Email a friendSummer Blowout
A good makeup artist never panics. Bella Shaughnessy knows this. She’s the resident makeup maven in a family of Boston Irish hair salon owners; she has an artful solution to almost every problem. But Bella feels bruised beyond the reach of even the best concealer when her half-sister runs off with her husband. What could she come up with to cover a hurt like that?
Plenty, it turns out. She conceives an invigorating new business idea, and soon meets a cute entrepreneur who can help out. Despite their bickering, they can’t seem to stay away from success—or from each other.
A good makeup artist
Claire Cook meets a book club of huge fans!
Photo by Diane Dillon
“Laugh out loud.”
—Good Housekeeping
“Claire Cook is back again with what surely will be this summer’s biggest hit. Her fifth novel delivers not only a hilarious read, but also divulges tricks of the trade make-up secrets that every girl will love! Without a doubt, SUMMER BLOWOUT is the perfect styling tool needed to give you that coveted summertime look.”
—Fresh Fiction
“You won’t have to don your sunglasses for this sunny delight by the author of Must Love Dogs. Makeup artist Bella Shaughnessy has a thing for lipstick—with names like Catfight, Damaged and Revive—a family that gives new meaning to the expression blended (thanks to a half-sister who’s dating Bella’s ex-husband) and a ban on men (see half-sister). Which is too bad, because she’s just met Sean Ryan, an entrepreneur with sparkling eyes and a proposal, business that is—or is it?—for Bella. As refreshing as an icy drink on a sultry day.”
—Family Circle
“Summer Blowout is primed, like Cook’s previous novel Must Love Dogs…to become a big-screen romantic comedy.”
—Booklist
“Claire Cook has done it again—Summer Blowout is another great summer beach read that will make you laugh out loud darn near every page…There are many giggles and makeup tips in this breezy summer read—it’s too fun to miss (especially the ‘combover intervention’—you just HAVE to read it).”
—Jackie Blem, Tattered Cover Bookstore
“Summer Blowout was a laugh-out-loud-in-public good time. Bella felt like a best friend, and she was just hilarious. A great all-around read, and it really makes me wish it was ALREADY summer.”
—Jenny Sweedler, Innisfree Bookshop
“Book an appointment NOW for summer’s hot read: SUMMER BLOWOUT by Claire Cook. Bad hair day? Bella Shaughnessey’s repartee is the quick fix! Ask your bookseller to pencil you in for the laughs. Walk-ins welcome!”
—Peg Patten, Front Street Book Shop
“Summer Blowout is as intoxicating as a seat at the top of the Ferris wheel. Reading Claire Cook might be the most fun you have all summer.”
—Elin Hilderbrand, author of Barefoot
“As someone who struggles with humid, willful, occasionally explosive summer hair, I only wish every Summer Blowout were so completely satisfying. Claire Cook is at her irresistible, charming, dishy, can't put it down best.”
—Amy Cohen, author of The Late Bloomers' Revolution
“Charming, engagingly quirky, and full of fun, Claire Cook just gets it. SUMMER BLOWOUT is irresistible!”
—Meg Cabot, author of The Princess Diaries
“Claire Cook is one of our favorite authors. We love her fun, goofy, big-hearted reads filled with comfortably, familiarly, mildly-flawed characters that most often pass for family. Summer Blowout is Claire Cook's best novel yet. From My Chihuahua Bites lipstick to Italian/Irish family 'staff meetings' to a dyed-and-highlighted incognito pooch, Summer Blowout is poised to blow OFF the shelves — with the paperback Life's a Beach sailing right behind it!!”
—Jill Miner, Saturn Booksellers
“Summer Blowout is about Bella, a hairdresser, in an Irish (spelled I-t-a-l-i-a-n) family of hairdressers. The story is like a perfectly seasoned marinara sauce; with a pinch of hope, heartache, determination, laughter, wit and love—with an extra pinch of humor (to "boot"). For dessert there is the little dog, Cannoli, that Bella adopts—sort of. It's a great read and even has some cosmetic tips I found useful. I really enjoyed it!!”
—Auttem Foglia
“Summer Blowout is a fast-paced, delicious slice of pizza pie—illuminating the world of the pseudo-Italian Shaughnessy family of hair stylists and make-up artists. Bella Shaughnessy is still reeling from the post divorce hook-up of her ex with her younger half-sister Sophia but the right shade of lipstick can almost but not quite manage to salve her wounded spirit. It takes a handsome entrepreneur at a college fair and a tiny dog in a bridesmaid's dress—Precious who becomes Cannoli after a dye job and a makeover—to get her back in the groove of living and eventual forgiveness. Once again Claire Cook has delivered a riotous take on family, business and the art of love. This book is a sweet treat of a summer read, with wacky characters and whimsical moments that leave you feeling just plain happy. After too many detours, Bella finally gets it right and manages to lay the perfect foundation for a successful life of love and happiness. And smokey eyes take on a whole new meaning…”
—Kmd626
“As someone who loves the names on nail polish and lipstick, I loved Bella. This was the perfect summer read for my vacation. Totally refreshing!”
—Patsmom
“Let me tell you, after two chapters I was hooked! This is the story of Bella, who has an addiction to lipstick, a crazy (and very complex) family and is trying to start a new chapter in her life? if we change the lipstick for diet coke then Bella could be any of us! Throughout the book we get to see how Bella deals with her ex-husband, her brothers and sisters, her parents, she even gets a dog (and gives "her" a makeover) and of course how she falls in love again. The conversations are hilarious and had me laughing out loud. This is a great summer read and I can't wait to read more by Claire Cook.”
—Sole
“Claire Cook once again ventures into the genre of the “living is easy” summer beach read with her latest book, Summer Blowout. Bella Shaughnessy’s fascination with makeup, particularly lipsticks with names such as Kiss My Lips or Catfight, is the daughter of loving but divorced Irish parents. Her father, Lucky, was married three times, but still holds a place in his heart for Bella’s mother. He has a mania for all things Italian ever since their honeymoon in Tuscany. His sociable persona and outlandish mannerisms are part of his charm, and what endears Lucky to the family and clientele alike. Set in the Marshbury area around Boston, the Salon de Lucio is the main salon that is next to the family home. The other salons, including Salon de Paolo, have apartments above them, and Bella Shaughnessey lives in the one above de Paolo. Bella’s life revolves around the family business of beauty salons where she works as a talented makeup artist and hair stylist. The Shaughnessy family mans the small family chain of beauty salons with Bella’s four half-brothers and sisters and in-laws, both current and past. While sounding like a happy, loving family, we quickly realize the conflicts that exist are what make this story percolate. Central is Bella’s marriage that dissolves when her husband runs off with her half-sister. Bella is rightfully bitter and cautious and swears off relationships until she encounters a young, captivating entrepreneur, Sean Ryan. With a business idea, he introduces a way for Bella to use her talents to her advantage and on her own with no family connection. On her own, Bella thinks she can be happy with no man or attachments. However, enter purely by accident, one small fuzz ball of a pup that Bella falls for and finds it is a love that is worth taking a chance on. This is where Cannoli enters to steal Bella’s heart and often times, the story! Bella and Cannoli become inseparable much to the chagrin of many of the family members. But Bella finds it easy to confide in Cannoli and trust her heart to this tiny dog. As Bella’s new business venture grows, so does Bella’s interest in this charming businessman, Sean. However, with Cannoli in her life, Bella is content and doesn’t want any more entanglements or relationships. Fighting to not let desire take over, Bella keeps her distance in this business relationship with Sean Ryan until things come to a point on a crazy family wedding weekend in Atlanta that will change Bella’s life forever. Readers, who enjoyed the shoes in Beth Harbison’s Shoe Addicts Anonymous or designer clothes in Lauren Weisberger’s The Devil Wears Prada will become quickly caught up in Summer Blowout. Cook’s story revolves around the world of makeup artists and hair stylists. Fans of her other books, including Life’s A Beach and Must Love Dogs, will find Claire Cook continues to entertain with this latest romantic riotous romp! Fans won’t be disappointed if they are looking for a carefree amusing summer read!”
—K. D. Haney
“This is a fun book - it's not going to change your life, but it will entertain you. If will take your mind off your own troubles as you get to Bella and her family. I learned more about makeup and salons that I ever knew before - and even though I hardly own lipgloss&mdashit was fun. This would be a great beach read, waiting room read, or just for the heck of it, read. Thanks for the entertaining read”
—Marie
