Rachel Marcus is a recently single and recently unemployed copywriter, formerly occupying a position at one of Johannesburg's top advertising agencies.

In an attempt to prove to herself ? and everybody else ? that she is not a total disaster, she flies halfway across the world to find her "dream job" in New York City.

Instead, Rachel finds a rat-infested apartment, a string of nightmarish dates and a dead-end job advertising socks and sanitary pads under a boss who does his yoga in the nude. Her art director is an alcoholic and a drug addict, she falls back on online dating sites determined to meet "the one" ? and she can't find a cup of Five Roses tea anywhere.

Quirky, funny and enormously entertaining, Paige Nick's debut novel 'A Million Miles from Normal' is perfect read-it-in-the-bath-with-a-glass-of-wine chick lit.

However, don't be hasty in casting this novel into the "trashy read" category, either.

Nick has created a novel that is smart, sexy and ultimately un-put-down-able. She has brought a wealth of her own experiences as a real-life copywriter into the novel, claiming that it's "99% fiction", and manages to play off creative industry stereotypes in a fresh and hilarious way.

Rachel is a fantastic example of the modern woman ? balancing her desire for a successful career with her dream of finding 'the one' ? and I found her all the more hysterical because I could identify some of myself in her.

One of my favourite things about the novel (and it shows that I am truly a sucker for gimmicks) is the thread of Facebook status updates through out the novel, usually signalling the beginning and end of a chapter. I found myself frantically wanting to "friend" Rachel ? so top marks to Nick.

She has managed to combine laugh-out-loud scenes with serious issues, and she has you laughing with and crying for the unique and real characters she has created.

There are a few small imperfections in the novel ? some of the New Yorkers make use of distinctly South African slang ("Hectic") ? but it's otherwise a smart, savvy read that's the perfect book to relax with.

I can't wait for more ? this is definitely filed in my "guilty pleasure" category.