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araumi's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was confused about was Nat a good friend & influence to Poppy. I thought , Ian character should've explored more. He was so sweet. So was, aunt Josephine. Poppy's mom was excessively cringe. JR was a realistic character, tbh. Liked the author's sense of humor. There were some wonderful concepts for reality show. But I didn’t like so much unnecessary lies from Poppy & Nat. It was easier to tell the truth in those situations. That part was quite unrealistic to me. Loved all insights of the TV production.
Overall, a charming debut novel with a few faults. Not at all boring.
I found this book in Sophie Cousens's goodreads & storygraph page. But she didn’t mention this book in her later books & her websites, which really surprised me. It was only published as an ebook. And the book isn’t available to buy currently. Now, the author mentions her 2nd book as her debut novel(This Time Next Year ), not this one. I think, 'How to Get Ahead in Television should be re-published.
There was a plan of sequel at the end of this book. I wish, Sophie'll write that sequel in future.
Overall, a charming debut novel with a few faults. Not at all boring.
I found this book in Sophie Cousens's goodreads & storygraph page. But she didn’t mention this book in her later books & her websites, which really surprised me. It was only published as an ebook. And the book isn’t available to buy currently. Now, the author mentions her 2nd book as her debut novel(This Time Next Year ), not this one. I think, 'How to Get Ahead in Television should be re-published.
There was a plan of sequel at the end of this book. I wish, Sophie'll write that sequel in future.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexism
nannyf's review against another edition
4.0
This was a brilliant read. It was a laugh out loud story of the almost daily calamities being faced by the main character, Poppy Penfold, as she attempts to live her dream and work in the world of television.
As a runner Poppy is expected to do anything and everything she is asked to, and to do those tasks to the best of her ability. Unfortunately, though, things don't always go to plan. Poppy finds herself in situations where everything tends to go wrong in quite spectacular ways!
I was amazed to read, on finishing the book, that the author herself based a lot of Poppy's storyline on incidents she herself had experienced when starting out in television. She has worked on well known TV shows so is obviously putting her vast knowledge, and back catalogue of disasters, to very good use in this book.
There were a lot of obvious bits in the story, such as matters relating to Poppy's love life, but knowing what was coming most definitely didn't spoil the story for me.
I loved the characters, loved the story, loved all the disasters, and can't wait to read more about Poppy and her colleagues.
As a runner Poppy is expected to do anything and everything she is asked to, and to do those tasks to the best of her ability. Unfortunately, though, things don't always go to plan. Poppy finds herself in situations where everything tends to go wrong in quite spectacular ways!
I was amazed to read, on finishing the book, that the author herself based a lot of Poppy's storyline on incidents she herself had experienced when starting out in television. She has worked on well known TV shows so is obviously putting her vast knowledge, and back catalogue of disasters, to very good use in this book.
There were a lot of obvious bits in the story, such as matters relating to Poppy's love life, but knowing what was coming most definitely didn't spoil the story for me.
I loved the characters, loved the story, loved all the disasters, and can't wait to read more about Poppy and her colleagues.
laurenla's review against another edition
3.0
Funny, light and enjoyable. Some great slapstick moments and thoughts of a young professional, romances a bit contrived. Rated 3 stars as my kindle version had a number of proofreading errors (it's instead of its) which shock me. Would definitely read another book by the same author, though would enjoy a new central character.
isabellm's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable read. Poppy and her adventures as a runner were very funny. A good mix of supporting characters as well. I would love to read the sequel this.
shriyak's review against another edition
4.0
Poppy Penfold is an ambitious 22 year old, graduated with a degree in History.
'Poppy's Steps Towards Becoming A Proper Grown Up' introduces the reader in a humorous way of what to expect in each chapter. She realises life is not what it is cut out to be after graduating. Sending out several CV's in attempt to gain employment. Poppy finally discovers a placement at RealiTV.
The supporting characters were her family, friend Natasha and work colleagues.
I thoroughly enjoyed how each chapter was set out as a 'step'. Furthermore, the emails and text messages made me feel like I was a part of her life. At some points I thought 'Gosh look at all this gossip, I can't believe what kind of people I work with'.
My favourite characters had to be Poppy and Barbara Penfold.
I really don't want to say more since the book really speaks for itself - extremely funny, light read, highly recommend!
I would like to thank LoveReading UK for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review
'Poppy's Steps Towards Becoming A Proper Grown Up' introduces the reader in a humorous way of what to expect in each chapter. She realises life is not what it is cut out to be after graduating. Sending out several CV's in attempt to gain employment. Poppy finally discovers a placement at RealiTV.
The supporting characters were her family, friend Natasha and work colleagues.
I thoroughly enjoyed how each chapter was set out as a 'step'. Furthermore, the emails and text messages made me feel like I was a part of her life. At some points I thought 'Gosh look at all this gossip, I can't believe what kind of people I work with'.
My favourite characters had to be Poppy and Barbara Penfold.
I really don't want to say more since the book really speaks for itself - extremely funny, light read, highly recommend!
I would like to thank LoveReading UK for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review
isabellm's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable read. Poppy and her adventures as a runner were very funny. A good mix of supporting characters as well. I would love to read the sequel this.
leahmichelle_13's review against another edition
4.0
I LOVE BOOKS SET IN THE TELLY WORLD
When Sophie offered me the chance to review her novel, I was delighted. I absolutely LOVE books set in the behind-the-scenes TV world. It's always so fascinating to see how TV shows come together and just how many people it takes to make a show what it is. It helped ever more that I absolutely ADORED Poppy Penfold. Poppy is AWESOME. Like Becky Bloomwood and Tess Brookes awesome. Like, I want to be best friends with her awesome. Like, where is she and how do I get a Poppy into my life? How do I also get all of those amazing TV shows onto my TV? The concepts were AWESOME.
THIS WAS SUCH A FUN READ
I've had a lot of trouble with Chick Lit recently - it's a bit too same-y, a bit too emotional, but this was a breath of fresh air. Poppy's life is so chaotic and manic, and she's so clumsy and accident-prone but in the best way possible. I could just so easily get lost in to Poppy's fabulously funny world, without all the stresses and heartbreak I've read about recently.
SEQUEL? YES, PLEASE!
Sophie says in the back of the book that if this one is well received (and everything I've seen about it has been positive, for what it's worth), there would be a sequel in the offing - MORE POPPY YAY. I so, so, so want this to happy. Poppy has just brightened up my week, and Sophie must have so many more zany TV stories to tell, and I cannot get enough of the lovely Rhydian. (Although it made me imagine him off the X Factor, oops). This was such an enjoyable book, and it's perfect for the Shopaholic or I Heart series fans.
When Sophie offered me the chance to review her novel, I was delighted. I absolutely LOVE books set in the behind-the-scenes TV world. It's always so fascinating to see how TV shows come together and just how many people it takes to make a show what it is. It helped ever more that I absolutely ADORED Poppy Penfold. Poppy is AWESOME. Like Becky Bloomwood and Tess Brookes awesome. Like, I want to be best friends with her awesome. Like, where is she and how do I get a Poppy into my life? How do I also get all of those amazing TV shows onto my TV? The concepts were AWESOME.
THIS WAS SUCH A FUN READ
I've had a lot of trouble with Chick Lit recently - it's a bit too same-y, a bit too emotional, but this was a breath of fresh air. Poppy's life is so chaotic and manic, and she's so clumsy and accident-prone but in the best way possible. I could just so easily get lost in to Poppy's fabulously funny world, without all the stresses and heartbreak I've read about recently.
SEQUEL? YES, PLEASE!
Sophie says in the back of the book that if this one is well received (and everything I've seen about it has been positive, for what it's worth), there would be a sequel in the offing - MORE POPPY YAY. I so, so, so want this to happy. Poppy has just brightened up my week, and Sophie must have so many more zany TV stories to tell, and I cannot get enough of the lovely Rhydian. (Although it made me imagine him off the X Factor, oops). This was such an enjoyable book, and it's perfect for the Shopaholic or I Heart series fans.
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