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Charlize Edwards #1
A Total Waste of Makeup
Charlize "Charlie" Edwards certainly knows, in theory, what it takes to lead a successful and happy life. She owns a nice house in Silverlake, LA's trendiest neighborhood. She has glamorous and loyal friends who accompany her to the hottest clubs in town. And she works as the personal assistant to Drew Stanton, Hollywood's sexiest movie star. But she's also turning 30, chronically single, and faced with serving as maid of honor at her younger sister's wedding. Charlie finds herself struggling to juggle the chaos of wedding planning (while wondering if she'll ever wear the white dress herself), her all-consuming job for lunatic boss Stanton, and a serious crush on Jordan, a photographer on the set of Drew's latest feature--a man who might actually return her feelings. A page-turner from start to finish, A Total Waste of Makeup puts a fresh face on women's fiction.
368 pages, Paperback
First published December 8, 2005
104 people are currently reading
13118 people want to read
About the author
Kim Gruenenfelder
10 books423 followersKim Gruenenfelder grew up in and around Los Angeles and began her career in TV at the age of nineteen. In addition to her books A Total Waste of Makeup, Misery Loves Cabernet and There's Cake in My Future, she has written feature films, episodic teleplays and two stage plays. She lives in Los Angeles, California. She loves her fans and can be reached through her website and on Facebook.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/kimgru...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/kimgru...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 481 reviews
September 14, 2007
This is a total laugh out loud book! I was even laughing out loud on the train, I am sure I got a few interesting looks... I would recommend this book to any women that needs a lite read and a reality check that they are not alone in the wonderful crazy world of dating and relationships.
November 13, 2015
4.5 ★
This book was hilarious. The diary entries were the best, LOL.
The protagonist, Charlie, is a pathologically-single-made-of-honor-for-her-little-sis-about-to-turn-thirty gal. She has a glamorous, high paying job, as she works for one of Hollywood’s top celebrities, but her track record with man is disastrous. She’s writing a diary for her great-grandniece with advices for dating, and life in general.
I enjoyed this book. Charlie’s family is nuts, and Charlie herself is super funny.
The books leaves a lot of things hanging, but since I‘ve seen there’s a follow-up book it’s understandable. I’ll bring this book back to the library and borrow the second chapter, as I’m not about to spend 9.99 for an eBook. (I think some authors are a bit crazy with their pricing, I’m going to start a new shelf – Borrow-it-it’s-too-expensive)
Things I didn’t like, hence the deduction of .5 star:
Her bestis are a bit of a riddle. I didn’t get Dawn at all, she was confusing, and at times a bit obnoxious. Didn’t like her that much! She would definitely not be my best friend. Kate was ok, but … sometimes hard to believe.
Drew, the Hollywood star, was portrayed a bit too insecure to be credible! I mean, I don’t think that one of the sexiest men alive, rich to boot, and as successful as it gets would be such a pushover with women, and such a chaser, for that matter. This characterization bugged me a little, but other than that, he was a really nice guy, funny, and with the odd pearl of wisdom here and there.
Fav. quote: We laugh, then down our shots. It’s going to be a night to regret. I love nights like this!
Fav. life philosophy: I mean, why not just roll the fitted sheet in a ball and throw it in your linen closet…
I have to share with you some of my favorite diary entries, I’ll put them in spoiler mode so that if you still haven’t read the book I will not spoil your fun!
This book was hilarious. The diary entries were the best, LOL.
The protagonist, Charlie, is a pathologically-single-made-of-honor-for-her-little-sis-about-to-turn-thirty gal. She has a glamorous, high paying job, as she works for one of Hollywood’s top celebrities, but her track record with man is disastrous. She’s writing a diary for her great-grandniece with advices for dating, and life in general.
I enjoyed this book. Charlie’s family is nuts, and Charlie herself is super funny.
The books leaves a lot of things hanging, but since I‘ve seen there’s a follow-up book it’s understandable. I’ll bring this book back to the library and borrow the second chapter, as I’m not about to spend 9.99 for an eBook. (I think some authors are a bit crazy with their pricing, I’m going to start a new shelf – Borrow-it-it’s-too-expensive)
Things I didn’t like, hence the deduction of .5 star:
Her bestis are a bit of a riddle. I didn’t get Dawn at all, she was confusing, and at times a bit obnoxious. Didn’t like her that much! She would definitely not be my best friend. Kate was ok, but … sometimes hard to believe.
Drew, the Hollywood star, was portrayed a bit too insecure to be credible! I mean, I don’t think that one of the sexiest men alive, rich to boot, and as successful as it gets would be such a pushover with women, and such a chaser, for that matter. This characterization bugged me a little, but other than that, he was a really nice guy, funny, and with the odd pearl of wisdom here and there.
Fav. quote: We laugh, then down our shots. It’s going to be a night to regret. I love nights like this!
Fav. life philosophy: I mean, why not just roll the fitted sheet in a ball and throw it in your linen closet…
I have to share with you some of my favorite diary entries, I’ll put them in spoiler mode so that if you still haven’t read the book I will not spoil your fun!
July 2, 2014
Struggling to deal with serving as maid of honor at her younger sister's wedding, turning thirty, and her demanding job as personal assistant to Hollywood's sexiest movie star, Drew Stanton, Charlize ''Charlie'' Edwards begins to reevaluate her life.
I really liked this book because 1) I'm turning 30 as well and 2) I work in the crazy media field too and understand the demands and spoils of it. I think Kim Gruenenfelder really knows how to write a female character that you can relate to and want to be friends with and I LOVE that.
This book is funny with touches of thought provoking moments which is the perfect read.
I really liked this book because 1) I'm turning 30 as well and 2) I work in the crazy media field too and understand the demands and spoils of it. I think Kim Gruenenfelder really knows how to write a female character that you can relate to and want to be friends with and I LOVE that.
This book is funny with touches of thought provoking moments which is the perfect read.
February 1, 2015
Kill me now.
I read this for my book club and that's the ONLY reason I finished it. Vapid, irredeemable drivel about a shallow, pathetic person.
I made it to the end thinking that eventually SOMETHING interesting would happen.
Nope.
Urk.
I read this for my book club and that's the ONLY reason I finished it. Vapid, irredeemable drivel about a shallow, pathetic person.
I made it to the end thinking that eventually SOMETHING interesting would happen.
Nope.
Urk.
January 30, 2019
I'll make this a quick review and say that this book s a funny read with a bad story. The author clearly knows how to slip in humor in almost every scene, but the story was lacking.
First, the story was very slow. Like, I'm-halfway-through-the-book-and-there's-still-nothing-happening slow. One of the things that kept me going and overlook this was the fact that it was a funny read. There were funny scenes and the characters were interesting enough to continue reading about their adventures; the problem was that these adventures were very slow in contributing to the storyline.
Speaking of characters. The love interests didn't have much chemistry between them. It was awkward in most places. And as much as it was meant to be awkward, it's still supposed to be cute awkward, or even 'there's some tension between us and it's therefore awkward, but we both want each other.' But it wasn't like that. I wasn't even cringing at one point because the awkwardness was just...too much. I just put down the book and shook my head.
And the main character. I found her pathetic. She thinks of herself as pathetic but the fact that I find her pathetic isn't a good sign. She just runs after the guy even when it's clear they have no chemistry, no connection. There are the few rare scenes when the two have some great conversation and are a cute little couple, but Jesus-Christ these two were just not meant to be.
These thoughts were what pushed me to finish the book: I wanted to see whether or not they would end up together. In my opinion, if they ended up together, it would just be weird because they are so not meant to be. But if they didn't end up together, this would have truly been a horrible waste of time. So I guess curiosity kept me going, and the fact that I liked a lot of the humor.
Ok, so maybe this wasn't a quick review, but that was a pretty bad book. I had to vent.
First, the story was very slow. Like, I'm-halfway-through-the-book-and-there's-still-nothing-happening slow. One of the things that kept me going and overlook this was the fact that it was a funny read. There were funny scenes and the characters were interesting enough to continue reading about their adventures; the problem was that these adventures were very slow in contributing to the storyline.
Speaking of characters. The love interests didn't have much chemistry between them. It was awkward in most places. And as much as it was meant to be awkward, it's still supposed to be cute awkward, or even 'there's some tension between us and it's therefore awkward, but we both want each other.' But it wasn't like that. I wasn't even cringing at one point because the awkwardness was just...too much. I just put down the book and shook my head.
And the main character. I found her pathetic. She thinks of herself as pathetic but the fact that I find her pathetic isn't a good sign. She just runs after the guy even when it's clear they have no chemistry, no connection. There are the few rare scenes when the two have some great conversation and are a cute little couple, but Jesus-Christ these two were just not meant to be.
These thoughts were what pushed me to finish the book: I wanted to see whether or not they would end up together. In my opinion, if they ended up together, it would just be weird because they are so not meant to be. But if they didn't end up together, this would have truly been a horrible waste of time. So I guess curiosity kept me going, and the fact that I liked a lot of the humor.
Ok, so maybe this wasn't a quick review, but that was a pretty bad book. I had to vent.
November 8, 2018
The writing's pretty funny but it's not for me. Maybe because it's an older book, most of the advices and philosophies struck a wrong chord with me. The mc has all the qualities I hate in a protagonist.
So, 2.5 stars..
So, 2.5 stars..
September 4, 2012
Sometimes you just have to read a book for the sake of just reading a book save for the fact that you need an escape. This is just that book. While I was not overly impressed with it, "A Total Waste of Makeup" by Kim Gruenenfelder allowed me to forget about my own problems for awhile and let me concentrate on Charlize "Charlie" Edwards issues.
Going back and reviewing the book now for details and substance just left me flat. As I sit here and struggle with what to say, maybe that's the whole point. Maybe the story is not suppose to be anything more than a helpful distraction from one's everyday life.
Not everyone is going to be as lucky as Charlie who happens to own her own home, have a great job and fabulous friends. But such as it is, Charlie is writing a book of advice for her great grandneice and the pearls of wisdom she shares are not completely far off the mark.
Her antics with finding a man are a bit much, but let's face it, the story takes place in L.A. so I guess some women in L.A. act like that.I think that some of the funniest moments were her interactions with her boss, Drew Stantion, the movie star. His ever changing decor of his trailer and home was OTT and honestly, hilarious.
While I didn't think this was an absolute must have for anyone's library, I will say that A Total Waste of Makeup wasn't a total waste of time, if you take it for a distraction from your own life.
Going back and reviewing the book now for details and substance just left me flat. As I sit here and struggle with what to say, maybe that's the whole point. Maybe the story is not suppose to be anything more than a helpful distraction from one's everyday life.
Not everyone is going to be as lucky as Charlie who happens to own her own home, have a great job and fabulous friends. But such as it is, Charlie is writing a book of advice for her great grandneice and the pearls of wisdom she shares are not completely far off the mark.
Her antics with finding a man are a bit much, but let's face it, the story takes place in L.A. so I guess some women in L.A. act like that.I think that some of the funniest moments were her interactions with her boss, Drew Stantion, the movie star. His ever changing decor of his trailer and home was OTT and honestly, hilarious.
While I didn't think this was an absolute must have for anyone's library, I will say that A Total Waste of Makeup wasn't a total waste of time, if you take it for a distraction from your own life.
October 28, 2015
I loved this book, really a LOL one.
The diary entries were so much fun!
The romance could have been a notch stronger, let's see what happens in book #2...
The diary entries were so much fun!
The romance could have been a notch stronger, let's see what happens in book #2...
January 16, 2009
Very very good book. Want ot read more by this author
June 15, 2009
I came upon this book accidentally, having bumped into the author at a Border's book signing. I was lured in with the phrase "Stephanie Plum." Okay, I thought, this needs to be seen because one does not take the name of Plum in vain.
Man, am I glad I did.
Kim Gruenenfelder has created really good chick lit.
Seriously.
Although popular, Bridget Jones and Rebecca Bloomwood (Shopaholic) are a couple of neurotic nitwits and popular culture being oriented on the "monkey see, monkey do" model, so-called chick lit is filled with clones of these two-bit Cinderellas pining for a rescue and filling the time with self-obsession. (Hey, girls, wanna guess why he's not showing up?)
Charlie Edwards has a brain and uses it. She makes a few comment about her weight compared to those around her (she's a movie star's assistant, so the Size Two Zoo figures prominently in the calculation. And Kim, that's MY phrase!). Her younger sister is getting married in 3 weeks, a situation that does tend to weigh on the mind of an unmarried sibling. And Charlie does investigate the possibilities of a couple or three potential men; sometimes comically, sometimes he's the prototypical lying dog and sometimes, it'll break your heart.
One of the things that really caught my attention was how great the secondary characters were, including the whacko movie star boss. I didn't find any cardboard cutouts (well, okay, the grandparents were two-dimensional, but fun). These were complex characters with good and bad characteristics, like the television version of "Sex and the City". I was braced for Drew Stanton to remain a total fruitcake, but he had moments of genuine caring for those around him that mitigated his flakiness (some of which includes an elephant. Just buy the book). I adored Charlie's great grandmother Mauwv. 95 years old and taking no prisoners.
A note on the blurb compares Charlie to Stephanie Plum, as I mentioned. In my mind, she skewed more towards Cannie Shapiro and Jennifer Weiner's characters; sane people surrounded by lunatics. Charlie is a great connoisseur of Merlot and like one of the better ones, she contains notes of Cannie, certain Plummy depths and a hint of Elizabeth Bennett (the first chick lit heroine). I didn't read the jacket for "Misery Loves Cabernet" (is that a great title or what?), but if Charlie's on board, then so am I. And if Charlie's not there, I'm sure it'll still be a great read.
Man, am I glad I did.
Kim Gruenenfelder has created really good chick lit.
Seriously.
Although popular, Bridget Jones and Rebecca Bloomwood (Shopaholic) are a couple of neurotic nitwits and popular culture being oriented on the "monkey see, monkey do" model, so-called chick lit is filled with clones of these two-bit Cinderellas pining for a rescue and filling the time with self-obsession. (Hey, girls, wanna guess why he's not showing up?)
Charlie Edwards has a brain and uses it. She makes a few comment about her weight compared to those around her (she's a movie star's assistant, so the Size Two Zoo figures prominently in the calculation. And Kim, that's MY phrase!). Her younger sister is getting married in 3 weeks, a situation that does tend to weigh on the mind of an unmarried sibling. And Charlie does investigate the possibilities of a couple or three potential men; sometimes comically, sometimes he's the prototypical lying dog and sometimes, it'll break your heart.
One of the things that really caught my attention was how great the secondary characters were, including the whacko movie star boss. I didn't find any cardboard cutouts (well, okay, the grandparents were two-dimensional, but fun). These were complex characters with good and bad characteristics, like the television version of "Sex and the City". I was braced for Drew Stanton to remain a total fruitcake, but he had moments of genuine caring for those around him that mitigated his flakiness (some of which includes an elephant. Just buy the book). I adored Charlie's great grandmother Mauwv. 95 years old and taking no prisoners.
A note on the blurb compares Charlie to Stephanie Plum, as I mentioned. In my mind, she skewed more towards Cannie Shapiro and Jennifer Weiner's characters; sane people surrounded by lunatics. Charlie is a great connoisseur of Merlot and like one of the better ones, she contains notes of Cannie, certain Plummy depths and a hint of Elizabeth Bennett (the first chick lit heroine). I didn't read the jacket for "Misery Loves Cabernet" (is that a great title or what?), but if Charlie's on board, then so am I. And if Charlie's not there, I'm sure it'll still be a great read.
November 6, 2008
A quick read... cute fictional story with lots of advice on dating and life in general. Most are cliche. My favorite quote: "Don't be jealous of anyone. I guarantee you, if everyone walked into a room, and dumped their problems onto the floor, when they saw what everyone else's problems were, they'd be scrambling to get their own proiblems back before someone else got to them first."
November 26, 2008
Loved this book. Made me laugh out loud, and who doesn't love a book that can do that? Great characters, especailly Drew, the zany, loveable employer of the book's herione. I think what I truly enjoyed about this book was that so many of the charcacters and situations reminded me of my own wacky life and to try and remember to treasure your friends and family despite all their nutty nuttiness.
October 15, 2011
I totally loved the book! Charlie's family and friends remind me of my friends and family. The way she describes her family totally reminds me of my family. LOL...this was a great book. I laughed out loud to some of the things she would say or to things I can relate to.
October 7, 2008
While total chick lit - it is funny, smart, and not the usual blather - I wish this author would write more.
May 4, 2016
Fun read. I actually enjoyed it. It brightened up my commute, which is a big deal for me.
March 22, 2024
Oh my gawd this was perfect
July 14, 2020
Oh chic lit, I wish I could enjoy you ... but alas ... I am a book snob and every time I pick you up, I cringe.
If I could describe A Total Waste of Makeup in only a few words I'd choose fluffy, predictable rom-com. Blah, blah, blah. Charlie, a single, 30-year-old celebrity assistant, is looking for love (or just some lovin' after a long work week). She immediately is infatuated with any guy that so much as smiles at her and is heartbroken when she doesn't get the phone call for a second date. The premise of the story is lacking (Charlie starts a journal with life lessons for her future granddaughter ... but the life lessons aren't really lessons but rather lame dating advice) and the characters never quite become anything more than just surface-dwellers.
Charlie waits by the phone. She self-talks to have fun on girls' night (instead of thinking about men). She drinks. She checks her email 843,902,849,230 times to see if Jordan (her crush) writes her back. She thinks life is over simply because she isn't married by 30. Frankly, Charlie just made me want to scream. She continually gave in to every cliche about how life "should be" and the timeline she "should be" on by now. Sooooo irritating.
I, instead, gravitated towards Charlie's no-nonsense bff, Dawn. Dawn starts dating Drew, Charlie's celebrity boss, and when she doesn't feel like it's going anywhere has the guts to say so. She doesn't stick around for the fame or fortune; instead, she prioritizes her personal happiness and sticks to her guns. Bravo, Dawn. Charlie, take a page out of Dawn's book.
The backstory of the book is about Charlie's younger sister getting married and all the drama that comes with it, complete with a bachelorette party and humorous wedding. And yes, the entire time Charlie is freaking out that she doesn't have a date and everyone will be asking her when she is getting married. Yawn.
So, in conclusion, A Total Waste of Makeup was more like A Total Waste of My Time. But, if you're into the light-hearted reads (because, let's all admit it ... sometimes we need something mindless!), this would fit the bill.
If I could describe A Total Waste of Makeup in only a few words I'd choose fluffy, predictable rom-com. Blah, blah, blah. Charlie, a single, 30-year-old celebrity assistant, is looking for love (or just some lovin' after a long work week). She immediately is infatuated with any guy that so much as smiles at her and is heartbroken when she doesn't get the phone call for a second date. The premise of the story is lacking (Charlie starts a journal with life lessons for her future granddaughter ... but the life lessons aren't really lessons but rather lame dating advice) and the characters never quite become anything more than just surface-dwellers.
Charlie waits by the phone. She self-talks to have fun on girls' night (instead of thinking about men). She drinks. She checks her email 843,902,849,230 times to see if Jordan (her crush) writes her back. She thinks life is over simply because she isn't married by 30. Frankly, Charlie just made me want to scream. She continually gave in to every cliche about how life "should be" and the timeline she "should be" on by now. Sooooo irritating.
I, instead, gravitated towards Charlie's no-nonsense bff, Dawn. Dawn starts dating Drew, Charlie's celebrity boss, and when she doesn't feel like it's going anywhere has the guts to say so. She doesn't stick around for the fame or fortune; instead, she prioritizes her personal happiness and sticks to her guns. Bravo, Dawn. Charlie, take a page out of Dawn's book.
The backstory of the book is about Charlie's younger sister getting married and all the drama that comes with it, complete with a bachelorette party and humorous wedding. And yes, the entire time Charlie is freaking out that she doesn't have a date and everyone will be asking her when she is getting married. Yawn.
So, in conclusion, A Total Waste of Makeup was more like A Total Waste of My Time. But, if you're into the light-hearted reads (because, let's all admit it ... sometimes we need something mindless!), this would fit the bill.
February 28, 2018
Pick the book up in January and put it down...then picked it back up and really got into it. It was actually better than I expected once I got over the slump I was in.
August 14, 2024
Hilarious. 100% not happening. Fun read! So glad the 2nd was immediately available.
May 16, 2020
Recommended by a friend. Some funny parts but not really my kind of book.
October 23, 2009
I started reading this book and was immediately put off by the cliched, sexist "rules" the narrator was writing into her notebook. I considered giving up on the book right then, but thought I should plow through anyway. And the book did pick up a tad from there (if I'd given a review at that point it would have been one star), but still, the whole thing was just... useless.
The book is your typical chick lit. Nothing really happens. The plot is typical--girl is 30 and alone, keeps dating unsuitable men, with the added twist that she works for a movie star so all the glamorous things that happen to her don't seem so far-fetched. The main character doesn't grow or change in any way. It's not like she's been picking the wrong guys for her throughout her life and then in the course of the book something changes for her and then she's able to meet the right guy. It's just that then she stumbles across a guy who isn't an asshole, for once, and starts pursuing him instead of someone who is totally unsuitable.
Plus, I hated the way the book made it so obvious which guy was the right one and which guys were losers. If you really want me to buy into the main character's struggles not to date jerks, you need to show me her perspective, where things normally aren't quite so clear cut, you know?
Also, the whole premise of the book, that she's writing down advice for her great grand-niece, bugged the hell out of me. Most of her rules read right out of one of those stupid throwback articles telling women how to get a man (read: don't be proactive or pursue him in any way). They're all trite and cliche and if I read a note like that from my great grand-aunt (which isn't even a thing, but whatever), I'd be embarrassed on her behalf.
Plus, and this pissed me off more, the book contains a scene where she gets angry at a guy for being sexist when he tells her that men don't date women who are more successful than they are. It delves right into this sexism-feminism stuff in total outrage as though that's such an asshole thing to say. But it's not like this book is some sort of feminist tome that's trying to make a point. The main character's ideas about relationships are just as anti-feminist and antiquated as those of the guy she's so angry at. And that's fine, I guess--I don't necessarily look for a healthy dose of feminism in my chick lit. But why get into the subject at all if you're just going to be so shallow and contradictory about it? Couldn't we just leave well enough alone?
The writing is competent, though, and my inner little girl enjoyed waiting for the inevitable happy ending. Still, though, really this book was a waste of time.
The book is your typical chick lit. Nothing really happens. The plot is typical--girl is 30 and alone, keeps dating unsuitable men, with the added twist that she works for a movie star so all the glamorous things that happen to her don't seem so far-fetched. The main character doesn't grow or change in any way. It's not like she's been picking the wrong guys for her throughout her life and then in the course of the book something changes for her and then she's able to meet the right guy. It's just that then she stumbles across a guy who isn't an asshole, for once, and starts pursuing him instead of someone who is totally unsuitable.
Plus, I hated the way the book made it so obvious which guy was the right one and which guys were losers. If you really want me to buy into the main character's struggles not to date jerks, you need to show me her perspective, where things normally aren't quite so clear cut, you know?
Also, the whole premise of the book, that she's writing down advice for her great grand-niece, bugged the hell out of me. Most of her rules read right out of one of those stupid throwback articles telling women how to get a man (read: don't be proactive or pursue him in any way). They're all trite and cliche and if I read a note like that from my great grand-aunt (which isn't even a thing, but whatever), I'd be embarrassed on her behalf.
Plus, and this pissed me off more, the book contains a scene where she gets angry at a guy for being sexist when he tells her that men don't date women who are more successful than they are. It delves right into this sexism-feminism stuff in total outrage as though that's such an asshole thing to say. But it's not like this book is some sort of feminist tome that's trying to make a point. The main character's ideas about relationships are just as anti-feminist and antiquated as those of the guy she's so angry at. And that's fine, I guess--I don't necessarily look for a healthy dose of feminism in my chick lit. But why get into the subject at all if you're just going to be so shallow and contradictory about it? Couldn't we just leave well enough alone?
The writing is competent, though, and my inner little girl enjoyed waiting for the inevitable happy ending. Still, though, really this book was a waste of time.
December 28, 2015
I read this book eons ago. I loved the snappy dialogue and the main character Charlize (otherwise known as Charlie) and her crazy family and friends.
I had a horrible day the other day and all I did was hunker down and read this and the next book in the series since they are go to laugh out loud books for me. Long story short, I was in a car accident (I am fine) but am irritated that I had to take the day off work to deal with insurance companies and drive my car to an auto body repair shop for an estimate. I will be lucky to get my car repaired by the second week in January at this point. Fingers crossed.
Re-reading this book years later it is still smart and funny. Charlie is a personal assistant to Drew Stanton (one of Hollywood's richest A list stars) and is dealing with the fact that she is single and about to turn 30. Armed with her two best friends from college (Kate and Dawn) she tries to navigate Los Angeles dating scene while making sure that her younger sister gets married and their crazy family doesn't ruin the day.
There were literally some laugh out moments in this book. Any scene dealing with Charlie's family always caused me to go into a laughing fit. The craziness that happens while trying to assist Drew was also ripe for laughs.
I liked the idea that Charlie was writing a book of advice to her yet to be born great grandniece so throughout the book we had funny little asides with regards to dating, love, and family.
I will admit that I wasn't feeling Charlie's love interest in this book at all. I had more fun reading about her bad dates frankly.
The writing was great. Though at times things felt overly descriptive though I like that Ms. Gruenenfelder took such care to describe the settings where certain things in the book took place.
The ending promised more to come from Charlie and her family.
I had a horrible day the other day and all I did was hunker down and read this and the next book in the series since they are go to laugh out loud books for me. Long story short, I was in a car accident (I am fine) but am irritated that I had to take the day off work to deal with insurance companies and drive my car to an auto body repair shop for an estimate. I will be lucky to get my car repaired by the second week in January at this point. Fingers crossed.
Re-reading this book years later it is still smart and funny. Charlie is a personal assistant to Drew Stanton (one of Hollywood's richest A list stars) and is dealing with the fact that she is single and about to turn 30. Armed with her two best friends from college (Kate and Dawn) she tries to navigate Los Angeles dating scene while making sure that her younger sister gets married and their crazy family doesn't ruin the day.
There were literally some laugh out moments in this book. Any scene dealing with Charlie's family always caused me to go into a laughing fit. The craziness that happens while trying to assist Drew was also ripe for laughs.
I liked the idea that Charlie was writing a book of advice to her yet to be born great grandniece so throughout the book we had funny little asides with regards to dating, love, and family.
"Breaking up is hard to do. Do it anyway."
"Never call a household between 10 pm and 8 a.m."
I will admit that I wasn't feeling Charlie's love interest in this book at all. I had more fun reading about her bad dates frankly.
The writing was great. Though at times things felt overly descriptive though I like that Ms. Gruenenfelder took such care to describe the settings where certain things in the book took place.
The ending promised more to come from Charlie and her family.
December 10, 2008
How I Came To Read This Book: Another bargain buy from Chapters to fill an order for free shipping.
The Plot: This is a bit of a loose plot - essentially it surrounds Charlie, a woman on the verge of 30 who is caught up with her little sister's upcoming wedding. Not one to be entirely bitter, Charlie, single and working for her wacked out celebrity boss as his confidante & PA, decides to pen a journal to her future grandniece (from her sister's line) with bits of wisdom and questions about how the world is in comparison to the crazy one we live in now. Aside from that it's mostly a cobbled together collage of stories about Charlie, her friends, her various dating experiences, and her family.
The Good & The Bad: The fact of the matter is, I can't remember much about the plot of this book. It's somewhere along the lines of the First / Second Assistant and Sex and the City but is written much better, and is much funnier, than any of those books could ever be. It's honestly one of the few chickie books I've read lately that made me lol, yet it was also deeply satisfying in the way the main character writes about the world and relationships - very often quite dead on with my own thoughts. I felt like the author didn't take herself as seriously as say, Emily Giffin. Could the book have used some more serious plot development? Definitely. Were there little quirks that pissed me off throughout? Yup. But overall the scales tipped in the direction of YES on this one.
The Bottom Line: A great chick lit read, if not a super memorable one.
Anything Memorable?: Hah, see above.
50-Book Challenge?: Book #1 in 2008
The Plot: This is a bit of a loose plot - essentially it surrounds Charlie, a woman on the verge of 30 who is caught up with her little sister's upcoming wedding. Not one to be entirely bitter, Charlie, single and working for her wacked out celebrity boss as his confidante & PA, decides to pen a journal to her future grandniece (from her sister's line) with bits of wisdom and questions about how the world is in comparison to the crazy one we live in now. Aside from that it's mostly a cobbled together collage of stories about Charlie, her friends, her various dating experiences, and her family.
The Good & The Bad: The fact of the matter is, I can't remember much about the plot of this book. It's somewhere along the lines of the First / Second Assistant and Sex and the City but is written much better, and is much funnier, than any of those books could ever be. It's honestly one of the few chickie books I've read lately that made me lol, yet it was also deeply satisfying in the way the main character writes about the world and relationships - very often quite dead on with my own thoughts. I felt like the author didn't take herself as seriously as say, Emily Giffin. Could the book have used some more serious plot development? Definitely. Were there little quirks that pissed me off throughout? Yup. But overall the scales tipped in the direction of YES on this one.
The Bottom Line: A great chick lit read, if not a super memorable one.
Anything Memorable?: Hah, see above.
50-Book Challenge?: Book #1 in 2008
August 25, 2011
A Total Waste of Makeup was a hilarious, fast-paced novel about a single woman turning thirty. It was nonstop laugh out loud funny and I could identify the whole way through. Charlize (Charlie) Edwards is almost out of her twenties, unmarried, and about to attend her little sister's wedding. She has the house, the career, but is still missing the love. Her story is told through an advice manual written for her grand-niece, as she doesn't believe she will have children, let alone grandchildren, of her own. Any woman can identify with Charlie, though it was particularly the case with me - I've turned 30, my younger brother is married with children, and I wonder if I will ever have my time.
I could not put this book down. I HAD TO KNOW what would happen. I wanted Charlie to have her happily ever after, as I want this for myself. I read it in one day! I've already recommended it to friends. Kim Gruenenfelder definitely has the gift of story-telling, you will laugh out loud throughout. Charlie is so likable, there is nothing about her that you won't like. She is warm and funny, and Gruenenfelder captures the essence of all of the women like Charlie out there. You will be rooting for Charlie from page one.
I recommend this book highly. It is a mindless read, great for the beach or a lazy rainy day. You don't have to think too much, just let go of your thoughts and laugh along. I can't wait to read the sequel!
I could not put this book down. I HAD TO KNOW what would happen. I wanted Charlie to have her happily ever after, as I want this for myself. I read it in one day! I've already recommended it to friends. Kim Gruenenfelder definitely has the gift of story-telling, you will laugh out loud throughout. Charlie is so likable, there is nothing about her that you won't like. She is warm and funny, and Gruenenfelder captures the essence of all of the women like Charlie out there. You will be rooting for Charlie from page one.
I recommend this book highly. It is a mindless read, great for the beach or a lazy rainy day. You don't have to think too much, just let go of your thoughts and laugh along. I can't wait to read the sequel!
June 2, 2012
A Total Waste of Makeup is chick lit at its finest, and it was perfect for a few afternoons on the beach.
Charlize "Charlie" Edwards lives the happy, single, carefree life in LA. She has famous friends, lives in one of the trendiest neighborhoods, and she works as the personal assistant to one of Hollywood's sexiest stars. However, as she turns 30 and prepares to be the maid of honor for her younger sister's wedding, she begins to wonder if she'll ever be able to find Mr. Right.
Yes, the theme is predictable like most chick lit books, but Gruenenfelder is hilarious! As Charlie narrates her story, she's also writing a book of advice for her great niece one day (because she's convinced she'll never have children or grandchildren of her own). At times the advice is very poignant, and at others, it is laugh out loud funny. In fact, they're so funny that I have to share two of them...
"God has a sense of humor. Don't believe me? Just look at a zebra, and tell me what was going on in his mind that day."
"Never ask a single person if they're 'seeing anyone special,' an unemployed person if they've found a job, or a married couple when they're planning to have children. You're not making conversation. You're starting someone on the road to Prozac."
Slightly cynical? Yes, but both made me laugh out loud at the beach.
If you're looking for a light book with some humor, I definitely recommend A Total Waste of Makeup.
Charlize "Charlie" Edwards lives the happy, single, carefree life in LA. She has famous friends, lives in one of the trendiest neighborhoods, and she works as the personal assistant to one of Hollywood's sexiest stars. However, as she turns 30 and prepares to be the maid of honor for her younger sister's wedding, she begins to wonder if she'll ever be able to find Mr. Right.
Yes, the theme is predictable like most chick lit books, but Gruenenfelder is hilarious! As Charlie narrates her story, she's also writing a book of advice for her great niece one day (because she's convinced she'll never have children or grandchildren of her own). At times the advice is very poignant, and at others, it is laugh out loud funny. In fact, they're so funny that I have to share two of them...
"God has a sense of humor. Don't believe me? Just look at a zebra, and tell me what was going on in his mind that day."
"Never ask a single person if they're 'seeing anyone special,' an unemployed person if they've found a job, or a married couple when they're planning to have children. You're not making conversation. You're starting someone on the road to Prozac."
Slightly cynical? Yes, but both made me laugh out loud at the beach.
If you're looking for a light book with some humor, I definitely recommend A Total Waste of Makeup.
December 2, 2014
I read this book years ago, but couldn't remember anything that happened. I have also been dying to read Misery Loves Cabernet (the sequel to this book with such a cute, quirky title), but, being the nerd that I am, just could not read it without remembering everything that happened in the first book. So I sat down and devoured A Total Waste of Makeup for the second time.
I LOVE the notes that Charlie writes for her great-great grandniece. She's hilarious, and I sometimes even saved some of her notes because of how true they are. Her friends are spunky and fun - and who can forget Drew! Her neurotic, high on life (and other things, too), sex appeal, famous actor of a boss. The characters are so easy to love because they aren't ditzy and fluffy as they are in some chick lit. Charlie is, for the most part, a smart, successful woman who wants to find true love. Can't help but want to read along in her journey!
Even though this book was a re-read for me, I loved it just as much as - if not more - than the first time. Highly recommended!!
I LOVE the notes that Charlie writes for her great-great grandniece. She's hilarious, and I sometimes even saved some of her notes because of how true they are. Her friends are spunky and fun - and who can forget Drew! Her neurotic, high on life (and other things, too), sex appeal, famous actor of a boss. The characters are so easy to love because they aren't ditzy and fluffy as they are in some chick lit. Charlie is, for the most part, a smart, successful woman who wants to find true love. Can't help but want to read along in her journey!
Even though this book was a re-read for me, I loved it just as much as - if not more - than the first time. Highly recommended!!
July 22, 2011
A Total Waste of Makeup is a fun, spunky, comical chick lit read with really outrageously, memorable and relatable characters.
If you have ever had that commitment-hating girlfriend, that "gorgeous but pretends like she doesn't know it" girlfriend, those parents who insist on givng you "good" advise with "the best intentions" (that never seem to be the case), the "bride-to-be" sister that uses you as a middle-man for what she wants and what your parents want, or that forever-changing-his-mind boss, you'll find each character in this book... and will have no problem relating to Charlie.
Charlie juggles all of the above eccentric people with her equally eccentric life as an assistant to a big Hollywood actor, maid-of-honor in her younger sister's wedding, and being 30-something with no future husband in sight (but a slew of failed attempts and men who make her wait by the phone).
The entire time, i was rooting for Charlie, and every little bump that pushed her back a few steps was comically unfortunate, but she continued to push along even more persistently. I laughed through the whole book and loved every minute of it!
If you have ever had that commitment-hating girlfriend, that "gorgeous but pretends like she doesn't know it" girlfriend, those parents who insist on givng you "good" advise with "the best intentions" (that never seem to be the case), the "bride-to-be" sister that uses you as a middle-man for what she wants and what your parents want, or that forever-changing-his-mind boss, you'll find each character in this book... and will have no problem relating to Charlie.
Charlie juggles all of the above eccentric people with her equally eccentric life as an assistant to a big Hollywood actor, maid-of-honor in her younger sister's wedding, and being 30-something with no future husband in sight (but a slew of failed attempts and men who make her wait by the phone).
The entire time, i was rooting for Charlie, and every little bump that pushed her back a few steps was comically unfortunate, but she continued to push along even more persistently. I laughed through the whole book and loved every minute of it!
July 30, 2010
This book was chick lit at it's best! Full of cliches and fluff and everything I was looking for summer laugh out read :) It was a book about a 30 something, single girl who works as an assistant to a movie star. Plot? Not so much.. I didn't really care. It was just fun to read.
The book is full of funny cliches that are written to her great grandniece - things she wishes she would have known when she was 16 and wants to pass along. Niece.. because she has no current prospects.
Some of the things I have found funny - but are much better in context -
"Never ask a single person if they're "seeing anyone special," an unemployed person if they've found a job or a married couple when they're planning to have children. You're not making conversation. You're starting someone on the road to prozac."
"Emotionally, it' s better to be homicidal than suicidal. When you're upset with a guy, at least you know which way to point the gun."
"Don't go out with a man just because he looks good on paper. You're not kissing paper."
Looking forward to the next book :)
The book is full of funny cliches that are written to her great grandniece - things she wishes she would have known when she was 16 and wants to pass along. Niece.. because she has no current prospects.
Some of the things I have found funny - but are much better in context -
"Never ask a single person if they're "seeing anyone special," an unemployed person if they've found a job or a married couple when they're planning to have children. You're not making conversation. You're starting someone on the road to prozac."
"Emotionally, it' s better to be homicidal than suicidal. When you're upset with a guy, at least you know which way to point the gun."
"Don't go out with a man just because he looks good on paper. You're not kissing paper."
Looking forward to the next book :)
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July 10, 2015I mostly liked this book. Fav character......Drew of course. He is so sweet and random you just can't help but love him. There were some funny moments throughout the book and I think that is what made it more enjoyable than the story itself. I realize now looking back I never really formed a picture in my mind as to what the characters or scenes looked like as I was reading which is unusual. In spite of that I would give it 3 to 4 stars only because I'm not a fan of how it ends...it's not a horrible ending just not how I saw it going and felt like it just ended. But if you want a light read I would say give this book a try and make your own judgment.
August 12, 2022
Das ist ein Buch was ich fast jedes Jahr lese. Es ist immer wieder humorvoll und ich werde bestens unterhalten. Die Protagonisten ist sehr erfrischend und es ist zu komisch die Protagonisten im Verlauf des Buches zu begleiten.
Dazu kommt noch ein herrlich lockerer Schreibstil und so lässt sich das Buch (immer wieder) flüssig hintereinander weg lesen.
Diese Buch bekommt 5 von 5 Sterne und zählt zu meinen All Time Favourites. Ein Buch was für beste Unterhaltung sorgt.
Dazu kommt noch ein herrlich lockerer Schreibstil und so lässt sich das Buch (immer wieder) flüssig hintereinander weg lesen.
Diese Buch bekommt 5 von 5 Sterne und zählt zu meinen All Time Favourites. Ein Buch was für beste Unterhaltung sorgt.
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