There is so much to consider, so much to unpack and so much to learn about in BOSS LADY, the latest brainchild of Alli Frank and Asha Youmans. Fans of these authors know that they write intriguing novels about people we find extremely relatable. Their main characters are always flawed, but we like that because everyone is imperfect in some way.

Antonia "Toni" Arroyo is Black and Puerto Rican. At the start of the book, she's working nonstop to make money to support her two children after her husband walked out on them two years ago to "find himself." She thinks she misses him, even while she resents the fact that he simply dumped his family when they became inconvenient. Toni has two good friends she's made at the airport in San Francisco where she works, helping passengers who need assistance get to and from their gates. Her favorite "client" is Sylvia Eisenberg, who becomes a very important character in the novel.

"There is so much to consider, so much to unpack and so much to learn about in BOSS LADY... [It] is a delightful read that’s full of heart, and you won't be able to put it down."

Toni's life has not gone according to the plans she made as a young woman. She earned a scholarship to UCLA, but after being there for two years, her father died. Her mother had never worked, and Toni had two younger brothers. She left school to work and help her mother keep their family together, but then life got in the way. She met and married Simon, and they had twin daughters.

But Toni never stopped dreaming of becoming an entrepreneur, creating a product that she could sell. She loves science and wants to build a business; she just needs to think of something to develop. We learn about some near-misses and her lack of self-confidence. Mrs. Eisenberg, she of the two homes and wealthy lifestyle, is one of Toni's biggest cheerleaders. She's constantly giving Toni advice and aphorisms about not giving up, sticking with it and demonstrating perseverance. Toni really cares for Mrs. Eisenberg, but while she talks a lot about her grandchildren and other people, she doesn't share much about herself. Toni is left wondering what Eddie, Mrs. Eisenberg's much-beloved late husband, did to generate the wealth that she clearly enjoys.

In addition to a really admirable protagonist, there is a romantic interest who happens to be Mrs. Eisenberg's Black grandson. At first, Toni isn't sure how that happened because Mrs. Eisenberg is clearly a senior white Jewish woman. As we read more of the story, we find that, like Toni, we have let our prejudices get in the way of seeing the truth in more ways than just considering race.

But Toni has her eyes on the prize, and thanks to some inside help, she manages to get a spot on “Innovation Nation,” a reality show where venture capitalists find companies in which to invest. Will they decide to invest in hers? And with Simon, her almost ex-husband (the papers are prepared and sitting on the bookshelf), competing for his own idea, we don’t know what will happen. By this time, we love to hate Simon, whose real character is readily apparent with his comments and actions on returning after two years of a disappearing act.

There's joy, there's love of family and friends, there are two teenagers who are mostly a delight, there's a handsome love interest, and there's a really wonderful woman who captures the reader's heart and imagination. We are rooting for her to find her "happily ever after." However, thanks to Mrs. Eisenberg's very sage and plentiful advice, we know that we must make our own HEA. BOSS LADY is a delightful read that’s full of heart, and you won't be able to put it down.