TEST
The cover for Hostile Makeover makes it look like a romance, but really this is Chick Lit in disguise. Shelley Schwartz has played at being an account supervisor at her father’s advertising company for a good long time. The problem is, she regularly sabotages herself in her father’s eyes. Rather than take her job seriously, she goes out shopping mid-day or has a spa treatment. On the afternoon of the most important presentation of her career – the one she’s spent months doing prep work and research for – she finds herself late to meet her clients because she got sidetracked giving her sometime boyfriend some afternoon delight. Needless to say, she doesn’t make quite the right impression.
Still, Shelley thinks she’s got plenty of time to straighten out and fly right. Then her father has a heart attack, decides to retire, and names Shelley’s co-worker, Ross Morgan, his heir. Ross is the straightest of arrows, and Shelley can’t abide the man. He’s so controlled, so perfect all the time. And clearly he doesn’t approve of her or her work. When he demotes her and gives her clients from the absolute bottom of the advertising barrel, Shelley decides she’s had enough. He wants her out? Fine; she’ll stay. And she’ll work her buns off until he notices how very shapely they are. Wait, no. The sexual attraction thing between them, that’s not such a good idea…
As a heroine, Shelley is straight out of Chick Lit. In the beginning of the book, there’s not much to respect. She has plenty of money, courtesy of Daddy, but she has no real goals, aspirations, or self-discipline. And she can’t keep a boyfriend for more than six months. She has a regular appointment with her psychologist, and, frankly, she needs it. Her screwed-up life and priorities allow Wax to give her a nice character arc – and she does make steady progress throughout the book – but some of her successes, specifically her advertising accomplishments seem miraculous. One of Ross Morgan’s main points of contention regarding Shelley’s job performance is that she has no concept of money. Based on some of the ideas she puts forth, I would say that’s accurate. It’s a little bit of a stretch to think her clients would actually fork out the cash required for what Shelley proposes to do for them.
Another reason this feels more like Chick Lit than romance is that Shelley’s sister, Judy, whose marriage is in trouble, gets more page time than Ross. Throughout the book Ross remains inscrutable. The reader never gets into his head and so never sees what his attraction to Shelley is exactly. There is a point to all the mystery; it’s revealed late in the book. However, by that time it’s too late to feel much for him as a character.
As a secondary storyline, Judy’s problems fit in fairly well. Judy and Shelley are opposites with completely different lives. Judy’s is full of domestic tranquility, and Shelley’s is all about transient excitement. They are content with their roles, for the most part, but then one day, the grass starts to seem greener for both of them. Resolving their mutual problems draws them together in unexpected ways and makes them more aware of each other as people and as family.
One of the more interesting things about this book is Shelley’s family – their quirks and their cultural heritage. I’ve read a number of books about big ethnic families who are Italian, but very few who are Jewish. Shelley’s mother is loving but manipulative, and her father is doting but has no expectations. They have a big network of friends who have been “uncles” and “aunts” to Shelley and are involved in numerous ways in her life. Wax highlights Shelley’s cultural heritage throughout the book, and even makes it part of her character arc.
Unfortunately, one subplot involving Nina, a friend of Shelley’s who wants to convert to Judaism, annoyed me. Nina doesn’t want to convert to Reform Judaism because of its emphasis on ethical monotheism, but because she wants to find a prosperous man who knows how to take care of a woman, and she figures a Jewish guy would be the best candidate. No one, except for one stubborn rabbi, challenges this as a rationale for conversion.
Hostile Makeover had its touching moments, and Shelley’s metamorphosis from spoiled princess to capable business professional was enjoyable to read, but as a romance the book barely passes muster. However, if you like family stories, stories about marriages in trouble, or the ethnic angle sounds interesting to you, this would fit the bill for an enjoyable evening’s read.
Grade: C+
Book Type: Chick Lit|Contemporary Romance
Sensuality: Subtle
Review Date: 04/01/06
Publication Date: 2005
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.