{"product_id":"helen-of-pasadena-9780984410224","title":"Helen of Pasadena","description":"\u003cb\u003eA \u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e Bestseller\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eA witty, timely and richly entertaining tale of a modern mother in transition, from the author of \u003ci\u003eThe Sweeney Sisters\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHelen Fairchild is leading a privileged Pasadena existence: married to a pillar of the community; raising a water polo-playing son destined for the most select high school; volunteering her time on the most fashionable committees. It only bothers Helen a tiny bit that she has never quite fit in with the proper Pasadena crowd, never finished that graduate degree in Classics, and never had that second baby. But the rigid rules of society in Pasadena appeal to Helen, the daughter of Oregon fiber artists, even if she'll never be on the inside. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAnd then along comes a Rose Parade float, killing her philandering husband and leaving Helen broke, out of her \"forever\" house, and scrambling to salvage her once-rarefied existence. Enter Patrick O'Neill, excavator of Troy and wearer of nubby sweaters. A job as Dr. O'Neill's research assistant is the lifeline Helen needs to reinvent herself. Ancient mysteries to solve! Charity events to plan! School admissions advisors to charm! If Helen wasn't so distracted by her incredibly attractive boss, she might be able to pull off this new life. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHelen's world widens to include a Hollywood star, a gossip columnist, an old college nemesis, a high-powered Neutron Mom, an unforgiving school headmistress, the best Armenian real estate agent in the biz, and, of course, the intriguing Patrick O'Neill. While uncovering secrets about ancient Troy alongside her archaeologist boss, Helen discovers something much more: a new sense of self and a new love. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWith its keen social observations, laugh-out-loud scenes and whip-smart dialogue, \u003ci\u003eHelen of Pasadena\u003c\/i\u003e delivers humor, insight, and wisdom on reinventing yourself.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLian Dolan is a writer, producer and podcaster. She is the author of \u003ci\u003eThe Sweeney Sisters\u003c\/i\u003e and two \u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e best-selling novels, as well as the editor of the Satellite Sisters' book \u003ci\u003eYou're the Best\u003c\/i\u003e. Lian produces \u003ci\u003eSatellite Sisters\u003c\/i\u003e, a hit podcast recorded weekly with sisters Julie and Liz. She has written for \u003ci\u003eO, The Oprah Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eWorking Mother Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e, as well as for TV and print. Lian is an empty-nester, living with her husband and her German shepherd in Pasadena, California.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Prospect Park Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50693059903762,"sku":"9780984410224","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_f181777b-eb77-4393-95f6-3a878731ccdb.jpg?v=1734139907","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/helen-of-pasadena-9780984410224","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}