Becca Davis has always been the quiet, compliant sister. Her two older sisters, one an actress and the other a psychologist, have long chided Becca for failing to stand up for herself and take risks with her life. Becca has a degree in fashion design and is in fact a good designer, but she can‘t seem to break free of life in Phoenix and take a chance in the Los Angeles or New York fashion world. She has been dating the same nice guy for five years, but he has some definite ideas about how their life together should progress. It is not until he pops the question and buys a house without consulting Becca that she decides to take the leap and move to L.A.

Becca soon learns that breaking into the design business isn’t as easy as having great designs. Between trying to find a decent job in fashion, dealing with her hysterical sister, and deciding what to do about her love life, Becca’s life is definitely full. But how will she know if she has what it takes unless she gives it a try?

Beth Kendrick takes a tried-and-true chick lit formula and spices it up with humor and a heartfelt story. Although much of the plot is predictable (we all know what will happen when Becca signs a contract without having a lawyer look it over) Ms. Kendrick tells it in a believable and sympathetic way that will endear Becca to readers. And even though Becca is a world-class wimp through the majority of the story, the reader holds out hope that she will develop a backbone and get rid of some of her naïveté.

The love story really isn’t the main focus, but it makes for an interesting side story. It is refreshing to have Becca’s career pursuits take precedence over her romantic pursuits, although romance isn’t ignored by any means. Fashionably Late is a quick, light read focusing on pursuing your dreams. An endearing addition to the chick lit market.