Pushing 30    by Whitney Gaskell Order:  USA  Can Dell, 2003 (2003) Paperback     Reviewed by Melissa Parcel Ellie Winters is the perfect good girl. She never talks back, never confronts, and keeps her job as an attorney because her parents expect it of her. Catapulting towards thirty, she breaks up with her boyfriend just as he's about to propose, because she knows there has to be someone better for her out there. Then she meets Ted Langston. Ted is a television news anchor, charming and fun to be around. Ellie falls hard, but there's a problem - he's over fifty. It's not a problem for Ellie, who is tired of dating self-indulgent young men. Ted sees it differently, and just can't reconcile himself to the gap in their ages. Throw in his clingy ex-wife, Ellie's college boyfriend who drops back into her life, and a myriad of other problems, and Pushing 30 dances to life from page one. Will Ted and Ellie see past their troubles and follow their hearts? Will Ellie develop the ability to stand up for herself, in order to get what she wants out of life? I turned the first page expecting fluffy chick lit, but it turned out to be so much more. It is interesting to see Ellie's transformation from a people pleaser into someone with backbone and spunk. Her confrontation with her parents will make readers stand up and cheer, especially if they identify closely with her situation. The secondary characters add depth and tension, particularly members of Ellie's family and her best friend Nina. Pop culture references add a great deal of fun, but are not overused to the point of annoyance. If Pushing 30 is any indication, Whitney Gaskell has a promising career ahead. This first novel is fun and thoughtful with a well-rounded plot, sure to please readers of contemporary romance. Don't let another birthday pass you by before picking it up. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Romance books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews