SEARCHING FOR GRACE KELLY is an atmospheric and heartfelt historical retelling of the famed Barbizon Hotel for Women of Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Symbolic of the cultural change of the 1950s, the Barbizon housed young women who came to New York City for career opportunities but still wanted to feel as safe as if they were still at their family home. In his debut novel, Michael Callahan has grasped not only the glittering, glamorous historical details of the city, but also the winds of change as women began reaching for greater responsibilities.

At the center of the activity of this hotel for young women are friends Laura Dixon, Dolores “Dolly” Hickey and Vivian Windsor. Set in the year 1955, SEARCHING FOR GRACE KELLY follows them as they explore careers, life and love in the glamorous --- and sometimes heartbreaking --- city. Laura, a proper Connecticut girl, has journeyed to the city to take part in Mademoiselle’s August college issue as a guest editor. A smart, quippy young lady who dreams of being a writer, Laura’s ambitions reach far beyond her mother’s goals of marriage and luxury. Upon arriving at the Barbizon, she meets her roommate, the spunky Dolly, a student at the Katie Gibbs secretarial school. Pudgy and doe-eyed, Dolly hopes to find a husband during her time in the city, though she is staunchly proud of her job as a typist at a small publishing house. As the girls become acquainted, they are interrupted by British bombshell Vivian Windsor when she storms into their room to escape a scolding from the hotel’s strict clerk, Mrs. Metzger. It quickly becomes apparent that Vivian, a cigarette girl at the Stork Club, is accustomed to making her own rules and owning the spotlight, but she is appreciative of the girls’ help, and so they begin to form an unlikely trio of friends.

"SEARCHING FOR GRACE KELLY is an atmospheric and heartfelt historical retelling of the famed Barbizon Hotel for Women of Manhattan’s Upper East Side.... the perfect read for any struggling twentysomething or anyone who appreciates a look back at a special time and place in women's history."

As they start to investigate the city together, it becomes clear that Callahan has fully fleshed out his vision of 1950s New York. The historical details, while deeply immersive and evocative, do not feel forced upon the reader or heavy-handed. His grasp of the female voice is also highly impressive, with some scenes between the girls reading like a good episode of “Sex and the City.” This comparison becomes even more appropriate when Laura and Dolly visit Vivian at the Stork Club. Surrounded by all sorts of men, Laura manages to capture the attention of the city’s most eligible bachelor, Box Barnes, heir to the Barnes & Foster department store. Though he attempts to make a move on her, Laura is the picture of grace and will not be spoken to as if she is another conquest. Much like her favorite female stars of the screen, she exits with a sharp one-liner that puts Box in his place.

Eager to explore more than just the clubs of the city, Laura sets out for MacDougal Books & Letters, where she meets Connie, the kindly owner of the dusty bookstore. Recognizing her drive for the written word, Connie offers her a book, Will the Girl and Other Stories, and directs her to the nearby San Remo Bar, where literary luminaries such as Kerouac convene. Here she meets Pete, a bartender who shares her love for literature.

Soon it is time for Laura to begin at Mademoiselle as a guest editor. She is immediately struck by the beauty of the office and the airs of “refinement, poise, grace and intelligence,” but soon becomes disappointed with her role within the company. A born writer, she is expecting to be assigned editorial tasks but instead is placed in one of the beauty departments. She also learns that the main duty of a guest editor is to show up at dinners and events to make the magazine look good. It is at one of these functions that she is reintroduced to Box Barnes, who makes a dashing apology for his previous behavior and invites her to dinner at a luxurious club.

Although Laura is quickly disillusioned by the college program at Mademoiselle, the novel does give a wonderful inside look into the world of magazine publishing. Of course, Callahan is expertly poised to write about the topic, but his clear, insightful descriptions are just perfect for readers who have always dreamed of a career in publishing. From the glamorous editor of Mademoiselle, Mrs. Blackwell, to the subtle rules and hierarchies, Laura experiences it all, always dreaming of reaching higher.

Of course, Laura is not the only one to find romance in the big city. Dolly faces a humiliating case of unrequited love with her boss, who fancies one of the famous models also living at the Barbizon. Meanwhile, Vivian begins seeing Nicola, a dark, powerful Italian man who always seems to be in the middle of some negotiation or another. Though it is quickly apparent to the reader that he is tied up in some mob-related activities, Vivian basks in his attention and connections --- until he turns violent. Prone to vicious outbursts and hard, sexual violence, Nicola becomes exactly the sort of suitor all young women fear. Still, he holds his connections over Vivian’s head, as she dreams of being a singer and refuses to leave him until she gets her big break. It is interesting that Vivian, perhaps the most outwardly strong and independent of the girls, is the one to date the abusive man. Callahan shows, correctly, that abuse can happen to any sort of woman, even if she is normally in complete control. His handling of the difficult subject is a strong point in the book, turning what could be a light, fun novel into an important discussion of a timely subject.

As the girls navigate life in the city, they each face hardships in their respective relationships. Laura juggles Box and Pete, the writer bartender, to terrible results, breaking several hearts along the way. Though she sees great qualities in both men and enjoys each of their worlds, she must soon make a choice between Box, with his high taste and excitement, and Pete, who is funny and intelligent. Meanwhile, Dolly sees a man who is secretive and unavailable, and Vivian’s life takes a dark, irreversible turn. Throughout it all, their friendship offers the girls a break from life, just as the best sorts of relationships should. Though it is exciting to read about bombshell Vivian's adventures at first, Laura's assertion that "it [is] one thing to be called pretty, [but] a true compliment to be called smart" will leave readers cheering for this ambitious character.

Laura and Dolly grow and mature at reasonable paces --- though not without their flaws --- making SEARCHING FOR GRACE KELLY the perfect read for any struggling twentysomething or anyone who appreciates a look back at a special time and place in women's history.