Book review: ‘Summer Blowout’ by Claire Cook

I’m sure it would have helped had I read Claire Cook’s Summer Blowout in the Outer Banks this summer, instead of in the cold, dank light of my living room in November. That being said, I would like to consider myself somewhat of a devoted reader — I can put aside my personal chills and sweaters long enough to be absorbed in what many would consider a “good beach read” in the fall, jumping into the world of the big, “fake” Italian Shaughnessy clan in Boston.

Recently divorced, lipstick-loving heroine Bella Shaughnessy works as a stylist and makeup artist at her father’s salon in Boston — along with her myriad of sisters, brothers, half-sisters, their children, her father’s ex-wives and . . . yes, you get the picture. It’s a huge, gregarious and complicated bunch. Bella is struggling within the new confines of her work, surrounded by family who only want to help her through a difficult time — and one sister, Sophia, who happens to leap on Bella’s ex-husband’s newfound freedom. Sophia begins to date Craig, Bella’s ex. Not very sisterly.

Honestly, I can’t really tell you what this book is “about.” Yes, it’s about Bella finding herself following the end of her 10-year marriage . . . about letting go of the past, moving on, etc. But, for me, there really wasn’t a clear and discernible plot arc. The family sort of hobbles around the salon, afraid of a new salon group opening up across the street from their waterfront property; the sisters and brother Mario attend events and do hair and makeup; Bella inherits a small, squirrely little dog named Precious; everyone attends a wedding at the end; Sophia tries to win Bella’s affections back, but she’s still seeing Craig. This is a short book — around 240 pages — but I feel like not much . . . happens. Even after Bella meets someone new and goes into business developing her own product line, I don’t feel any sort of compassion or interest in what’s going on. I feel no heat at all between Bella and the New Guy — in fact, I didn’t feel much of anything at all through this book.

But I don’t want to end on a negative note! Claire Cook is a good, breezy writer, weaving nimbly through scenes and describing the look and feel of locations well. My problems aren’t at all with her style. And there were plot points I enjoyed in Summer Blowout, such as the burgeoning relationship of Bella’s mother with a mystery man — and just who that mystery man turns out to be. I love books about family relationships and dynamics, and I’m definitely a huge fan of “women’s fiction” (or chick lit, however you want to slice it). I was amused by Precious’s adventures and Bella’s obsession with beauty products. But there was something just missing in this book — something that would have made me care. Better luck on the next Cook title, I guess. Maybe I’ll try Life’s a Beach next?

2.5 out of 5

ISBN: 1401322417 ♥ Purchase from Amazon ♥ Author Blog
Personal copy obtained through BookMooch