A Second Pair of Eyes

Ms. Martin's story is one of heartbreak, happiness, self-discovery (and, at times, self-loathing) and dogged persistence in her pursuit of achieving her dream of a romantic future. In this true narrative, she often loses herself, along with her heart, in many a dismaying relationship that starts with such promise, only to end in hurt and devastating disappointment. But she learns from each and every one of them and, ultimately, discovers her true, inner self—and amazing strengths--through these experiences. This true story takes place in fast-paced, dynamic city environments, full of beautiful, young women just like her, carving out extraordinary careers while trying to find that icing on the cake. We are both CERTAIN many of her peers will relate, which is why she wanted to tell her story. She wanted to save today's young women precious time and emotional investment in dead-end, unhealthy and potentially dangerous relationships.

Have you navigated, or attempted to navigate, the delights and trials of dating recently? Most of us who are married, living with a partner, or just "divorced" from the dating scene, have a disillusioned concept about dating in this new age. We glibly think it fun, carefree, and even entertaining! And a lot of the time, a dating relationship or relationships start this way. Then, they take unexpected and sometimes horrifying turns. Most of us know to just "get out" when the latter occurs. But if you are emotionally vested in a particular outcome--a positive one--your heart can be easily broken and your spirit shattered. In A Second Pair of Eyes, I tell the story of Ashley Martin, an attractive, intelligent, and fun young woman, who is bound and determined to follow what she calls The Plan--which, basically means--find a fun, successful, good-looking guy who shares your values and vision of true love to date, marry, and have kids with--all before age 30. Ms. Martin's story is one of heartbreak, happiness, self-discovery (and, at times, self-loathing) and dogged persistence in her pursuit of achieving her dream of a romantic future. In this true narrative, she often loses herself, along with her heart, in many a dismaying relationship that starts with such promise, only to end in hurt and devastating disappointment. But she learns from each and every one of them and, ultimately, discovers her true, inner self—and amazing strengths--through these experiences. This true story takes place in fast-paced, dynamic city environments, full of beautiful, young women just like her, carving out extraordinary careers while trying to find that icing on the cake. We are both CERTAIN many of her peers will relate, which is why she wanted to tell her story. She wanted to save today's young women precious time and emotional investment in dead-end, unhealthy and potentially dangerous relationships.

Ashley Martin grew up in a comfortable, middle-class suburban neighborhood near Buffalo, New York, where she enjoyed a pleasant lifestyle and a fun, supportive family. The daughter of Sandra and (the late) Dennis Martin, she has one older brother, Ryan. She attended American College in Washington, D.C, where she majored in Marketing. Upon graduation, Ashley went to work for National Geographic as a Marketing Specialist. A bit later, she migrated to Boston, Massachusetts, where she landed a job in fundraising at Massachusetts General Hospital. This was followed by a promising position in Marketing and Fundraising at Columbia University in New York City. Ashley's social life was bittersweet and, although she forged a number of friendships that endures to this day, it was her pursuit of The Plan—To Meet and Marry a Handsome, Successful Man and Have His Children by Age 30—a "plan" that didn't quite work out that way—that inspired her to write A Second Pair of Eyes.