Joan Nederlof

Ellis's life is less fairy-tale-like than she had expected. As a single mother with an ex-husband who spends almost no money on his son, she has to work two jobs. Ellis decides it's time for a change and enrolls in a course called "How to Marry a Millionaire." Together with her fellow students, she goes hunting for rich bachelors. While the other students make shameless attempts to catch a millionaire, Ellis turns out to be a heartbreaker for the lonely millionaire! Everyone tries to impress her in their own way... But who will win Ellis' heart? Will she choose wealth, stability, or passion?

An unlikely friendship blossoms between Elsa, a preppy, idle, spoiled blond who calls herself Gino, and Nina, a wannabe anarchist who plots with three others to blow up an arms factory. Nina is often sour and tempestuous, but with Gino she's spontaneous and funny. Yet the friendship often founders, as the feckless Gino spoils Nina's frequent and demanding plans. They decide to rob Gino's rich uncle to pay for bombs and creature comforts, they sneak into a stranger's house, they steal a painting belonging to one of Gino's boyfriends, bombs fail to explode, and Gino costs Nina the trust of her anarchist pals. Then comes the crocodile test, the ultimate for any friendship.