Hope in a Jar

By Beth Harbison

Book Overview

"...as slick and enjoyable as a brand-new tube of lip gloss."

--People

From the New York Times bestselling author of Shoe Addicts Anonymous and Secrets of a Shoe Addict comes a tale of old friends, new loves, and the undeniable power of a little face cream.

Twenty years ago, Allie Denty was the pretty one and her best friend, Olivia Pelham, was the smart one. Throughout high school, they were inseparable . . . until a vicious rumor about Olivia---a rumor too close to the truth---ended their friendship.

Now, on the eve of their twentieth high school reunion, Allie finds herself suddenly single, a little chubby, and feeling old. Olivia, successful beauty editor in New York, realizes she's lonely, and that she's finally ready to face her demons.

Sometimes hope lives in the future; sometimes it comes from the past; and sometimes, when every stupid thing goes wrong, it comes from a prettily packaged jar filled with scented cream and promises.

Beth Harbison has done it again. A hilarious and touching novel about friendship, Love's Baby Soft perfume, Watermelon Lip Smackers, bad run-ins with Sun-In, and the healing power of "Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific." Hope in a jar: We all need it.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312381972
• ISBN13: 9780312381974
• Release Date: May 2010
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Fun summer vacation read

With an invitation to a class ruinion sitting on my desk, and recently running into some of my husband's high school classmates, and being familiar with the geographical settings of the book...I had a lot of fun reading HOPE IN A JAR just for the fun of it. It was what I expected. Sure, a girls night out with friends would have been fun,too, but since I was home, I was glad to have this book to read, and I enjoyed it.

good experience

The seller was promt and item was exactly as it was advertised. Also, the seller had a very competivie rate compared to others selling the same item. In all, I had a great experience and would buy again from this seller.

Excellent Book!!!

I was pleasantly surprised with "Hope in a Jar." Beth Harbison combines love with intrigue with friendship with humor. I wasn't familiar with the author, but she reminds me of the "Jennifer Weiner" genre. Excellent!!

zippy dialogue, fun plot

If you like fast-paced, fun and FUNNY reads, with just enough underlying pathos for substance, buy this book, settle in to your favorite chair by the pool and prepare to ENJOY. Harbison writes with wit and style, and she doesn't let her plots lag. Thoroughly enjoyable and HIGHLY recommended!!!

A delightful romp through the past!

This book will be enjoyed by all readers (female, that is), but especially the thirty- and forty-something ones, who will enjoy reminiscing about all things popular during their teen years. You'll love Allie and Olivia. Beth Harbison did a wonderful job of switching back and forth from present to past without causing us to lose track - not an easy thing - and all the while keeping us caught up in the intricate plot. Very well done and lots of fun!