Summer Blowout by Claire Cook

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

Bella Shaughnessy’s life hasn’t been the easiest lately. After breaking up with her husband, she discovers her half-sister Sophia is the new woman in his life. It doesn’t help that she and Sophia, as well as basically everyone else in the family, work together in the family-owned beauty salon. Because of her recent problems in love, Bella decides that she will swear off men forever. She keeps that promise to herself until she meets Sean Ryan, an entrepreneur who not only helps Bella establish a new business opportunity, but also shows Bella how to move on with her life. Add to the mix a small dog that Bella happens to “receive” from a client and a cast of wacky characters and you get the best description of Bella’s life: complicated.

Summer Blowout is a light and fluffy fast read, one that would be perfect to read on the beach. It does have its moments of laugh out humor and quirky situations, some of which seem to be too unbelievable to be true. For example, the family dynamics creates some interesting situations. I felt the characters were a bit one-dimensional; you never really get to know any of them, except perhaps Bella. There were many beauty tips throughout the novel, including references to dozens of different colors and makeup companies.

I did enjoy reading the book. Like much chick lit, you don’t have to think about situations in the novel, except if you are trying to figure out how each family member fits into the Shaughnessy clan. Summer Blowout is a quick way to escape from reality…just be glad you don’t have Bella’s family!

Reviewed by Jessica