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3.27 AVERAGE
3.27 AVERAGE
lauriegilbert's review
3.0
Three and a half stars for this one. (Really goodreads, we need those halves!)
This is a cute book. Really, that's the best summary I have been able to come up with. The opening, as we get introduced to the girls, the magazine, and the New York of that time is really fun -- I loved picturing the city and how it used to look in my head as I read. The ending was also really nicely done, with all loose ties neatly in bows and a happy ending for all. I just walked away feeling like something was lacking. I'm not sure if it was because of the predictable story lines or if it was because once we got to know the girls I didn't really love most of them (Donna was my favourite . . . she was definitely the most interesting of them all). There were so many times I wanted to shake one of them and make them see just how stupid they were being. But I'm not sure if when I was their age if I'd've done any better. So yes, a cute book, but I strongly suspect that you need to be the target audience age to truly appreciate this one.
Big thanks to my library publishing rep for sending this one too me!
This is a cute book. Really, that's the best summary I have been able to come up with. The opening, as we get introduced to the girls, the magazine, and the New York of that time is really fun -- I loved picturing the city and how it used to look in my head as I read. The ending was also really nicely done, with all loose ties neatly in bows and a happy ending for all. I just walked away feeling like something was lacking. I'm not sure if it was because of the predictable story lines or if it was because once we got to know the girls I didn't really love most of them (Donna was my favourite . . . she was definitely the most interesting of them all). There were so many times I wanted to shake one of them and make them see just how stupid they were being. But I'm not sure if when I was their age if I'd've done any better. So yes, a cute book, but I strongly suspect that you need to be the target audience age to truly appreciate this one.
Big thanks to my library publishing rep for sending this one too me!
pickyreader23's review
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
ebuss4's review
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
liralen's review
3.0
It's 1963 in New York, and the interns of Gloss magazine know exactly what they want. Sherry's having her grand adventure before she settles into the path she's chosen: college, marriage to her high-school boyfriend, family. Pamela's looking for adventure too, but her rules are looser and her plans somewhat less distinct -- secretarial school, then who knows? Allison is dead-set on rebelling against her New England Proper family. Donna is seeking an escape route...and hoping to keep her secrets hidden.
And yes, indeed, it's pretty adorable. Would make an excellent summer/beach read. The girls all grow up over the course of the summer, and while most of it's predictable, there are some neat little twists. In some ways I wish the girls had a bit more depth (or maybe that not all of their POVs were included? I'm not sure. Jarring at first, but by the end it didn't bother me), but...well, they each have a learning curve. Love that romance isn't the primary focus, even when certain characters think it should be.
Not earth-shattering, but a good fit for my (current, minor) obsession with light 60s YA.
And yes, indeed, it's pretty adorable. Would make an excellent summer/beach read. The girls all grow up over the course of the summer, and while most of it's predictable, there are some neat little twists. In some ways I wish the girls had a bit more depth (or maybe that not all of their POVs were included? I'm not sure. Jarring at first, but by the end it didn't bother me), but...well, they each have a learning curve. Love that romance isn't the primary focus, even when certain characters think it should be.
Not earth-shattering, but a good fit for my (current, minor) obsession with light 60s YA.
serendipity_viv's review
3.0
Originally posted on www.serendipityreviews.co.uk
I thought it would make a refreshing change to read a YA book set in the sixties until I witnessed my feministic side roar into life. You have a group of young female interns at the magazine Gloss, who are on that well travelled road from child to adult. Within this book they face a hell of a lot of sexism which I can understand was probably normal behaviour in the early 60’s but as a reader it was frustrating to read. The way the girls get treated individually by some of the men is so annoying at times, I found myself shouting at the book. I didn’t realise how hard it was from women during the 60’s, I thought society had been more liberated then. This book made me think of Sex In The City in the 60’s. Although Carrie and her friends would’ve kicked butt!
The story in told from multiple viewpoints all in third person, so you get to see each girl’s trials and tribulations as they take on a very male world publishing even though the magazines were aimed at women and young girls. Each girl is rather innocent when it comes to love and each falls for a different type of cad, quickly realising that there is more to life than settling down with a good husband. I didn’t understand why only one girl’s back story was written about more than the others and I would’ve liked to see each girl’s past in more detail.
As I continued to read the book, I couldn’t help but have a strong sense of The Brady Bunch. Sherry could actually have been Marsha Brady to begin with, until she morphed into a female journalist who would sit happily in modern day society.
I really enjoyed the setting. Considering I have a life long desire to visit New York, it had me drooling at the mention of famous restaurants, bars and tourist destinations. The author managed to contrast the glitzy side of life with the realistic one.
This book was an interesting read and itt does give a good view of how women were treated during the 60’s. It would probably appeal to the Gossip Girl fans who don’t mind dipping their toes into a bit of nostalgia.
I thought it would make a refreshing change to read a YA book set in the sixties until I witnessed my feministic side roar into life. You have a group of young female interns at the magazine Gloss, who are on that well travelled road from child to adult. Within this book they face a hell of a lot of sexism which I can understand was probably normal behaviour in the early 60’s but as a reader it was frustrating to read. The way the girls get treated individually by some of the men is so annoying at times, I found myself shouting at the book. I didn’t realise how hard it was from women during the 60’s, I thought society had been more liberated then. This book made me think of Sex In The City in the 60’s. Although Carrie and her friends would’ve kicked butt!
The story in told from multiple viewpoints all in third person, so you get to see each girl’s trials and tribulations as they take on a very male world publishing even though the magazines were aimed at women and young girls. Each girl is rather innocent when it comes to love and each falls for a different type of cad, quickly realising that there is more to life than settling down with a good husband. I didn’t understand why only one girl’s back story was written about more than the others and I would’ve liked to see each girl’s past in more detail.
As I continued to read the book, I couldn’t help but have a strong sense of The Brady Bunch. Sherry could actually have been Marsha Brady to begin with, until she morphed into a female journalist who would sit happily in modern day society.
I really enjoyed the setting. Considering I have a life long desire to visit New York, it had me drooling at the mention of famous restaurants, bars and tourist destinations. The author managed to contrast the glitzy side of life with the realistic one.
This book was an interesting read and itt does give a good view of how women were treated during the 60’s. It would probably appeal to the Gossip Girl fans who don’t mind dipping their toes into a bit of nostalgia.
kimmym's review against another edition
3.0
(From www.pingwings.ca)
I was drawn to this book because of its cute cover, and I liked the sound of a story set in New York in the early 60s. Fun!
Here is the Goodreads summary:
I really enjoyed the setting, and loved reading about the styles and music of New York at that time. It was also interesting to read about the different opinions the characters had at that time about things like women in the workplace.
The four girls – Sherry, Donna, Allison, Pamela – came from very different backgrounds but were, in their own ways, naive about life in New York, and even their own futures. Part of the fun of this book was seeing their beliefs and expectations challenged and, in some cases, changed over the course of the story.
Unfortunately I didn’t really feel like I got to know any of the characters very well. The girls seemed flat and I didn’t really feel that I connected to any of the girls.
The ending was a bit too neat and tidy for me. But if you like happy endings, with all loose ends cleared up, you’ll be pleased. This was a light, fun, fluffy read that was fairly enjoyable. I didn’t love it but for those looking for some light romance and a fun setting, I recommend this book.
I was drawn to this book because of its cute cover, and I liked the sound of a story set in New York in the early 60s. Fun!
Here is the Goodreads summary:
New York, 1963. Fashion, music and attitudes are changing, and there’s nowhere in in the world more exciting. Sherry, Donna, Allison and Pamela have each landed a dream internship at Gloss; America’s number-one fashion magazine.
Each girl is trying to make her mark on New York and each finds herself thrown head-first into the buzzing world of celebrity, high-end fashion and gossip. But everything isn’t as glamorous as it seems – secrets from the past threaten to shatter their dreams.
They’re finding out that romance in New York is as unpredictable and thrilling as the city itself.
I really enjoyed the setting, and loved reading about the styles and music of New York at that time. It was also interesting to read about the different opinions the characters had at that time about things like women in the workplace.
The four girls – Sherry, Donna, Allison, Pamela – came from very different backgrounds but were, in their own ways, naive about life in New York, and even their own futures. Part of the fun of this book was seeing their beliefs and expectations challenged and, in some cases, changed over the course of the story.
Unfortunately I didn’t really feel like I got to know any of the characters very well. The girls seemed flat and I didn’t really feel that I connected to any of the girls.
The ending was a bit too neat and tidy for me. But if you like happy endings, with all loose ends cleared up, you’ll be pleased. This was a light, fun, fluffy read that was fairly enjoyable. I didn’t love it but for those looking for some light romance and a fun setting, I recommend this book.