Lipstick Apology

Title: Lipstick Apology Author: Jennifer Jabaley Publisher: Razorbill (Penguin) Number of pages: 285 Publication Date: August 6^th, 2009

Synopsis from back of book: Four little words written in lipstick mean Emily must say goodbye to everything she knows.

Emily Carson has always been a good girl. So when she throws a party the night her parents leave for vacation, she’s sure she’ll be busted. What Emily doesn’t know is that her parents will never return. That their plane will go down. And the only thing amidst the wreckage will be a tray table with the words: EMILY PLEASE FORGIVE ME scrawled in lipstick—her mother’s last words.

Now it’s fall in New York City and Emily’s trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Her public tragedy captures the attention of more than just the media—and soon two very different boys at her new school are pursuing her: the cute, popular Owen, and her quirky chemistry partner slash pastry-baker-by-night, Anthony. But even with such delicious distractions, Emily can’t let go of her mother’s mysterious apology. Does she have the courage to face the truth?

With the help of a whole new kind of family—one that includes a make-up artist to the stars, a teen hand model, and a wacky hairdresser—Emily must choose between the boy who makes her forget it all, and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately heal.

Review: I really liked Lipstick Apology. It was definitely not the best book I have ever read, but an enjoyable read.

I am just going to start this review off by saying what I really enjoyed. The creative plot was new, and interesting; her mother writing her last words/apology to Emily in lipstick is not something you read about everyday. The characters were really memorable, Trent (a hilarious hairdresser/Emily’s aunt’s best friend.), Jolie (Emily’s famous makeup artist aunt, who is just learning how to be a parent.), Georgia (Emily’s wacky best friend.), and tons of other characters I could name off. I also really enjoyed, the shocking plot twist before the end, I was not expecting it at all, and it was a nice surprise you could say.

I disliked Emily’s random tantrums throughout the book, I understand she lost her parents, and has been through a lot…but she didn’t need to throw things against the wall and yell at people like a five-year-old. Another thing, I didn’t quite see why Emily liked Owen so much, he may be rich and good looking, but he was very superficial.

Overall, Lipstick Apology was a pleasurable read, with a few minor problems.

I recommend this book if you like romance, humor, and young adult novels.