Author:       Kim Gruenenfelder

Publisher:    St. Martin’s Press

ISBN:          978-0-312-34872-4

Website:      http://www.kimgruenenfelder.com

Type:         Fiction:Women’s Fiction/ChickLit

Pages:        359 Trade Paperback

Purchase:   $10.15 @ Amazon.com (HERE)

The Story

“Charlize “Charlie” Edwards certainly knows, in theory, what it takes to lead a successful and happy life. She owns a nice house in Silverlake, LA’s trendiest neighborhood. She has glamorous and loyal friends who accompany her to the hottest clubs in town. And she works as the personal assistant to Drew Stanton, Hollywood’s sexiest movie star. But she’s also turning 30, chronically single, and faced with serving as maid of honor at her younger sister’s wedding. Charlie finds herself struggling to juggle the chaos of wedding planning (while wondering if she’ll ever wear the white dress herself), her all-consuming job for lunatic boss Stanton, and a serious crush on Jordan, a photographer on the set of Drew’s latest feature–a man who might actually return her feelings.”

(Above excerpt is from www.usmacmillan.com)

The Review

A girlfriend of mine who loves reading Chick Lit as much as I lent me this book.   I have been in a happy, feminine reading mood all this week and treated myself to not one, but two Chick Lit books this week!  It’s nice to pamper thyself!

Kim Gruenenfelder hit a home-run with her debut novel (published 2005/2006).  Although I didn’t get a copy until recently, I am happy that I did.  What I discovered is that this is one of a two-book series with Charlie as our heroine.  Gruenenfelder has very recently published its sequel entitled Misery Loves Cabernet.  I am so hoping to grab a copy and review it soon!

Back to A Total Waste of Makeup, our heroine Charlie juggles a cast of supporting characters in her life in addition to the movie star that she is a Personal Assistant for.  Some parts of Charlie’s life are as glamorous as you’d want, although Charlie is as real and down-to-earth as you can get.  She is attacked with a barrage of phone calls on her constantly ringing phone.  It’s either her neurotic sister, looney mother, needy boss, or wimpy dad.  Unlike Charlie’s best friends, who are described as being gorgeous and Size 2’s, Charlie is our Size 6, more classic gal.  (O.K., I have to say… Charlie… a Size 6 is TINY!).  She’s had some problems in the love department by picking the wrong men.  However, by the end of this book, our heroine has what looks like the beginnings of something positive. 

My favorite part of the novel was the trip that she and her friends took to Las Vegas for the Bachelorette Party.  You could imagine yourself right there in the thick of it with them!       

On Sher’s “Out of Ten Scale:”

A great romantic comedy, A Total Waste of MakeUp is a perfect classic escape.  For your tropical vacation, poolside, or summer fun, I would most definitely recommend this book.  But, since the sequel is published, I’d get both books so that you can read on and find out what happens to Charlie.  I know I can’t wait to find out!

For the genre Fiction:Women’s Fiction/ChickLit, I am going to rate this book a 9 OUT OF 10.

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