Lori is a likeable protagonist who uses sarcasm, charm and wit to try to woo people over and distract them from the fact that she can't read. When her friend Mickey, who works with her in a bike shop, wants to open his own shop with her, she decides it's time to learn to read. Along the way, she meets Pam, a sexy librarian, Deidre Felix, the 60-something tutor who's getting a divorce, and Whitney, the professional lesbian whom Lori starts a relationship with. Though the novel drags its feet a little bit in the middle, overall it's an enjoyable, insightful read that explores relationships, friendships and class issues. It's also an interesting concept for a writer to write a novel about someone who has trouble reading.