Monday, Aug 16, 2010

TLC Book Tour Review: WAXED by Robert Rave

Publish Date: August 3, 2010

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

ISBN: 978-0-312-54437-9

Pages: 307 Trade Paperback

Author’s Website: www.robertrave.com

Type: Fiction: Women’s (“ChickLit”)

Purchase: $10.19 from Amazon.com

*** GIVEAWAY: 1 Winner ***

 Being the self-donned world biggest fan of ChickLit, I couldn’t wait to participate in TLC Book Tours’ book review of Waxed. After Robert Rave’s success with Spin, I had high hopes for a funny, yet heartfelt story in this novel. I wasn’t disappointed. Like a seasoned bartender, Rave concocted a perfect blend of humor, escape, and “you-go-girl!!!” in Waxed. Although not to be sipped over ice, it will make the perfect vacation pool-side companion. Or, if you’re like me… a great Friday night date on the couch because there is never anything good on TV! A cocktail and Waxed will make the perfect combination as you escape into a world quite most unbelievable, yet at the same time plausible.

The story is based on three sisters who work together at the eldest sister’s premier hair removal studio in New York. Unwanted hair, anywhere, is no problem at Impresario’s, the exclusive salon where privacy, confidentiality, and composure are the core values of the salon. Every client is to be treated with the upmost dignity and respect as this service is a necessity for the elite before summer vacations, or trips to The Hamptons.

Carolina Impresario is the owner of the salon and is reminiscent of Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada. She is the supervisor of both her sisters who work for her at the salon. Although normally never less than the picture of perfection, she ends up in a love triangle between her consistently wonderful boyfriend and an old love that has been the only man who ever truly held her heart. Then, there is Anna, the middle sister who is finding her way in the world as a single mom after a hard divorce. She gets a rather unique house call client that leads her life in a path of, well, utter strangeness… but, perfection! The youngest of the three, Sofia, was my favorite character. She is gorgeous… married to a stunningly handsome man… and seemingly the most balanced and composed of the three. But, something is missing in her life and she starts to find it in an unlikely new best friend whom she meets at the salon. This friend takes her outside her domestic and responsible world and shows her an entirely different side to herself. However, Sofia’s consequences were shockingly bitter and sad.

Robert Rave does a magnificent job understanding the inner psyche of a woman’s mind in this ChickLit tale. I always wonder how men are able to write “ChickLit,” as a only few of them actually do… and do it quite well. I’m not trying to be sexist, I just wonder… you know… how does he get the woman’s mind? But, in all of my rude skepticism, I immediately forget that a man had written this book and was swept away into a story that I finished in less than 24 hours. I loved it. I thought it was hilarious, heartwarming, and touching. I must admit that I would have chosen a different ending for Carolina, but overall I was very happy with the novel. I think Rave’s got more than enough here for a sequel!!! (Hint. Hint. Hint.)

For the ANM’s Scale, I’m giving this book a rating of 9 out of 10 for the genre Fiction:Women’s (“ChickLit”).

Now… for the good news…..

ANM IS PROUDLY GIVING AWAY TO ONE OF ITS LUCKY READERS ONE COPY OF WAXED!

Contest Opens Today & Ends on August 31, 2010

Open to U.S. & Canada Only

Fill out the form below.

The winner will automatically receive their book via mail and it will be announced on an upcoming ANM Sunday Salon post.

 

Disclosure:  The copy of this novel was provided to me by TLC Book Tours for review as is the giveaway copy.  There are links within this post that connect to Amazon.com as I am an Amazon.Com Affiliate.  No purchase is necessary.

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