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Makeover Romance #2
The Lost Art
Dowdy art exhibit coordinator Ava Young is happy with her man-suits and sensible clogs. She likes the way they clip-clop on the museum’s tile floor. But they don’t win her any lovelorn looks from her office crush. In fact, the handsome new guy calls her “sir” when they first meet. Oh, well. She’s always known the only way a guy would take a second look at her was if she was the only person in the room. And on fire.
But after her workplace crush devastates her by, frankly, calling her something super-duper mean, Ava is ready to make some drastic changes inside and out, even if it means giving up chocolate, or taking hilariously out-of-date but strangely wise-sounding advice on femininity from a 1959 book on “How to Snare a Modern Man.”
Either way, she’d better hurry because when a priceless art exhibit gets a theft threat on Ava’s watch, a billionaire bachelor and a handsome FBI agent will be taking a good, long look at the art.
And at Ava.
The Lost Art is another romantic comedy from award-winning author Jennifer Griffith.
But after her workplace crush devastates her by, frankly, calling her something super-duper mean, Ava is ready to make some drastic changes inside and out, even if it means giving up chocolate, or taking hilariously out-of-date but strangely wise-sounding advice on femininity from a 1959 book on “How to Snare a Modern Man.”
Either way, she’d better hurry because when a priceless art exhibit gets a theft threat on Ava’s watch, a billionaire bachelor and a handsome FBI agent will be taking a good, long look at the art.
And at Ava.
The Lost Art is another romantic comedy from award-winning author Jennifer Griffith.
276 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2014
111 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Griffith
90 books350 followersDo you love free e-books? Check out my website to see how to get a free book. http://authorjennifergriffith.com
I love a story that ends with a kiss, whether it's a book or a movie. That's the big payoff! So that's the kind of books I like to write, and I call my style "cotton candy for the soul"-- light, sweet, gone. We all need a little escape from reality for a while, and escapist fiction can be the perfect remedy.
I'm a moderately bad housekeeper, I have a black thumb, and it takes a small miracle to get my hair to curl. My handsome husband and I live in the Arizona desert where we're raising our five children, who never let us stop laughing.
I love a story that ends with a kiss, whether it's a book or a movie. That's the big payoff! So that's the kind of books I like to write, and I call my style "cotton candy for the soul"-- light, sweet, gone. We all need a little escape from reality for a while, and escapist fiction can be the perfect remedy.
I'm a moderately bad housekeeper, I have a black thumb, and it takes a small miracle to get my hair to curl. My handsome husband and I live in the Arizona desert where we're raising our five children, who never let us stop laughing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
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June 20, 2019
This was a very different book than I expected, being a billionaire romance with the addition of the makeover subgenre and a love triangle, as well as an art theft. I kind of liked the FBI investigator more for most of the book because the millionaire was kind of a looney toon. But then all the character shifted personalities at the end after another character explained everything that the reader didn't get to see, so that was kind of weird. Still a good piece of escapism, though for stressful days.
September 13, 2014
Sometimes I just crave a good romantic comedy. This one was pretty fun, but a little bizarre too. I thought I had it all figured out, but I was all wrong.
It was an interesting study in psychology about how men react to pretty and not pretty women. Ava starts out being an average woman, basically ignored by men. After getting the flu and watching a couple episodes of "What not to Wear" she decides to give herself a makeover and become beautiful. It is interesting to see how she is treated when she changes her looks and personality.
The book is a bit goofy and shallow, but was a fun escape. A lot of the stuff I couldn't see happening in real life. But it was fun, and for that I'll give three stars!
It was an interesting study in psychology about how men react to pretty and not pretty women. Ava starts out being an average woman, basically ignored by men. After getting the flu and watching a couple episodes of "What not to Wear" she decides to give herself a makeover and become beautiful. It is interesting to see how she is treated when she changes her looks and personality.
The book is a bit goofy and shallow, but was a fun escape. A lot of the stuff I couldn't see happening in real life. But it was fun, and for that I'll give three stars!
May 6, 2019
I read this as the updated-and-improved version titled "Dodging the Billionaire/Billionaire Makeover Romance 3". The premise of the story grabbed me at first, and I LOL'd at "Quinton and Macey" giving makeovers (I STILL wish the IRL versions of those people would knock on my door!!!). However, once we got past that part, there was so much plotting going on that it got confusing. By halfway through, I was ready to give up on the book. I lost interested in the relationships between the h and all the men - there wasn't cheating, but the indecision and revolving-door-crushes felt like it was. I also spent most of the book wondering "Is the H the billionaire? Or is he the art thief/con artist? Am I missing somebody?" We didn't find out that yes, H is the guy who really had the money and could be lower down on the suspect list until he tells the h his backstory - there's "backstory for the reader" other some wishy-washy tabloid stories - according to the tabloids, he's a playboy, but there's no explanation of why he's of interest to them. (Yes, his whole tragedy backstory is interesting, but there was no "Why is this H a whale?" story other than he's on the museum's rich people list. So was the company that the h called after they pulled their funding pledge.) It also seems that he's dodging her - There was no clear H/h relationship to root for. The triangle (quadrangle?) was pretty weak as well. By midway through, I almost didn't care about the love story; the only reason I stuck with it was that I wanted to know who really pulled off the heist - by midway through, I was pretty much over the romance part. That didn't really resolve well, either - yes, we found out whodunit, but news of the arrest (including the fallen-from-grace potential H) was practically third-hand throwaway info. I did like there was a pretty thorough resolution between the ultimate H/h, not just a couple of paragraphs.
I liked this author's contributions to the Billionaire Beach Club series, which is why I started her standalone Secret Billionaire series. Of those, I thought the first one was pretty good, and even though the second one was a bit weak, I read this one to finish the series. I should have skipped it. I won't write off this author if she writes more BBC books, but I'm not sure I'll go on to read her Legally in Love series.
I liked this author's contributions to the Billionaire Beach Club series, which is why I started her standalone Secret Billionaire series. Of those, I thought the first one was pretty good, and even though the second one was a bit weak, I read this one to finish the series. I should have skipped it. I won't write off this author if she writes more BBC books, but I'm not sure I'll go on to read her Legally in Love series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2015
I basically liked this story. However, I felt that the main character's personality fluctuated too much, like a pendulum swing. Perhaps that was the intention as she melded two opposite sides of her personality but it was bothersome for me. I was also concerned about the messages this story was sending: that looks were important, that money was important, etc. I was not disappointed about the culprit--who it turned out to be--but I was disappointed at how the author resolved the plot. It felt anti-climatic. Anyway, aside from all that, it was okay.
March 6, 2015
This book was better then I thought it would be. There were a lot of grammatical errors that were confusing. I liked the mystery.
August 11, 2014
Fun read! Jennifer has to be the most unique romantic comedy writer I know. Her stories are never the same and always hilarious!
March 12, 2023
from frump to glam, Which man will she win?
Ava is a little obsessive about her job at the gallery.Because of her skills and reliability she is put in charge with works that will be on loan from another gallery.She has inherited several problems left by the person who was in charge before her, mainly securing financing.Her style is what I would describe as utilitarian right down to her wooden sole clogs. She is hurt and embarassed when she hears male co workers laughing and making rude remarks about her personal appearance. She does a make over and completely changes everything about herself.
The main part of the story is about the art pieces. When one of them is stolen the plot becomes complicated. I was surprised to find I couldn't determine who the thief was and had to wait until he was revealed. The author did a good job combining the theft with all the men who became attracted to Ava, one of whom was the thief. Lots of action and suspense. I loved the way Ava embraced her new persona and maintained the ethics of her frumpy self. The ending had a lot of twists I certainly wasn't expecting. Well written with relatable characters. I enjoyed it very much.
Ava is a little obsessive about her job at the gallery.Because of her skills and reliability she is put in charge with works that will be on loan from another gallery.She has inherited several problems left by the person who was in charge before her, mainly securing financing.Her style is what I would describe as utilitarian right down to her wooden sole clogs. She is hurt and embarassed when she hears male co workers laughing and making rude remarks about her personal appearance. She does a make over and completely changes everything about herself.
The main part of the story is about the art pieces. When one of them is stolen the plot becomes complicated. I was surprised to find I couldn't determine who the thief was and had to wait until he was revealed. The author did a good job combining the theft with all the men who became attracted to Ava, one of whom was the thief. Lots of action and suspense. I loved the way Ava embraced her new persona and maintained the ethics of her frumpy self. The ending had a lot of twists I certainly wasn't expecting. Well written with relatable characters. I enjoyed it very much.
November 28, 2020
I'm going to put this in my DNF shelf.
I tried. I feel like I really did. But I'm done trying to figure out Ava's story and I am only at 36%.
I feel like this book is too wordy and too slow. There's a lot of explanation but not enough action between the characters. I don't even understand half of the chapters I'm reading. In one breath we are reading about Art installations (which I found to be rather interesting) and then in another, we read that she's sick which resulted in her having a makeover and now she's a bombshell. With nice boobs to boot. And then we are transported back to the office scene where no one recognizes her and she tries to use her feminine ways to get a millionaire to support the art installation, among other things.
I just felt lost and confused in this book. I guess part of the title really does fit because you will definitely get "lost" in this one. I'm sad that this read didn't quite pan out, but I did try. It just wasn't for me.
I tried. I feel like I really did. But I'm done trying to figure out Ava's story and I am only at 36%.
I feel like this book is too wordy and too slow. There's a lot of explanation but not enough action between the characters. I don't even understand half of the chapters I'm reading. In one breath we are reading about Art installations (which I found to be rather interesting) and then in another, we read that she's sick which resulted in her having a makeover and now she's a bombshell. With nice boobs to boot. And then we are transported back to the office scene where no one recognizes her and she tries to use her feminine ways to get a millionaire to support the art installation, among other things.
I just felt lost and confused in this book. I guess part of the title really does fit because you will definitely get "lost" in this one. I'm sad that this read didn't quite pan out, but I did try. It just wasn't for me.
October 26, 2020
Pure Enjoyment!
Jennifer Griffith captures the true romantic nature of characters in a delightfully written story. Having broken in to a man’s world in the 1970s, I tried to show men that I was just as good as they were - at smoking, drinking and swearing. And then I met a man who told my friend that I was the least feminine woman he had ever met. I went about changing back to what I had been before and remained smart and successful. I even found out I obtained so much more information by playing the dumb blond. So this story is not as far fetched as it may seem. Too bad I didn’t have CBT
Jennifer Griffith captures the true romantic nature of characters in a delightfully written story. Having broken in to a man’s world in the 1970s, I tried to show men that I was just as good as they were - at smoking, drinking and swearing. And then I met a man who told my friend that I was the least feminine woman he had ever met. I went about changing back to what I had been before and remained smart and successful. I even found out I obtained so much more information by playing the dumb blond. So this story is not as far fetched as it may seem. Too bad I didn’t have CBT
January 12, 2022
Wow, talk about a transformation. Ava goes from a put together professional (though nothing much to look at), to a stunning blonde who can't focus on her job because she is imagining kissing every guy she comes in contact with. Pleeease! Since this book was published, there have been advancements in women's rights as well as the 'Me Too' movement shunning sexual harassment. Maybe that's why most of the male behavior toward Ava feels so taboo and inappropriate. Or maybe it's because the shift in Ava's personality seems so shallow and fake. Just because you get a makeover doesn't mean you suddenly become a ditz. I rolled my eyes way too many times while reading this one.
July 17, 2021
Fun book with great characters-especially Ava Young! Not too predictable good mystery with lots of details about the subject of the book. (Hint. She works at an Art Museum.)
I enjoyed the transformation between old Ava and new Ava, and how she was able to stay in character and not loose her focus. Plenty of laugh out loud moments and drool worthy baked items she treated her neighbor and co-workers to off and on. I would have loved her recipes!
Sweet romance and great characters. Jennifer Griffith has done it again! Fantastic!
I enjoyed the transformation between old Ava and new Ava, and how she was able to stay in character and not loose her focus. Plenty of laugh out loud moments and drool worthy baked items she treated her neighbor and co-workers to off and on. I would have loved her recipes!
Sweet romance and great characters. Jennifer Griffith has done it again! Fantastic!
December 24, 2018
Loved It
This one gets you thinking about the truth behind falling for the right guy and not realizing it. Ava has pretty much under played her looks. But what a big art show is planned to come to the museum she works at she has to find funding. Kellan is the first self made billionaire. They have had a art theft and they need to figure out who did it. Kellan and Ava's heart her involved.
This one gets you thinking about the truth behind falling for the right guy and not realizing it. Ava has pretty much under played her looks. But what a big art show is planned to come to the museum she works at she has to find funding. Kellan is the first self made billionaire. They have had a art theft and they need to figure out who did it. Kellan and Ava's heart her involved.
December 27, 2018
Old fashion may be on...
I just love this book. It has it all. Humor, mystery, some thrilling moments, and others tender and loving. Nothing too sensual just enough hints that's what may be in stock for a self made millionaire and a very knowledgeable but somewhat insecure art curator. I started reading and didn't stop until I finished. It's now past 3am. Fun, thrilling and sweet!
I just love this book. It has it all. Humor, mystery, some thrilling moments, and others tender and loving. Nothing too sensual just enough hints that's what may be in stock for a self made millionaire and a very knowledgeable but somewhat insecure art curator. I started reading and didn't stop until I finished. It's now past 3am. Fun, thrilling and sweet!
August 2, 2021
I was rather disappointed with this book. The art heist and the following FBI investigation sounded way too unrealistic a bit on the amateurish side okay way too easy. Maybe the author should read a few suspense novels before diving into this storyline. The characters except Ava were very undeveloped. The friendship between Ava and Zoe doesn't make sense. All in all a waste of time but I always finish a book I start. Sorry Jennifer Griffith
August 20, 2021
Fluff romance with a side of intrigue. I don't know how realistic the story is but it was kinda fun. I was all fine with the makeover but didn't really enjoy her manipulating the men around her to get what she wanted/needed. Characters were a little quirky and I actually liked the wrong guy for most of the story. So, this is just one to enjoy while you go along for the ride.
Sex: lots of kissing
Language: no
Violence: some
Sex: lots of kissing
Language: no
Violence: some
September 25, 2021
I actually listened to this one on audiobook. A screwball comedy that is so not politically correct right now but funny and fun like a rollicking old Nick and Nora.
The heroine ended up with the hero I was hoping for so the book was set up correctly, but also cleverly!—since I wasn’t at all sure through most of it that she would. It’s a rare book that keeps me guessing and this one achieved it. Hurrah!
The heroine ended up with the hero I was hoping for so the book was set up correctly, but also cleverly!—since I wasn’t at all sure through most of it that she would. It’s a rare book that keeps me guessing and this one achieved it. Hurrah!
March 24, 2019
Stolen Art
Ava needs a sponsor for the art museum exhibit. She calls billionaire Kellen McMullen to ask if he could sponsor it. Rumors are that someone will be attempting to steal one of the paintings.
Wonderful story with strong and believable characters. Story of jealousy, friends, co-workers feuds, crime, and romance. Really enjoyed book.
Ava needs a sponsor for the art museum exhibit. She calls billionaire Kellen McMullen to ask if he could sponsor it. Rumors are that someone will be attempting to steal one of the paintings.
Wonderful story with strong and believable characters. Story of jealousy, friends, co-workers feuds, crime, and romance. Really enjoyed book.
December 21, 2021
Good ending
I like the next one in the series more. Got a little frustrated with the main character and how focused on appearance she became I liked the change in demeanor but not that she then seemed ditzy several times. She was pretty slow about some things which annoyed me, but the ending resolved the worst of it.
I like the next one in the series more. Got a little frustrated with the main character and how focused on appearance she became I liked the change in demeanor but not that she then seemed ditzy several times. She was pretty slow about some things which annoyed me, but the ending resolved the worst of it.
October 18, 2024
Sweet Romance with a little suspense
I vaguely recall reading the og story, but I still love it! Kellen is a sweetheart! Ava has it rough, but decides to give herself a makeover physically and emotionally. I love how the true Ava comes out. I didn’t like all of the guys chasing after her. Good grief! I was kinda hoping for an epilogue.
I vaguely recall reading the og story, but I still love it! Kellen is a sweetheart! Ava has it rough, but decides to give herself a makeover physically and emotionally. I love how the true Ava comes out. I didn’t like all of the guys chasing after her. Good grief! I was kinda hoping for an epilogue.
June 7, 2018
What a fun book.
Very cleverly written. I love a good clean romantic comedy. This is one of the best. Great character and plot development. The dialogue is hilarious. It was so much fun to read.
Very cleverly written. I love a good clean romantic comedy. This is one of the best. Great character and plot development. The dialogue is hilarious. It was so much fun to read.
May 12, 2017
Lost Art
Thank you for such an interesting book! I didn't know how things were going to end. So many surprises it made it impossible to put down. Thanks for the clean read!
Thank you for such an interesting book! I didn't know how things were going to end. So many surprises it made it impossible to put down. Thanks for the clean read!
March 16, 2018
Cute and a bit whacky romance. 3 1/2 Stars.
April 4, 2019
Outstanding
Ever wish you could have a total makeover? Be careful what you wish for! This is such a sweet romance with a dash of intrigue
Ever wish you could have a total makeover? Be careful what you wish for! This is such a sweet romance with a dash of intrigue
June 3, 2019
Clean billionaire romance
this book stayed very clean. I love the characters and I enjoyed the relationship that developed towards the end of the book. It was a good story.
this book stayed very clean. I love the characters and I enjoyed the relationship that developed towards the end of the book. It was a good story.
Read
July 9, 2019Her transformation made me skeptical, and romance with the billionaire didn't seem complete.
August 11, 2021
I would have liked it more if the MC hadn't shed every bit of her common sense during her transformation to blonde bombshell.
August 20, 2021
The story was a good one, however it dragged and felt rushed last few chapters.
July 4, 2014
3.5 Stars
The Lost Art was definitely a rough book to get through for me. I am not sure if it was my mood or the craziness of real life or just what it was.
The first 55% of the book is kind of blah for me. We have Ava, who is a plain Jane, by the book kind of gal. She over hears a few comments from co-workers that are just mean. She gets a really bad flu and during her recovery time she decides that she is going to give herself a massive makeover. And with this massive makeover she decides that she has to "play the part" of the new and improved Ava. I personally did NOT like all the fakeness and the lies... they really got on my nerves. She wasn't being true to herself and became the ditzy blond that needed help from men all the time.
Enter in the "love interests". We have Kellen McMullen... the billionaire playboy... Riccardo Ford... the FBI agent assigned the the art theft... and Enzio Valente... the jerky co-worker. She is pretty much acting like a teenager when it comes to all the guys. With Kellen she has to keep him happy because he funded the whole exhibit... with Agent Ford she is instantly thinking of him as her future husband every chance she gets... and with Enzio she just wants to throw in his face that she is now a knock out and he can't have her. Childish and totally degrading herself in my opinion. By the end of the book she does figure out the balance between the old Ava and the new one. She ends up with exactly the right guy for her. I can't really give it away though. You'll just have to read it to find out who gets the girl! ;)
Anyway... things started looking up towards the end of the book. I'm not going to give anything away but lets just say I was not expecting what actually happened and I was completely wrong in guessing the "who done it".
I was really starting to like the book and was considering bumping up the rating to 4 stars... and then I got to the ending. And yes folks... another book that just ended!! Ugh!! I hate that!! And because of that ending it stayed at 3.5 stars. One word... EPILOGUE!! No matter how rough of a time I had with a book an amazing epilogue can change everything for me!!
All in all it was a good read... just wasn't the great read I was looking for! But I will definitely give this author another chance... who knows... maybe the next book I read will sweep me off my feet!
The Lost Art was definitely a rough book to get through for me. I am not sure if it was my mood or the craziness of real life or just what it was.
The first 55% of the book is kind of blah for me. We have Ava, who is a plain Jane, by the book kind of gal. She over hears a few comments from co-workers that are just mean. She gets a really bad flu and during her recovery time she decides that she is going to give herself a massive makeover. And with this massive makeover she decides that she has to "play the part" of the new and improved Ava. I personally did NOT like all the fakeness and the lies... they really got on my nerves. She wasn't being true to herself and became the ditzy blond that needed help from men all the time.
Enter in the "love interests". We have Kellen McMullen... the billionaire playboy... Riccardo Ford... the FBI agent assigned the the art theft... and Enzio Valente... the jerky co-worker. She is pretty much acting like a teenager when it comes to all the guys. With Kellen she has to keep him happy because he funded the whole exhibit... with Agent Ford she is instantly thinking of him as her future husband every chance she gets... and with Enzio she just wants to throw in his face that she is now a knock out and he can't have her. Childish and totally degrading herself in my opinion. By the end of the book she does figure out the balance between the old Ava and the new one. She ends up with exactly the right guy for her. I can't really give it away though. You'll just have to read it to find out who gets the girl! ;)
Anyway... things started looking up towards the end of the book. I'm not going to give anything away but lets just say I was not expecting what actually happened and I was completely wrong in guessing the "who done it".
I was really starting to like the book and was considering bumping up the rating to 4 stars... and then I got to the ending. And yes folks... another book that just ended!! Ugh!! I hate that!! And because of that ending it stayed at 3.5 stars. One word... EPILOGUE!! No matter how rough of a time I had with a book an amazing epilogue can change everything for me!!
All in all it was a good read... just wasn't the great read I was looking for! But I will definitely give this author another chance... who knows... maybe the next book I read will sweep me off my feet!
August 23, 2015
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Dowdy art exhibit coordinator Ava Young is happy with her man-suits and sensible clogs. She likes the way they clip-clop on the museum’s tile floor. But they don’t win her any lovelorn looks from her office crush. In fact, the handsome new guy calls her “sir” when they first meet. Oh, well. She’s always known the only way a guy would take a second look at her was if she was the only person in the room. And on fire.
But after her workplace crush devastates her by, frankly, calling her something super-duper mean, Ava is ready to make some drastic changes inside and out, even if it means giving up chocolate, or taking hilariously out-of-date but strangely wise-sounding advice on femininity from a 1959 book on “How to Snare a Modern Man.”
Either way, she’d better hurry because when a priceless art exhibit gets a theft threat on Ava’s watch, a billionaire bachelor and a handsome FBI agent will be taking a good, long look at the art.
And at Ava.
MY TAKE
I listened to the audiobook. The story was fun, and I think the narrator did a great job capturing the characters. The story was interesting and, especially in the beginning and the end, kept me thinking about it when I couldn't listen. They mystery was fun, and ending a bit of a twist.
I will say up front that I'm not a fan of love triangles--or quadrangles--so that biases me up front. I know plenty of people who thrive of them and would love this one. My challenge is that with so many guys floating around, I found it a little hard to like any of them--at least in the middle. That's why I'm giving it 4 1/2 stars, rounded up to 5. The issue was resolved, and I loved the ending.
Dowdy art exhibit coordinator Ava Young is happy with her man-suits and sensible clogs. She likes the way they clip-clop on the museum’s tile floor. But they don’t win her any lovelorn looks from her office crush. In fact, the handsome new guy calls her “sir” when they first meet. Oh, well. She’s always known the only way a guy would take a second look at her was if she was the only person in the room. And on fire.
But after her workplace crush devastates her by, frankly, calling her something super-duper mean, Ava is ready to make some drastic changes inside and out, even if it means giving up chocolate, or taking hilariously out-of-date but strangely wise-sounding advice on femininity from a 1959 book on “How to Snare a Modern Man.”
Either way, she’d better hurry because when a priceless art exhibit gets a theft threat on Ava’s watch, a billionaire bachelor and a handsome FBI agent will be taking a good, long look at the art.
And at Ava.
MY TAKE
I listened to the audiobook. The story was fun, and I think the narrator did a great job capturing the characters. The story was interesting and, especially in the beginning and the end, kept me thinking about it when I couldn't listen. They mystery was fun, and ending a bit of a twist.
I will say up front that I'm not a fan of love triangles--or quadrangles--so that biases me up front. I know plenty of people who thrive of them and would love this one. My challenge is that with so many guys floating around, I found it a little hard to like any of them--at least in the middle. That's why I'm giving it 4 1/2 stars, rounded up to 5. The issue was resolved, and I loved the ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews