Narrated by Gabra Zackman

In one week, Karen Carmody, thirty, manages to lose both her job and sublet. She's unemployed, broke, and homeless. As with every era, heartless landlords and high rents rule in 1980s Manhattan, landing Karen in the Arcadia, a "Home for Young Ladies"-never mind that most of its occupants are in their second or third youth. Among its many eccentricities, the Arcadia is run by the Army of Light and thus off limits to males-so why has Karen's secretive roommate, Martha, crammed a teenage boy into their tiny room? And speaking of males, there's stockbroker and sexy jury duty pal Mark Pitofsky to consider. Now that she's hit rock bottom, things can only go up for Karen. Right? Chapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 9Chapter 10Chapter 11Chapter 12Chapter 13Chapter 14Chapter 15Chapter 16Chapter 17Chapter 18 "Lawrence displays a sure hand in her witty, gritty depiction of down-and-out life in contemporary Manhattan…[with her] lively humor, keen observation, gift for dialogue, and ability to arouse compassion." "A fine, funny, and moving story…Karen is immensely likable, and her life altogether real." "This contemporary novel will delight urban singles and suburban dreamers."

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