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bibliotechied's review against another edition
2.0
Heavily indebted to The Devil Wears Prada, the novel covers an unlikely set of events in the life of a 17/18 year old girl's life as a journalism student. Dorkish but good student, Josephine scores an internship at a fashion magazine. She works through a series of incidents which emphasise shallow relationships and unbelievable makeups. As well there a few aspects which make it a dubious read for its target audience apparently YA but more "new adult". A novel length version of one of those "funny" oversharing and self-centred columns that seem to substitute for editorial comment nowadays.
yapxinyi's review against another edition
2.0
Disclaimer: Read this alongside [b:Little Black Dresses, Little White Lies|25337536|Little Black Dresses, Little White Lies|Laura Stampler|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1465546651s/25337536.jpg|45074373] which has a similar plotline (magazine writing internship, romance) just to compare how different the authors can take it to, and whether writing styles help. I questioned why this book didn't add excerpts of the main character's writing — the other book did, and it definitely helped flesh out the character's personality. Plus, it added credibility that the main character is a writer.
Decided to pick up YA for a change because I haven't been reading that genre for a while. This disappointed me.
The writing wasn't too shabby. The sentences flowed, I could read on even though I wasn't that interested or invested in the story. But...nothing really sparkled. Nothing wowed me. Reading it didn't make me feel like what reading [b:Carry On|32768522|Carry On (Simon Snow, #1)|Rainbow Rowell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1481729252s/32768522.jpg|43346673] did — like diving into a cool water body after a dry spell. I didn't really root for the main character Josie. I didn't particularly like any character. Most of them felt flat, like Angela 'Angel', her sister Kat, even love interest James because they served very straightforward, very basic purposes.
Plot was so-so, nothing remotely groundbreaking, nothing exciting to anticipate, even the love interest was average. Then again, the blurb told me all there was, so what was I expecting? Maybe it's because I've been reading more sci-fi recently (hello [b:Broken Stars: Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation|39863330|Broken Stars Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation|Ken Liu|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1531215722s/39863330.jpg|61659555] by Ken Liu, hello [b:The Three-Body Problem|20518872|The Three-Body Problem (Remembrance of Earth’s Past #1)|Liu Cixin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1415428227s/20518872.jpg|25696480] by Liu Cixin) so I was expecting more sophisticated writing, plot and style.
Anyway, I was disappointed mainly because some reviews (or 'testimonials') prefacing the book shared how it was for readers who loved The Devil Wears Prada and I expected the same level of drama and glamour. Ehh...this was predictable. Fluffy. Popcorn: airy, non-substantial, unfulfilling.
Decided to pick up YA for a change because I haven't been reading that genre for a while. This disappointed me.
The writing wasn't too shabby. The sentences flowed, I could read on even though I wasn't that interested or invested in the story. But...nothing really sparkled. Nothing wowed me. Reading it didn't make me feel like what reading [b:Carry On|32768522|Carry On (Simon Snow, #1)|Rainbow Rowell|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1481729252s/32768522.jpg|43346673] did — like diving into a cool water body after a dry spell. I didn't really root for the main character Josie. I didn't particularly like any character. Most of them felt flat, like Angela 'Angel', her sister Kat, even love interest James because they served very straightforward, very basic purposes.
Plot was so-so, nothing remotely groundbreaking, nothing exciting to anticipate, even the love interest was average. Then again, the blurb told me all there was, so what was I expecting? Maybe it's because I've been reading more sci-fi recently (hello [b:Broken Stars: Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation|39863330|Broken Stars Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation|Ken Liu|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1531215722s/39863330.jpg|61659555] by Ken Liu, hello [b:The Three-Body Problem|20518872|The Three-Body Problem (Remembrance of Earth’s Past #1)|Liu Cixin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1415428227s/20518872.jpg|25696480] by Liu Cixin) so I was expecting more sophisticated writing, plot and style.
Anyway, I was disappointed mainly because some reviews (or 'testimonials') prefacing the book shared how it was for readers who loved The Devil Wears Prada and I expected the same level of drama and glamour. Ehh...this was predictable. Fluffy. Popcorn: airy, non-substantial, unfulfilling.
emilywindwrites's review against another edition
3.0
This was a really interesting and entertaining read, I couldn't put it down! I read it while on a long car trip and it was the perfect reading material. It definitely has a great message, and shows the reader that not everything is as it seems.
juliagulia16's review against another edition
4.0
Read this book in an afternoon! I just couldn't put it down! It was so refreshing to read a novel set in the world of Australian magazines/media! Really enjoyed it! Can't wait to see what's next from Gabrielle Tozer!
lizslibrary's review against another edition
3.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book even though I did have a few issues with it as there were spots in the plot where there was nothing really going on. I loved Josie and her development as she is thrown into the magazine world. I enjoyed that she is realistic and she can be relatable as she becomes accustom to the her new life in the city and at Sash.
I would have like to have seen the family element a bit stronger than what it was, especially Josie's relationship with her mother. I loved the friendship between Josie and Steph- another intern at the magazine which, in my opinion, seemed to be the strongest relationship in the book. I liked that Josie and James' relationship didn't really start until the end of the book and didn't take over the whole story line but there were elements of it throughout.
Overall I enjoyed it and would probably recommend it to anyone if they asked for something to read.
I would have like to have seen the family element a bit stronger than what it was, especially Josie's relationship with her mother. I loved the friendship between Josie and Steph- another intern at the magazine which, in my opinion, seemed to be the strongest relationship in the book. I liked that Josie and James' relationship didn't really start until the end of the book and didn't take over the whole story line but there were elements of it throughout.
Overall I enjoyed it and would probably recommend it to anyone if they asked for something to read.
antheasaw's review against another edition
4.0
One of the few good YA book I'd read this year.
This book is about Josie who's had the chance to intern at a magazine company. I like how this book is not just about romance (boy-meets-girl) but it also talks about serious issues like eating disorders. And it also focuses on friendship and being true to yourself.
Was an easy and enjoyable read. Pace was good. Characters were likable. Do give this a try if you're looking for a feel-good chick lit.
This book is about Josie who's had the chance to intern at a magazine company. I like how this book is not just about romance (boy-meets-girl) but it also talks about serious issues like eating disorders. And it also focuses on friendship and being true to yourself.
Was an easy and enjoyable read. Pace was good. Characters were likable. Do give this a try if you're looking for a feel-good chick lit.
zoey1999's review against another edition
4.0
This was awesome! :) :D
I mean overall it was quite predictable and had a big 'Happily Ever After' ending, but who doesn't love that in a book every once in a while?
It was interesting seeing how aspects of the publishing industry work as the author of the book herself is a journalist, who has probably been through similar situations. (Although probably nowhere near as dramatic as the ones in this book)
Overall, I recommend this awesome read. You'll breeze through it no problem. :) :D
I mean overall it was quite predictable and had a big 'Happily Ever After' ending, but who doesn't love that in a book every once in a while?
It was interesting seeing how aspects of the publishing industry work as the author of the book herself is a journalist, who has probably been through similar situations. (Although probably nowhere near as dramatic as the ones in this book)
Overall, I recommend this awesome read. You'll breeze through it no problem. :) :D