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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
A fun book that's similar to The Devil Wears Prada, only in reverse.
This was such a fun "chick lit" audiobook to listen to. Katherine Kellgren did a great job narrating. I appreciated the story as well, as both a millennial and someone who doesn't always love all the new technology and prefers print media.
Pure escapist fun -- dressed in Versace.
Imogen Tate, well-respected 42-year old Editor in Chief of Glossy magazine, returns from a 6 month medical leave to find that her former assistant (and newly minted Harvard MBA) Eve has convinced the magazine publishers to cease the printed magazine and turn the entire operation into an e-commerce app. Imogen struggles to understand the rapidly changing technology and her relevance in the new corporate structure, while Eve is determined to turn the staff against Imogen and do whatever it takes to push her out of the company.
The two characters are foils. Imogen is Oscar de la Renta -- classic, polished, and timeless, no matter what the latest tech craze of the day might be. Eve is Forever 21 -- bold, eye-catching, but at the end of the day just too cheap and tawdry.
We all know how this is going to end, right? But that's okay. We don't read books like "The Knockoff" because they're the next "To Kill a Mockingbird". We read them because they're just plain enjoyable.
Do I have quibbles? Sure. Imogen is portrayed as an absolute tech neophyte upon her return to work after a 6 month absence. As the Editor in Chief of a major magazine, she would undoubtedly have to have known the basics such as Instagram, Gmail, etc. Eve is a one-note character that rhymes with "witch". However, she was formerly Imogen's trustworthy assistant, and in that role they each had each other's backs. Eve becomes such a sociopath after getting her MBA,and it's totally incongruous with who she was before. This abrupt change in character really doesn't make much sense.
Quibbles aside, "The Knockoff" is an entertaining read, particularly for those whose guilty pleasure is fashion. Grab your Kate Spade sunglasses, your favorite drink, and read on!
Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Imogen Tate, well-respected 42-year old Editor in Chief of Glossy magazine, returns from a 6 month medical leave to find that her former assistant (and newly minted Harvard MBA) Eve has convinced the magazine publishers to cease the printed magazine and turn the entire operation into an e-commerce app. Imogen struggles to understand the rapidly changing technology and her relevance in the new corporate structure, while Eve is determined to turn the staff against Imogen and do whatever it takes to push her out of the company.
The two characters are foils. Imogen is Oscar de la Renta -- classic, polished, and timeless, no matter what the latest tech craze of the day might be. Eve is Forever 21 -- bold, eye-catching, but at the end of the day just too cheap and tawdry.
We all know how this is going to end, right? But that's okay. We don't read books like "The Knockoff" because they're the next "To Kill a Mockingbird". We read them because they're just plain enjoyable.
Do I have quibbles? Sure. Imogen is portrayed as an absolute tech neophyte upon her return to work after a 6 month absence. As the Editor in Chief of a major magazine, she would undoubtedly have to have known the basics such as Instagram, Gmail, etc. Eve is a one-note character that rhymes with "witch". However, she was formerly Imogen's trustworthy assistant, and in that role they each had each other's backs. Eve becomes such a sociopath after getting her MBA,and it's totally incongruous with who she was before. This abrupt change in character really doesn't make much sense.
Quibbles aside, "The Knockoff" is an entertaining read, particularly for those whose guilty pleasure is fashion. Grab your Kate Spade sunglasses, your favorite drink, and read on!
Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Knockoff sounded like the perfect contemporary read. I needed something fun and interesting without any romance getting in the way of the plot. This story is about all the working women out there who had to take a break and came back finding everything different and the working life train just about to leave with your ticket no where to be found. I am twenty four years old, I am by no means old. However I do understand that disadvantageous side women have to deal with once they come back in the workforce. That is how I was able to sympathize with the main protagonist, Imogen, even though she's so kick butt and awesome.
Imogen, as soon as she comes back to the magazine that she is edited in chief of, has to deal with Eve, her previous assistant, wanting to take over Glossy and turning it into an app. I mean are you serious? even I wouldn't want print magazines to only become e-magazines... now teenagers will seriously NEVER be able to get their eyes out of their phone screens *shudders*. I really liked The Knockoff because it was basically a battle of power, wit, and brains when it came to the power struggle between Imogen and Eve. However Eve fights dirty, and I hated her so much for this. She got so much on my nerves and I am SO glad that Imogen was able to stand up to her every time, in her own classy way. Eve can be described as one word: unhinged.
I had such a fun ride with The Knock off, I didn't know what to expect of a chick lit without romance, but Sykes and Piazza both delivered. I can't wait to read more books by either authors and I hope they collaborate on another chick lit in the future. This was a 330 tall hardcover sized book with typical small text, but I did not grow bored at all while reading it. The fashion world has always interested me (as an outsider), and I loved seeing the backstage happening of running a fashion magazine. I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a lighthearted fun read.
Imogen, as soon as she comes back to the magazine that she is edited in chief of, has to deal with Eve, her previous assistant, wanting to take over Glossy and turning it into an app. I mean are you serious? even I wouldn't want print magazines to only become e-magazines... now teenagers will seriously NEVER be able to get their eyes out of their phone screens *shudders*. I really liked The Knockoff because it was basically a battle of power, wit, and brains when it came to the power struggle between Imogen and Eve. However Eve fights dirty, and I hated her so much for this. She got so much on my nerves and I am SO glad that Imogen was able to stand up to her every time, in her own classy way. Eve can be described as one word: unhinged.
I had such a fun ride with The Knock off, I didn't know what to expect of a chick lit without romance, but Sykes and Piazza both delivered. I can't wait to read more books by either authors and I hope they collaborate on another chick lit in the future. This was a 330 tall hardcover sized book with typical small text, but I did not grow bored at all while reading it. The fashion world has always interested me (as an outsider), and I loved seeing the backstage happening of running a fashion magazine. I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a lighthearted fun read.
a great romp
and good exploration of personalities!
and good exploration of personalities!
Well written fluff, although I wish they hadn't made the Baby Boomer character quite so out of it technologically. Pretty unbelievable that she would have made it so far in her career as a Luddite.
This book was fabulous. Fans of Plum Sykes, The Devil Wears Prada, and The Nanny Diaries will LOVE this book. It's such an awesome behind the scenes look at the fashion magazine industry. And when they say "thinly veiled" depictions of real people - they weren't kidding. I had so many cringeworthy moments - but also a ton of laugh out loud ones too. I really hope these two come out with another book!!
Slow read at spots... Felt myself agreeing with protagonist regarding technology. Overall, a fun read.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall it was ok, but the over the top ridiculousness got old fast, and the book seemed to drag on after awhile. I didn't hate it, but I think it could have been shortened without missing anything. I liked the narrator for most of the voices, but the shouty-obnoxious voice used for Eve was like nails on a chalkboard.