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The Truth About Diamonds
In her electrifying first novel, Nicole Richie tells the sensational story of Chloe Parker, a rock royalty princess and a card-carrying member of Hollywood's inner circle. At the age of seven, Chloe was adopted by a music superstar and his wife, transforming her life from rags to riches. What followed was a wild childhood distinguished by parties with movie stars and rock idols, run-ins with the press and the police, and a subsequent stint in rehab. Suddenly Chloe shoots to instant fame as a spokesmodel for a national ad campaign. When her long-lost birth father appears out of nowhere and her best friend betrays her, she must struggle to keep it all together -- her sobriety, her friendships, and her integrity despite the betrayals of those around her. Ultimately, Chloe comes spectacularly into her own, achieving stardom in her own right and finding true love. Through the eyes of the captivating Chloe and the talented voice of Nicole Richie, we are given a no-holds-barred look at Hollywood's new elite, behind the velvet ropes, inside star-studded premieres and parties. Whether they're doing the "circuit" (begin with shopping at Barneys New York, Marni, and Fred Segal, then end with the grilled vegetable salad at the Ivy), or ending up on the front page of your favorite weekly magazine, Chloe Parker and her fellow A-listers never fail to dazzle, their larger-than-life dramas more riveting than any reality show.
226 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2005
62 people are currently reading
1242 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Richie
7 books134 followersNicole Camille Richie is an American celebutante, actress, author, and an aspiring singer. The adopted daughter of Lionel Richie, she is known for her role in the reality show The Simple Life and her turbulent personal life.
In 2005, Richie wrote a semi-autobiographical novel, The Truth About Diamonds, which was released by Bharell Jackson Publishing. The novel is loosely based on her life, but is mostly fictional. It chronicles Chloe Parker, the adopted daughter of a singer who makes her way through all of the hottest nightclubs and parties in Hollywood and battles a drug addiction. It was rumored that a character in the book, Simone Westlake, was based on Paris Hilton. In early January 2006, The Truth About Diamonds peaked at number #32 in Hardcover Fiction on The New York Times Best-Seller List.
In 2005, Richie wrote a semi-autobiographical novel, The Truth About Diamonds, which was released by Bharell Jackson Publishing. The novel is loosely based on her life, but is mostly fictional. It chronicles Chloe Parker, the adopted daughter of a singer who makes her way through all of the hottest nightclubs and parties in Hollywood and battles a drug addiction. It was rumored that a character in the book, Simone Westlake, was based on Paris Hilton. In early January 2006, The Truth About Diamonds peaked at number #32 in Hardcover Fiction on The New York Times Best-Seller List.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
March 21, 2011
Yes, I actually read this book. No, I have NO idea why I did. Actually, I lie. It was a combination of morbid curiosity and a desire to test the limits of my literary masochism.
I'd like to give The Truth About Diamonds the 'Stupidest Book Ever' award, but I can almost feel the outrage from Pam's Star: A Novel, and Snooki's A Shore Thing crossing oceans and continents to attack me; so I'll defer that award until I've lost my mind a couple more times and read those masterpieces too, before deciding on the winner.
So apparently, this is a story about Nicole Richie, who is called Chloe Parker in the book, narrated by Nicole Richie, who is pretending not to be Chloe. Yeah, I don't get it either. So the first thing that hit me when I got this book was the cover. In big bold letters, under a 'Miss World' picture of Nicole Richie (who is supposed to be Chloe Parker) it says 'The Truth About Diamonds' underscored by a running font that says 'A Novel ★ A Novel ★ A Novel several times. Apparently, Richie is trying to make like this is a work of fiction. About a girl named Chloe who is the fictional best friend of Nicole Richie. Oook-ay, then.
If STAR magazine had an affair with Jackie Collins, this would be their mutant, deformed offspring. Since Paris Hilton wrote a 'memoir', ex-BFF Nicole Richie apparently decided that she could do it too, and do it better! Unfortunately, Nicole Richie hasn't had a very interesting life. Except for when she basked in the reflected skank of Paris. So obviously she decided to be classy about it and wrote a 'novel' where she basically bitched about "that stupid slut"Paris Simone, for three hundred pages.
So this Chloe chick is a Hollywood celebutante suffering from several major problems. Firstly, she's not famous in her own right. This really hurts her pride because she's just a local celebrity in the LA clubbing scene and not a national tween role model for the starving American masses. The poor thing. Secondly, she's been introduced to drugs by the Evil Hulking Monster Simone, who is the root cause of all her problems, the skanky ho. And now she's addicted and getting beaten up by her loser boyfriend, whom she's dating on the rebound from her RICH loser boyfriend, Joey the Junkie. Joey the Junkie really hurt her feelings by cheating on her with another skanky ho who is ugly and Latin American, not to mention that she hosts her own TV show. That's just insult to injury, y'all. Thirdly, when she does decide to turn her life around, and quit using drugs, her 'best friends' don't believe in her or show her their support. Really, they practically force her to break her shiny new vow with a couple of Xanax, thanks to their their skepticism.
But despite all of this, she's a good girl at heart. Really. An upstanding citizen, just like her childhood friend and former junkie, Nicole Richie.
Okay, at this point, can I just say how disturbed I am by this whole Chloe-is-Nicole-but-not-Nicole thing? I mean, why is Nicole even in this story? She's already distanced herself from this 'fictional' plot by renaming all the real people, so why does she have to insert herself into the story?
Anyway, back to diamonds. So Chloe gets the opportunity of a lifetime - a series of 'reality' commercials for a leading cosmetic brand, in which she will appear with her 'best friend' Simone. Of course Nicole, the narrator, knows in her omniscient wisdom, that Simone's a stone bitch crackwhore, but Chloe, being young and naive and innocent, cannot see Simone's true colours and gullibly falls in with Simone's shameless grandstanding.
Then the shit hits the fan and everyone finds out about Chloe's drug habit, but of course, Chloe has already seen the error of her ways and checks herself into rehab. She emerges as a stronger, fatter person, and suddenly finds her purpose. So what is it, you ask? Why to show the teens of America that even famous people are flawed, but can change and become upstanding brand ambassadors for cosmetic companies and make a gazillion bucks off advertisements and be a Role Model for troubled people. *wipes tear from eye*
The newer, more kick-ass (but still kind-hearted) Chloe soon discovers that Simone is no true friend to her. Shock! Surprise! Disillusion! And the final straw (and conclusive proof of Simone's Evil Ways) comes when Simone flashes the audience at a fashion show! *gasp* She gets her just deserts when she is fired as the brand ambassador of the cosmetics brand and Chloe gets to fly solo. This is followed by some cheesy melodrama, concluding in a rousing finish that applauds Chloe's sincerity and values. Oh, and there's a sad little love interest somewhere to provide token arm candy to the Chloe-Nicole lovefest.
The use of words like 'diaphanous' and 'embodiment' makes me believe that there was a ghostwriter for at least half this book, although I have no difficulty believing that the first half of this book is pure, undiluted Nicole. I mean, what ghostwriter worth her salt would write like this:
Chip turned and clocked Chloe on the left side of her face. It sounded awful—I’ll never forget the pop. At the time, I thought he’d smashed her face in. She tumbled to the ground just as fast as any girl ever hit by any guy—you fall just as fast and just as hard whether you’re smacked in Hollywood, Cleveland, Brooklyn, or Guadala-freaking-jara. When Chloe was done falling, she was sitting on her ass in a funky puddle, the perfect metaphor for the pond of loser juice she’d been swimming upstream in ever since drugs had won her over.
Yes, this is the first thought that will go through my head when my best friend gets hit in the face, in the middle of the street, by her boyfriend.
The pop culture references in this book are hopelessly outdated, because the 'story' is so rooted in the now. Most of the star couples referenced in the novel have split up or faded into obscurity. Is it evil that I laughed when I found out that Adam Goldstein, to whom this book is dedicated, split with Nicole Richie a few months after this work of art was released? He later died of a drug overdose, so obviously the whitewashing he got in this book didn't stick.
And the worst part? This masterpiece hit #32 on the New York Times bestseller list. America, I weep for you.
P.S. Apparently there's ANOTHER one of these floating around! I wonder if she got a different ghostwriter? I'd give up the ghost if I had to write TWO Nicole Richie novels!
I'd like to give The Truth About Diamonds the 'Stupidest Book Ever' award, but I can almost feel the outrage from Pam's Star: A Novel, and Snooki's A Shore Thing crossing oceans and continents to attack me; so I'll defer that award until I've lost my mind a couple more times and read those masterpieces too, before deciding on the winner.
So apparently, this is a story about Nicole Richie, who is called Chloe Parker in the book, narrated by Nicole Richie, who is pretending not to be Chloe. Yeah, I don't get it either. So the first thing that hit me when I got this book was the cover. In big bold letters, under a 'Miss World' picture of Nicole Richie (who is supposed to be Chloe Parker) it says 'The Truth About Diamonds' underscored by a running font that says 'A Novel ★ A Novel ★ A Novel several times. Apparently, Richie is trying to make like this is a work of fiction. About a girl named Chloe who is the fictional best friend of Nicole Richie. Oook-ay, then.
If STAR magazine had an affair with Jackie Collins, this would be their mutant, deformed offspring. Since Paris Hilton wrote a 'memoir', ex-BFF Nicole Richie apparently decided that she could do it too, and do it better! Unfortunately, Nicole Richie hasn't had a very interesting life. Except for when she basked in the reflected skank of Paris. So obviously she decided to be classy about it and wrote a 'novel' where she basically bitched about "that stupid slut"
So this Chloe chick is a Hollywood celebutante suffering from several major problems. Firstly, she's not famous in her own right. This really hurts her pride because she's just a local celebrity in the LA clubbing scene and not a national tween role model for the starving American masses. The poor thing. Secondly, she's been introduced to drugs by the Evil Hulking Monster Simone, who is the root cause of all her problems, the skanky ho. And now she's addicted and getting beaten up by her loser boyfriend, whom she's dating on the rebound from her RICH loser boyfriend, Joey the Junkie. Joey the Junkie really hurt her feelings by cheating on her with another skanky ho who is ugly and Latin American, not to mention that she hosts her own TV show. That's just insult to injury, y'all. Thirdly, when she does decide to turn her life around, and quit using drugs, her 'best friends' don't believe in her or show her their support. Really, they practically force her to break her shiny new vow with a couple of Xanax, thanks to their their skepticism.
But despite all of this, she's a good girl at heart. Really. An upstanding citizen, just like her childhood friend and former junkie, Nicole Richie.
Okay, at this point, can I just say how disturbed I am by this whole Chloe-is-Nicole-but-not-Nicole thing? I mean, why is Nicole even in this story? She's already distanced herself from this 'fictional' plot by renaming all the real people, so why does she have to insert herself into the story?
Anyway, back to diamonds. So Chloe gets the opportunity of a lifetime - a series of 'reality' commercials for a leading cosmetic brand, in which she will appear with her 'best friend' Simone. Of course Nicole, the narrator, knows in her omniscient wisdom, that Simone's a stone bitch crackwhore, but Chloe, being young and naive and innocent, cannot see Simone's true colours and gullibly falls in with Simone's shameless grandstanding.
Then the shit hits the fan and everyone finds out about Chloe's drug habit, but of course, Chloe has already seen the error of her ways and checks herself into rehab. She emerges as a stronger, fatter person, and suddenly finds her purpose. So what is it, you ask? Why to show the teens of America that even famous people are flawed, but can change and become upstanding brand ambassadors for cosmetic companies and make a gazillion bucks off advertisements and be a Role Model for troubled people. *wipes tear from eye*
The newer, more kick-ass (but still kind-hearted) Chloe soon discovers that Simone is no true friend to her. Shock! Surprise! Disillusion! And the final straw (and conclusive proof of Simone's Evil Ways) comes when Simone flashes the audience at a fashion show! *gasp* She gets her just deserts when she is fired as the brand ambassador of the cosmetics brand and Chloe gets to fly solo. This is followed by some cheesy melodrama, concluding in a rousing finish that applauds Chloe's sincerity and values. Oh, and there's a sad little love interest somewhere to provide token arm candy to the Chloe-Nicole lovefest.
The use of words like 'diaphanous' and 'embodiment' makes me believe that there was a ghostwriter for at least half this book, although I have no difficulty believing that the first half of this book is pure, undiluted Nicole. I mean, what ghostwriter worth her salt would write like this:
Chip turned and clocked Chloe on the left side of her face. It sounded awful—I’ll never forget the pop. At the time, I thought he’d smashed her face in. She tumbled to the ground just as fast as any girl ever hit by any guy—you fall just as fast and just as hard whether you’re smacked in Hollywood, Cleveland, Brooklyn, or Guadala-freaking-jara. When Chloe was done falling, she was sitting on her ass in a funky puddle, the perfect metaphor for the pond of loser juice she’d been swimming upstream in ever since drugs had won her over.
Yes, this is the first thought that will go through my head when my best friend gets hit in the face, in the middle of the street, by her boyfriend.
The pop culture references in this book are hopelessly outdated, because the 'story' is so rooted in the now. Most of the star couples referenced in the novel have split up or faded into obscurity. Is it evil that I laughed when I found out that Adam Goldstein, to whom this book is dedicated, split with Nicole Richie a few months after this work of art was released? He later died of a drug overdose, so obviously the whitewashing he got in this book didn't stick.
And the worst part? This masterpiece hit #32 on the New York Times bestseller list. America, I weep for you.
P.S. Apparently there's ANOTHER one of these floating around! I wonder if she got a different ghostwriter? I'd give up the ghost if I had to write TWO Nicole Richie novels!
April 9, 2008
What I learned from this book:
1. Nicole Richie wrote a book. Who knew?
2. Despite the title "The Truth About Diamonds," this book is not actually a scathing polemic about the diamond trade in Africa and the bloodshed it finances. Apparently the real truth about diamonds is that Nicole wanted a title that would allow her to wear diamonds on the cover.
3. The book's Vegas-style photo spread points out that while Nicole Richie might not actually be attractive, she can look like a dead Vegas hooker fished out of the gutter and made up as a sixth-rate Paris Hilton. This fact is probably the most important take home lesson from the book.
4. Nicole, despite all her wealth, still has her struggles, mainly having a ghostwriter who writes sentences like "My reunion with Chloe was bittersweet -- chocolate, that is."
1. Nicole Richie wrote a book. Who knew?
2. Despite the title "The Truth About Diamonds," this book is not actually a scathing polemic about the diamond trade in Africa and the bloodshed it finances. Apparently the real truth about diamonds is that Nicole wanted a title that would allow her to wear diamonds on the cover.
3. The book's Vegas-style photo spread points out that while Nicole Richie might not actually be attractive, she can look like a dead Vegas hooker fished out of the gutter and made up as a sixth-rate Paris Hilton. This fact is probably the most important take home lesson from the book.
4. Nicole, despite all her wealth, still has her struggles, mainly having a ghostwriter who writes sentences like "My reunion with Chloe was bittersweet -- chocolate, that is."
April 19, 2017
After reading a string of depressing or violent books, I went looking for something silly and mindless. When I saw that Nicole Richie had written a book, I definitely thought I had found it. I started it with a critical attitude but about a quarter of the way through when I started recognizing who she was writing about or a mixture of certain characters then I started to enjoy it. She tells of the stupid and dangerous things that she and her crowd were living out. It was very much like reading a tabloid (and don't deny you don't when you are going through the checkout line!) but you can definitely get the feel of who Nicole was at that time and the kind of person she began to aspire to be. As far as I know she has succeeded. I enjoyed the book.
October 13, 2012
Nicole Richie? As an author?
Unfortunately, it is real. I still can't believe it even when I read it almost two years ago.
What made her decide to write this? Money?
Seems likely. But it didn't work! Take that!
In early January 2006, The Truth About Diamonds peaked at number #32 in Hardcover Fiction on The New York Times Best-Seller List.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE!!!
Nicole Richie is the narrator (!!!) of Chloe Parker, a socialite, who was adopted by a famous musician.
Wait, are we still talking about Nicole Richie? No? But she's in the story! She's the main, omniscient character! She knows what Chloe thinks even miles apart!
WHAT.
Anyway, this girl Simone, back-stabs Chloe. Simone? The best friend of another socialite?
Simone is based on Paris Hilton?!
Yeah, no coincidental at all.
After staying at rehab, Chloe is a changed woman! Yaaaay. She finally has what she wants! But oh no!! Simone wants to ruin her life! She's not a good friend! GASP!!
Yawn.
Some drama later, Chloe gets her happily ever after. THE. FUCKING. END.
The worst part was that, I DIDN'T GET TO SEE ANY DIAMONDS IN THE STORY!! Well, except the pictures with Nicole Richie. Having a photoshoot on your own book? Priceless (See what I did there?).
No plot, no likable characters, and simple just bad!!
Hey, Paris! Did you liked Richie's interpretation of you?
Just what I thought.
And the writing was outstanding. Look at this little gem:
"My reunion with Chloe was bittersweet -- chocolate, that is."
*slow claps* Bravo. Such a masterpiece. I wept.
Okay, I'm out!!
Unfortunately, it is real. I still can't believe it even when I read it almost two years ago.
What made her decide to write this? Money?
Seems likely. But it didn't work! Take that!
In early January 2006, The Truth About Diamonds peaked at number #32 in Hardcover Fiction on The New York Times Best-Seller List.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE!!!
Nicole Richie is the narrator (!!!) of Chloe Parker, a socialite, who was adopted by a famous musician.
Wait, are we still talking about Nicole Richie? No? But she's in the story! She's the main, omniscient character! She knows what Chloe thinks even miles apart!
WHAT.
Anyway, this girl Simone, back-stabs Chloe. Simone? The best friend of another socialite?
Simone is based on Paris Hilton?!
Yeah, no coincidental at all.
After staying at rehab, Chloe is a changed woman! Yaaaay. She finally has what she wants! But oh no!! Simone wants to ruin her life! She's not a good friend! GASP!!
Yawn.
Some drama later, Chloe gets her happily ever after. THE. FUCKING. END.
The worst part was that, I DIDN'T GET TO SEE ANY DIAMONDS IN THE STORY!! Well, except the pictures with Nicole Richie. Having a photoshoot on your own book? Priceless (See what I did there?).
No plot, no likable characters, and simple just bad!!
Hey, Paris! Did you liked Richie's interpretation of you?
Just what I thought.
And the writing was outstanding. Look at this little gem:
"My reunion with Chloe was bittersweet -- chocolate, that is."
*slow claps* Bravo. Such a masterpiece. I wept.
Okay, I'm out!!
February 8, 2014
I am no stranger to escaping reality with some trashy reality tv or a tabloid magazine. I found myself drawn to this book because it was on the bargain book list and there was no Real World reruns on.
I COULD NOT get past page 40. This has to one of the worst books I have ever picked up. The characters were shallow and poorly developed. It was confusing why Nicole Richie was narrating a book as herself about a fictional friend.
She starts by describing her and her friends in a night club. Most of them are drugged out or drunk. A fight occurs and Chloe runs off. Nicole witnesses her friend get beat by her drug addicted boyfriend and thrown in his car. While her friend disappears for the week she is only slightly worried. She explains no one notices she is missing because she isn't really famous. If this were my friend I would be at the police station not out shopping and having lunch. She does try to redeem herself by saying she was so worried she only bought one fabulous backless dress. Go Nicole!
I quit reading about the time that Chloe reappears and immediately gets offered a deal to be on a show to be famous. I couldn't take the poor writing, the terrible descriptions, or the nonsense story line anymore.
Not recommended for anyone, even if you like following the lives of the rich and famous. Save yourself and turn on TMZ to get your fix.
I COULD NOT get past page 40. This has to one of the worst books I have ever picked up. The characters were shallow and poorly developed. It was confusing why Nicole Richie was narrating a book as herself about a fictional friend.
She starts by describing her and her friends in a night club. Most of them are drugged out or drunk. A fight occurs and Chloe runs off. Nicole witnesses her friend get beat by her drug addicted boyfriend and thrown in his car. While her friend disappears for the week she is only slightly worried. She explains no one notices she is missing because she isn't really famous. If this were my friend I would be at the police station not out shopping and having lunch. She does try to redeem herself by saying she was so worried she only bought one fabulous backless dress. Go Nicole!
I quit reading about the time that Chloe reappears and immediately gets offered a deal to be on a show to be famous. I couldn't take the poor writing, the terrible descriptions, or the nonsense story line anymore.
Not recommended for anyone, even if you like following the lives of the rich and famous. Save yourself and turn on TMZ to get your fix.
July 17, 2009
I admit it. I didn't know this was fiction. Yeah, I buy books solely on the cover at times.
Anyway, I thought this was Nicole's tell-all. And I was a little excited. I've always thought she looked kind of like a drowned rat....a pretty drowned rat but a drowned rat nonetheless.
This is fiction people. Nicole Richie wrote a novel. Well, I also have to admit that I honestly do not believe Nicole Richie wrote this. I think she may have did some work on it in some way, somewhere, but I doubt she wrote it.
My questions are these:
Did the writer try to conceal the identity of these celebs?
Are we NOT supposed to know that Ana= Kelly Osbourne and the rest?
Does Nicole or anyone who knows her read reviews for this book on a site like this?
Do they laugh?
I can't make fun of her too much because the story didn't suck like some I've read. The celebs were thinly veiled, for better or for worse and some of the sentences, I'd say a good two dozen, were laughable at the very least but I don't know...I liked it I guess. :)
Anyway, I thought this was Nicole's tell-all. And I was a little excited. I've always thought she looked kind of like a drowned rat....a pretty drowned rat but a drowned rat nonetheless.
This is fiction people. Nicole Richie wrote a novel. Well, I also have to admit that I honestly do not believe Nicole Richie wrote this. I think she may have did some work on it in some way, somewhere, but I doubt she wrote it.
My questions are these:
Did the writer try to conceal the identity of these celebs?
Are we NOT supposed to know that Ana= Kelly Osbourne and the rest?
Does Nicole or anyone who knows her read reviews for this book on a site like this?
Do they laugh?
I can't make fun of her too much because the story didn't suck like some I've read. The celebs were thinly veiled, for better or for worse and some of the sentences, I'd say a good two dozen, were laughable at the very least but I don't know...I liked it I guess. :)
December 1, 2012
I love reading fiction written by the rich and famous who have made their name in areas other than writing. Call it a morbid fascination or just my own craziness, but I'll give most people a go.
With 'The Truth About Diamonds', I was glad I did give it a try. Not that it was a 'classical piece of literature' (who knows what that is these days), but it was a unique look into the lives of the rich and famous. It wasn't like Nicole Richie was writing from a perspective of someone from the outside looking in; it was more someone from the inside revealing all.
As I read about the lead character 'Chloe' going through the ups and downs of a Hollywood rich kid, I got the feeling that the story was almost autobiographical, which kept me wanting to read more. I understand many people have the viewpoint of "It's just some rich person writing a book that will sell because of their name", but this book just had something interesting that I wouldn't think someone who was not in that scene could write about.
Well done, Ms Richie - on the book and turning your life around!
With 'The Truth About Diamonds', I was glad I did give it a try. Not that it was a 'classical piece of literature' (who knows what that is these days), but it was a unique look into the lives of the rich and famous. It wasn't like Nicole Richie was writing from a perspective of someone from the outside looking in; it was more someone from the inside revealing all.
As I read about the lead character 'Chloe' going through the ups and downs of a Hollywood rich kid, I got the feeling that the story was almost autobiographical, which kept me wanting to read more. I understand many people have the viewpoint of "It's just some rich person writing a book that will sell because of their name", but this book just had something interesting that I wouldn't think someone who was not in that scene could write about.
Well done, Ms Richie - on the book and turning your life around!
September 15, 2007
oh, the shame of the levels i will stoop to. in my defense, i bought it for my friend and just read it before i gave it to her - it only took about an hour.
the only interesting thing about the book is how it's written - nicole ritchie is the narrator, talking about her life with her friend chloe parker - but chloe oh so obviously has nicole's life. the parallels and way they interact is actually clever.
however, the story is trite, and one we've all heard before. still. if you're at an airport with a long layover and it's at one of the bookshops, might as well sit down and read it. at least you know you'll be done before your plane takes off.
the only interesting thing about the book is how it's written - nicole ritchie is the narrator, talking about her life with her friend chloe parker - but chloe oh so obviously has nicole's life. the parallels and way they interact is actually clever.
however, the story is trite, and one we've all heard before. still. if you're at an airport with a long layover and it's at one of the bookshops, might as well sit down and read it. at least you know you'll be done before your plane takes off.
March 22, 2023
Ok, so I didn't dislike this as much as I honestly thought I would. I don't quite remember why I wanted to read this when it came out (because yes, this book has been on my shelf since it's release, oh what? 14 years ago?) but I can only assume it had to do with my fascination of famous people that I hadn't outgrown yet.
However, whether or not this is actually written by Nicole, it's has a .... I don't know how to put it, except call it a "likeable language", if that makes sense. Some of the descriptions are kinda offensive, yes, but sometimes it's really nailing that snarky humour or a hilarious turn of phrase, and I actually enjoyed reading it. I know, I'm shocked too.
Plot wise, nothing surprising happens and nothing overly interesting and none of the characters are really likeable. But I can't help but feel like they're not supposed to be.
However, whether or not this is actually written by Nicole, it's has a .... I don't know how to put it, except call it a "likeable language", if that makes sense. Some of the descriptions are kinda offensive, yes, but sometimes it's really nailing that snarky humour or a hilarious turn of phrase, and I actually enjoyed reading it. I know, I'm shocked too.
Plot wise, nothing surprising happens and nothing overly interesting and none of the characters are really likeable. But I can't help but feel like they're not supposed to be.
January 12, 2015
So, I'll start this off by saying I've had a horrible week. So my whole purpose for reading this was something light and vapid with very few moral dilemmas. Suffice it to say, this is not even the same shade of monster that faced down with every page.
The toughest part of this review in all sincerity would be figuring out where to start.
Let's start with the overall storytelling taking place here:
I am confused, even having read this trainwreck from cover to cover as to what the whole deal really was. Nicole Richie was Nicole Richie telling the story of one of her best friends. I think. What I don't get is how she knew everything that was going on in everyone else's minds and why they chose to respond to the storyline the way that they did. You simply can't go from second person limited perspective to second person omniscient perspective. Unless you're a God or a psychic, this just doesn't happen. I'm sorry, but it doesn't.
Second. The line that sticks with me even having finished the book is "She's the kind of girl who would get pregnant just to have an abortion to brag about." Abortion is not a thing to be cavalier about. It fucks people up and for some people it will be the hardest decision they have to make, for better or worse. That was a line I found maybe ten pages in? I think.
Better yet, what kind of friend stands there and after watching her best friend get punched by her skeaze of a boyfriend would allow him to touch her again, let alone throw her in the car and not call the police. Bitch, you're friend was just assaulted. Assault and battery and that doesn't occur to you once? You have a bigger tiff over her losing an earring than you do over her being VIOLENTlY ASSAULTED. Did you once tell her mother what happened? No. Did you notify anyone that you were worried for her safety? No. Good job, Nicole. You're a horrible storyteller but an even worse best friend and a hell of a bad person I wouldn't want to be hemorrhaging around. You might be more upset over stepping in my blood than the fact that I'm bleeding at all. This is the kind of world I'm proud to say I live in. Right...
Descriptions were below sub-par and some of them weren't even applicable thanks to the fact that not everyone on the face of the earth has ever been to Four Seasons, let alone slept in one of their beds. Some people are not familiar with the references (I was lost more than a handful of times because I come from Macy's, target, and payless --not necessarily in that order. I don't go backless and when I was unwell I was not in the mother-fucking creme de la creme of health facilities. I got what there was and I'll start with hospital socks and end it with salt-free seasonings.
Nicole Richie along with most other people who make this mistake and will consider to do so, I will say this because I have been saying this for years: It was never Let them eat cake. It was "Let them eat pastry." And it wasn't even that Marie Antoinette. Know your referrences before you set them in ink. You look twice as stupid getting it wrong as you do admitting you didn't know the correct thing or even omitting it to begin with. People pick at you and it's easy to do once you've found a perfect spring-board.
I have yet to understand how a bottle can be supersexy. Supersexy is not a word. Know how I know? It's not in the dictionary. If OMG and WTF are in the dictionary and supersexy is not, chances are, it's not a real word. If it was used in casual speech that was one thing. But it was written in a book and not used as a quote.
And that whole thing about Simone (Paris) pulling up her top and flashing during a fashion show on the catwalk? That was totally Nicole. I've seen pictures. How else would I know she had a pierced nipple? THAT WAS HER and she's blaming it on Paris who is more than sleazy enough all on her own, thank you. Don't you dare put blame and accusation where it doesn't belong. Just no.
Last, but certainly not least, probably my biggest issue with the whole thing stinking so bad it's steaming is the the inherent racism. Half-way into the book I swear to God that I could hear "Violence inherent in the system!" from Monty Python's Holy Grail. Except it was inherent racism. Correct me if I'm not wrong but isn't Nicole Richie of mixed race herself? Does she like being stereotyped for being what she is? Evidently, she doesn't because she has no problem categorizing a hispanic woman as a person who hardly leaves the kitchen, only separating from her stove to take the money, count it, and put it in her apron. Or the Russian stereotypes you foisted on Natasha, with phrases like Siberian driving school and implying that not all drug dealers were Black Panther types. Hear that ring? That's the sixties. They're over and God help us if there's another Woodstock.
The toughest part of this review in all sincerity would be figuring out where to start.
Let's start with the overall storytelling taking place here:
I am confused, even having read this trainwreck from cover to cover as to what the whole deal really was. Nicole Richie was Nicole Richie telling the story of one of her best friends. I think. What I don't get is how she knew everything that was going on in everyone else's minds and why they chose to respond to the storyline the way that they did. You simply can't go from second person limited perspective to second person omniscient perspective. Unless you're a God or a psychic, this just doesn't happen. I'm sorry, but it doesn't.
Second. The line that sticks with me even having finished the book is "She's the kind of girl who would get pregnant just to have an abortion to brag about." Abortion is not a thing to be cavalier about. It fucks people up and for some people it will be the hardest decision they have to make, for better or worse. That was a line I found maybe ten pages in? I think.
Better yet, what kind of friend stands there and after watching her best friend get punched by her skeaze of a boyfriend would allow him to touch her again, let alone throw her in the car and not call the police. Bitch, you're friend was just assaulted. Assault and battery and that doesn't occur to you once? You have a bigger tiff over her losing an earring than you do over her being VIOLENTlY ASSAULTED. Did you once tell her mother what happened? No. Did you notify anyone that you were worried for her safety? No. Good job, Nicole. You're a horrible storyteller but an even worse best friend and a hell of a bad person I wouldn't want to be hemorrhaging around. You might be more upset over stepping in my blood than the fact that I'm bleeding at all. This is the kind of world I'm proud to say I live in. Right...
Descriptions were below sub-par and some of them weren't even applicable thanks to the fact that not everyone on the face of the earth has ever been to Four Seasons, let alone slept in one of their beds. Some people are not familiar with the references (I was lost more than a handful of times because I come from Macy's, target, and payless --not necessarily in that order. I don't go backless and when I was unwell I was not in the mother-fucking creme de la creme of health facilities. I got what there was and I'll start with hospital socks and end it with salt-free seasonings.
Nicole Richie along with most other people who make this mistake and will consider to do so, I will say this because I have been saying this for years: It was never Let them eat cake. It was "Let them eat pastry." And it wasn't even that Marie Antoinette. Know your referrences before you set them in ink. You look twice as stupid getting it wrong as you do admitting you didn't know the correct thing or even omitting it to begin with. People pick at you and it's easy to do once you've found a perfect spring-board.
I have yet to understand how a bottle can be supersexy. Supersexy is not a word. Know how I know? It's not in the dictionary. If OMG and WTF are in the dictionary and supersexy is not, chances are, it's not a real word. If it was used in casual speech that was one thing. But it was written in a book and not used as a quote.
And that whole thing about Simone (Paris) pulling up her top and flashing during a fashion show on the catwalk? That was totally Nicole. I've seen pictures. How else would I know she had a pierced nipple? THAT WAS HER and she's blaming it on Paris who is more than sleazy enough all on her own, thank you. Don't you dare put blame and accusation where it doesn't belong. Just no.
Last, but certainly not least, probably my biggest issue with the whole thing stinking so bad it's steaming is the the inherent racism. Half-way into the book I swear to God that I could hear "Violence inherent in the system!" from Monty Python's Holy Grail. Except it was inherent racism. Correct me if I'm not wrong but isn't Nicole Richie of mixed race herself? Does she like being stereotyped for being what she is? Evidently, she doesn't because she has no problem categorizing a hispanic woman as a person who hardly leaves the kitchen, only separating from her stove to take the money, count it, and put it in her apron. Or the Russian stereotypes you foisted on Natasha, with phrases like Siberian driving school and implying that not all drug dealers were Black Panther types. Hear that ring? That's the sixties. They're over and God help us if there's another Woodstock.
June 28, 2017
Believe it or not, this book was pretty entertaining. It takes a minute to figure out that Nicole Richie is writing the story about Chloe Parker who is actually Nicole, but Nicole also appears in the book as Chloe's friend. Basically, it's an autobiographical account but written as a novel through her eyes. Like her soul exited her body to watch her in her every day life and is recounting the events. I was surprised at the level of writing (I know, horrible to say because I don't know Nicole personally), but let me tell you as silly as you may think this concept or the story itself is, it's much more eloquent and the verbiage has a wider range than E.L. James' Fifty Shades Trilogy (and Gray). Paris Hilton becomes a key player in the novel, but she's not named Paris and she gets written out in a manner that makes you chuckle. As you read further into the book you start feeling for Chloe as she struggles and perseveres time and time again. Although it took me a few weeks to get through, it's an easy and quick read in the event you need a book to help fill time before your next splurge is released or whatever. My interest in Nicole's writing has been piqued so I will be on the look out for her other books.
I'm not sure how well this book fared after being published. I'm positive it isn't a NY Times best seller, though.
I do appreciate the way it was written--I'm not a huge fan of autobiographies. A lot of them were written for stiffs and robots. This one provides a twist that silently entertains while educating.
If I were to say anything negative about it, I'd say some parts definitely needed more details and action. I wanted to know more about the drug use and I wanted to SEE her using in the story with some details attached like feelings, senses...but then again that may not be as feasible as I imagine if you're the one watching it, not doing it, in the manner this story was written.
I'm not sure how well this book fared after being published. I'm positive it isn't a NY Times best seller, though.
I do appreciate the way it was written--I'm not a huge fan of autobiographies. A lot of them were written for stiffs and robots. This one provides a twist that silently entertains while educating.
If I were to say anything negative about it, I'd say some parts definitely needed more details and action. I wanted to know more about the drug use and I wanted to SEE her using in the story with some details attached like feelings, senses...but then again that may not be as feasible as I imagine if you're the one watching it, not doing it, in the manner this story was written.
March 13, 2013
When this book came out, it took me forever to find a copy!! I went about 30 or so miles out of my way to buy it.... Yes i'm an avid reader.
I was completely obsessed with Paris & Nicoles: THE SIMPLE LIFE and still own every season of it on Dvd. I loved their celebutante status, the glamourous world they live in and their lifestyles. I tend to buy fiction books written by celebrities like Nicole Richie and Katie Price because they are super fun reads and usually the storylines are like a soap on television; love, betrayel, deciet and all are set in the glamourous places that I always wished I could live.
Whilst reading it, I associated a lot of the "fictious" story lines as resembling that of the writer herself. In the book, the main character "Chloe" is betrayed by her best friend.
It is kind of fun to read a book like this and then pause and tie it all together to reality! I love to do this.
The cover was absolutely stunning (I bought the hardback copy) and it was definately worth the 30+ miles to retrieve a copy.
I would reccomend this book to YA's, fans of chick-li, people who loved Katie Price's fictional books, people who love celebritys and even people who tend to stray away from books like this (I'm a huge chick-lit fan but have started branching out my reading to books that I had never contemplated reading before)
Happy Reading!
Emma
x
I was completely obsessed with Paris & Nicoles: THE SIMPLE LIFE and still own every season of it on Dvd. I loved their celebutante status, the glamourous world they live in and their lifestyles. I tend to buy fiction books written by celebrities like Nicole Richie and Katie Price because they are super fun reads and usually the storylines are like a soap on television; love, betrayel, deciet and all are set in the glamourous places that I always wished I could live.
Whilst reading it, I associated a lot of the "fictious" story lines as resembling that of the writer herself. In the book, the main character "Chloe" is betrayed by her best friend.
It is kind of fun to read a book like this and then pause and tie it all together to reality! I love to do this.
The cover was absolutely stunning (I bought the hardback copy) and it was definately worth the 30+ miles to retrieve a copy.
I would reccomend this book to YA's, fans of chick-li, people who loved Katie Price's fictional books, people who love celebritys and even people who tend to stray away from books like this (I'm a huge chick-lit fan but have started branching out my reading to books that I had never contemplated reading before)
Happy Reading!
Emma
x
September 3, 2017
I've had this book since 2006 or 2007 when I was in high school. My Dad asked me, "Seriously?" when I picked it out off the shelf. I finally decided to bite the bullet and read it so I could make space on my bookshelf. I read it as part of my Book-Tube-A-Thon challenge. If I'm being totally honest I was surprised that Nicole Richie wrote this. Whether she wrote it on her own or had someone write it for her, I don't know. But I was impressed. It's not the greatest story, and it drags on, but it's not the worst thing I've read.
None of the characters are likable, but I don't think they're supposed to be. You don't connect with any of them because they're all living in their own little materialistic bubble. You're taken on Chloe's journey of hitting her all time low, a struggle with addiction, and her almost comeback. She crashes and burns in the process but the road to recovery isn't an easy one. Chloe shows some resolve. The story isn't anything original or unique. Read any tabloid and you'll basically get the same experience. I'd suggest this as a beach read since it's a quick read. Or if you just want something where you can shut your mind off without having to think about what you're reading.
None of the characters are likable, but I don't think they're supposed to be. You don't connect with any of them because they're all living in their own little materialistic bubble. You're taken on Chloe's journey of hitting her all time low, a struggle with addiction, and her almost comeback. She crashes and burns in the process but the road to recovery isn't an easy one. Chloe shows some resolve. The story isn't anything original or unique. Read any tabloid and you'll basically get the same experience. I'd suggest this as a beach read since it's a quick read. Or if you just want something where you can shut your mind off without having to think about what you're reading.
February 6, 2023
Yes, I did read this book. Yes, I am ashamed.
Nicole Richie had some interesting things to say in this book; however, these things could have been printed in 16-point font double-spaced on one side of a sheet of paper. The remainder of The Truth About Diamonds portrays a very thinly-disguised life of Richie and her friends, which includes a great deal of cocaine use, independent wealth for no apparent reason, Versace, and paparazzi. It is realistic for Richie, I am sure, but for me, I had absolutely nothing to identify with here.
So I will be the Paula Abdul of the American Idol judging panel. Where everyone else says someone is an awful singer, Paula usually says something along the lines of, “Well, you were a little pitchy in places, but you look so beautiful!” I’m saying the equivalent for Richie’s book - it really was a good try, Nicole. Having said that, please don’t ever try again. You are beautiful, but apparently could not write a decent sentence if it were necessary to save your life. It really is a shame that there aren’t more intelligent celebrities.
Nicole Richie had some interesting things to say in this book; however, these things could have been printed in 16-point font double-spaced on one side of a sheet of paper. The remainder of The Truth About Diamonds portrays a very thinly-disguised life of Richie and her friends, which includes a great deal of cocaine use, independent wealth for no apparent reason, Versace, and paparazzi. It is realistic for Richie, I am sure, but for me, I had absolutely nothing to identify with here.
So I will be the Paula Abdul of the American Idol judging panel. Where everyone else says someone is an awful singer, Paula usually says something along the lines of, “Well, you were a little pitchy in places, but you look so beautiful!” I’m saying the equivalent for Richie’s book - it really was a good try, Nicole. Having said that, please don’t ever try again. You are beautiful, but apparently could not write a decent sentence if it were necessary to save your life. It really is a shame that there aren’t more intelligent celebrities.
September 24, 2011
The Truth About Diamonds is a narrative novel about Nicole's friend Chloe. Chloe is a "spoiled" ~that is my word for describe her~ hollywood girl. She was adopted by her parents after they saw her and fell in love with her. She then was able to live a life of luxury but wanted more out of life and to make a name for herself. Chloe is a drug addict but I get the feeling is a little unaware of how bad it really is. She gets the chance to make a name for herself for more than being a "rich kid" and she "scoops" it up. Chloe then quickly finds that she doesn't have it all together and goes to rehab once she figures out life will be better off the drugs. Once out of rehab she gets back in the swing of life with out drugs and keeps going with the opportunity she was given. Quickly she learns that people don't really like her and it hurts but she quickly rebounds and is feeling good. Then everything breaks loose. After learning about a few things she takes life in her hands.
March 3, 2008
I had to do it y'all. Could not resist. Just like I can't resist an Us magazine in a dentist's office or on a plane. Nicole swears up and down this is not autobiographical, but I'm not sure I'm such a believer. She has just jumbled up names and probably places. There is an obvious Paris character and an obvious Nicole character. There is a character named Nicole, but she is neither Paris or Nicole. It's got a nice glossy photospread of Nicole being a character from the book. It's candy for your brain. Nothing really that amazing, but kind of fun to read if that stuff interests you.
April 19, 2011
"I guess that’s the thing about diamonds—they’re the most valuable things in the world, but what really makes them priceless is the people that give them to you. They may signify wealth, but they can actually mean so much more—like commitment, family, and love. And there’s nothing like a perfect diamond to remind you that you’ll never be perfect—the truth is, all you can do is try." I LOVED THIS BOOK! i can see why nicole richie wrote the book and she seems pretty cool, and not at all the idiot the tabloids make her out to be
September 7, 2015
Yeah, I don't know what possessed me to pick it up, but don't judge me - I occasionally make cruddy decisions. That being said, this wasn't the worst book I've ever read, but it didn't do much for me either. Despite being dubbed a "novel" (several times on the cover), it's obviously a thinly veiled autobiography of Nicole's early adulthood and her bout with fame, drugs, shitty friends, and redemption. If you're a fan of gossip columns, you'll have a bit of fun figuring out who each fictional characters represents, but there's nothing to regret if you decide to skip this one.
December 29, 2013
A roman a clef about Nicole Richie's life. Read this after I watched all the seasons of The Simple Life in a week's time (highly suggest you do this before reading this book as well, it made the experience even more spiritual). Chloe is a hot mess and Nicole is there to tell us all about it. Trashy to read as well but let's be honest who doesn't enjoy that...or anything Nicole does. Also a quick read.
September 19, 2015
Well her Daddy came to Palm Springs once to sing a concert at 4th of July so I checked out this book. This is supposed to be about her best friend who got adopted by a rich family but it sounds more like her won life. This is not a great book, I have a problem when young people have way too much money and spend it on drugs, diamonds and parties. Maybe they have a glamourous life but are they doing anything important. The crown oh her head looks stupid.
August 30, 2008
it was just what i thought it would be. its like a fake revenge book. made up names but you can totally tell who she is talking about. its basicly like she got mad at her group of friends and wrote a book as pay back.
February 22, 2014
2.5/5 stars. This is already generous enough because I can remember reading this when I was a little, naive girl who used to love The Simple Life. I completely fawned over this book and now that I re-read it, I'm not exactly sure why...
May 3, 2016
If I could, I'd give this zero stars.
October 21, 2021
After reading Crash by JG Ballard and absolutely loving it I really didn’t want to go into something super intense and heavy, I needed something light and fluffy and easy, this was the perfect book. So trashy, so fun, such a breeze to read, I read like 150 pages in an afternoon. It’s so badly dated, a lot of the stuff written wouldn’t slide these days, Nicole refers to something as “gay” nah uh big no no, did she not see the Hilary Duff ads saying that describing something as “gay” is not cool? Hahaha. Very much a product of the time and I loved it a lot, just what I needed and was in the mood for. 3.5 stars.
July 23, 2025
This book feels as sloppy as a socialite stumbling out of a nightclub with a crust of white powder around her nostril, flashbulbs snapping from all angles especially those that show the world she forgot her panties but remembered her Cartier. It’s incoherent and stumbling in its writing, but for some reason you can’t stop looking. Love it or hate it, this book is a barely veiled time capsule of the Paris & Nicole feud, with gossamer thin alibis for Bijou Phillips, Kimberly Stewart and her fiance at the time DJ AM. I read this in an hour like Chloe (Nicole) on a Coke binge. Real fun and trashy
March 24, 2020
This is so bad, it's funny. Richie is not an author. The only reason I'm reading this is to get it off my TBR stack and get it back to its owner. At least it's a quick read. 😂😂😂 Silly and mindless entertainment. At least it acted as a good breather book between some heavy non fiction titles I was reading this month.
October 22, 2017
This is fine for a quick, mindless summer read, but I wouldn't give it any more weight than that. The story(?) didn't match the title or little spiel on the last page so I don't know what point either had but it wasn't all bad. Wouldn't go looking for more though.
December 16, 2015
Read this book so many times as a DTB, and finally got it for my Nook a little while ago. This is a guilty pleasure book for me, but there's nothing wrong with that. Yeah this book isn't the most intellectually stimulating, but it's not supposed to be, same goes with the language used. It's not supposed to be the same caliber of a book like one written by Stephen Hawking. It's a simple, quick and fun read. That's why I love it.
July 22, 2007
Ok, so she calls it a novel and says it's "fiction," but anyone with half a brain cell and a tv knows it's about her own life, and not only that, she writes about other celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, and her former fiance DJ AM. So she's not that smart. But lucky for her, she's an okay writer, and has fabulous editors, which makes it an interesting read nonetheless.
July 17, 2009
This book was laugh out loud funny. You just have to take it as it is and not try to find if what she is writing about is her life or fiction. I personally think it was a mixture of both. And for a first time authoress i thought she did well.
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