The middle aged women depicted in this story are still glamorous, thanks to the art of skilled plastic surgeons, are married or wish they were, spend a great deal of time deciding what to wear to the many luncheons and black tie events they go to and vie with each other to get their pictures in the Chicago and suburban society columns of the newspapers. They are bound together by a Ladies Who Lunch group as well as by their shared expectations about how their lives would be when they grew up.
The story opens when Sandra, a real estate agent and thus the most informed gossip of the group, calls a luncheon meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel's dining room to tell the girls about their friend Linda's impending divorce. The shock of hearing that this all American couple is getting divorced causes each woman to examine her own relationship with her husband and decide how she will live her life in the future.
Natalie, the plump, unhappy, chocolate loving wife of a successful businessman who demeans her both privately and publicly breaks her marriage vows when she is swept off her feet by a very handsome stranger.
Bridgette, the discarded wife of a self made businessman who cared more about being a father than a husband, is about to marry a man whom she doesn't love but who can provide her with even more wealth and a higher social position than she had when she was married.
Linda who has been spoiled by the charmed life she has led from the time she was young to present because she was the epitome of the cute, curly haired, delightful little blond is suddenly confronted with the fact that her husband has been unfaithful to her.
Rebecca who has really enjoyed a wonderful life from childhood to adulthood is living proof that, "They lived happily ever after," can sometimes happen. Although she is a snob, rather prudish and a bit too 'Pollyannaish,' she is a loyal friend.
See inside the book for a list of other colorful characters depicted in this novel.