What do you think?
Rate this book
The Makeover
Every strategy in Camellia Rhodes' plan to conquer the fashion world had been correct, catapulting her up the haute-couture ladder until she finally landed the role of her dreams: editor-in-chief of Flair, one of the top fashion magazines in the country. But the controversial fashion editorials she mandates to garner attention for the magazine prove to be more than a misstep, as numerous long-time advertisers end their contracts with Flair. With the recession taking hold of the economy, the publishing company shutters the magazine, and shuts Camellia out of the organization for good.
With no opportunities to be found in New York, Camellia winds up in Markleeville, Michigan, with one lonely street making up the entire downtown and the most popular ladies boutique sporting a regular Panty Bonanza (“All the undies you can fit into a big Ziploc for $9.99”). Just as she is starting to lose her sense of self, Camellia discovers Shelby Jenkins–a tall, willowy fan of Flair and a modeling agent’s dream come true. Camellia is certain Shelby is her ticket back into the arms of the fashion world. But while Shelby is willing, her mom's health issues could spoil Camellia’s grand plan.
With no opportunities to be found in New York, Camellia winds up in Markleeville, Michigan, with one lonely street making up the entire downtown and the most popular ladies boutique sporting a regular Panty Bonanza (“All the undies you can fit into a big Ziploc for $9.99”). Just as she is starting to lose her sense of self, Camellia discovers Shelby Jenkins–a tall, willowy fan of Flair and a modeling agent’s dream come true. Camellia is certain Shelby is her ticket back into the arms of the fashion world. But while Shelby is willing, her mom's health issues could spoil Camellia’s grand plan.
- GenresFiction
246 pages, Paperback
First published July 19, 2013
2 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Karen Buscemi
10 books5 followersKaren Buscemi lives in Rochester Hills with her husband, two sons, and one uncoordinated cat. She's a longtime writer and editor, painter and photographer.
She has authored the novels All That We Hide (Starryeyed Press), The Makeover (Starryeyed Press), Saturday Nights at the God Cafe (CreateSpace), and two nonfiction titles: Split In Two: Keeping It Together When Your Parents Live Apart (Orange Avenue Publishing/Zest Books); and I Do, Part 2: How to Survive Divorce, Co-Parent Your Kids, and Blend Your Families Without Losing Your Mind (Norlights Press).
She's also had articles published in Women’s Health, Self, The Huffington Post, Figure, Successful Living and The Detroit News. As a former magazine editor, Karen made many appearances on metro Detroit news shows to talk about fashion, and even gave a TEDx talk.
She has authored the novels All That We Hide (Starryeyed Press), The Makeover (Starryeyed Press), Saturday Nights at the God Cafe (CreateSpace), and two nonfiction titles: Split In Two: Keeping It Together When Your Parents Live Apart (Orange Avenue Publishing/Zest Books); and I Do, Part 2: How to Survive Divorce, Co-Parent Your Kids, and Blend Your Families Without Losing Your Mind (Norlights Press).
She's also had articles published in Women’s Health, Self, The Huffington Post, Figure, Successful Living and The Detroit News. As a former magazine editor, Karen made many appearances on metro Detroit news shows to talk about fashion, and even gave a TEDx talk.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 2, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, and not only because the author is a friend and former co-worker who sat in the cubicle next to me years ago. The characters and plot grab you right from the beginning, then leave you wanting more at the end. The title doesn't refer to the usual sense of the term makeover, but more of a life makeover as Camellia and her husband Henry move from life in the big city of New York to small town life in Michigan. It's there that they find themselves. Definitely recommend!
October 24, 2013
http://luhathoughts.blogspot.com/2013...
A couple of pages in Karen Buscemi's "The Make Over," I grumbled and thought to myself, not another novel that's a rip off of "The Devil Wears Prada." This tells the story of Camilla Rhodes, a monster editor in chief of a fashion magazine. She is shrewd, ruthless, impeccably dressed...and well, a couple more pages in, she gets fired from her job at the magazine. This story tells of her fall, and how she rebuilds her life. It's sort of a fairy tale story in reverse, and interesting. But, also a little bit unbelievable. For example, someone with that stature will not be shunned that easily. But if you ignore some of holes, you will find that this is a pleasant read - it's easy to get into, and there's even a heavy handed morale that you can rally behind. The characters are easy to like, and the conflicts are engaging enough. I wish there were a little more weight to it, but I really wasn't looking for that in the first place.
A couple of pages in Karen Buscemi's "The Make Over," I grumbled and thought to myself, not another novel that's a rip off of "The Devil Wears Prada." This tells the story of Camilla Rhodes, a monster editor in chief of a fashion magazine. She is shrewd, ruthless, impeccably dressed...and well, a couple more pages in, she gets fired from her job at the magazine. This story tells of her fall, and how she rebuilds her life. It's sort of a fairy tale story in reverse, and interesting. But, also a little bit unbelievable. For example, someone with that stature will not be shunned that easily. But if you ignore some of holes, you will find that this is a pleasant read - it's easy to get into, and there's even a heavy handed morale that you can rally behind. The characters are easy to like, and the conflicts are engaging enough. I wish there were a little more weight to it, but I really wasn't looking for that in the first place.
January 12, 2016
New York girl going to Markleeviile
When I got this story I didn't think I would like it and it certainly wasn't my usual love story, but it was great in a way I would never have expected.
I liked all the players and was sorry to be left behind at the end of the book - I'm going to miss them.
When I got this story I didn't think I would like it and it certainly wasn't my usual love story, but it was great in a way I would never have expected.
I liked all the players and was sorry to be left behind at the end of the book - I'm going to miss them.
August 9, 2016
A Devil Wears Prada beginning and a better ending!
This was a great story about a woman who has it all, doesn't appreciate it and isn't the nicest person, loses it all, and then realizes her stylish yet selfish life wasn't what she wanted after all.
This was a great story about a woman who has it all, doesn't appreciate it and isn't the nicest person, loses it all, and then realizes her stylish yet selfish life wasn't what she wanted after all.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews