Love and a Bad Hair Day    by Annie Flannigan Order:  USA  Can Avon, 2003 (2003) Paperback     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Love and a Bad Hair Day is a light, fluffy saga with large amounts of very sage advice - on life, kids, and an admonishment to always do your own hair. The cover of the book seems, to me, to be inappropriate. A girl poised on a toilet tank wearing shorts, a tee shirt, a goofy hat and a gigantic smile, polishing her toenails, really is not relevant to the story. And it seems to suggest this is a young adult novel, which it isn't, at least not from my point of view. The heir to the local motel - the hub of business in tiny Verbena, North Carolina - comes to town to tear down the landmark. Jolie, resident hairdresser, hates the motel but also hates to see it go. She has identified with the huge neon sign of a woman diving into the tiny motel swimming pool, calling the figure Esther Williams. One thing leads to another - need I go on? The book is contradictory. The story line is light, appealing and fun. But Jolie's innermost thoughts, and the advice Jolie dishes out, seem heavy for the theme. The characters are well rounded out and are also fun. Granny Missus is one person I would like to meet. A generations long feud interferes with Jolie's plying her can of hairspray, but not from looking for love. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Contemporary books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews