The Bikini Car Wash

The Bikini Car Wash by Pamela Morsi (Paperback - Jul 1, 2010) This is the second of Ms Morsi's novels that I have read, and I have enjoyed this one as much as I have her last one - "Red's Hot Honky -Tonk Bar". Ms Morsi delights readers with her smart women characters that are stuck in situations that may break less their less strong sisters. And throwing in the hot, sexy, and hot (did I say that already? Well it bears repeating!) understanding man doesn't hurt matters either! In "The Bikini Car Wash" we meet Andi Wolkowiucz who has returned to the small town of her youth to take care of her father Walt and specially challenged sister Jelly... She tries to find a job and in this economy we know they are few and far between. Luckily her dad just happens to still be in possession of his old car wash. And all it will need is some sprucing up and some clever marketing ideas to make a go at it. And boy do her ideas throw the town into a tizzy! Women washing cars in their bathing suits! That's enough to have this Puritanical town thinking of riding Andi out of town on rails! Now throw in the sexy Pete who is the owner of the grocery store that sits next to the car wash and watch the sparks fly. (Watch for a scene with Pete and what he does to catch glimpses of the lovely bikini clad ladies from the window of the grocery store) With a wonderful and at times hilarious story, engaging and very real main characters, complicated yet entertaining secondary characters. A moving subject that can bring you to tears at times and then spin you around with laughter...Ms Morsi has another winner on her hands.

and the perfect end of the summer beach read!!! The Bikini Car Wash isn't what it really seems. I know some people will think, a bikini car wash? I don't want to read that! However, it goes beyond that. It is about fighting for something you want and believe in; finding out who you really are and love. I always love a good love story. Who doesn't? Pamela Morsi outdid herself with this one though! I was stumped at first wondering what Pop was up to, sneaking around like that. I had my suspicions, but it was a surprise! Jelly is such a lovable character, with her Law & Order dialog. The romance between Pete and Andi was easy to see coming, but still very cute and romantic. I read this book in such a short time, Ms. Morsi writes with such ease you don't even realize how fast the pages fly by! When Andi comes home to help take care of Jelly after their mom has passed, she applies for a job at Gutherie's Foods, to be only told she has too much experience. So her dad's old car wash has just been sitting there, wasting space. She goes in front of the town counsel to ask if she could get it rezoned for a coffee shop, only to be denied. So she has a bit of help coming up with the bikini car wash; but they get it going. Despite a lot of people in town not wanting them to be clothed in so little -- In spite of all the negativity they end up pretty successful -- I will leave the rest for you to find out, you make sure you put this in your beach bag and take it with you, or on a long flight too! Enjoy!!!

After the death of Andrea's mother she returns to the small town where she grew up, she knows her father will need a little help taking care of her twin. Andrea's twin, Jelly, has some unique learning issues, and is only capable of certain things, though she can quote most any "Law & Order" line. Having been a huge corporate success she is a bit mystified to find she is unable to obtain a job in her small town. She grew up helping in her father's now closed car wash and initially wants to turn it into a coffee drive-thru. When that falls apart she decides on a little less conventional option. A bikini car wash, knowing it might be looked upon as a little scandalous but with the support of her family she drives ahead. Now citizens are up in arms, questioning her morals, and business. But business is booming and it isn't just men that seem to be attracted. The neighboring grocery store owner, Pete Guthrie, seems to be more intrigued that up in arms. The Bikini Car Wash is a compelling story with small town values and reactions, with a hint of fun and defiant romance. I love how Ms. Morsi was able to take the situations that Andrea would be faced with and turn them into this fun and exciting story. She was also able to portray the small town atmosphere excellently (I live in a small town too). If you want a light hearted read with an interesting business proposal in it than pick up The Bikini Car Wash for a summer read. Tanya Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This is women's fiction at its finest. With Morsi's trademark humor and tender poignancy, the characters in her latest book will walk straight off the page and into your heart. Anytime I want a feel-good read with authentic characters, I reach for a Pamela Morsi and this book didn't disappoint!

After helping with the funeral of her mother, Andrea Wolkowicz leaves her job as a corporate contributions professional at a Fortune 500 firm in Chicago to return home to Plainview in order to help her elderly father Pop care for her mentally disabled sister, Jelly. After failing to find work ( even Guthrie Foods rejected her) to bring in income, Andi reopens her father's car wash business, but with a twist; the employees are bikini clad women. In spite of complaints about lewdness, the car wash proves a major success. She also finds her relationship with storeowner Pete Guthrie intensifying. However, even as she considers what she wants with Pete, Andi learns her parents' perfect marriage was not quite the paragon she believed it was. The Bikini Car Wash is an intelligent amusing slice of small town life. The townsfolk enhance the close look at living in a small fishbowl once Andi reopens the car wash with her marketing spin as business booms in spite of complaints. Jelly, Pop, and Pete's mom are strong support characters especially the sister, who is the most complete individual in the tale. Still this warm contemporary belongs to the lead couple as Pete and Andi fall in love to the background of family entrepreneurship. Harriet Klausner