Hostile Makeover: A Novel

by Wendy Wax

It was the first orgasm Shelley Schwartz ever faked. She swore she’d never do it, but she was late for a career-saving meeting at Schwartz and Associates and her options were limited. If she’d faked it five minutes sooner, she might have earned her father’s approval, won the account, and bested her rival and the company golden boy, Ross Morgan. Calm, cool, and always collected, Ross is the perfect person to take over the ad agency her father founded–and the perfect opposite of Shelley, who’s distracted by her mother’s relentless matchmaking and her big sister’s marital meltdown. Is it any wonder her father has entrusted the agency to the blond, Porsche-driving Ross rather than his own flesh and blood? To add insult to injury, Ross–her new boss–has stuck Shelley with the client list from hell (Falafel Hut, anyone?). But if he thinks he’s going to chase Shelley Schwartz out of her family legacy, he’s got another thing coming. And if Shelley thinks she can resist Ross’s charms, she’s got some surprises in store as well.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Family, Humor

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

I write novels that explore friendship, self-discovery and the challenges life brings us, leavened with a touch of humor. I'm proud of all my books and perhaps best known for my "Ten Beach Road" titles including the USA Today bestsellers, Ten Beach Road and The House on Mermaid Point, and for While We Were Watching Downton Abbey.

I was born in St.Petersburg, Florida and grew up on St. Pete Beach within spitting distance of the Gulf of Mexico. I went, appropriately enough, to Sunshine Elementary School where recess and art class sometimes took place on the beach, and the highlight of every school year was the annual fish broil.

It’s hard to be a type-A personality when you grow up in such a laid back environment, but I managed. Convinced that you were expected to know how to read BEFORE you showed up for school, I forced a neighbor friend to teach me to read at the age of five. I’ve been reading ever since.

Books, in all forms, are one of my greatest pleasures and best forms of escape. And they’ve had a major impact on my life.

I went to the University of Georgia after reading Gone with the Wind one too many times. For a while I re-read Margaret Mitchell’s classic yearly, saw the movie whenever it played within twenty miles, and could quote large passages from memory. Today I have a growing GWTW collection, and the time I spoke at he Margaret Mitchell House was an incredible thrill.last

After college I worked in radio, television, and film. Like Olivia in 7 DAYS AND SEVEN NIGHTS, I’ve done live talk radio. I hosted a show in the eighties called Desperate & Dateless, and while I was never locked in an apartment for a week with a webcam rolling as she was, I did fall in love. Happily, the man who swept me off my feet consults with financial types and understands the bottom line. Unlike Olivia’s nemesis, Matt Ransom, my husband has never, to my knowledge, advised anyone to ‘love the one they’re with.’ We live in Atlanta with our two sons.

Reviews

[Liz B · Rating 2 out of 5]

As fiction about a spoiled rich girl finally growing up, this was pretty good. As a romance, it was terrible.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

kind of janet evanovich light. good light read, pretty good banter

[Leah Wood · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was descent, the story juvenile and unbelievable.

[Madz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could probably try reading it again, but had to dnf for now. The romance is lacking and the unhealthy trite the author tries to pass off as romance is grating to read and frankly childishly annoying. Either move on or don't, but you can't convince me these characters were meant to be just because the guy is UBER hot. Just further confirming my believe that any book that starts with a sex scene will always ends up being unsurprisingly bad. I'm only giving two stars for now because the jewish family dynamic was kind of interesting to read.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book wasn't as funny as the others but still good. Shelly's father owns the Advertising business that she works at and she wants to show him that she can be a real asset. Her father has spoiled her and she barely gets any work done until her rival takes over in her father's spot and gives her crappy jobs. He of course, doesn't think she can do it and just wants her to quit already. She proves him wrong and finally becomes the woman that makes her father proud.

[Liz Parissenti · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOW FUN! I love this for an easy summer read or a fun distraction book. It's predictable, but hosts a fun variety of characters, and Shelley's central identity as a Jewish-American woman separates this from the many WASP-y books of a similar vein. Very fun :)

[Gina Chen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was very Jewish in a way I guess I should've anticipated with the main character being named Shelley Schwartz. That's neither a positive nor negative statement; it's an observation on the story that I think anyone who reads the book would agree with me on.

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Predictable/clichéd. Fine for what it is.

[Tamra Muir · Rating 4 out of 5]

"

[Nada Al-Karmi · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK. Not a memorable story that'll stay with you for days after reading it. However, I liked reading about Judy's situation. It was more interesting than Shelley's childish behaviour.

[Yvonne Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another favorite author

[Monique Lebrocq · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shelley’s a hot mess.
Her sister’s not too far behind.
But it all ends well.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Registered on Bookcrossing - https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/...

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this book. The character was boring and the romance was dumb. I was never really interested and while it read fast, I just didn't care. I like her newer stuff much better.

[Hoover Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hostile Makeover is the story of Shelley Schwartz, a 30-something Daddy's girl whose never actually had to earn her salary or her place in her father's advertising agency. When her father has a heart attack and gives control of the company to Ross Morgan, Shelley pushes herself to become the force of nature she dreams of being and really finds herself in the process.

I loved this book. It's got a typical chicklit feel to it but parts of it kept me guessing. I especially loved the extra characters in the book. Shelley's family and her close friend Nina are really the stars of this book. They cracked me up. This is definitely a great summertime read. Hostile Makeover makes me want to read other titles by Wendy Wax.

[yoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned all about being Jewish, and single, and in your thirties, and being employed in your daddy's advertising agency when you aren't a really great employee and all of a sudden a big, blond, gorgeous guys winds up being a better child to your parent than you were (in terms of successor to the business and all that). And guilt. Oh god, guilt permeates the actions of this novel. Well, not permeates, per say, it's sprinkled on most things. Like powdered sugar, you try and sprinkle evenly but there are always splotches and bare spots but when you bite down you get a little bit with every bite.

[Preet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book back in 2006. It was funny, sexy, hot, and so good, even though all the good stuff was mostly closed door. When you re-read them, often books may hit the mark again or may fall short, but Hostile Makeover was just as I remembered it and just as enjoyable the second time around.

I won't lie, I'd absolutely love more Shelley and the craziness that is her, her workplace interactions, and family, but I know Wendy Wax's time is taken up by other things.

And just in case you were wondering, this is the first office romance I can recall reading and that means something. <3

[Janet Friesner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Wendy Way oldie I ordered on my Nook. Have one more of hers to go and then I will have read everything she has written. Waiting for her new one to come out. This was pretty good. A 33 year old Jewish girl whose mom kept trying to find her a nice Jewish boy to marry. Very funny in spots. Easy reading.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I started reading it while running at the gym. I usually do my 30 mins then lift weights, but this book had my hooked. I kept running well into 50 minutes before I was able to put the book done.

The only reason I am not giving this book a full 5 stars is because, the male lead was turned down several times by the lead female. I don't think there is a sane man in this world that would keep going back to the same woman to get dumped repeatedly! That being said, its a book and it was a cute love story.

A little heavy on the Jewish aspect, but overall a good read.

[Ann Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this book enough to stay with it but it was more drawn out than it needed to be. It took a long time to tell Shelley's story of being a princess type to genuine working type. Very predictable. There was many amusing characters that I really enjoyed. Especially the tire guy. I will definitely read Wendy Wax again. I like her voice.

[KomalKaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a easy read. "Hostile Makeover" has plenty of romance, but lacked a little humour department. The character development was well done, and then slightly rushed in the end. I never identified with the protagonist,and Ross Morgan was too "perfect" to really enjoy. A good way to pass the time. A good beach read too.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overall. I felt this was a fun chick lit read. It dragged in some places, and the whole story line of Judy the sister I didn't find interesting at all! One thing I didn't see coming was Ross being a Jew, I just figured her parents would like him cause they knew him so well or whatever. But I liked they end up together. Overall good.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wax’s Hostile Makeover starts with the stereotypical version of a Jewish Princess who although is successful in her father’s firm, doesn’t have the drive or determination to see things through. When reality hits, she must decide does she want to be treated like a princess or be the corporate queen she was always meant to be.

[Kristie Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hysterical. I loved the scene at the circumcision. I laughed out loud! Shelly is such a princess. Never had to do anything. Now, her advertising empire is threatened by Ross and for the first time she has to prove herself. She is determined.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading light hearted books about week women that become strong loving women. I enjoyed this book so much!! Wendy Wax is a great story teller and I do enjoy her writting!!! Thanks to Karen White for suggesting her readers to try Wendy Wax!! You were so right!!!!!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wendy Wax is an author I like, though this is not her best - i find her newer books more entertaining. I found this heroine self-absorbed and spoiled, but she did grow through the novel and there is a side story about her relationship with her sister thst adds to the book.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's fun, it's light, it's a quick read.

[Arcadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very predictable, but cute.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I may have read all of this author's books except one. While I did like others of hers better, this was a fun, light, quick, and enjoyable read.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. The plot was somewhat predictable, but it neither disappointed nor surprised me, but it was a cute little chick lit quick beach read book.