Lucas is then diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 27 and has a dilemma — whether to have a lumpectomy or the potentially safer mastectomy.

After consulting several doctors (including her husband) and researching the operations she decides to undergo a mastectomy.

Her subsequent chemotherapy treatment leads to tensions within her marriage but the couple stays together.

Geralyn meets several "angels" in the story, people who have been in similar positions to her and are able to dispense good advice.

The title refers to her belief that only confident women wear red lipstick.