The Dumpster: One Woman's Search for Love by Becky Due is a lighthearted romantic comedy that follows Nicole, a relatable, twenty-something woman on a quest for love. Described as cute and chubby, Nicole is an average American searching in all the wrong places—bars, blind dates, and fleeting hookups—only to face disappointment time and again. Her luck begins to shift when a dumpster unexpectedly appears in the alley below her bedroom window. Initially an annoyance, it becomes a turning point in her journey.
Through humorous and heartfelt moments, Nicole uses the dumpster as a literal and figurative way to discard her past—tossing out mementos of failed relationships and shedding her insecurities. Along the way, she encounters quirky characters, including a man she meets at the dumpster retrieving a DVD player she'd thrown out, and her elusive condo tenant, who may hold more significance than she realizes. Blending romance and comedy, the story explores Nicole's path to self-discovery, as she learns that true love begins with loving herself. This quick, entertaining read offers a mix of laugh-out-loud situations and uplifting lessons about confidence and independence.