Bella Shaughnessy works at her family salon(s) with her brother and four sisters (two of them half). And also her two stepmothers, thought we see them much less. Her over the top father runs the whole business. He's been obsessed with Italy forever even though they are of Irish ancestry. If this isn't the setup for a hilarious story I don't know what is. I immediately thought of the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding and all the inter family antics.Bella has been divorced from her ex-husband Craig for about a year now ever since, while they were separated he starting sleeping with/going out with her half-sister Sophia. This understandably creates some family tension.
At a college fair where the salon has a booth, Bella meets a man by the name of Sean Ryan who turns her onto the idea of creating beauty kits. Through this interaction they begin a friendship and maybe even more.
Now all these human characters are great, but Precious/Cannoli the dog takes the cake. I can't remember ever loving or wanting a dog this much! She has so much personality!
The story is pretty simple and straight forward. I think the book really shines when it is just Bella being herself or making observations. I love the part of the "Silly Siren" bride and family whom no one can understand when they speak. Bella is just funny!
I really enjoyed this book and definitely want to read more by author Claire Cook.
3.5/5 Stars
ARC provided by LibraryThing Early Reviewers
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ReplyDeleteThis book sounds great! Nice review.
ReplyDeleteI have got this book on my shelf and need to get it read for the chick lit challenge...I wonder when that ends?
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...better go check!
Carrie K.- Thank you again, I just finished my post about it!
ReplyDeleteS. Krishna- Yeah I really liked it! Some people didn't seem to enjoy it as much as I did so I was a little worried but I really liked it!
J. Kaye- I'm not in any challenges I have enough pressure with my HUGE TBR pile but they do sound like so much fun. I like reading people's posts about them. Borders had a clearance sale yesterday... I walked right in not knowing! Summer Blowout is really cute, the main character is just funny!