Heels of Steel

A savvy, scrappy woman builds and rebuilds her New York City construction business and finds love with her rival in this debut romance, which occasionally doubles as thinly-veiled autobiography from Real Housewives of New York star Kavovit. Bridget Steele’s father teaches her construction at an early age in an effort to empower his little girl. Bridget grows up to build a successful business as a general contractor and marries one of her workers, Kevin, who quickly rises in the ranks of her company despite Bridget’s doubts about his fidelity and concern over his drug habits. When Kevin’s sloppiness costs her the largest job of her career and damages her hard-earned reputation, Bridget must start again from scratch, a newly divorced single mother with no job prospects. Enter Jason, the CEO of Russo Construction, a man who has been handed all the things Bridget has fought so hard for. Despite her resentment, the chemistry between them is undeniable. But when Bridget and Jason realize they are both up for the same skyscraper project, Bridget is not about to let love stand in the way of getting her old life back. Kavovit writes grippingly about the struggle of being the only woman in a male-dominated field and the possibility of a second chance at love, and though the high-heeled work boots and lean-in feminism get a little tiring, Bridget never fails to shine. Agent: Emma Parry, Janklow & Nesbit Assoc. (June)