Pushing 30


True Love (and Other Lies)

“The one thing you should know about me is this: I’m the consummate Good Girl. . .”

Ellie Winters is dependable and loyal and has a near-phobic aversion to conflict. But as her thirtieth birthday looms ever closer, she starts to feel like she’s lost the instruction manual to her life. She has just broken up with her boring boyfriend, despises her job, and is the last of her high school friends to remain single. Worse, her dysfunctional family is driving her nuts, and she’s somehow become enslaved to her demanding pet pug Sally, who she suspects is the reincarnation of Pol Pot.

One night, after a botched attempt to color her hair at home, Ellie rushes to the drugstore for emergency bleach, Sally in tow. Sally is accosted by a smitten canine admirer . . . but it’s the dog’s owner who captures Ellie’s attention. Television news anchor Ted Langston is witty, intriguing, and sexy. The only catch? He’s twice her age--and the only man on the planet who isn’t interested in dating a younger woman. And no one, from Ellie’s best friends to Ted’s ex-wife, wants to see them get together.

Pushing 30 is a new release from Bantam Dell.




Praise for Pushing 30

A sprightly debut … Gaskell's breezy prose, sharp wit and skillful interweaving of Ellie's struggles … makes her a delightful romantic comedy heroine.

– Publisher’s Weekly


A breezy romp … first-time novelist Whitney Gaskell keeps the tone perfectly light, fun and conversational.

– The Miami Herald


Whitney Gaskell takes a familiar "oh-no" chick lit theme and turns it sprightly on its ear … what sets "Pushing 30" apart from others in the genre is Gaskell's sharp writing and skillful handling of the many plot strands … as it weaves into a cohesive, thoroughly satisfying read.

– Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


Feisty, poignant, sexy, and packed with delicious comedy.

– Sue Margolis, author of Neurotica and Apocalipstick


Ms. Gaskell’s characters are funny and sexy as she incorporates serious issues of female friendship, family demands and personal choices into her story.

– Library Journal


Readers definitely will be able to relate to Pushing 30. Witty and fast-paced, it's great Chick Lit.

– bookreporter.com