Southern Charm

“Tinsley Mortimer's first book,
Southern Charm
is just that: CHARMING! It's like a mint julep—sweet, sassy, and with a kick, all set against the glittering backdrop of the New York social scene—a modern-day fashion fairy tale!”

—CARSON KRESSLEY

“
Southern Charm
will remind you of who you were before you became a jaded New Yorker.”

—KELLY RUTHERFORD

“Tinsley Mortimer is the 21st-century C. Z. Guest. She approaches life as a championship to be lived fully, won whenever possible and graciously executed whether one is ranking up or down on any given day.”

—BILLY NORWICH in
AVENUE
magazine

“An American original with beauty, style and pedigree.”

—VIRGINIA LIVING

“Virginia-born, Columbia University–educated, New York–based girl about town . . . famous (a word not used lightly) from Manhattan to Tokyo.”

—HARPER'S BAZAAR

A modern Manhattan fairy tale with the sparkle of a champagne cocktail, Tinsley Mortimer's debut novel provides a delicious peek into her world of society, fashion, and big-city fame.

SOUTHERN GIRL
Minty Davenport has always dreamed of skyscrapers, yellow cabs, and a life like Eloise's in New York City. So upon graduation from college, she bids adieu to Charleston and makes a beeline for the Big Apple. Almost instantly, she finds herself at an event being photographed for
Women's Wear Daily
, and her career as a New York society “It Girl” is launched. As Minty navigates the ironclad customs of New York society, a blossoming love life, and a job working for a ruthless and powerful publicist, she finds that the rules a southern belle lives by—being nice to everyone, accentuating her femininity, and minding her manners—don't necessarily guarantee success in Manhattan. She may indeed be accumulating new friends and opportunities along with boldfaced mentions and a very eligible bachelor boyfriend, but someone is plotting her very public downfall. When Minty gets to the top of the social ladder, she must decide if the glamorous life she thought she wanted is really everything she hoped it would be.

Tinsley Mortimer's insider observations about New York's elite are deliciously witty, and the heart of her book is that of an irresistibly lovable young woman who is on the brink of finding her dream.

TINSLEY MORTIMER
grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and is a graduate of the Lawrenceville School and Columbia University. She has been featured on the pages of
Vogue, WWD Harper's Bazaar
, and
Marie Claire
magazine and in celebrity publications such as
Us Weekly, OK!, Life & Style
, and
In Touch
. She has also served as a “Beauty Ambassador” for Christian Dior, and she currently designs handbags for the Japanese company Samantha Thavasa and a clothing line, Riccimie, available exclusively in Japan. She starred in the reality television show
High Society
and has appeared on
Dr. Phil, America's Next Top Model, Extra, Access Hollywood,
E!, Bravo's
The Fashion Show,
and
Gossip Girl.
She lives in New York City with her three Chihuahuas, BB, Bella, and Bambi.

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JACKET DESIGN BY JACKIE SEOW

JACKET ILLUSTRATION BY YOCO

LET TERING BY BERNARD MAISNER

COPYRIGHT © 2012 SIMON & SCHUSTER

Simon & Schuster

1230 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

www.SimonandSchuster.com

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2012 by Tinsley Mortimer

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Simon & Schuster Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

First Simon & Schuster hardcover edition May 2012

SIMON & SCHUSTER and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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.

Designed by Akasha Archer

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Mortimer, Tinsley.

Southern charm : a novel / Tinsley Mortimer. — 1st Simon & Schuster hardcover ed.

p. cm.

Summary: “The entertaining first novel by socialite Tinsley Mortimer about a southern belle thrust into the frenzied world of high society in New York City.”—Provided by publisher.

1. Socialites—Fiction. 2. City and town life—Fiction. 3. New York (N.Y.)—Fiction. I. Title.

PS3613.O7786255S67 2012
813'.6—dc23                                                           2011044263

ISBN 978-1-4516-2747-3
ISBN 978-1-4516-2750-3 (ebook)

For BB, Bella, and Bambi

Oooooooh, I absolutely love the Plaza.

—Eloise

Contents

Prologue: Sometimes You Just Have to Go for Broke

Chapter 1: Grin and Bear It

Chapter 2: Smile through the Pain

Chapter 3: Be Cute and Quick

Chapter 4: Get Up to the Net