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Beauty Shop for Rent: . . . Fully Equipped, Inquire Within
Abbey Garner has a plan: to earn a million dollars by the time she's thirty-five. Financial independence will allow her to break the cycle of unhappiness endured by the women in her family. Determined to fulfill her dream, Abbey works at Granny Po's struggling beauty shop, where the feisty Gray Widows go to primp, polish, perm . . . and, of course, gossip. There, among the hair dryers and perm rods--and with the help of a new friend--Abbey finds the courage to open her heart and take risks required for her to live life to its fullest.
Debut author Laura Bowers creates a funny and touching first novel about family--both the one we are born to and the one we create ourselves.
Debut author Laura Bowers creates a funny and touching first novel about family--both the one we are born to and the one we create ourselves.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
13 people are currently reading
621 people want to read
About the author
Laura Bowers
3 books40 followersAuthor, content creator, part-time beach bum, and lover of all things pink.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
September 17, 2011
I would really rate this book 3.5 stars, but it appealed to my sentimental side so I'm rounding up.
Some girls like to read about glitz and glamour, high society, balls, gorgeous clothes, and the decidedly upstairs portion of Upstairs, Downstairs. Actually, lots of girls do, which is why franchises such as The Princess Diaries and Gossip Girl are so popular, and why society as a whole just can't stop obsessing about Hollywood starlets or young royals.
And yes, I like that too, sometimes. But those girls don't capture my heart, not like Mattie from A Northern Light or D.J. Schwenk from Dairy Queen or Kel from the The Protector of the Small books. In fact, if you go through my favourites list, most of them are books about girls who work. I am proud to add Abbey from Beauty Shop for Rent to this list.
Fourteen-year-old Abbey lives with her great-grandmother, Granny Po, who runs an old school beauty shop. No gleaming walls or fancy spa treatments--instead there's 70s decor and the biting wit of a group of old ladies. No one under fifty is seen in the shop except for Abbey.
The problem, of course, is that the beauty shop is operating at a loss, which Abbey is acutely aware of. She's an oddity--a tenth grader who takes far more interest in finance and investments than she does parties or popularity. She works every weekend and after school, sweeping, cleaning, shampooing, manning the register. Abbey, having been abandoned by both of her parents when she was eleven, never wants to rely on anyone--and sees financial independence as the solution to everything. I give the girl props, she wants to be a millionaire by the time she's 35. And as Abbey well knows, the sign "Beauty Shop for Rent" has been up for two years, with no prospective buyers... until Gena comes along.
The characters are fantastic. Caddie and Rosemary and the rest of Granny Po's Widows are unforgettable, and Gena is one of the best role models a girl could have. Unfortunately, Abbey has mommy issues, which was excruciating but understandable to read. You just want to smack her for pining over her mother despite being let down again and again, and still hug and feel sorry for her. And don't even get me started on Mitch.
Still, this book is ultimately empowering and everything that should happen, does. It's like comfort food for me, hearty and warm with the plus side of not making me feel guilty.
Some girls like to read about glitz and glamour, high society, balls, gorgeous clothes, and the decidedly upstairs portion of Upstairs, Downstairs. Actually, lots of girls do, which is why franchises such as The Princess Diaries and Gossip Girl are so popular, and why society as a whole just can't stop obsessing about Hollywood starlets or young royals.
And yes, I like that too, sometimes. But those girls don't capture my heart, not like Mattie from A Northern Light or D.J. Schwenk from Dairy Queen or Kel from the The Protector of the Small books. In fact, if you go through my favourites list, most of them are books about girls who work. I am proud to add Abbey from Beauty Shop for Rent to this list.
Fourteen-year-old Abbey lives with her great-grandmother, Granny Po, who runs an old school beauty shop. No gleaming walls or fancy spa treatments--instead there's 70s decor and the biting wit of a group of old ladies. No one under fifty is seen in the shop except for Abbey.
The problem, of course, is that the beauty shop is operating at a loss, which Abbey is acutely aware of. She's an oddity--a tenth grader who takes far more interest in finance and investments than she does parties or popularity. She works every weekend and after school, sweeping, cleaning, shampooing, manning the register. Abbey, having been abandoned by both of her parents when she was eleven, never wants to rely on anyone--and sees financial independence as the solution to everything. I give the girl props, she wants to be a millionaire by the time she's 35. And as Abbey well knows, the sign "Beauty Shop for Rent" has been up for two years, with no prospective buyers... until Gena comes along.
The characters are fantastic. Caddie and Rosemary and the rest of Granny Po's Widows are unforgettable, and Gena is one of the best role models a girl could have. Unfortunately, Abbey has mommy issues, which was excruciating but understandable to read. You just want to smack her for pining over her mother despite being let down again and again, and still hug and feel sorry for her. And don't even get me started on Mitch.
Still, this book is ultimately empowering and everything that should happen, does. It's like comfort food for me, hearty and warm with the plus side of not making me feel guilty.
January 11, 2009
I admit that because of the cover I wasn't expecting much from this book. I ended up liking it a lot more than I thought I would.
quick overview: Abbey lives with her great-grandmother and works at her beauty shop saving every penny for her MBTF (millionaire before thirty-five) plan to be finacially independent. She is determined not to end up like 3-generations of women before her. Getting pregnant young, what seems to be a tradition for her family. When the beauty shop is finally rented by Gena, a young stylish women, things seem to be going well. She's making money and is sure to reach her MBTF plan. But when her mother (who left her with her great-grandmother four years earlier and has had little contact with Abbey since then) show's up she is forced to look at her life, and in the end realizes who her family really is.
I loved the characters, they were so funny and real. I was cheering for Abbey the whole time and was happy when she had a happy ending. I loved the message and Abbey's story.
quick overview: Abbey lives with her great-grandmother and works at her beauty shop saving every penny for her MBTF (millionaire before thirty-five) plan to be finacially independent. She is determined not to end up like 3-generations of women before her. Getting pregnant young, what seems to be a tradition for her family. When the beauty shop is finally rented by Gena, a young stylish women, things seem to be going well. She's making money and is sure to reach her MBTF plan. But when her mother (who left her with her great-grandmother four years earlier and has had little contact with Abbey since then) show's up she is forced to look at her life, and in the end realizes who her family really is.
I loved the characters, they were so funny and real. I was cheering for Abbey the whole time and was happy when she had a happy ending. I loved the message and Abbey's story.
March 13, 2009
Guess where I found this . . . on an awesome list of the books-to-review on Book Muncher! Book muncher, for those of you who don't is a blog where a girl (Rachel, is that her name?) reviews many books. I discovered this because I saw several of her reviews and got curious, so now I'm converting you. Here's a link to the site: http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com/
Anyways, on to the book. I loooved everything about this book. The characters are well-developed, the plot is original, it held my interest all the way through. I also liked it because, although it's a romance, you don't get sucked from the story to the romance and that's what holds you in. But I won't give away what happens, so enough with the romance!
The main character, Abbey, has lived with her great-grandma in a beauty shop for about three years (if I got it right). She's worked in it for about as much time. After, she has to earn a million dollars by the time she's thirty-five. Why does she want to do this? To prove she's not like her mother, grandma, and great-grandma, pregnant and way over their head at a very young age. So she doesn't want to fall in love, doesn't want to be poor. But it's going pretty slow, in a beauty shop that only the Gray Widows and their pals, her (did I mention great) grandma's gang go to. By this time they've pretty much given up hope on that, considerng how long their BEAUTY SHOP FOR RENT, INQUIRE INSIDE (fully equipped) sign has been hanging on their front lawn.
But then someone does come to rent it (duh). And her mother visits. Another thing I like about this book: it's not a chick flick. Though I was expecting it to be one a tiny bit, the entire thing was real problems and real life. Excellent, fun/funny read. Maybe it had to do with the fact that I was up reading it late, but I cracked up laughing sooo many times!
Anyways, on to the book. I loooved everything about this book. The characters are well-developed, the plot is original, it held my interest all the way through. I also liked it because, although it's a romance, you don't get sucked from the story to the romance and that's what holds you in. But I won't give away what happens, so enough with the romance!
The main character, Abbey, has lived with her great-grandma in a beauty shop for about three years (if I got it right). She's worked in it for about as much time. After, she has to earn a million dollars by the time she's thirty-five. Why does she want to do this? To prove she's not like her mother, grandma, and great-grandma, pregnant and way over their head at a very young age. So she doesn't want to fall in love, doesn't want to be poor. But it's going pretty slow, in a beauty shop that only the Gray Widows and their pals, her (did I mention great) grandma's gang go to. By this time they've pretty much given up hope on that, considerng how long their BEAUTY SHOP FOR RENT, INQUIRE INSIDE (fully equipped) sign has been hanging on their front lawn.
But then someone does come to rent it (duh). And her mother visits. Another thing I like about this book: it's not a chick flick. Though I was expecting it to be one a tiny bit, the entire thing was real problems and real life. Excellent, fun/funny read. Maybe it had to do with the fact that I was up reading it late, but I cracked up laughing sooo many times!
November 6, 2012
Reviewed by Safia Abdul for TeensReadToo.com
There is nothing like Polly's Parlor, where a free dose of gossip comes with a manicure.
For Abbey Garner, her great-grandmother's old-fashioned beauty shop and the familiar elderly customers are home and family to Abbey ever since her mother left her several years ago. Now fourteen-year-ld Abbey works alongside her great-grandmother, Granny Po, giving perms and haircuts and investing her earnings towards her goal of becoming a millionaire before the age of thirty-five.
But in the last few years, the outdated Polly's Parlor hasn't been doing too well due to competition from more modern beauty salons. In fact, Granny Po has been trying to rent out the beauty shop, but nobody has been interested...until now. Gena is a fun and ambitious woman with big plans to turn the beauty shop into a friendly modern-day spa. Can the beauty shop be transformed and still remain Abbey's home?
In addition, between work, high school, and thinking about boys, Abbey is also worrying about her fragile, depressed mother. When she shows up for a surprise visit, Abbey's world is about to be turned completely upside down.
BEAUTY SHOP FOR RENT is the story of a girl growing up and trying to find a place in the world. Realistic, yet humorous, this is a satisfying novel that I'm sure many readers will be able relate to.
There is nothing like Polly's Parlor, where a free dose of gossip comes with a manicure.
For Abbey Garner, her great-grandmother's old-fashioned beauty shop and the familiar elderly customers are home and family to Abbey ever since her mother left her several years ago. Now fourteen-year-ld Abbey works alongside her great-grandmother, Granny Po, giving perms and haircuts and investing her earnings towards her goal of becoming a millionaire before the age of thirty-five.
But in the last few years, the outdated Polly's Parlor hasn't been doing too well due to competition from more modern beauty salons. In fact, Granny Po has been trying to rent out the beauty shop, but nobody has been interested...until now. Gena is a fun and ambitious woman with big plans to turn the beauty shop into a friendly modern-day spa. Can the beauty shop be transformed and still remain Abbey's home?
In addition, between work, high school, and thinking about boys, Abbey is also worrying about her fragile, depressed mother. When she shows up for a surprise visit, Abbey's world is about to be turned completely upside down.
BEAUTY SHOP FOR RENT is the story of a girl growing up and trying to find a place in the world. Realistic, yet humorous, this is a satisfying novel that I'm sure many readers will be able relate to.
April 20, 2011
A little different from the kind of books I usually read, but this one held something really beautiful. Just awhile ago, I was telling my friend about the difference between the family you’re born to and the family you make for yourself, unconscious that it was from this book where I got that same idea. I love how it has the right mixture of everything a book like so is supposed to have. Plus, the funny moments and dialogue the author tried to put in are genuinely laughable.
March 23, 2009
This book is different from what I thought it would be. The girl has real problems and I can understand why she is the way she is. Its has some depth in it, but not anything confusing or unbearable. It has its fun parts too.
August 4, 2008
Ambitious Abbey Garner spends a lot of her time hard at work at her great-grandmother Granny Po’s quaint though struggling beauty shop. It’s all part of her MBTF plan; Abbey has vowed to make a million dollars before she is thirty-five so she can be financially independent and not follow in her family’s tradition of getting pregnant young with the wrong man. When Gena, a posh young woman, decides to rent the beauty shop and turn it into a modern spa, Abbey is both excited and little apprehensive. She fears losing her job, but once Gena assures Abbey that her employment is guaranteed, Abbey realizes that she will be able to make some real money. But Abbey’s carefully constructed plans are altered when Abbey’s mother, who abandoned her four years earlier, reenters Abbey’s life. Abbey must learn to see though the lies and figure out who her family really is.
There is something so down-to-earth about Beauty Shop for Rent that makes the story so likeable. The characters have no shame, which was sometimes a little shocking but mostly refreshing because of their honesty. I loved how all of the characters were nicely developed, especially Abbey and Granny Po, who were my favorite characters. I also loved watching Abbey mature through the story. All the characters’ connections were easy to understand. I really loved Abbey’s family of friends, because though each contrasted another slightly, they all fit together perfectly. Laura Bowers wrote this story in a way that even though specific years and locations are given, it seem that this story could happen anytime and anyplace. I had a hard time believing Beauty Shop for Rent was a debut novel because it was so incredibly well-written.
Fans of Stephanie Kuehnert’s I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone will also enjoy Abbey’s coming-of-age story in Beauty Shop for Rent. I definitely recommend this funny, cute, and beautiful story to all readers.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
There is something so down-to-earth about Beauty Shop for Rent that makes the story so likeable. The characters have no shame, which was sometimes a little shocking but mostly refreshing because of their honesty. I loved how all of the characters were nicely developed, especially Abbey and Granny Po, who were my favorite characters. I also loved watching Abbey mature through the story. All the characters’ connections were easy to understand. I really loved Abbey’s family of friends, because though each contrasted another slightly, they all fit together perfectly. Laura Bowers wrote this story in a way that even though specific years and locations are given, it seem that this story could happen anytime and anyplace. I had a hard time believing Beauty Shop for Rent was a debut novel because it was so incredibly well-written.
Fans of Stephanie Kuehnert’s I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone will also enjoy Abbey’s coming-of-age story in Beauty Shop for Rent. I definitely recommend this funny, cute, and beautiful story to all readers.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
June 3, 2009
From Follett, "Raised by a great-grandmother and a bunch of beauty shop buddies, fourteen-year-old Abbey resolves to overcome her unhappy childhood and disillusionment with the mother who deserted her."
This book is a Missouri Gateway Award nominee for 2009-2010. I really enjoyed reading it (and I didn't think I would). The cover makes it look like "fluff," but it has a good message for teens.
Review from Publishers Weekly (May 21, 2007):
Fourteen-year-old Abbey Garner, the star of Bowers's debut novel, has lived with her great-grandmother Granny Po since her mother abandoned her three years earlier. Abbey believes the women in her family are cursed because, starting with Granny Po, each had a baby by age 17. ("Not only did the women in my family inherit overly fertile eggs, they each married men who were total, complete, and absolute duds.") Abbey is determined to avoid the same fate; instead, she intends to become a millionaire by age 35. Working at her grandmother's beauty shop and on her neighbor's horse farm, Abbey is well on her way to her financial goal, yet she still hopes to be reunited with her mother. Then Gena Hopkins breezes into town and rents Granny Po's beauty shop, transforming it into a posh day spa and giving Abbey a new job and an ambitious, entrepreneurial role model. During a rare visit, Abbey's mother promises they'll be reunited as soon as she can afford a down payment on a house. Reluctantly, Abbey hands over her savings, but she soon discovers her mother has deceived her. Teens will find Abbey's emotional turmoil rings true, as does the reason behind her final act of forgiveness. But it's the multigenerational friendships-the feisty, sniping conversations with Granny Po and her close circle of friends, "The Widows," brim with humor-that make Bowers's first novel a delight. Ages 12-up. (May) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
This book is a Missouri Gateway Award nominee for 2009-2010. I really enjoyed reading it (and I didn't think I would). The cover makes it look like "fluff," but it has a good message for teens.
Review from Publishers Weekly (May 21, 2007):
Fourteen-year-old Abbey Garner, the star of Bowers's debut novel, has lived with her great-grandmother Granny Po since her mother abandoned her three years earlier. Abbey believes the women in her family are cursed because, starting with Granny Po, each had a baby by age 17. ("Not only did the women in my family inherit overly fertile eggs, they each married men who were total, complete, and absolute duds.") Abbey is determined to avoid the same fate; instead, she intends to become a millionaire by age 35. Working at her grandmother's beauty shop and on her neighbor's horse farm, Abbey is well on her way to her financial goal, yet she still hopes to be reunited with her mother. Then Gena Hopkins breezes into town and rents Granny Po's beauty shop, transforming it into a posh day spa and giving Abbey a new job and an ambitious, entrepreneurial role model. During a rare visit, Abbey's mother promises they'll be reunited as soon as she can afford a down payment on a house. Reluctantly, Abbey hands over her savings, but she soon discovers her mother has deceived her. Teens will find Abbey's emotional turmoil rings true, as does the reason behind her final act of forgiveness. But it's the multigenerational friendships-the feisty, sniping conversations with Granny Po and her close circle of friends, "The Widows," brim with humor-that make Bowers's first novel a delight. Ages 12-up. (May) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2010
Three generations of women in Abbey Garner’s family have made the same mistake: teen pregnancy followed by an early marriage and dependency on an unreliable man. Abbey is determined to break that chain. She has a plan - to be a millionaire by the time she’s thirty-five. Only then, once she’s successful and independent, will Abbey consider marriage and children. It’s a solid plan and workable, too. As her fifteenth birthday approaches, Abbey already has more than seven thousand dollars in the bank.
Most of the money Abbey’s saved came from her job at Granny Po’s beauty salon. Granny Po is actually Abbey’s great-grandmother Polly and Abbey has lived with her ever since her mother dropped her off four years ago with a promise to return soon. Abbey’s stopped running to the mailbox and jumping when the phone rings, but a part of her still wants her mother to come back for her. Another part, though, is happy with the life she’s got with Granny Po and the other ‘Gray Widows:’ Caddie, Rosemary and Edith. The ladies look out for her and she has her job at Polly’s Parlor, so life is pretty good.
Abbey’s life looks to get even better when twenty-something Gena rents the parlor and turns it into a day spa. Abbey is making more money and life is even a little bit exciting. Then Abbey’s mother Grace returns with a scheme to bring the two of them back together in their own home. Now Abbey is torn between her settled life with Granny Po and the Gray Widows and the wild unpredictability of life with her mother.
Most of the money Abbey’s saved came from her job at Granny Po’s beauty salon. Granny Po is actually Abbey’s great-grandmother Polly and Abbey has lived with her ever since her mother dropped her off four years ago with a promise to return soon. Abbey’s stopped running to the mailbox and jumping when the phone rings, but a part of her still wants her mother to come back for her. Another part, though, is happy with the life she’s got with Granny Po and the other ‘Gray Widows:’ Caddie, Rosemary and Edith. The ladies look out for her and she has her job at Polly’s Parlor, so life is pretty good.
Abbey’s life looks to get even better when twenty-something Gena rents the parlor and turns it into a day spa. Abbey is making more money and life is even a little bit exciting. Then Abbey’s mother Grace returns with a scheme to bring the two of them back together in their own home. Now Abbey is torn between her settled life with Granny Po and the Gray Widows and the wild unpredictability of life with her mother.
April 1, 2019
My, oh my, did I ever love this book! It was sweet. It felt good. It has a powerful message. It was wonderfully well written. It had a quirky cast of wonderful characters. It wasn't so sweet you couldn't believe it. It just felt good - like the best romantic comedy. Sleepless in Seattle as opposed to Because I Said So. I loved it. Read it! Today. Please!
6-15-13
As much as I loved this one the first time, I have no idea why it took me so long to read it again. But, boy am I glad I just did. I was laughing out loud all through this book. I cried a few happy tears, too. It's a marvelous book!
3/10/19
Again I waited too long to read this book. I just love it.
6-15-13
As much as I loved this one the first time, I have no idea why it took me so long to read it again. But, boy am I glad I just did. I was laughing out loud all through this book. I cried a few happy tears, too. It's a marvelous book!
3/10/19
Again I waited too long to read this book. I just love it.
August 8, 2011
This book is so sweet. I loved it because the main character was strong despite her unmeasurable vulnerability. I appreciated the honesty and underlying message of "what you do now may screw up your kids later."
July 21, 2012
Adorable story. I want to be Abbey and/or work at this beauty shop. THIS is how you write empowering, female-focused stories with universal appeal.
July 4, 2015
Very sweet YA fiction with likable characters. As a native Marylander, it was fun to really know the settings that were referenced in the story.
May 1, 2009
Abbey Garner comes from a family of women who made some poor decisions – marrying or getting pregnant while they were still teens. She vows that she’s going to break the cycle – she’s not going to fall in love or get knocked up, and she’s going to be able to support herself. Abbey’s goal is to become a millionaire by the time she’s thirty-five. She lives with her great grandma, Granny Po, who has a close-knit circle of friends, the Gray Widows, who come to her beauty shop to hang out and shoot the breeze. Abbey has been working at the shop since she was eleven. The beauty shop itself has been “for rent” for a long time (with no serious inquiries), so it’s a big surprise when Gena Hopkins shows up with plans to turn it into a day spa. The changes that Gena makes to the shop have far-reaching effects – everyone who gets involved with the new business is also changed by the contributions they make.
While all of these changes are going on in the beauty shop, Abbey also has to contend with her feelings for her friend, Mitch Anderson, and for her mother, who essentially abandoned her when she left her in Granny Po’s care. Mitch wants to get closer and Abbey’s afraid to open her heart to anyone – she’s not sure who she can trust. When Abbey’s mother visits her during the holidays, Abbey has to face some harsh truths about her – it’s her anger that has caused most of her problems – and Abbey promises herself that she’s not going to make the same mistakes.
This reminded me of one of Lorna Landvik’s novels – very girl/woman centric with lots of ups and downs (funny and heartbreaking). The relationships and characters are the most important thing here. There are a lot of quirky characters (the Gray Widows are a hoot), and Granny Po is this cantankerous Force of nature. While Abbey has a lot of fears and feelings to overcome/unravel, her determination is infectious. It’s nice to read about a young person who knows what she wants and has a plan for getting it – even when that all changes. The fact that she can change says something about her strength. Teens and adults who like quirky, feel-good, character-driven stories will love this.
While all of these changes are going on in the beauty shop, Abbey also has to contend with her feelings for her friend, Mitch Anderson, and for her mother, who essentially abandoned her when she left her in Granny Po’s care. Mitch wants to get closer and Abbey’s afraid to open her heart to anyone – she’s not sure who she can trust. When Abbey’s mother visits her during the holidays, Abbey has to face some harsh truths about her – it’s her anger that has caused most of her problems – and Abbey promises herself that she’s not going to make the same mistakes.
This reminded me of one of Lorna Landvik’s novels – very girl/woman centric with lots of ups and downs (funny and heartbreaking). The relationships and characters are the most important thing here. There are a lot of quirky characters (the Gray Widows are a hoot), and Granny Po is this cantankerous Force of nature. While Abbey has a lot of fears and feelings to overcome/unravel, her determination is infectious. It’s nice to read about a young person who knows what she wants and has a plan for getting it – even when that all changes. The fact that she can change says something about her strength. Teens and adults who like quirky, feel-good, character-driven stories will love this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2013
This is a great book about a teenage girl named Abbey trying to be different from her mother and trying to be independent. Abbey's mom had her when she was still in high school. She was 16 years old. Abbey's father was not in Abbeys life and her mom suffered from serve depression. Abbey was dropped off at her great grandmother's house, Granny Po. Promised by her mom that the stay was only temporary, Abbey stood with Granny Po for some years. Granny Po owned a beauty shop on the other side of the house called Polly's polar. Granny Po's group of friends, the grey widows, hung out there and Abbey worked there. Abbey saved all her money and wanted to become a millionaire. One night Abbey's mom come for a surprise visit. She tells Abbey that she got them a nice house on the beach and all she needs is a down payment. Abbey give her mom her savings and her mom leaves. Months go by and she doesn't hear anything from her mom. Very upset Abbey finally tells Granny Po. They go out to look for her mom. They find her and the money is gone. Abbey tells her mom she does not want to live with her and is very mad at her mom. Weeks later Abbey receives a letter from her mom saying that she is very sorry and agrees to pay her back. Abbey stayed with Granny Po and her mom stared to change. I like how this book shows independence. Abbey became a better person than her mother and learned how to raise herself. There wasn't anything I disliked about the book. I know there's moms out there that will do that to their children so I thought this was a good book that showed young independence.
August 17, 2009
This was a very enjoyable read. Abbey has a plan. She wants to be a millionaire by the time she is 35. Her plan came about because all the women before her had kids while still being teenagers and their marriages failed, so she wants to succeed and not follow in their footsteps. The setting is a town where people still know all their neighbors and her great-grandmother owns the beauty shop that's been there for decades. But for a couple of years Abbey's great-grandma, Polly, has been trying to rent the shop and retire. Finally a young woman named Gena rolls into town and rents it. Abbey embraces the changes, although at first she is skeptical. The story is laced with great humor from Granny Po (Polly), and the Grey Widows, a group of female friends that frequent the beauty shop and serve as surrogate moms to Abbey. There is also a boy named Mitch who Abbey has known for several years, but when he starts asking her out, she resists because she doesn't want to end up like her mom married to the football star and stripped of all her ambitions. The reading goes fast once you establish all the characters, and there are very funny lines and the dialogue is great. Great lessons as well.
October 3, 2015
14 year old Abbey is determined that she will be the one to break the chain: she will not be a fourth generation pregnant teenager. She will be MBTF (millionaire by thirty five). So she works in her great grandmother's beauty salon and invests her earnings, while waiting for her mother to come and reclaim her, hating her father, and assiduously avoiding dates and date-like activities with guys at school. She has her place, in Granny Po's Salon, with her Gray Widows cronies, until finally, Gena shows up and says she actually wants to rent the salon. Things change, and it seems so good. Then Mom actually comes back, with a new plan. . .
Abbey is so determined. I work with teen moms, and her desire to not be a part of that number is one I wish I could magically impart on teen girls (and boys) everywhere. But the best part is when Abbey discovers that the legacy she so fears to inherit is not premature pregnancy, but multi-generational hate and rage.
Abbey's plans vary and change, and I'm a little disappointed at the obvious switch at the end. I can do math, and Abbey's future could be more secure, but in the end I did stay up until 1 am to finish it, work night eve, so it was pretty good.
Abbey is so determined. I work with teen moms, and her desire to not be a part of that number is one I wish I could magically impart on teen girls (and boys) everywhere. But the best part is when Abbey discovers that the legacy she so fears to inherit is not premature pregnancy, but multi-generational hate and rage.
Abbey's plans vary and change, and I'm a little disappointed at the obvious switch at the end. I can do math, and Abbey's future could be more secure, but in the end I did stay up until 1 am to finish it, work night eve, so it was pretty good.
February 26, 2018
I had one of my students choose a "Blind Date with a Book" book for me. When we opened it, we were both rather leery of it. The title coupled with people on the cover? It just didn't sound like our sort of book but I thanked her & promised to suffer through the date. I am so glad I did. I connected with this book when I didn't really expect to do so. The 'feels' were incredibly rich: feeling like the odd man out because you are so dedicated to a plan/idea that you forget that there is more to life than the plan; being betrayed by the person you love & trust; being knocked down despite your best plans; having to find the strength to get back up; and finding true happiness in the family you create for yourself. I am so blessed to have a biological family that is close and loving. But seeing as I have spent almost 20 years of my life an ocean away from them, I am so glad I have been able to create another family here. This book touches on all of that and has a wonderful slant for YA readers. What a surprisingly wonderful read!
December 18, 2007
Abbey Garner may just work in Granny Po's (failing) beauty parlor, but she knows that if she works hard, she can achieve her goal: Millionaire by Thirty-Five.
No man is going to get in her way. She knows the family curse: three generations of women pregnant by the age of 17. It isn't going to happen to her. Except that Camden, the most popular guy in school, is flirting with her... go away, Camden! And her best friend Mitch is so cute and sweet... no, it doesn't matter! Oh dear. Abbey's got trouble on her hands now!
This is a homey, gossipy novel that warms your heart. I loved Abbey's voice, and I totally believed her realistic struggle to trust a mother who abandoned her. The Gray Widows are feisty older women who will keep you entertained and wishing that your great-grandmother had half as much spunk! Read this to remember just how good life can be, no matter what's happened to you.
--Courtney
No man is going to get in her way. She knows the family curse: three generations of women pregnant by the age of 17. It isn't going to happen to her. Except that Camden, the most popular guy in school, is flirting with her... go away, Camden! And her best friend Mitch is so cute and sweet... no, it doesn't matter! Oh dear. Abbey's got trouble on her hands now!
This is a homey, gossipy novel that warms your heart. I loved Abbey's voice, and I totally believed her realistic struggle to trust a mother who abandoned her. The Gray Widows are feisty older women who will keep you entertained and wishing that your great-grandmother had half as much spunk! Read this to remember just how good life can be, no matter what's happened to you.
--Courtney
August 19, 2008
Abbey is a girl who has plans - she wants to be a millionaire by the time she's 35. Right now she lives and works with her Granny Po at this little old-fashioned salon. But Granny gets an offer to rent the salon out, modernize it and fix it up. Looks like Abbey could use a little fixing up to, with her relationships with her Gray Widows, her friendship (or is it something more?) with an old friend, the new hot guy at school, and oh yes, her emotionally unstable mom.
I really enjoyed this one. If you like Joan Bauer's Hope Was Here or Polly Horvath's Everything On a Waffle, you will enjoy this. A little language, but otherwise a clean story about a teen trying to figure out what she wants with her life. Abbey is a very sympathetic character - they all are - and I was really hoping that things would work out for her. I liked this one a lot and can't wait to read what's next from this author.
I really enjoyed this one. If you like Joan Bauer's Hope Was Here or Polly Horvath's Everything On a Waffle, you will enjoy this. A little language, but otherwise a clean story about a teen trying to figure out what she wants with her life. Abbey is a very sympathetic character - they all are - and I was really hoping that things would work out for her. I liked this one a lot and can't wait to read what's next from this author.
February 2, 2009
*BAYA HOT PICK Highly, and enthusiastically, recommended for all teen collections. Ever since her mother abandoned Abbey at her great-grandmothers, Abbey has been determined to avoid her mother's mistakes: she will be a millionaire by the age of 35 and she will not get pregnant at 16, even if this means she has little social life. She helps at Granny Po's beauty shop and carefully saves all her money. Life for her, Granny Po, and the regular customers, the Gray Widows, changes when the shop is finally rented by energetic Gena. To further increase the uheaval in her life, Abbey's mother makes a reappearance and Abbey buys into her dream of the two of them finally having a home of their own. When the inevitable disappointment comes, Granny Po, Gena, and the Gray Widows are there. Briskly told, this tale of inter-generational support among women has the reader pulling for Abbey all the way. Fans of Sue Monk Kidd's Secret Life of Bees will also enjoy this.
February 4, 2016
The delight of this book was the affectionate portrayal of the intergenerational relationships between Abbey and the older women in her life. Intelligent "chick lit" for teens.
Abbey Garner has learned hard lessons from the women in her life. Her mother and grandmother were teenage mothers with failed marriages. Abbey is determined not to let that happen to her and she scrupulously saves her earnings so she can be a millionaire by age 35. She has been living with Granny Po ever since her mother tried to commit suicide. The cranky but soft-hearted Granny Po and her sprightly senior citizen friends have become surrogate mothers to Abbey. Another important woman is the glamorous Gena, who bought Granny's beauty shop and turned it into a spa. These women help Abbey cope with her mother's disappointing unreliability. Enjoyable intergenerational relationships although Abbey's lessons learned are a little pat.
Abbey Garner has learned hard lessons from the women in her life. Her mother and grandmother were teenage mothers with failed marriages. Abbey is determined not to let that happen to her and she scrupulously saves her earnings so she can be a millionaire by age 35. She has been living with Granny Po ever since her mother tried to commit suicide. The cranky but soft-hearted Granny Po and her sprightly senior citizen friends have become surrogate mothers to Abbey. Another important woman is the glamorous Gena, who bought Granny's beauty shop and turned it into a spa. These women help Abbey cope with her mother's disappointing unreliability. Enjoyable intergenerational relationships although Abbey's lessons learned are a little pat.
September 10, 2008
The reason I picked the book, was the cover - such an infectious smile on Abbey's face. Although at the time, I did not know that her name is Abbey.
This impish looking teenager, Abbey, is being reared by her great-grandmother. Yes, you read that right, not her grandmother or mother, but her great-grandmother, who happens to run a beauty shop. Not only is Granny Po responsible for Abbey, but she has help from the spirited Gray Widows, who seemingly have not a lot to do besides getting their hair done.
Abbey (like most young women in YA novels) has a lot of problems in her life. However, Bowers creates a character and family that I found believable. Life is tough for Abbey, but in the course of the book she grows and learns about life. And by the end the reader is involved enough to be pulling for her. This is funny, sad and ultimately wonderful book.
This impish looking teenager, Abbey, is being reared by her great-grandmother. Yes, you read that right, not her grandmother or mother, but her great-grandmother, who happens to run a beauty shop. Not only is Granny Po responsible for Abbey, but she has help from the spirited Gray Widows, who seemingly have not a lot to do besides getting their hair done.
Abbey (like most young women in YA novels) has a lot of problems in her life. However, Bowers creates a character and family that I found believable. Life is tough for Abbey, but in the course of the book she grows and learns about life. And by the end the reader is involved enough to be pulling for her. This is funny, sad and ultimately wonderful book.
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April 7, 2020I have to admit, I think I enjoyed this book more than I was expecting to. Honestly, I couldn't put it down, which I was not expecting. It definitely wasn't the action that kept me turning pages. While the book wasn't action packed, that was not a bad thing. There was always something going on, at no point was the writing aimless, but it was a very laid back book. The laid back feel of the book is what personally kept me turning the page. I felt as if I was a part of that small, little, old, Southern town. I grew to love the setting. A perfect book for someone just looking for a relaxed and relateable, yet well-written read. I was able to knock it out within two days, and the majority of that was during a rainy, dreary day. I couldn't have found a more suitable book. Definitely one of those books that makes you miss the characters when you're done with it.
September 19, 2014
Beauty shop for rent is written by Laura Bowers.I really liked this book. They way the author kept you in suspense through out the book was a good way to keep the reader entertained. This book isn't boring. Everyone should be able to read this book. Some people probably think it is for girls but it isn't. Boys could read this book because there is a story behind it. The story behind it is don't let things in the past keep you from living your life. The main character was left with her great grandmother when she was very little. Ever since then she hasn't seen her parents. She finally gets to see her mom. I'm not going to tell you what happened you will just have to read the book. She finds out things about her dad from her mom. The things her mom tells her about her dad turn out to be false statements.
June 18, 2013
I thought this book was going to be almost awful, if not totally terrible, all because of the cover. (I know, I know, don't judge a book by its cover, but look at this one and try not to judge it.) But it completely surpassed my expectations. High school and dating are background problems. Abbey lives with her great-grandmother, whose three senior citizen friends (dubbed the Gray Widows) practically live at Granny Po's beauty shop during the day. Abbey works religiously, determined to be a millionaire by 35, and the heart of the book is Abbey's relationship with the Gray Widows and the anxieties caused by her past and present experiences with her parents. It was a much richer, darker book than I anticipated, and I admit I teared up more than a few times.
June 6, 2019
I picked this book up at random off the shelf in the library specifically because it looked like the type of book I always avoid. To my pleasant surprise, I LOVED it! I wanted to HUG the book when I finished it. I even e-mailed the author, Laura Bowers to tell her how much I enjoyed it. I told her the characters in her story reminded me a lot of the ladies in Steel Magnolias and that was about the best compliment I could think of. (She wrote me back to thank me, by the way. Neat-o!)
The story was funny, emotional, and chock full of great characters. It was a nice reminder that happy families come in all shapes and sizes.
The story was funny, emotional, and chock full of great characters. It was a nice reminder that happy families come in all shapes and sizes.
December 11, 2018
I enjoyed Beauty Shop for Rent. I liked how Abbey’s strength and how she grew as an individual. I also liked the Gray Widows and the other characters.
June 8, 2017
Beauty Shop For Rent by Laura Bowers is a cute book that is a quick read ( I finished it in one day!). I enjoyed the characters, especially the main character, Abby and her Granny Po. The secondary characters of The Widows, Gena, Sara, and Mitch were also very interesting although Sara and Mitch weren't very well developed characters. The plot is quick moving and comes with enough surprises that the reader does not get bored.
September 2, 2009
Main character is very mature for her age. The boy/girl relationship seems more appropriate for an older girl. I liked the dynamic between the new/old owners and the relationship between the older ladies in the shop.
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