Plot

An academically-gifted teen, her model-beautiful older sister, and their newly-single mother leave small-town New Mexico in search of a new life in New York City.

After their father runs off with his teenage mistress, Sophie and Karen Kerr decide that their family needs a fresh start and convince their mother Lynn that the big city holds promise for all of them. Sophie has won a scholarship to a prestigious Manhattan private school, Karen can pursue her dreams of modeling, and Lynn can leave the painful memories of her failed marriage behind while reviving the ambitions of becoming a fashion designer she had put on hold to raise a family. The Kerr women arrive in New York ready to build a new life in this rarified place that promises as many challenges as it does possibilities. Manhattan. Global big shots, CEOs, diplomats, and the self-important social elite all make their homes there and send their precious children to the Brighton School. When Sophie enters this world she realizes she has no idea how to fit in with the privileged, posturing social climbers at her new school, the so-called "BPs," aka "Beautiful People." It's nothing like her old life, where she was able to rise to the top of the academic heap without effort. At Brighton, everyone is above average and her fellow students think nothing of a lunchtime shopping trip to Prada or using their parents' helicopter for their morning commute. Sophie's adorable charm and refreshing lack of pretension attract two very different boys to her; sensitive artist and outsider Gideon, and sexy, self-assured Nicholas, leader of the "BPs." Things always came easily to Sophie's older sister Karen because of her stunning beauty, but in the big city she quickly encounters the harsh realities of the cut-throat modeling business and quickly discovers that in New York, the competition is always a little bit taller or a little bit thinner. In order to succeed, Karen must take risks and decide just how much of a sacrifice she is willing to make. After a series of frustrating jobs, Lynn lands a position in the fashion industry, working for a hot designer. However, the job puts her in daily contact with her old college flame, now-married millionaire Julian Fiske--the one real love of her life. Julian still has feelings for Lynn, and she wrestles with her own emotions and morals as their relationship threatens to turn romantic. Helicopter rides, high-rises, and hedonistic parties--the Kerrs are definitely not in New Mexico anymore. But no matter what challenges the City throws their way, or what temptations may lead them astray, these three women are a family, and will always be there for one another, pursuing life in love in the greatest city on earth as they realize the true meaning of "beautiful people."—Noel Eisenberg