Reviews

This is pretty much the best possible outcome of a fanfic turned novel. The story feels very much its own and not just a serial-numbers-filed-off version of the original, but you still get the weird quirkiness and outrageous situations that turn up in fanfics. I don’t think any original novel would have had Latvian folk music, or the bizarre winning streak that led to Maddie being a runway model! I enjoyed this so much, and have already downloaded the audiobook of the sequel!

peepoopeep's review against another edition

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slow-paced

3.0

whitmayo's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

pointofvin's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

mxrgensxfinr's review against another edition

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emotional funny tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

storytimed's review against another edition

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3.5

This used to be a Devil Wears Prada fanfic and unfortunately the DWP fic was much hotter
I feel like although this was a fairly uneven novel, it somehow retained enough of that deranged fandom energy to be Interesting
Maddy (aka Andrea) is a cheerful Australian journalist. Elena (aka Miranda) is an ice queen who Secretly Cares
The first large chunk of the book is kind of basic cheerful girl/cynical girl courtship... And then Elena fires Maddie and the whole book gets a kick in the pants
Don't get me wrong — it still doesn't all work. You do get that very fanfic sense of "oh boy, here comes the author's personal interests" like in this case uhhhh steampunk fashion
But the enthusiasm is v charming so it works!

paperairplanes's review against another edition

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2.0

I finished The Red Files from the same author and loved it, so I hurriedly ordered The Brutal Truth from my local library as it was the only other book they had of her's. Sadly, I was a little disappointed. I found Elena to be completely unlikable and therefore, even when reading Maddie's POV, I couldn't get behind her or the romance at all. I also felt the book suffered a little from to much exposition, there was several plot relevant scenes that we were told happened after the fact and never shown. I do love the author's writing style and that kept me hooked enough to finish the book, but I probably won't pick it up again.

rainbowbookworm's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved Maddie as a character and was rooting for her.

Winter has a penchant for "ice queens" and as such Elena does not live up to that moniker as she readers and Maddie quickly see through her tough façade.

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