Two young publicists, driven by grief and ambition, make their mark in Chicago’s elusive, but powerful art world

Vanessa Montes is torn. While grieving her beloved grandmother, she nervously anticipates her new dream job at the Art Institute of Chicago. Her path soon crosses with Shay Pearson, a passionate art lover and driven marketing director, who was overlooked for the position. Despite their differences, the two women work well together and even form a deep bond when Shay experiences the loss of her own grandmother.

Their collaborative debut is the museum’s annual gala, a pivotal event that holds the key to their intertwined futures. Seeking guidance, they enlist the expertise of Elyse Ryerson McArthur-curator of the European collection and a scion of Chicago’s influential lineage-who wields more power and influence than they could ever imagine. Alongside fellow curator Quinn McCourt, the team begins planning the museum’s paramount fundraiser.

As financial pressures and family duties begin to weigh on both Vanessa and Shay, the gala’s triumph becomes critical. But behind the art world’s glittering facade, they find the path to success is riddled with greed, jealousy, and deceit.

The allure and mystique of the art world intertwines with the opulence of Chicago’s elite in this captivating novel that delves into the city’s eternal struggle for justice.