City of Girls follows Vivian Morris, a young wealthy woman sent to New York in the 1940s after failing college. She lives with her Aunt Peg, who runs a lively theatre called the Lily Playhouse.
There, Vivian discovers a world of freedom, fashion, and performance, and she builds a new life designing costumes. However, a scandal forces her to leave New York and rethink her choices.
Years later, she returns, rebuilds her career, and reflects on her past, including her complicated relationship with Frank Grecco.
The novel is narrated by an older Vivian looking back on her life and the lessons she learned about independence, love, and identity.