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CRITICAL PRAISE FOR LYNDA CURNYN’S DEBUT NOVEL, CONFESSIONS OF AN EX-GIRLFRIEND:
“First-time novelist Curnyn pens an easy, breezy first novel that’s part Sex and the City with more heart and part Bridget Jones with less booze.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A diverse cast of engaging, occasionally offbeat characters, the hilarious sayings attributed to them, and a fast-paced style facilitated by Emma’s pithy sound-bite ‘confessions’ add to the fun in a lively Manhattan-set story…”
—Library Journal
“Readers will eagerly turn the pages…”
—Booklist
“Fabulous fun. The perfect antidote for the break-up blues.”
—Sarah Mlynowski, author of Milkrun
“…absolutely hilarious secondary characters. They alone are worth the cover price.”
—Romantic Times
“Lynda Curnyn has written a novel featuring a heroine that most people will enjoy reading about and even sympathize with her intense angst. Confessions of an Ex-Girlfriend is part comedy, but mostly a serious, delightful look at people at a painful point in their lives.”
—Bookbrowser.com
“Well written, with catchy dialogue and heartfelt sincerity.”
—Rendezvous
For Alexandra and Samantha
Dream big, little girls!
Engaging Men
Lynda Curnyn
MILLS & BOON
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A big thank-you to all who inspired and supported me during the writing of this book:
My family, especially my wise and beautiful mother, who always knows what to say, just when I need to hear it.
My wonderful editor, Joan Marlow Golan, for her insightful editorial expertise, her amazing support and most of all, her TLC.
All the talented people behind Red Dress Ink, especially Margaret Marbury, senior editor extraordinaire and dear friend. Laura Morris, Margie Miller, Tara Kelly and RDI’s own engaging man, Craig Swinwood.
All my wonderful friends, especially Linda Guidi, for always listening (even when I don’t…). Stacey Kamel, for bringing on the laughter. Julie Ann Coney, for that fab photo of me and the facts on adoptive search. Anne Canadeo, for the Tight-Lid Theory that inspired this book, and her sage writing advice. Jennifer Bernstein, Lisa Sklar and Farrin Jacobs, for keeping me from wigging out. Sarah Mlynowski, for always telling me how fabulous I am and for, umm, lending me her boyfriend (it’s not what you think…).
Elizabeth Irene, who told me just what it takes to make it as an actor in this town. Michael Scotto di Carlo (aka Motorcycle) and Katrina Lorne for the cool Web site. Pam Spengler-Jaffee, for sharing her PR savvy, as well as margaritas and the post-book Elton and Billy serenade.
And let us not forget all the ex-boyfriends (you know who you are…) who inadvertently inspired me to write this book, by sheer virtue of the fact that none of them ever actually got around to proposing.
Contents
1 Tight lids and other theories of male behavior.
2 I’m not really a wife, but I play one on TV.
3 Welcome to Brooklyn. Population: Married
4 I just called…to SCREAM…I LOVE YOU!
5 A rose by any other name…might still do the trick.
6 Love means never having to pack an overnight bag.
7 All a girl needs is a little courage—and a hefty credit line.
8 I have seen the future (and it’s gonna cost a bundle).
9 Caution: This jar is not a toy! Please keep out of reach of children.
10 A nose is a nose is a nose….
11 When life gives you lemons, screw the lemonade. You need a real cocktail.
12 Happiness might just be a warm gun.
13 Till death (at 30,000 feet) do us part.
14 I shoulda packed the ruby slippers….
15 I’m in a New York state of…mania.
16 And you thought it was just a common house plant.
17 I’ll take a carat and a half—hold the husband.
18 Love happens. (And there really is nothing you can do about it.)
19 The heart is a hearty muscle (Thank God).
Epilogue
1
Tight lids and other theories of male behavior.
It started with a message on my answering machine.
“Guess who’s getting married?” came a voice I knew all too well.
It was Josh. My ex-boyfriend. Turned someone else’s fiancé. Not that I’d ever wanted to marry Josh, who suffered from an aversion to dental floss. “Did prehistoric man floss?” he would argue. “Is
