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Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous: A Novel
Bridget Jones fans will fall hard for this based-on-a-true-story, behind-the-scenes tale of a young woman’s calamitous adventures trying to break into the movie industry in 1990s Hollywood.
Hollywood, 1997. When Charity Trickett moves to LA to assist the director of the biggest blockbuster film of the year, she quickly realizes that Hollywood isn’t all red carpets and Rodeo Drive. But her determination to become a screenwriter and producer in this glamorous yet cutthroat industry cannot be stifled. Working harder than she ever has before, she impresses the top brass at Canopy Studios and inches herself closer to her dream. But her ambitions and tender heart are threatened by backstabbing coworkers, an evaporating bank account, love gone wrong, a mistake that could cost the studio hundreds of millions of dollars, and an FBI investigation that could land her in jail.
Surrounded by fame and money but unsure how to access either one, Charity’s grit and kindness steer her toward devoted friends and hopeful artists. If she can manage to stay out of trouble, maybe she can change bad to good.
Hollywood, 1997. When Charity Trickett moves to LA to assist the director of the biggest blockbuster film of the year, she quickly realizes that Hollywood isn’t all red carpets and Rodeo Drive. But her determination to become a screenwriter and producer in this glamorous yet cutthroat industry cannot be stifled. Working harder than she ever has before, she impresses the top brass at Canopy Studios and inches herself closer to her dream. But her ambitions and tender heart are threatened by backstabbing coworkers, an evaporating bank account, love gone wrong, a mistake that could cost the studio hundreds of millions of dollars, and an FBI investigation that could land her in jail.
Surrounded by fame and money but unsure how to access either one, Charity’s grit and kindness steer her toward devoted friends and hopeful artists. If she can manage to stay out of trouble, maybe she can change bad to good.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2025
22 people are currently reading
8882 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
April 19, 2025
A quirky, chaotic romp through 1990s Hollywood—equal parts heartfelt and hilarious. 🎬✨
Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous is a delightful mix of industry satire, emotional honesty, and sheer misadventure. Christine Stringer takes us behind the scenes of late-'90s Hollywood, where dreams glitter, reality bites, and one determined young woman stumbles (repeatedly) toward a career in film.
Charity is a charming, relatable protagonist—naïve, hopeful, stubborn, and just trying to keep her head above water while working for a mega-director on a blockbuster set. There are wild mishaps, awkward moments, and one near-catastrophe that made my stomach drop. I loved how the book balanced slapstick chaos with sharp observations about ambition, gatekeeping, and being a woman in a male-dominated industry.
The writing sparkles with wit, and despite the often absurd situations Charity finds herself in, there’s a beating heart at the centre of it all. Her vulnerability, resilience, and optimism kept me rooting for her—even when things got very messy.
It’s ideal for fans of Bridget Jones, The Devil Wears Prada, or anyone who's ever tried to break into a competitive field and lived to tell the tale (or write it down with a glass of wine in hand). Smart, funny, and oddly comforting.
Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous is a delightful mix of industry satire, emotional honesty, and sheer misadventure. Christine Stringer takes us behind the scenes of late-'90s Hollywood, where dreams glitter, reality bites, and one determined young woman stumbles (repeatedly) toward a career in film.
Charity is a charming, relatable protagonist—naïve, hopeful, stubborn, and just trying to keep her head above water while working for a mega-director on a blockbuster set. There are wild mishaps, awkward moments, and one near-catastrophe that made my stomach drop. I loved how the book balanced slapstick chaos with sharp observations about ambition, gatekeeping, and being a woman in a male-dominated industry.
The writing sparkles with wit, and despite the often absurd situations Charity finds herself in, there’s a beating heart at the centre of it all. Her vulnerability, resilience, and optimism kept me rooting for her—even when things got very messy.
It’s ideal for fans of Bridget Jones, The Devil Wears Prada, or anyone who's ever tried to break into a competitive field and lived to tell the tale (or write it down with a glass of wine in hand). Smart, funny, and oddly comforting.
September 30, 2025
When I picked this up over the summer, it was just what I needed in between my usual thriller line-up. Set in the late 90s, the story was centered on Charity who recently relocated to Hollywood from Canada for working in movie production. Things seemed to look bright and glittery at first, then reality hit with a demanding job, backstabbing colleagues, chasing a dream, and making ends meet.
I was a big fan of Bridget Jones books and The Devil Wears Prada, and Charity’s story fit right into the same bookshelf. It gave the fun and light moods with some work and romance drama. I did get frustrated with Charity’s blunders and naivety, but I couldn’t help but root for her.
Many thanks for the ARC I received in a Goodreads giveaway. Publication date: June 2025.
I was a big fan of Bridget Jones books and The Devil Wears Prada, and Charity’s story fit right into the same bookshelf. It gave the fun and light moods with some work and romance drama. I did get frustrated with Charity’s blunders and naivety, but I couldn’t help but root for her.
Many thanks for the ARC I received in a Goodreads giveaway. Publication date: June 2025.
April 30, 2025
I was so stinking excited to get this book! The book box was so cute and I loved everything inside it! As soon as I saw this cover and title I knew I wanted to read it. I love a 90s Hollywood era setting and this was exactly that!
Charity was such a fun character. This book had some really fun and laugh out loud funny moments. All of the 90s era references had me missing so many things! This will for sure be something the 90s babies and kids enjoy!
Charity was such a fun character. This book had some really fun and laugh out loud funny moments. All of the 90s era references had me missing so many things! This will for sure be something the 90s babies and kids enjoy!
November 1, 2025
Hollywood may sparkle, but it can be a minefield of chaos, mishaps, and unexpected disasters. Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous by Christine Stringer delivers a hilarious, heartfelt peek into 1990s Hollywood through the eyes of Charity, a young woman determined to break into the film industry. From assisting a blockbuster director to nearly derailing a major project, Charity navigates backstabbing coworkers, office politics, and her own missteps in ways that are both cringe-worthy and laugh-out-loud funny. Stringer perfectly captures the unpredictable energy of a workplace where ambition and ego collide.
Charity is the heart of the story. She is determined, flawed, naïve, and endlessly relatable. There were moments I wanted to shake her, yet her mistakes and triumphs felt authentic, grounding the chaos in a character you genuinely root for. Set in 1997, the story avoids smartphones and constant connectivity, allowing readers to experience a simpler, messier Hollywood. The supporting characters, from manipulative coworkers to sweet, understated romance interests, enrich the story and make Charity’s journey feel full and lived-in.
Fans of The Devil Wears Prada or 13 Going on 30 will feel at home here. The book balances slapstick humor with sharper observations about ambition, career obstacles, and friendship, offering both entertainment and relatability. Charity’s misadventures are a chaotic delight, her resilience inspiring, and the 1990s setting adds nostalgia that makes the story feel like a time capsule. Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous is a fun, heartfelt, and utterly engaging read that will leave you laughing, cheering, and wishing there was more time in this wonderfully chaotic world.
One of my latest faves!
Five out of five stars.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Charity is the heart of the story. She is determined, flawed, naïve, and endlessly relatable. There were moments I wanted to shake her, yet her mistakes and triumphs felt authentic, grounding the chaos in a character you genuinely root for. Set in 1997, the story avoids smartphones and constant connectivity, allowing readers to experience a simpler, messier Hollywood. The supporting characters, from manipulative coworkers to sweet, understated romance interests, enrich the story and make Charity’s journey feel full and lived-in.
Fans of The Devil Wears Prada or 13 Going on 30 will feel at home here. The book balances slapstick humor with sharper observations about ambition, career obstacles, and friendship, offering both entertainment and relatability. Charity’s misadventures are a chaotic delight, her resilience inspiring, and the 1990s setting adds nostalgia that makes the story feel like a time capsule. Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous is a fun, heartfelt, and utterly engaging read that will leave you laughing, cheering, and wishing there was more time in this wonderfully chaotic world.
One of my latest faves!
Five out of five stars.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2025
Set in the late 1990’s, this is an epic workplace women’s fiction book, based on true events. Charity aspires to be a movie writer and gets a gig working for a director at a Hollywood studio. This book was so unhinged in the best way. Charity puts up with sooooo much BS at her Hollywood job, and is pushed to the brink of insanity. I think anyone who is under appreciated at work will relate to this. The drama felt so real and I kept relating it to things that have happened to me at work (both prior and current job). I felt so bad for her! There are several characters you will hate (looking at you, Saffron!!). Thankfully she has close friends who help her along the way. And while the romance is secondary in this book, I loved that too. Definitely recommend this one!
💗 “No logical person has a handful of encounters with another person and thinks they’re in love.”
💗 “Where do I go to break down in private?”
💗 “No logical person has a handful of encounters with another person and thinks they’re in love.”
💗 “Where do I go to break down in private?”
April 19, 2025
This was such a fun debut novel! It isn't in my typical genre as I don't read a lot of womens fic but have been trying to branch out and I really enjoyed it immediately! It has aspects of historical fiction too and I loved all the 90s references. It is such a great read for the summer or a beach read and the writing is quick witted and fun. Charity was such a rootable character that you couldn't help but want the best for. For sure recommend this for a fun beach read this summer!
Thanks to booksparks for the advance gifted copy!
Thanks to booksparks for the advance gifted copy!
May 7, 2025
i just loved this book!! charity is such a loveable character, i was rooting for her the whole time and she just felt so down to earth and real. i also loved (almost) all the side characters! all the ones you were supposed to love anyway lol
loooove the fact that all the chapters were 90s pop culture references, so fun!
honestly i just enjoyed this book so much, such a great story and i love that it’s based on the true story of what actually happened to the author as well!
thank you to netgalley and spark point for this ARC!!!
loooove the fact that all the chapters were 90s pop culture references, so fun!
honestly i just enjoyed this book so much, such a great story and i love that it’s based on the true story of what actually happened to the author as well!
thank you to netgalley and spark point for this ARC!!!
June 21, 2025
*Paperback
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨ (3.5/5)
The cover was adorable and it was chock full of late 90s-early 2000s nostalgia. The chapter titles brought back so many memories and for the younger crowd there is a 411 section in the back of the book to explain the significance of each title.
I actually learned a surprising amount about Hollywood while reading this one. While it is a work of fiction, the author had a similar experience which inspired this story.
🎥Toxic work environment
🎬Hollywood
🎥Schmoosing
🎬Comeback Story
🎥Party crashers
Overall I liked it, although it got a bit repetitive at times and my interest waned. I actually enjoyed the characters a lot and wanted more development out of them.
I thought Charity was likable. I was actually a little surprised at how things ended with her nemesis at the office, surprised in a good way. I also love when characters find their voice and that part of the book was well executed.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨ (3.5/5)
The cover was adorable and it was chock full of late 90s-early 2000s nostalgia. The chapter titles brought back so many memories and for the younger crowd there is a 411 section in the back of the book to explain the significance of each title.
I actually learned a surprising amount about Hollywood while reading this one. While it is a work of fiction, the author had a similar experience which inspired this story.
🎥Toxic work environment
🎬Hollywood
🎥Schmoosing
🎬Comeback Story
🎥Party crashers
Overall I liked it, although it got a bit repetitive at times and my interest waned. I actually enjoyed the characters a lot and wanted more development out of them.
I thought Charity was likable. I was actually a little surprised at how things ended with her nemesis at the office, surprised in a good way. I also love when characters find their voice and that part of the book was well executed.
May 25, 2025
3.5⭐️
This is a salacious, fictionalized, behind the scenes of working in the movie industry. It’s as horrible and glamorous as you think.
Charity is a pushover that has goals and is trying to find a path to make her mark. While dealing with a lot of drama.
This was fun and new but often felt disjointed. I was craving more flow to understand how we got from one scene to another.
Overall, a very fun read that makes me glad I don’t work in Hollywood.
Pub date: June 10
Thank you serif for the copy 🤍🤍
June 6, 2025
Thank you to Spark Press for sending me an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous by Canadian author Christine Stringer.
Set in the 90s, the story opens in Vancouver where Charity is an aspiring screenwriter working as a production assistant while navigating some disastrous personal setbacks.
No sooner has she extricated herself from one sticky situation than she gets what seems like a big break: the director invites her to move to L.A. to work as his assistant in a major studio.
Charity jumps at the chance, but all is not as rosy as it seems.
A lot of Charity's experience rang true for gig work in your 20s. She navigates:
- Terrible co-workers who have no boundaries
- Ambiguous job descriptions and reporting relationships
- Ethics around leveraging your connections
- Paying bills versus selling out
- Fake dating and 'we can't date' for various reasons
- Crashing hard on a core task and feeling like your professional life is on fire
Charity's friendship with rising star Vivy and her working relationship with Daniel, another assistant-turned producer, were the highlights for me.
The book ends somewhat suddenly--I kept flipping pages and was surprised when there wasn't more story. This is one rare case where I wished for an epilogue that wasn't there.
On the whole, a strong debut for Stringer and an enjoyable, breezy book. Perfect for a flight or beach read. Curious to see if this is the start of a series.
I enjoyed Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous by Canadian author Christine Stringer.
Set in the 90s, the story opens in Vancouver where Charity is an aspiring screenwriter working as a production assistant while navigating some disastrous personal setbacks.
No sooner has she extricated herself from one sticky situation than she gets what seems like a big break: the director invites her to move to L.A. to work as his assistant in a major studio.
Charity jumps at the chance, but all is not as rosy as it seems.
A lot of Charity's experience rang true for gig work in your 20s. She navigates:
- Terrible co-workers who have no boundaries
- Ambiguous job descriptions and reporting relationships
- Ethics around leveraging your connections
- Paying bills versus selling out
- Fake dating and 'we can't date' for various reasons
- Crashing hard on a core task and feeling like your professional life is on fire
Charity's friendship with rising star Vivy and her working relationship with Daniel, another assistant-turned producer, were the highlights for me.
The book ends somewhat suddenly--I kept flipping pages and was surprised when there wasn't more story. This is one rare case where I wished for an epilogue that wasn't there.
On the whole, a strong debut for Stringer and an enjoyable, breezy book. Perfect for a flight or beach read. Curious to see if this is the start of a series.
May 7, 2025
I saw the blurb for Bridget Jones fans and was like I am in!
I loved the writing style, it was so easy to follow and you feel like you are sitting in the office building with Charity, Casper and Saffron in LA, watching the office politics of the ‘90s film industry.
I got The Devil Wears Prada vibes with the relationship with Saffron and FMC Charity. Saffron as a character mad me so angry (in a good way), she was so manipulative and back stabbing. She was written so well that you just wanted to get back at her for being so jealous and petty! Casper fed into that with his wishy washy favoriting them. I think when an author can make you hate a character without making them do truly bad/evil things, bravo!
And then her hunky coworker is just the most stellar guy! Very closed door romance, but just the sweet solid guy to counter balance the jerks in the side characters that you can imagine in Hollywood life.
And then at about the 95% mark, I started crying, I felt so connected and rooting for Charity that when she is finally broke and broken and is going to give up it was like noooo!
5 stars for evoking such emotions! This is not the great American novel, but something you could see as a movie with a young Reese Witherspoon in.
I loved the writing style, it was so easy to follow and you feel like you are sitting in the office building with Charity, Casper and Saffron in LA, watching the office politics of the ‘90s film industry.
I got The Devil Wears Prada vibes with the relationship with Saffron and FMC Charity. Saffron as a character mad me so angry (in a good way), she was so manipulative and back stabbing. She was written so well that you just wanted to get back at her for being so jealous and petty! Casper fed into that with his wishy washy favoriting them. I think when an author can make you hate a character without making them do truly bad/evil things, bravo!
And then her hunky coworker is just the most stellar guy! Very closed door romance, but just the sweet solid guy to counter balance the jerks in the side characters that you can imagine in Hollywood life.
And then at about the 95% mark, I started crying, I felt so connected and rooting for Charity that when she is finally broke and broken and is going to give up it was like noooo!
5 stars for evoking such emotions! This is not the great American novel, but something you could see as a movie with a young Reese Witherspoon in.
April 24, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and SparkPress for the e-arc!
This was fun! At first when I started the first couple of chapters, I wasn’t sure if this book was for me, but after getting a little deeper into the story, there came a point where I needed to know what happened next. I ended up really enjoying Charity’s character and seeing what was next for her. I also really enjoyed the different characters throughout the story as well, but wished there was some more clarity/development surrounding some of the relationships she had.
The pop culture references (especially the chapter titles) were greatly appreciated and I was surprised to learn that the author actually experienced some of the things Charity went through.
Overall, it was very much worth the read and would be a perfect book to bring to the beach or on vacation.
All opinions are my own.
This was fun! At first when I started the first couple of chapters, I wasn’t sure if this book was for me, but after getting a little deeper into the story, there came a point where I needed to know what happened next. I ended up really enjoying Charity’s character and seeing what was next for her. I also really enjoyed the different characters throughout the story as well, but wished there was some more clarity/development surrounding some of the relationships she had.
The pop culture references (especially the chapter titles) were greatly appreciated and I was surprised to learn that the author actually experienced some of the things Charity went through.
Overall, it was very much worth the read and would be a perfect book to bring to the beach or on vacation.
All opinions are my own.
September 1, 2025
This would’ve been 2000% more interesting if she fell for Vivy instead of Kai Nothingburger. (Also, mp3 players weren’t sold in the US until 1998, which I literally stopped reading to investigate, but that’s neither here nor there.)
November 14, 2025
Thank you to Kevin Wilson, NetGalley, and SparkPress for providing me with a copy of this e‑ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Charity Trickett is Not So Glamourous was a fun read in parts, mostly because of Charity herself. She’s quirky, witty, and handles herself with confidence in some pretty wild situations. I especially loved the moment she caught her boyfriend in a “lie,” the coffee incident, and the way she stood her ground with people who underestimated her. Those scenes really showed her strength and humor.
Where the book lost me was in the romance. When Charity fell for her new love interest, I couldn’t help but think… why him? He was easily the most cringy and annoying character in the entire story, and it made the romance feel forced and distracting compared to the rest of her journey.
Overall, this was a decent read with a strong, entertaining lead character, but the love story didn’t work for me. A solid 3 stars.
Charity Trickett is Not So Glamourous was a fun read in parts, mostly because of Charity herself. She’s quirky, witty, and handles herself with confidence in some pretty wild situations. I especially loved the moment she caught her boyfriend in a “lie,” the coffee incident, and the way she stood her ground with people who underestimated her. Those scenes really showed her strength and humor.
Where the book lost me was in the romance. When Charity fell for her new love interest, I couldn’t help but think… why him? He was easily the most cringy and annoying character in the entire story, and it made the romance feel forced and distracting compared to the rest of her journey.
Overall, this was a decent read with a strong, entertaining lead character, but the love story didn’t work for me. A solid 3 stars.
May 26, 2025
Charity Trickett is Not So Glamorous is a smart, funny, and refreshingly original novel that takes readers deep into the heart of 1990s Hollywood, where ambition runs high and the industry is cut throat. The story follows Charity, a determined director’s assistant with dreams of becoming a screenwriter and producer, as she navigates the male-dominated film world with hard work, humor, and a close circle of successful, supportive friends.
I’m usually hesitant to want my favorite books adapted for the screen, but I couldn’t help imagining how perfect this story would be as a TV series. It has all the charm, drama, and wit that would make it a binge-worthy hit.
Charity Trickett is Not So Glamorous hits shelves on 6/10, make sure it’s at the top of your TBR. You won’t be disappointed.
Thanks you NetGalley and SparkPress for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I’m usually hesitant to want my favorite books adapted for the screen, but I couldn’t help imagining how perfect this story would be as a TV series. It has all the charm, drama, and wit that would make it a binge-worthy hit.
Charity Trickett is Not So Glamorous hits shelves on 6/10, make sure it’s at the top of your TBR. You won’t be disappointed.
Thanks you NetGalley and SparkPress for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 22, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was fast paced and easy to grasp. Perfect for a summer read. I also really enjoyed the 90s themed chapter titles. As someone who grew up in the 90s the setting and time frame was nostalgic.
I enjoyed the entire story as a whole, but the ending just fell flat. It left me wishing there were more. I’m so happy everything worked out but it had me questioning if she would’ve just mentioned her problem to Vivy from jump … we would’ve got 2-3 chapters of them working the film.
I’m asking for a sequel please! I have to know more. Thank you NetGalley, Christine Stringer, & the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed the entire story as a whole, but the ending just fell flat. It left me wishing there were more. I’m so happy everything worked out but it had me questioning if she would’ve just mentioned her problem to Vivy from jump … we would’ve got 2-3 chapters of them working the film.
I’m asking for a sequel please! I have to know more. Thank you NetGalley, Christine Stringer, & the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 12, 2025
I loved this book.
The plot is tightly written, no loop holes, no superfluous characters or scenes. I like that in a book. I feel like this is the kind of book I want to read over and over. So, I will definitely be checking out anything Stringer writes from here on out.
We find Charity moving up in the movie business, moving from Vancouver to work in LA. Stringer obviously has first-hand knowledge of what goes on in Tinseltown and it's not so glamorous, but we know that as an audience. What makes this book so good is that Charity finds some good eggs, just like her. I kept waiting for the shoe to drop; for her and for there to be more villains, and I was pleasantly surprised that I could just enjoy these characters.
The only thing I would say is I felt the ending could have given me more. I like the feeling of optimism at the end, but I could have used 5-10 more pages to tie it all together. Regardless, this is a great novel by a Canadian writer and I very much look forward to more from her!
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The plot is tightly written, no loop holes, no superfluous characters or scenes. I like that in a book. I feel like this is the kind of book I want to read over and over. So, I will definitely be checking out anything Stringer writes from here on out.
We find Charity moving up in the movie business, moving from Vancouver to work in LA. Stringer obviously has first-hand knowledge of what goes on in Tinseltown and it's not so glamorous, but we know that as an audience. What makes this book so good is that Charity finds some good eggs, just like her. I kept waiting for the shoe to drop; for her and for there to be more villains, and I was pleasantly surprised that I could just enjoy these characters.
The only thing I would say is I felt the ending could have given me more. I like the feeling of optimism at the end, but I could have used 5-10 more pages to tie it all together. Regardless, this is a great novel by a Canadian writer and I very much look forward to more from her!
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 24, 2025
A very quick read that delves into the life of a twenty-something, female assistant, trying to make it in 90s Hollywood. As a millennial, I loved the homage to 90’s pop-culture by way of chapter titles. Charity was a very well developed character and this is a tale of how quickly a person can go from zero to hero, then back to zero, in Hollywood. I enjoyed this book and hope there’s a sequel so that we can see what happens to Miss Trickett next.
August 4, 2025
This is was a cute book.
I definitely romanticize the 1990s. I was just a kid, but I loved all the glitz and glam of Hollywood. I wanted to be grown up and wear nice things and drive fancy cars. Very 13 going on 30 mindset. Now I want to go to bed at 9pm and my kobo.
So this book scratched my childhood dream’s itch.
Fancy celebrities
Being young a scrappy
Trying to make your dreams come true
That anything is possible mentality of your 20s
I definitely romanticize the 1990s. I was just a kid, but I loved all the glitz and glam of Hollywood. I wanted to be grown up and wear nice things and drive fancy cars. Very 13 going on 30 mindset. Now I want to go to bed at 9pm and my kobo.
So this book scratched my childhood dream’s itch.
Fancy celebrities
Being young a scrappy
Trying to make your dreams come true
That anything is possible mentality of your 20s
June 4, 2025
Great book! It took me a bit to get into the story since it's not my usual genre, but once I did, I was hooked. I loved the 90s references used as chapter titles - they added a fun touch. The portrayal of the challenges faced by women in the industry was also an interesting and insightful aspect. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.
June 25, 2025
Actually obsessed lol Charity’s a whole mess in the best way. Totally felt like watching your chaotic bestie try to keep it together, and honestly? I was rooting for her the whole time. It’s funny, real, and had me low-key emotional at points. Not perfect, but super fun.
June 7, 2025
Thank you SparkPress, NetGalley and author Christine Stringer for the advanced e-book copy for an opportunity to review. All opinions are my own.
Charity is a fantastic, relatable main character with early career drive and energy. Set in 1990’s Hollywood, this book is filled with fantastic pop-culture references any GenX reader or fan of that decade will get a kick out of. The first 2/3 of the book, I didn’t want to put it down. The Nellie Olsen (Little House on the Prairie) sabotaging energy the character Saffron brought was captivating!
***SLIGHT SPOILER HERE***I was just waiting for her to get caught or get her due…but she doesn’t. ***END OF SPOILER***
And the last 1/3 of the story went in a different direction that lowered my interest level. The story seemed to hop around a bit at the end, but wrapped up nicely with strong friendship / found family vibes.
Overall, a fun summer read with some laugh out loud moments. This was a 3.75/5 read for me - fun, interesting, just a little inconsistent toward the end.
Charity is a fantastic, relatable main character with early career drive and energy. Set in 1990’s Hollywood, this book is filled with fantastic pop-culture references any GenX reader or fan of that decade will get a kick out of. The first 2/3 of the book, I didn’t want to put it down. The Nellie Olsen (Little House on the Prairie) sabotaging energy the character Saffron brought was captivating!
***SLIGHT SPOILER HERE***I was just waiting for her to get caught or get her due…but she doesn’t. ***END OF SPOILER***
And the last 1/3 of the story went in a different direction that lowered my interest level. The story seemed to hop around a bit at the end, but wrapped up nicely with strong friendship / found family vibes.
Overall, a fun summer read with some laugh out loud moments. This was a 3.75/5 read for me - fun, interesting, just a little inconsistent toward the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2025
My First ARC and it was so perfect. I really loved this book especially since I am a millennial and love all things 90s. I saw some of myself in Charity and that's what had me cheering her on the whole way. This was my first women fic where the plot wasn't solely based on a romance and honestly it was a breath of fresh air. Don't get me wrong I love a good romance and spicy scenes but seeing her find her LA family and stand up for herself to a bunch of toxic people was really validating. She also had a really IDF attitude about a lot of things that I honestly wish I had sometimes. Definitely consider picking this one up when it its shelves on June 10th, you wont be disappointed.
Thank you Charity, for showing us not all the things in life have to be glamorous and perfect.
Thank you Charity, for showing us not all the things in life have to be glamorous and perfect.
May 5, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Sparkpress for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
This book is set in 1997 and I sooo wanted it to have all these 90s feels. But for me it did not, some of the references were actually more early 2000s dated. It kept pulling me out of the story when there were references to things that I know we did not do or say in the 90s.
For example; some of the foods that they ate were definitely not what anyone was eating in 97, even if you account for LA being a little ahead of the times. Charcuterie, burrito bowls, hummus and veggies, organic iced teas.....if they were around they were not as mainstream as the author makes them. Then the technology, Charity has a cell phone that she puts in her pocket and texts with Kai. Nope, even the most advanced tech in 97 wasn't doing this and certainly not the mainstream, that didn't come until like 2002 ish. She would have had a pager at that timeperiod or a Zach Morris brick phone.
Plus, she's emailing and using a computer all day at work, in 1997 people barely had email addresses yet, the internet was so new to the majority of people. Most things would have still been done by phone, fax, on paper. They didn't mention a fax machine once!
And then her boss asks her to rip cds onto his computer to put on his MP3 player, I actually googled this one because I knew that those weren't invented yet. Those came out in 1998 in South Korea, so most likely in 1997 her boss wouldn't have any idea that even existed.
Do any of those things matter to the story, not really, but could the author have made it set in 2003 and all that wouldn't have bothered me so much.
Now to the rest of the story, it was cute, she fell into pretty much every situation, good and bad. There were a lot of characters that were really surface level and I didn't know why they loved her so much, there wasn't really any development of why she had such wonderful relationships with all these people.
Overall, it's a quick read that doesn't take much thought. Just don't think your going to get your 90s nostalgia on this one.
This book is set in 1997 and I sooo wanted it to have all these 90s feels. But for me it did not, some of the references were actually more early 2000s dated. It kept pulling me out of the story when there were references to things that I know we did not do or say in the 90s.
For example; some of the foods that they ate were definitely not what anyone was eating in 97, even if you account for LA being a little ahead of the times. Charcuterie, burrito bowls, hummus and veggies, organic iced teas.....if they were around they were not as mainstream as the author makes them. Then the technology, Charity has a cell phone that she puts in her pocket and texts with Kai. Nope, even the most advanced tech in 97 wasn't doing this and certainly not the mainstream, that didn't come until like 2002 ish. She would have had a pager at that timeperiod or a Zach Morris brick phone.
Plus, she's emailing and using a computer all day at work, in 1997 people barely had email addresses yet, the internet was so new to the majority of people. Most things would have still been done by phone, fax, on paper. They didn't mention a fax machine once!
And then her boss asks her to rip cds onto his computer to put on his MP3 player, I actually googled this one because I knew that those weren't invented yet. Those came out in 1998 in South Korea, so most likely in 1997 her boss wouldn't have any idea that even existed.
Do any of those things matter to the story, not really, but could the author have made it set in 2003 and all that wouldn't have bothered me so much.
Now to the rest of the story, it was cute, she fell into pretty much every situation, good and bad. There were a lot of characters that were really surface level and I didn't know why they loved her so much, there wasn't really any development of why she had such wonderful relationships with all these people.
Overall, it's a quick read that doesn't take much thought. Just don't think your going to get your 90s nostalgia on this one.
April 19, 2025
I loved this book!!! This is the type of book to take on a vacation to the beach or mountains. In the book we follow Charity as she tries to survive in Hollywood. She has help navigating Hollywood with the help of her friends and some not so nice people. When you meet those not so friendly types (Saffron) you will be cheering for Charity. Saffron was written so well that she made me feel very uncomfortable. That's not a bad thing, when a book can draw you into the characters then it is well worth the read. I hope we get more of Charity and her friends in the future!! This would make a good series.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.
May 13, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of Charity Trickett is Not So Glamorous.
While I appreciated the chance to follow Charity’s journey and admired her tenacity, I found that the pacing of the story made it difficult to stay fully engaged. The main conflict or turning point didn’t arrive until well past the halfway mark—around 70% in—which made the narrative feel drawn out. Some storylines lingered longer than necessary, impacting the momentum of the book.
Charity herself is a character with strength and potential, and her resilience in the face of adversity, especially regarding the Canopy situation, is commendable. However, the resolution felt uneven and left her character arc feeling a bit flat by the end.
Overall, while there were meaningful elements and themes worth noting, the story lacked the balance and pacing needed to deliver a truly compelling experience.
While I appreciated the chance to follow Charity’s journey and admired her tenacity, I found that the pacing of the story made it difficult to stay fully engaged. The main conflict or turning point didn’t arrive until well past the halfway mark—around 70% in—which made the narrative feel drawn out. Some storylines lingered longer than necessary, impacting the momentum of the book.
Charity herself is a character with strength and potential, and her resilience in the face of adversity, especially regarding the Canopy situation, is commendable. However, the resolution felt uneven and left her character arc feeling a bit flat by the end.
Overall, while there were meaningful elements and themes worth noting, the story lacked the balance and pacing needed to deliver a truly compelling experience.
May 2, 2025
with respect to the author, since this is based on her life experience, this was hard to get through.
charity trickett is a PA on a film set before getting the opportunity to act as the assistant to the film’s director during post-production. tbh, for the first half of this book, charity trickett’s life was so glamorous. the events in the latter half of the book that unravel her picture perfect life in Hollywood seem very random and hard to believe.
also the lack of empathy and support she received from the people in her life was confusing to say the least. now, again, this apparently is based on the true experiences of the author and i’m at no liberty to dismiss the hurdles women in the film industry had to jump in the 90’s. but even the dismissal from her parents when she was having a personal crisis?? bonkers.
this may be a compelling story, but this needed some editor’s help.
thank you to netgalley and sparkpress for this ARC. all opinions are my own.
charity trickett is a PA on a film set before getting the opportunity to act as the assistant to the film’s director during post-production. tbh, for the first half of this book, charity trickett’s life was so glamorous. the events in the latter half of the book that unravel her picture perfect life in Hollywood seem very random and hard to believe.
also the lack of empathy and support she received from the people in her life was confusing to say the least. now, again, this apparently is based on the true experiences of the author and i’m at no liberty to dismiss the hurdles women in the film industry had to jump in the 90’s. but even the dismissal from her parents when she was having a personal crisis?? bonkers.
this may be a compelling story, but this needed some editor’s help.
thank you to netgalley and sparkpress for this ARC. all opinions are my own.
November 12, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and SparkPress for the opportunity to read and review the e-arc of Charity Tricket Is Not So Glamorous.
Charity Tricket is a hardworking PA to a movie producer who gets her golden ticket to Hollywood to work for the big guys in the 1990’s film industy. Just when you think all of her dreams come true, her world falls apart!
I love that this book was based on a true story - that of the author! It made this story that much more amazing. From crazy mishaps, romantic tensions, backbiting and sabotage, awkward moments, and sheer terror this book had me invested from the start. Charity Tricket stumbles, not exactly gracefully, through it all. Charity was relatable, hilarious, resilient, and optimistic to a fault but I absolutely thought Mrs Stringer did an excellent job of making her personality shine in the pages of her story.
A heartwarming and hilarious book. It was excellent.
Charity Tricket is a hardworking PA to a movie producer who gets her golden ticket to Hollywood to work for the big guys in the 1990’s film industy. Just when you think all of her dreams come true, her world falls apart!
I love that this book was based on a true story - that of the author! It made this story that much more amazing. From crazy mishaps, romantic tensions, backbiting and sabotage, awkward moments, and sheer terror this book had me invested from the start. Charity Tricket stumbles, not exactly gracefully, through it all. Charity was relatable, hilarious, resilient, and optimistic to a fault but I absolutely thought Mrs Stringer did an excellent job of making her personality shine in the pages of her story.
A heartwarming and hilarious book. It was excellent.
June 9, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and SparksPress/BookSparks for the ARC of "Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous" in exchange for an honest review.
What a juicy plunge into behind-the-scenes Hollywood filmmaking and dealmaking. It's a La La Land world of preening egos, conniving backstabbers, and striving, talented young hopefuls, gasping and grasping for the golden ticket to fame, fortune and a three picture deal.
Having toiled as a studio production assistant herself, you can tell from the storytelling that author Christine Stringer knows her subject all too well.......and lays out her depiction of the film business with unerring, take-no-prisoners wit.
At the roiling center of this asylum run by the inmates (around 1997) is Canadian production assistant and aspiring screenwriter Charity Trickett. She's now settled in Hollywood to help an up-and-coming director finish post production editing on the studio's next box office blockbuster. Charity's Gal Friday efficiency may work wonders on a movie set, but navigating the jungles of studio politics exhausts and confounds her. She's stuck in a toxic 'Devil Wears Prada' duel with Saffron, a so-called 'Associate Producer' who ruthlessly pursues her own agenda while sabotaging Charity at every opportunity.
Charity's fortunes (and hopes for making a deal for her own script) take a catastrophic turn for the worse - a terrible unforeseen misstep makes her a scorned pariah in the industry and puts her in the crosshairs of an FBI investigation.
Can Charity find romance, restore her good name, stay out of the slammer and get her script into production? Hey, it's Hollywood where anything can happen and that's the fun this book delivers on every page. You'll find yourself cheering her on as she encounters, outwits and fends off more topsy-turvy characters than Alice ever found through the looking glass.
For anyone who loves an insider's peek behind the mad, mad world of film showbiz, consider this one a must. Make a "let's do lunch, baby, mean it sincerely" date with Charity ASAP.
(you can find all my other reviews at www.thesandyquill.blogpsot.com)
What a juicy plunge into behind-the-scenes Hollywood filmmaking and dealmaking. It's a La La Land world of preening egos, conniving backstabbers, and striving, talented young hopefuls, gasping and grasping for the golden ticket to fame, fortune and a three picture deal.
Having toiled as a studio production assistant herself, you can tell from the storytelling that author Christine Stringer knows her subject all too well.......and lays out her depiction of the film business with unerring, take-no-prisoners wit.
At the roiling center of this asylum run by the inmates (around 1997) is Canadian production assistant and aspiring screenwriter Charity Trickett. She's now settled in Hollywood to help an up-and-coming director finish post production editing on the studio's next box office blockbuster. Charity's Gal Friday efficiency may work wonders on a movie set, but navigating the jungles of studio politics exhausts and confounds her. She's stuck in a toxic 'Devil Wears Prada' duel with Saffron, a so-called 'Associate Producer' who ruthlessly pursues her own agenda while sabotaging Charity at every opportunity.
Charity's fortunes (and hopes for making a deal for her own script) take a catastrophic turn for the worse - a terrible unforeseen misstep makes her a scorned pariah in the industry and puts her in the crosshairs of an FBI investigation.
Can Charity find romance, restore her good name, stay out of the slammer and get her script into production? Hey, it's Hollywood where anything can happen and that's the fun this book delivers on every page. You'll find yourself cheering her on as she encounters, outwits and fends off more topsy-turvy characters than Alice ever found through the looking glass.
For anyone who loves an insider's peek behind the mad, mad world of film showbiz, consider this one a must. Make a "let's do lunch, baby, mean it sincerely" date with Charity ASAP.
(you can find all my other reviews at www.thesandyquill.blogpsot.com)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2025
This is a cute, fun, lighthearted novel that is a great look back at the optimism of the '90s and what it's like to be young and just starting out in your career. Charity Trickett is a Canadian assistant on a film in Vancouver where she is hired by the film's director to be his assistant in LA. She packs up her life and moves to Hollywood where initially her star is rising and then she quickly finds out how cutthroat and brutal the film industry is- handled humorously though!
While Charity encounters many difficult and awkward situations- including incredibly mean and unfair bosses and studio executives- this book is very lighthearted and doesn't dwell on the negative. Charity is very matter of fact and resourceful and despite the nature of Hollywood, she does have kind people and genuine friends in her circle. Some of it was a little too "twee" and Charity a little bit of an irritating "quirky girl" at times with a lot of suspicious good luck that can only happen to a fictional character, but that didn't detract too much from the story.
The author is an actual former MGM assistant who experienced similar circumstances to Charity. I like that this book offers an actual behind the scenes look of what working in the film industry is actually like even if a lot of Charity's luck and plot armor seems unrealistic. I wish that some of the characters were developed more and were not just props in Charity's life. Her best friend "Pup" is essentially ditched in the book which may be realistic, but also wasn't really addressed.
I would definitely recommend this for someone looking for a fun, lighthearted read, without much serious conflict.
Many thanks to SparkPress and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This review is my honest opinion.
While Charity encounters many difficult and awkward situations- including incredibly mean and unfair bosses and studio executives- this book is very lighthearted and doesn't dwell on the negative. Charity is very matter of fact and resourceful and despite the nature of Hollywood, she does have kind people and genuine friends in her circle. Some of it was a little too "twee" and Charity a little bit of an irritating "quirky girl" at times with a lot of suspicious good luck that can only happen to a fictional character, but that didn't detract too much from the story.
The author is an actual former MGM assistant who experienced similar circumstances to Charity. I like that this book offers an actual behind the scenes look of what working in the film industry is actually like even if a lot of Charity's luck and plot armor seems unrealistic. I wish that some of the characters were developed more and were not just props in Charity's life. Her best friend "Pup" is essentially ditched in the book which may be realistic, but also wasn't really addressed.
I would definitely recommend this for someone looking for a fun, lighthearted read, without much serious conflict.
Many thanks to SparkPress and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This review is my honest opinion.
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