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Melissa Romney-Jones has always played by the rules. A student at the finest of prep schools and an overachiever at her university, she possesses flawless social skills and a network of contacts larger than any socialite's. As the daughter of an infamous politician, she has learned to be the perfect picture of decorum. She's the eternal optimist, saying, "My golden rule has always been to look on the bright side, no matter what…if you can find three good things about any given situation, no matter how dire, I guarantee you'll forget the rotten stuff." But as best as she can tell, at the beginning of The Little Lady Agency, it has gotten her nowhere. Fired from her dead-end job as a sort of administrative assistant, Melissa Romney-Jones finds herself at loose ends. Again. Her lost position at Dean & Daniels estate agency, is her fourth job of this type in as many years.
She sinks into despondency for a remarkably brief period of time. It's remarkably brief in that she dangles off the precipice of not knowing what she will do next or where her rent money will come from, yet still manages not to sink into pessimism. She keeps her wits about her and, after a brief stint with an escort service (not quite as racy as it sounds--this novel is strictly PG), she starts a business of her own. Now, if only she could transfer the courage she has summoned for her professional life over to standing up for herself in her personal life.
To any 20-something woman wondering where her life is going to go, this witty British novel is a blessed breath of encouragement. Not only does the main character get back on her feet after being fired by one pompous jerk and dumped by another, but she does so with grace, style and great success. Melissa serves as a reminder that things are never really as bad as they seem, and there is, truly, good to be found in any situation.
A loyal family member and friend to the end, Melissa gives great advice and never fails to lend a listening ear when a friend needs it. But while she is taking care of everyone else, who is taking care of her? At one point, she describes her ideal man, admitting that he is never the type she dates: "independent, successful, well-balanced, ambitious--but in a good way." Her previous boyfriends have always lied and mistreated her; one went so far as to take £10,000 from her. Eventually, though, she accomplishes the most difficult feat of all: taking her own advice.
The message of The Little Lady Agency--pursue life with guts and gusto and you will succeed--does not miss its mark. Never compromising her standards or dreams, Melissa is a wonderful inspiration to women who may be wondering whether to play it safe or go for what they really want. This is not to say that there won't be messes or mistakes along the way, but rather that they won't be unfixable.
So, for those on the cusp of decision-making, this novel is a surprising champion of carpe diem. "If you believe in what you're doing, go for it with everything you've got," the little lady whispers to readers. And just like life, the Little Lady Agency also provides lots of good laughs along the way.
Christine is a little fish trying to find her way in this big pond.
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