Lana Dunleavy and Siobhan Riley meet at the Founder's Home Convent in Ireland; they are both orphans and Lana takes care of the fragile Siobhan until they can escape together. When the reader sees the heroines again it is 3 years later and they are on their way to New York. Siobhan has married Billy O'Malley, a drinker and gambler.
As a waitress at the Blue Goose Tavern, Lana sees many men come and go. One night, she watches the expert gambling of a man only known as Stone. Lana thinks he is a con man.
When Siobhan tells Lana she is pregnant, Lana gets a better job as a Cook's assistant at one of the mansions in the city. She needs to make more money so she can take care of Siobhan and the coming baby; Lana has no belief that Billy will be around to take care of his family.
When Lana sees Stone at one of the fine parties at the mansion, she wants to warn her employers. She realizes that she cannot do that without explaining how she knows of Stone's activities.
Lana stays focused on getting a better apartment for Siobhan, herself and the coming baby. A terrible accident takes place and the baby is put in a foundling's home. Now someone wants to adopt the baby but she wants the baby for less than valid reasons. Lana goes to Stone and asks him to help her get the child.
The only way to get Colin is to be as fine a lady as the one who plans to adopt the baby. Thus begins Lana's metamorphosis into the DUCHESS OF FIFTH AVENUE.
This story is so unlikely that I had a hard time finishing the book. This is the first book by Ruth Ryan Langan that I really didn't like. What kept me reading was the loyalty of Lana for her friend -- she was literally willing to do anything to save Siobhan and her child.
"My Fair Lady" with a twist. A charming book.
