The Makeup Girl
Andrea Semple
Strapless, Nov 2005, $12.95
ISBN: 075820969X

Not wanting to tell her beloved mom the truth that she is a complete loser, Faith Wishart makes up a false life in which she is the idea creator at a Leeds public relations firm and has a wealthy handsome boyfriend, attorney Adam. Instead she is just THE MAKEUP GIRL working part-time at the cosmetic counter of Blake's Department Store and has no luck with men.

Her sister Hope returns from Australia after an international success at Yoga videos to marry a rich hunk; Faith panics because she must bring Adam to the wedding. She lies on her r sum trying to get a job at the biggest PR firm outside of London though one of her bosses died before she worked for him. Still the clock is ticking and though distraught, Faith still treats all her customers with respect even taking the time to listen to geriatric Josie tell her family stories. Her luck seems a bit better when she meets Frank, who she likes, but he is no lawyer.

Faith makes this chick lit tale hum as readers will empathize with the web of lies that she is entangled with all because she wanted her mother to be proud of her. Her desperate escapades fail as the clock winds down, but with all her woes and with the probability of being humiliated when her life is exposed as a sham seeming inevitable, Faith still gives her work at the cosmetic counter everything she can; she cares about her customers especially the repeaters. Frank is a nice person who has a million secrets of his own. Andrea Semple provides a wonderful English romantic romp that sub-genre fans will treasure.

Harriet Klausner