Hysterical Blondeness (Mass Market Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

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*Starred Review* Patricia Stillwell isn't satisfied with her looks. She leads a happy life, living with her friends Pinky and Paul. But Patricia wants to be noticed by Brett Nordquist, the son of the owner of the upscale department store where she works. To lose weight fast, she signs up for a trial study involving a drug that has an unexpected side effect: her hair turns platinum everywhere on her body. Now a "natural" blond, Patricia has that glamorous look that makes men stare and women glare. Brett asks her out and promotes her to the fine jewelry counter. But her faithful roommate, Paul, finds that his friendship has turned to love and vows that she'll never marry her rich playboy. Macpherson's tale of friendship and loyalty is filled with witty repartee and cinematic references, and the three main characters are exceptional. Funny, poignant, and clever, this story of an ugly duckling who was a much better person before she became a swan demonstrates that metamorphosis isn't necessarily beneficial and that beauty can be highly overrated. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description

Do blondes really have more fun?
In Suzanne Macpherson's delightful new novel, one woman is about to
find out the truth about life, love,
and hair color . . .

Patricia Stillwell went to sleep a brunette and woke up blonde! That experimental weight-loss program she went on had an unexpected—but not completely unwelcome—side effect. Suddenly, the men are taking notice, Patti's taking leave of her senses . . . and she's having the time of her life!

First, there's Brett Nordquist—he's rich and handsome, but what can Patti truly expect from a man who's so obviously a player? Next, there's Paul Costello—one blazing moment of passion makes her wonder what she's been missing.

What will happen when Patti morphs back into her former dark-haired self? And does Paul have to start looking so dangerously delicious? With more choices than there are shades of Miss Clairol, Patti makes her decision—but is it the right one?

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (August 29, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060775009
• ISBN-13: 978-0060775001
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #858,474 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars surprisingly hilarious...., October 23, 2006

By	Deborah Wiley (Winter Haven, FL) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Are blondes really ditzier than their brunette counterparts? And do men truly find blondes more attractive?

Patricia Stillwell has spent her entire life disdaining blondes. Along with her best friends and housemates, Pinky McGee and Paul Costello, Patricia has always been the more intellectual film noir type. All that changes when Patricia participates in an experimental weight loss study- and wakes up blonde!

Patricia's whole world changes once she's blonde. Suddenly, the yummy-looking owner's son, Brett Nordquist, is noticing her and Patricia is having a blast with her newfound popularity. But what about Paul, who is starting to look more like a romantic interest than a roommate? What can a brunette do when she is struck with HYSTERICAL BLONDENESS?

Suzanne MacPherson has written a side-splitting tale about the stereotypes of the brunette versus the blonde female. While the story does nothing to eradicate those stereotypes, HYSTERICAL BLONDENESS provides numerous moments of sheer hilarity. Patricia's metamorphosis from an intelligent, thoughtful, and clear thinking brunette into a blonde only interested in money, society, and other's opinions is one guaranteed to keep the reader flipping the pages, hoping Patricia's sanity will return.

HYSTERICAL BLONDENESS also presents the reader with a moral to the story: sometimes the grass isn't greener on the other side! Patricia's journey into the uglier side of popularity and wealth teaches her some valuable lessons. Lizbeth Summers is Patricia's primary nemesis in HYSTERICAL BLONDENESS and Patricia struggles with her desire to remain who she is or become more like Lizbeth. Pinky McGee, however, steals the show! Pinky's solid, level-headed thinking help keep the storyline from wandering off into the ridiculous.

Suzanne MacPherson is definitely an author to watch out for! Creating romantic comedy that is truly humorous without being over-the-top is difficult and yet the process seems effortless while reading HYSTERICAL BLONDENESS. One word of caution while reading this book: don't read in public unless you are prepared for the funny looks you'll receive as you laugh out loud!!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I'm sorry I wasted my time, December 16, 2007

By	Erin (San José, Costa Rica) - See all my reviews

This book seemed like it would be such perfect chick lit: after years of being a few pounds overweight and a mousy brunette, Patricia joins a study for an experimental weight loss drug which not only helps her drop the weight, but temporarily alters her DNA to turn her platinum blonde. Hilarity and an unofficial social experiment are sure to ensue, right?

Wrong. Not only is this book fraught with grammatical and spelling errors, but the writing feels like an intelligent 7th grader's and there is not one original thought in the entire 384 pages. Patricia, Patty, and Paul all speak like they're from a bad 50's sitcom, with stupid nicknames, a horribly dated way of speaking, and humorless, stupid jokes. Furthermore, the main characters are offensively anti-blonde: if you were to change every blonde reference to a skin color or sexual preference reference, this novel would never have made it to bookshelves. In fact, I don't know how it did.

1.0 out of 5 stars Too dumb to read, February 6, 2009

By	Darian Ray "mystery author" (United States) - See all my reviews

I read a few chapters and gave up in disgust. How on EARTH did this stupid book get published????