsella in style. Entertainment kept light. Live is serious enough.

[Ilana · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally want to work in publishing!!!!