txsha1's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

jillmlong's review against another edition

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3.0

This book was alright but at times I had a hard time liking Annie. I found the story to be cute. I liked that Annie was a go-getter who only relied on herself. At times though I found her annoying. There was not enough romance and to much outfit descriptions.

lizzina's review against another edition

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2.0

Dont' want to hide this, but there are some light spoilers in the review ;)


What I usually expect from a chick-lit is to have a quite unlikely story that makes me mostly laugh, and in which is clear from the beginning who will be the prince charming in the end.
This time I haven't had this impression here. Annie, the personal shopper and main character is somehow someone who the writer would like to be a real person. Someone who has a family to take care of, and in the meanwhile would like to meet the men of her dreams. The result is that the should-be-real character Annie is set in a world soap-opera like, in which she meets the rich dentist, in which her customers are all separate wives whose aim is to spend all their ex husbands money and in which a school teacher turns out to be the landlord of a three storey building in Highgate. Not to mention the fact that she keeps on worry about family budget while she manage to send the children in a 2000£ per month private school, buys expensive clothes, pays a mortgage and buys awful houses to be refurbished.
Terrible the idea to hide the reason why Roddie is not with the family anymore, I still can't help wondering why the author did it.

nmb005's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

kirstyreviewsbooks's review against another edition

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4.0

The Personal Shopper by Carmen Reid

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Meet Annie Valentine: stylish, savvy, multi-tasker extraordinaire.

As a personal shopper in a swanky London fashion store, Annie can re-style and re-invent her clients from head to toe. In fact, this super-skilled dresser can be relied on to solve everyone's problems . . . except her own.

This is a fashion-focused book about Annie, a single mother who is trying to make the most out of life whilst saving for the future. I thought that it was fascinating to read about Annie's job as a personal shopper. This was a nice, quick, light-hearted book - a lovely escape from reality.

Carmen has also introduced humour and romance into the story as Annie gets herself into some chaotic situations whilst looking for her new partner. An amusing read with a determined lead.

Rating: 4/5

peripetia's review against another edition

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2.0

Another book from our breakroom at work.

Where to start? Perhaps I could just save everyone's time and say that I would not recommend this book to anyone, ever. I don't understand why it was written, I don't understand why it was published, and I don't understand how it was so incredibly long, especially when you knew from the start how it was going to end. There was one twist that I did not see coming that for a minute made this book almost mediocre, but... no.

Just remember, BABES, it doesn't matter if you have a heart of gold if you're not wearing designer brands! For some inexplicable reason the protagonist keeps calling everyone "babes" - not babe. Babes. The book also contains an inexplicable amount of random winking at odd times. At one point I started wondering if everyone has been exposed to some kind of poison that gave them brain damage. That would explain a lot. For some other inexplicable reason this romance novel is very low on romance, and possibly one of the unsexiest books I have ever read.

Maybe the inexplicable reason behind all of this is just BAD WRITING.

mandyherbet's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

donnareadathon2021's review against another edition

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4.0

The story
Annie is a thirty-something widow with a daughter of 15 and a son of 9. Her actor husband Roddy died three years ago. Annie works as a personal shopper in a high end store dressing and styling the rich and famous. She has a side business trading in designer gear and is always hustling to keep her home in London and her kids private school paid for. Annie isn’t done grieving but she tries to be open to meeting someone else, preferably with some money, while she is about it.

My thoughts
In the beginning I found Annie’s shopaholic tendencies to be a bit hectic, but by halfway through the story I appreciated that she is trying to keep going after a sad and shocking time in her life. In her thirties, single parenting with the financial responsibilities that come with her lifestyle isn’t easy. I started to feel more empathy with her. Every day she gets up and puts herself out there into the world, fights for her kids to have a good life and is passionate about helping her clients. I love her energy and drive. And the ending of this story is just the sweetest. ❤️ it’s a goodie for me!

I read an eARC copy of the 2022 refresh version courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher.

laugh4life1998's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

R-I liked this book enough to finish it. I enjoy shopping so the details regarding that were fun! 

The way the sex scenes are written is uncomfortable and weird. I read the next two books in this series and I would not recommend it. Annies character develops in this book but then seems to go backwards in future books and I don’t like the way she treats her relationship. I wouldn’t read this or it’s counterparts again. 

catreader18's review against another edition

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5.0

Annie is a personal shopper in a very upscale store. Her boss dislikes her and her side job of selling clothes on eBay. Annie is ready to stop endless blind dates and need someone she can settle down with.

I enjoyed this lighthearted book about a mother, widow, and career woman. Annie is all those things and more. The characters Annie works with as a personal shopper are hilarious from the rich wife spending her clothing allowance or the ex-wife with the tired wardrobe. Annie was able to help them feel their best.

There are definitely laugh out loud scenes in this book. If you are a fan of Sophie Kinsella, this book is for you.