Summer blowout

the long version

Bella Shaughnessy is the spitfire middle daughter in a large, noisy, faux Italian family (they're really Irish) of beauty salon owners (think Lucia, Lucia). She works as a hairdresser and makeup artist in her family’s salon, along with her four half-brothers and sisters, where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Her father, Lucky Shaughnessy, is a gregarious charmer with Donald Trump hair who is obsessed with all things Italian (even calling his salon Lucia’s and shouting out pat phrases like “Holy Cannoli!”). Married three times (and divorced three times), he still carries a torch for Bella’s mother (his first wife). After her half-sister steals Bella’s husband and Bella’s marriage flames out spectacularly Bella vows no more men. Then she meets cute, funny, entrepreneur Sean Ryan at a college fair. She thinks he must be like every other man in her life—a liar and a cheat—but she agrees to let him help her with her new business venture—a makeup kit for everyone. In spite of their Cary Grant/Katharine Hepburn-like sparring that will remind readers of Jeanne Ray's classic Julie and Romeo, Bella can’t deny their attraction.  When the whole clan heads to Atlanta for a big Southern wedding, sparks fly for more than one Shaunnessy member, and Bella learns the importance of family—even if they drive her absolutely nuts.