The Unfortunate Importance of Beauty by Amanda Filipacchi is a contemporary novel set in New York City. The story revolves around two friends, Barb and Lily, who struggle with society's standards of beauty. Barb, a beautiful costume designer, makes herself ugly to find true love, while Lily, a plain-looking musician, goes to great lengths to attract the man who rejected her. The story takes a twist when they discover a possible murderer in their midst. The novel explores the importance of beauty and its impact on relationships.