Book Review: Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley

After her parents die in a plane crash, Emily has to move in with her aunt Jolie, a make-up artist to the stars in NYC. In addition to navigating a new life without her mother and father, she also has to figure out what her mother meant by “Please Forgive Me Emily” which she wrote in lipstick on her tray table before the plane went down.

The mystery aspect of the novel was what made me want to read this one – that a seemingly perfect mom would have a secret so pressing, she felt the need to absolve herself before she died. And the secret does turn out to be rather shocking (perhaps a bit mundane) although the way Emily goes about her sleuthing is…uneven.

In fact, uneven is how I would describe a lot of things here – from the tone (part hipster Gossip Girl, part histrionics & grieving) and the story (very creative but at times disorganized), to the pacing (some scenes, such as the Statue of Liberty visit, seem oddly truncated) and the use of characters (would have liked more of the fabulous Jolie, hairstylist Trent, and baker boy Anthony, less of….everyone else).

Even with all the unevenness, there are plenty of gems to be found, and that’s what kept me reading. One scene I especially liked was when Anthony takes Emily to Magnolia Bakery on Bleeker Street in the village and then they eat their cupcakes in the little park across the street. Why? Because I did the exact same thing, and it brought back fond memories of my birthday cupcake.

LIPSTICK APOLOGY comes out tomorrow in hardcover. Find out more about the book at the author’s website.

Here's me and Heather about to get in line for cupcakes at Magnolia's.