Summer Blowout by Claire Cook - A Review

Summer Blowout

by Claire Cook 

Published by Hyperion  

Summer Blowout is the latest book from bestselling author Claire Cook. This book follows the life, loves and family relationships of Bella Shaughnessy. She works as a make-up artist for the family business, which is all beauty work, from salons to providing makeup services to brides, television personalities and even, make up for the deceased. Bella loves her work and is addicted to makeup as someone in her line of work should be. Her favorite form of expression, her addicition, really,  is lipsticks. I had no idea there were so many wonderful lipsticks out there. Bella has one for every situation into which she find her way.

Her ex-husband, who has been seeing Bella's half-sister, Sophia, has soured Bella's taste for men and she decides she will swear off men. She decides that throwing herself into her work with her new marketing idea will be her life.

As we follow Bella through her normal work life we share some humorous adventures as she applies makeup for a politician running for office, works a makeup booth for college registration and creates the makeup for a large bridal party. At this wedding she gets stuck babysitting a spunky little dog. When no one comes back for the little dog, Bella must make a decision. As she has fallen in love with the perky little mutt, she renames it Cannoli, cleverly disguises her and plans to keep her.

Add to these exciting happenings, Bella's visits to the beach with Cannoli, her pledge to stay away from men in spite of having met a new man with lots of possibilities, a little business intrigue, some great crazy, funny moments with Bella's crazy, funny family, and romance in the air for almost everyone, well, you can see why I recommend this book for a great summer read.

I have never read anything by Claire Cook before but when I found out that she had written Must Love Dogs, a movie I loved, I knew I was in for a great read. You can bet I will be finding her books from now on.

How will Bella deal with Cannoli's real family? The new man in her life? Her ex-husband? Her half sister Sophia? Her crazy family? Well, of course I could tell you but then..... that would be spoiling your fun. Read this book and find out for yourself how things turn out.