She had this idea of a magazine specifically for single women- an extremely overlooked population. Pitching her idea to the last magazine publisher on her list, who only met with her because her husband was a successful filmmaker, she first told him about what would be covered in its pages-fashion, advice, cooking and health, entertainment news-oh, and sex. He wasn't buying that. So she hit him with statistics, something she knew well from her job as the only woman in the ad agency and the most successful advertising campaign writer in the building. Her audience will consist of young and mature single women, divorced women, and widows, who don't relate to the 50's style women's magazines featuring marriage, children, and homemaking. This magazine will be a new concept and will have no competition. He mulled this over and took her to a set of offices. Telling her that the present "limp bunny" of a magazine was going to be dissolved and its employees fired, he gave her three issues in which to build an audience. If it failed after three, he would pull the plug on her too-the woman was Helen Gurley Brown and the magazine was Cosmopolitan.
Searles has written a biographical novel of the founder of the magazine where he worked for many years. He begins with Brown's fractured childhood, where an elevator accident killed her beloved father, and she is sure that it was her fault. Her mother moves her and her sister from Arkansas to California, hoping for some financial help from her husband's brother but he's poor also-they end up renting in a bad part of Los Angeles. Her attempts at making friends at her new school are unsuccessful-especially because of a bad case of acne that permanently scares her face. From this tough beginning, her story of becoming the voice of the modern single woman is unlikely and amazing.
The author frames his book through Brown and her choice of editors-each hand-picked young woman has a tale to tell, which provides insight into herself and the history and audience of the magazine. Brown pushed her staff to provide relevant content, while also making it useful, entertaining and a little salty. Her staff also pushed her in directions she hadn’t considered, but that’s why Cosmopolitan was always on the cutting edge.
Searles has written a book that traces the history of a paradigm shift. And in case you haven’t heard, the late 60’s are currently roaring back with a vengeance. The best way to celebrate Cosmo and the emergence of the satisfied single girl is to get on your flower power mini-dress, your John Lennon shades, and your white go-go boots and immerse yourself in this fantastic novel-peace out!
Reviewed by Donna Ballard
July 7, 2026
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