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Miss Julia #15
Miss Julia's Marvelous Makeover
It’s summer in Abbotsville, and Miss Julia has visions of enjoying a life of leisure. But before she can even sip some iced tea on her front porch, a letter from her long-lost cousin Elsie informs her that Elsie’s granddaughter is on a bus headed to Abbotsville that very day. Reminding Miss Julia of an old family debt, Elsie proclaims that she is sending Trixie to Miss Julia’s to learn to become a lady. The nerve of some people! When the rude and unkempt Trixie arrives, even Sam and Lloyd agree that Miss Julia faces quite a challenge.
Meanwhile, Sam has decided to run for state senate. But when he has a fainting spell and has to go into the hospital for tests, who will run his campaign? Is his no-good rival going to cakewalk into office? No sir, not if Miss Julia has anything to say about it—and indeed she does, including up on the stump.
In this marvelous addition to the popular series, Miss Julia is sure to have a summer that she—and Abbotsville—will never forget!
Meanwhile, Sam has decided to run for state senate. But when he has a fainting spell and has to go into the hospital for tests, who will run his campaign? Is his no-good rival going to cakewalk into office? No sir, not if Miss Julia has anything to say about it—and indeed she does, including up on the stump.
In this marvelous addition to the popular series, Miss Julia is sure to have a summer that she—and Abbotsville—will never forget!
304 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2014
139 people are currently reading
1766 people want to read
About the author
Ann B. Ross
61 books937 followersAnn B. Ross, who taught literature at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, is the author of Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind, one of the most popular Southern debut novels in years, Miss Julia Takes Over, Miss Julia Throws a Wedding, and Miss Julia Hits the Road. She lives in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
July 17, 2014
I read the Miss Julia series for the same reason that I read the Janet Evanovich/Stephanie Plum series. They're both fun, enjoyable reads with lots of humor. Neither are great works of literature, but I don't care. I read plenty of other books for that. I read these book for enjoyment.
This is the 15th book in the Miss Julia series and I've read all of them in order. This one is definitely one of my favorites out of the most recent books in the series. Of course Miss Julia gets herself involved in one crisis after another. She wouldn't be Miss Julia if she didn't. She is up to her usual escapades, this time involving Etta Mae and Tanisha (two of my favorite characters) when trying to fix things and avert another crisis. Much hilarity ensues which made for a great read.
As long as Ann B. Ross keeps writing the Miss Julia seies, I will keep reading them. I'm excited that the next book coming out in October will be all about Etta Mae. Definitely looking forward to that.
This is the 15th book in the Miss Julia series and I've read all of them in order. This one is definitely one of my favorites out of the most recent books in the series. Of course Miss Julia gets herself involved in one crisis after another. She wouldn't be Miss Julia if she didn't. She is up to her usual escapades, this time involving Etta Mae and Tanisha (two of my favorite characters) when trying to fix things and avert another crisis. Much hilarity ensues which made for a great read.
As long as Ann B. Ross keeps writing the Miss Julia seies, I will keep reading them. I'm excited that the next book coming out in October will be all about Etta Mae. Definitely looking forward to that.
April 23, 2014
I always enjoy Miss Julia. All of the regular players make an appearance in this one with the addition of a couple of new ones. Miss Julia's niece, Trixie, comes to town to stay. She brings with her no manners, no interest in appearance, and an affinity for internet dating (oh. the. horror.) Hilarity ensues with Latisha and Etta Mae along for the fun. Only Miss Julia can get herself into a pickle involving funeral homes, fireworks, and a senate race. I've read all 15 of these books and I hope for at least that many more. Miss Julia never gets old for me.
March 5, 2020
I love this series for hilarious light reading. Trixie, a new character was a bit weird though.
September 27, 2014
Maybe if you start with book #1 in the series you know and like the characters but I picked this up randomly because hello, makeovers, it sounded like a fun romp, but 50 pages in my head was hurting with classist southern genteelism and it had to go. FART, TIFFANY
August 23, 2025
Desperately reading light humor currently. Miss Julia does the trick!
May 1, 2014
I received an advanced copy courtesy of goodreads. Miss Julia books apparently have plenty of fans. I am not one of them. I was somewhat at a disadvantage since this is book # 15 and I didn't have any background knowledge of the characters. I find Miss Julia highly annoying as a protaganist. Oh the stress of having to warm up my own meal and decide which Ferragamos to wear. I thought most of the characters were one dimensional and there wasn't near enough plot to justify the 296 pages I read. Needless to say I won't read anymore Miss Julia books.
June 16, 2019
I've been reading this series on and off for years but this is the first Audio book I've listened to. Funny, Miss Julia and Sam sound exactly how I thought they would 😂
July 17, 2023
I just can’t get enough of Miss Julia and her life.
July 14, 2020
I LOVE Miss Julia!!
November 4, 2025
Miss Julia gets a surprise visit from a long unseen cousin's granddaughter to her give her a makeover and find her a husband. Disaster looms as the guest is very disagreeable and gets involved with a man who is trying to steel Miss Julia's land to make a cemetery. Another great novel full of southern charm.
November 30, 2022
Enjoyed the story, but not the ending...cliffhanger...not sure the marvelous makeover would be lasting
January 18, 2025
Miss Julia is at her fiery best in this one!
January 30, 2020
Miss Julia has an unexpected visitor who brings plenty of mayhem. Funny!
September 18, 2015
This book is really about two campaigns. It's summer and Sam's been approached to run for state senator. He accepts, and with the help of Julia and others, launches his campaign.
The second campaign has been foisted on Julia by a distant cousin, Elsie, who has sent her granddaughter Trixie (without Julia's prior knowledge or permission) to live with her temporarily. Elsie (aka "Meemaw" to Trixie) charges Julia with making the young woman over so she can attract a good (read: rich) husband.
The task is daunting. Trixie has no concept of etiquette, is rude and childish, eats poorly, and presents a wretched appearance. Plus Julia’s aversion to her — not unlike her initial aversion to Lloyd when he was foisted upon her, an analogy she’s keenly aware of — elicits a “back-atcha” from Trixie. For the major head-to-toe makeover, Julia recruits Hazel Marie.
Determined to fulfill her Meemaw’s wish for her to find herself a husband, Trixie latches onto a guy named Rodney. At first meeting, Sam and Julia cautiously approve of this ambitious and energetic (if a tad too much) go-getter. Their understanding of him -- and of what's behind his "attraction" to Trixie -- gradually improves as Rodney reveals a side of him that has echoes of Uriah Heep.
No Miss Julia book would be complete without a madcap caper. It's the team of Julia and Etta Mae again, but this time with a funny twist: tiny Latisha, Lillian’s great-granddaughter, tags along, and she provides real bang for the buck.
But about Lloyd: The deal was that he would live with Miss Julia on weekdays during the school year because (a frankly lame excuse) her house is four blocks closer to the school than his parents' house (J.D. has adopted him). But now that it’s summer vacation, why doesn't he live full-time with his parents? I think it's sad that he doesn't. When he had a "guy concern" he needed to talk about, he turned to Miss Julia. That's not right. He should be turning to J.D.
This was a fun book to read — one that kept me up well past my usual sleep time two nights in a row. Having said that, several places either made me refuse to suspend disbelief, or gasp at an egregious typo or error in usage. The proofreading must have gotten delegated to the "B" team. The biggies:
1. In Chap. 6, Lloyd comes home from school announcing it’s the last day. In Chap. 22 (and it's not a flashback)Latisha arrives with Lillian at Miss Julia’s house, announcing that “today’s Sar’day, an’ I don’t have to go to school an’ eat that mess they give me on a tray.” Rookie mistake.
2. “So far, I had been reticent to speak of Sam’s campaign to friends.” Arggggh -- no. Reticent means silent, or hesitant/reluctant to say anything. It’s redundant to say one is “reticent to speak.” Julia is reluctant to speak of Sam’s campaign. Which makes her reticent. Period. Or reticent on the topic of Sam’s campaign. But never, ever “reticent to speak.” How is it possible that no one (author, editor, proofreader) caught this?
For more details and plot critiques, visit my Miss Julia blog at http://bit.ly/1iVMTxu.
The second campaign has been foisted on Julia by a distant cousin, Elsie, who has sent her granddaughter Trixie (without Julia's prior knowledge or permission) to live with her temporarily. Elsie (aka "Meemaw" to Trixie) charges Julia with making the young woman over so she can attract a good (read: rich) husband.
The task is daunting. Trixie has no concept of etiquette, is rude and childish, eats poorly, and presents a wretched appearance. Plus Julia’s aversion to her — not unlike her initial aversion to Lloyd when he was foisted upon her, an analogy she’s keenly aware of — elicits a “back-atcha” from Trixie. For the major head-to-toe makeover, Julia recruits Hazel Marie.
Determined to fulfill her Meemaw’s wish for her to find herself a husband, Trixie latches onto a guy named Rodney. At first meeting, Sam and Julia cautiously approve of this ambitious and energetic (if a tad too much) go-getter. Their understanding of him -- and of what's behind his "attraction" to Trixie -- gradually improves as Rodney reveals a side of him that has echoes of Uriah Heep.
No Miss Julia book would be complete without a madcap caper. It's the team of Julia and Etta Mae again, but this time with a funny twist: tiny Latisha, Lillian’s great-granddaughter, tags along, and she provides real bang for the buck.
But about Lloyd: The deal was that he would live with Miss Julia on weekdays during the school year because (a frankly lame excuse) her house is four blocks closer to the school than his parents' house (J.D. has adopted him). But now that it’s summer vacation, why doesn't he live full-time with his parents? I think it's sad that he doesn't. When he had a "guy concern" he needed to talk about, he turned to Miss Julia. That's not right. He should be turning to J.D.
This was a fun book to read — one that kept me up well past my usual sleep time two nights in a row. Having said that, several places either made me refuse to suspend disbelief, or gasp at an egregious typo or error in usage. The proofreading must have gotten delegated to the "B" team. The biggies:
1. In Chap. 6, Lloyd comes home from school announcing it’s the last day. In Chap. 22 (and it's not a flashback)Latisha arrives with Lillian at Miss Julia’s house, announcing that “today’s Sar’day, an’ I don’t have to go to school an’ eat that mess they give me on a tray.” Rookie mistake.
2. “So far, I had been reticent to speak of Sam’s campaign to friends.” Arggggh -- no. Reticent means silent, or hesitant/reluctant to say anything. It’s redundant to say one is “reticent to speak.” Julia is reluctant to speak of Sam’s campaign. Which makes her reticent. Period. Or reticent on the topic of Sam’s campaign. But never, ever “reticent to speak.” How is it possible that no one (author, editor, proofreader) caught this?
For more details and plot critiques, visit my Miss Julia blog at http://bit.ly/1iVMTxu.
March 27, 2014
This is my first Ann B. Ross book, which I won as an ARC in a goodreads giveaway. This book was funny, light, and an absolutely enjoyable read which held great touches of southern charm. I really enjoyed the different story lines of Trixie, Sam, Rodney, and Latisha, as well as the way Ross describes her characters. One moment that I found especially funny was on page 97 where Trixie is in the dressing room thinking she looks like Kim Kardashian, when it is obvious to everyone else that she does not. However while I really enjoyed this book, there were some important typos in which I found.
For instance, on Page 16, Ross writes, "and your sisters to," instead of "sisters too." Similarly, page 215 reads "Etta Mac," instead of "Etta Mae," and page 292 reads, "Thers no reason for you to hurry off," instead of "There's no reason." However, the largest typo I found is on the end of page 110, where Ross ends with Owens telling Sam that he is in the same line of work as the cops who do road patrol. But on page 111, Sam is suddenly shaking hands with factory workers, and on page 112, Sam is suddenly in the car with Owens again, discussing law enforcement. Page 111, definitely does not fit and either needs to be cut or moved. I think that paragraphs 2-5 of page 111 should be inserted after paragraph 4 of page 109 where it reads, "Maybe this was exactly what he needed if he wouldn't overdo it."
For instance, on Page 16, Ross writes, "and your sisters to," instead of "sisters too." Similarly, page 215 reads "Etta Mac," instead of "Etta Mae," and page 292 reads, "Thers no reason for you to hurry off," instead of "There's no reason." However, the largest typo I found is on the end of page 110, where Ross ends with Owens telling Sam that he is in the same line of work as the cops who do road patrol. But on page 111, Sam is suddenly shaking hands with factory workers, and on page 112, Sam is suddenly in the car with Owens again, discussing law enforcement. Page 111, definitely does not fit and either needs to be cut or moved. I think that paragraphs 2-5 of page 111 should be inserted after paragraph 4 of page 109 where it reads, "Maybe this was exactly what he needed if he wouldn't overdo it."
September 18, 2016
Listened to Miss Julia's Marvelous Makeover (Miss Julia #15) by Ann B. Ross
It’s summer in Abbotsville, and Miss Julia has visions of enjoying a life of leisure. But before she can even sip some iced tea on her front porch, a letter from her long-lost cousin Elsie informs her that Elsie’s granddaughter is on a bus headed to Abbotsville that very day. Reminding Miss Julia of an old family debt, Elsie proclaims that she is sending Trixie to Miss Julia’s to learn to become a lady. The nerve of some people! When the rude and unkempt Trixie arrives, even Sam and Lloyd agree that Miss Julia faces quite a challenge. Meanwhile, Sam has decided to run for state senate. But when he has a fainting spell and has to go into the hospital for tests, who will run his campaign? Is his no-good rival going to cakewalk into office? No sir, not if Miss Julia has anything to say about it—and indeed she does, including up on the stump. In this marvelous addition to the popular series, Miss Julia is sure to have a summer that she—and Abbotsville—will never forget! I give this book 5 stars and a 10.
I loved this book, it made me cry and laugh. The whole story need to be a movie.
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
It’s summer in Abbotsville, and Miss Julia has visions of enjoying a life of leisure. But before she can even sip some iced tea on her front porch, a letter from her long-lost cousin Elsie informs her that Elsie’s granddaughter is on a bus headed to Abbotsville that very day. Reminding Miss Julia of an old family debt, Elsie proclaims that she is sending Trixie to Miss Julia’s to learn to become a lady. The nerve of some people! When the rude and unkempt Trixie arrives, even Sam and Lloyd agree that Miss Julia faces quite a challenge. Meanwhile, Sam has decided to run for state senate. But when he has a fainting spell and has to go into the hospital for tests, who will run his campaign? Is his no-good rival going to cakewalk into office? No sir, not if Miss Julia has anything to say about it—and indeed she does, including up on the stump. In this marvelous addition to the popular series, Miss Julia is sure to have a summer that she—and Abbotsville—will never forget! I give this book 5 stars and a 10.
I loved this book, it made me cry and laugh. The whole story need to be a movie.
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
April 27, 2014
Miss Julia always provides a welcomed respite between more serious books. This one was no exception as she does her part to help get Sam elected to a state office. Alas, we don't know by book's end whether he wins the election. Other silly stuff intervenes. Of course, we don't get a clear resolution of some of the silly stuff, either. Still, this book accomplished its purpose. It kept me amused.
July 25, 2017
Thought it would never end. I have been reading Miss Julia's adventure's for quite a few years. The first one was the best, but this is definitely the worst. Miss Julia didn't accomplish the makeover, she let others do it. The whole thing just drug on and on. I still have hopes for future adventures, though.
March 27, 2015
It was a nice light bit of fluff. Nice way of showing that sometimes the families we make are closer than the families we're born into.
It felt more like a bridge in an ongoing story than a tale in itself.
Will Trixie turn up in future novels?
Will Sam win the election?
It felt more like a bridge in an ongoing story than a tale in itself.
Will Trixie turn up in future novels?
Will Sam win the election?
July 11, 2017
I actually could not finish this book. The fat-shaming in it is overwhelming and egregious. The main character is unlikable, judgmental, and repetitive. I've read other books in the series and have not had this reaction. But this one is truly terrible.
July 18, 2015
What a delightful book. This is usually not my genre but I truly loved the characters and the story. A friend gave me the book to read, and I am so glad she did! I will read more in the series.
October 24, 2015
I just loved this book! A wonderful story was weaved by this author. The cover was perfectly done. Miss Julia is hilarious! Love her attitude and her ways!
August 12, 2016
this was a great book.
June 19, 2018
Another fun Miss Julia adventure with humor and lots of action.
October 27, 2024
definitely good to read in the summer
January 27, 2020
Ann B. Ross has certainly found an enduring character in Miss Julia. I have come to the realization that I will never manage to read all the books in order, but fortunately that doesn't matter.
In "Marvelous Makeover," it's not Miss Julia that gets a makeover - as if she would ever need one! - it's a relative. A remote, so remote maybe the connection does not even exist, relative. Miss Julia ends up with a surly, annoying teenage 'relative' smack dab on her doorstep at the same time that her beloved husband Sam decides it might be a good idea to run for office. (And as a transplanted Southerner I'd have to say that we could certainly use a few men like Sam.)
Between trying to manage "Trixie" - and I think we all know that managing a rebellious teenager is an opportunity fraught with potential disaster and few rewards - and trying to support Sam's campaign, Miss Julia is worn to a frazzle. But of course, that's not all that Miss Julia faces. Trixie is anxious to acquire a boyfriend - surprise! - and her choice seems a bit questionable (if not downright wrong).
There's not much subtlety here - it's pretty clear who the good guys and the bad guys are - but then Miss Julia as a character doesn't exactly beat around the bush herself, and there's a bit of a build up to the true nefarious plan to keep you interested. I'd think better of the publishers if they didn't repeat the same praise with each new book ("I'm a happy camper" comes to mind) but this one is amusing.
In "Marvelous Makeover," it's not Miss Julia that gets a makeover - as if she would ever need one! - it's a relative. A remote, so remote maybe the connection does not even exist, relative. Miss Julia ends up with a surly, annoying teenage 'relative' smack dab on her doorstep at the same time that her beloved husband Sam decides it might be a good idea to run for office. (And as a transplanted Southerner I'd have to say that we could certainly use a few men like Sam.)
Between trying to manage "Trixie" - and I think we all know that managing a rebellious teenager is an opportunity fraught with potential disaster and few rewards - and trying to support Sam's campaign, Miss Julia is worn to a frazzle. But of course, that's not all that Miss Julia faces. Trixie is anxious to acquire a boyfriend - surprise! - and her choice seems a bit questionable (if not downright wrong).
There's not much subtlety here - it's pretty clear who the good guys and the bad guys are - but then Miss Julia as a character doesn't exactly beat around the bush herself, and there's a bit of a build up to the true nefarious plan to keep you interested. I'd think better of the publishers if they didn't repeat the same praise with each new book ("I'm a happy camper" comes to mind) but this one is amusing.
February 13, 2018
These Miss Julia books are so much fun they're hard to put down, and my poor eyes are exhausted. Miss Julia's almost-relative, who may or may not be a cousin of step- or half-family relationships, sends her granddaughter Trixie to Miss Julia and Sam for some Abbottsville culture and to find a husband. There's no opportunity to refuse because the letter and the bus arrive on the same day. Before she can send Trixie back, they learn that Meemaw Elsie had a hankering to live in Florida, and she and Pawpaw left to explore Florida and look for a place they wanted to live after dropping Trixie off at the bus station. So they're stuck with the sulking, ill-mannered Trixie who doesn't respond or rudely responds to any offers, including meals or social graces.
In the meanwhile, because Miss Julia has no interest in traveling for the summer, Sam decides, with her agreement, to run for public office in an attempt to oust someone who has been in office and bent rules and laws far too long. Sam has an emergency gall bladder surgery. Trixie meets someone online who turns out to have designs on one of Miss Julia's pieces of property, and complicated hilarity ensues. It was goofy, hilarious, & I loved it!
In the meanwhile, because Miss Julia has no interest in traveling for the summer, Sam decides, with her agreement, to run for public office in an attempt to oust someone who has been in office and bent rules and laws far too long. Sam has an emergency gall bladder surgery. Trixie meets someone online who turns out to have designs on one of Miss Julia's pieces of property, and complicated hilarity ensues. It was goofy, hilarious, & I loved it!
April 9, 2020
There are twenty-two books in Ann B. Ross’s Miss Julia series. I try to keep two un-read books from the series on hand so that when I need a pick-me-up, I can read the next installment. I just finished Miss Julia’s Marvelous Makeover, number fifteen of the series. What a delight! I have never read one of the Miss Julia books that I didn’t like, but I have encountered a couple that I was a tiny disappointed in. Not this one. The marvelous makeover in the title refers to a new character, Trixie, a niece of sorts who is thrust upon Miss Julia by a brash, commandeering cousin. To re-cap, Miss Julia is an opinionated North Carolina “woman of a certain age” whose rules for ladies to live by are not to be broached and are inviolable, but in the course of each story, she is forced to bend to the times. Miss Julia is loveable and funny. And she tends to get into a lot of trouble. Most times, the trouble is in the form of solving a crime. In this book, the crime is more of a misdemeanor, but Miss Julia gets all worked up about the incident, and the “solving of the problem” is both unexpected and hilarious. Sometimes I laugh out loud, and sometimes I just smile satisfyingly, but I always enjoy Miss Julia, and Miss Julia’s Marvelous Makeover is a good one!
August 15, 2022
What is your cozy place to read? I like to read in my reading nook at home, on a sofa with a big window and my cats nearby.
Miss Julia’s Marvelous Makeover was the August pick for the Page-turners’ Book Club at the Kewaunee Public Library. It is the fifteenth book in the Miss Julia series and it’s the first book I’ve read. Miss Julia is a middle-aged woman who lives in a small town in the South. Her world is shaken up when her husband decides to run for office and her cousin sends her granddaughter, Trixie, to stay with Miss Julia for the summer without asking. She is hoping that Julia can help make Trixie over. Will Miss Julia be able to help Trixie?
Miss Julia’s Marvelous Makeover is a cozy read. It’s life in a small town. Not much really happens. It’s a very readable book, but it was a slower read for me as it didn’t really hook me. I think if I would have read the entire series, I would have cared more about all of the characters, but it was fine as a standalone.
Book Source: The Kewaunee Public Library. Thank-you!
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2022...
Miss Julia’s Marvelous Makeover was the August pick for the Page-turners’ Book Club at the Kewaunee Public Library. It is the fifteenth book in the Miss Julia series and it’s the first book I’ve read. Miss Julia is a middle-aged woman who lives in a small town in the South. Her world is shaken up when her husband decides to run for office and her cousin sends her granddaughter, Trixie, to stay with Miss Julia for the summer without asking. She is hoping that Julia can help make Trixie over. Will Miss Julia be able to help Trixie?
Miss Julia’s Marvelous Makeover is a cozy read. It’s life in a small town. Not much really happens. It’s a very readable book, but it was a slower read for me as it didn’t really hook me. I think if I would have read the entire series, I would have cared more about all of the characters, but it was fine as a standalone.
Book Source: The Kewaunee Public Library. Thank-you!
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2022...
April 9, 2019
I LOVE Miss Julia and have since book one. A true prim and proper Southern lady but full of sass and spunk.
Most series start getting stale around the 14/15th book but not so with the Miss Julia series. Ross finds news ways to keep us entertained. In this book we learn the true art of Southern hospitality when Miss Julia must play hostess to a distant relative who is anything but gracious and kind. You will find yourself as flabbergasted as Miss Julia at some of things that come out of Trixie’s mouth.
My favorite part was towards the end with Latisha and her bag of treasures. You will laugh yourself silly. That little girl is pure joy.
I’m already looking forward to my 16th visit with Miss Julia and friends.
Most series start getting stale around the 14/15th book but not so with the Miss Julia series. Ross finds news ways to keep us entertained. In this book we learn the true art of Southern hospitality when Miss Julia must play hostess to a distant relative who is anything but gracious and kind. You will find yourself as flabbergasted as Miss Julia at some of things that come out of Trixie’s mouth.
My favorite part was towards the end with Latisha and her bag of treasures. You will laugh yourself silly. That little girl is pure joy.
I’m already looking forward to my 16th visit with Miss Julia and friends.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews