Praise for the novels of Laura Caldwell The Year of Living Famously “Sharply observed, fresh and compelling, The Year of Living Famously is a captivating look into the cult of celebrity.” —Leslie Stella, author of The Easy Hour and Fat Bald Jeff “A stylish, sassy novel that shows the dark side that haunts the world of glamour and glitz. Laura Caldwell paints a sensitive picture of two ordinary lives thrown into turmoil by the pressures of fame.” —USA TODAY bestselling author Carole Matthews “Hollywood power players, paparazzi and overzealous fans—Laura Caldwell takes readers inside the precarious world of celebrity with a captivating story about the cost of following your dreams and the high price of fame.” —Jennifer O’Connell, author of Bachelorette #1 A Clean Slate “Told with great energy and charm, A Clean Slate is for anyone who has ever fantasized about starting over —in other words, this book is for everyone!” —Jill A. Davis, author of Girls’ Poker Night “Weightier than the usual fare, Caldwell’s winning second novel puts an appealing heroine in a tough situation and relays her struggles with empathy.” —Booklist (starred review) “A Clean Slate is Laura Caldwell’s page-turner about a woman with a chance to reinvent herself, something most of us have imagined from time to time….” —Chicago Tribune “A Clean Slate… told with a little mystery, a little humor, and more than a few twists and surprises.” —News-Dispatch Burning the Map “This debut novel won us over with its exotic locales (Rome and Greece); strong portrayal of the bonds between girlfriends; cast of sexy foreign guys; and, most of all, its touching story of a young woman at a crossroads in her life.” —Barnes & Noble.com (Selected as one of “The Best of 2002”) “Caldwell’s debut is a fun, snappy read.” —Booklist “The author produces excellent settings and characters. It is easy to identify with her protagonist, Casey. We learn that maybe the rat race isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. This is a very thought provoking book.” —Heartland Reviews Laura Caldwell The Year of Living Famously ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thank you, thank you, thank you to my wonderful editor, Margaret O’Neill Marbury, my fantastic agent, Maureen Walters, and everyone at Red Dress Ink (especially Tania Charzewski, Laura Morris, Craig Swinwood, Donna Hayes, Isabel Swift, Margie Miller, Tara Kelly, Sarah Rundle, Don Lucey, Belinda Hobbs, Jessica Regante, Liba Berry and Carolyn Flear). Thanks also to Kelly Harden, Ginger Heyman, Trisha Woodson, Beth Kaveny, Suzanne Burchill, Pam Carroll, Jim Lupo, Hilarie Pozesky, Clare Toohey, Mary Jennings Dean, Jane Hamill, Kris Verdeck, Ted MacNabola, Joan Posch, J. Erik Seastrand, Patrick Meade and Alisa Spiegel. Once again, most importantly, thanks and my heart to Jason Billups. LAURA CALDWELL graduated from University of Iowa, before getting her law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Laura was a trial lawyer for many years, specializing in medical negligence defense and entertainment law. She is widely published in the legal field, as well as in numerous mainstream publications. Laura is a writer and contributing editor at Lake Magazine, and an adjunct professor of legal writing at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Please visit her online at www.lauracaldwell.com. I awoke one morning and found myself famous. —Lord Byron Contents Part One chapter 1 chapter 2 chapter 3 chapter 4 chapter 5 chapter 6 chapter 7 Part Two chapter 8 chapter 9 chapter 10 chapter 11 chapter 12 chapter 13 Part Three chapter 14 chapter 15 chapter 16 chapter 17 chapter 18 chapter 19 Part Four chapter 20 chapter 21 chapter 22 chapter 23 chapter 24 chapter 25 chapter 26 chapter 27 chapter 28 chapter 29 chapter 30 chapter 31 Part Five chapter 32 chapter 33 chapter 34 chapter 35 Book Club Questions Part One