Fashionista in Seventh Heaven: A sparkling, heartwarming story about love, dreams, and finding yourself

by Anna Camilla Kupka

Her perfectly styled life is falling apart.

London fashion editor Sophie Vanderbilt is having the kind of year she'd rather forget. Her boyfriend dumps her. Her breakthrough collection is stolen by a scheming colleague — who also walks off with the boyfriend. And just like that, everything she's worked for is on the line.

Then higher powers start interfering in her love life. Led, of course, by Coco Chanel. (Uninvited. But with impeccable style.)

Enter Patrick — with his battered Land Rover, muddy Labradors and a charming indifference to designer labels, he couldn't be further from Sophie's world of Fashion Week and champagne brunches. But as her perfectly planned life unravels faster than a sample-sale sweater, Sophie begins to wonder if the best designs — like the best love stories — come from breaking all the rules.

A warm, witty feel-good novel about love, reinvention and finding your own style — perfect for fans of romantic comedies with heart, humour and a touch of magic.

★★★★★ "In the end, I was truly sad when it was over. But the good There are three more parts!" (Addicted to Fashion)

★★★★★ "I thoroughly enjoyed myself, suffered and worried with the protagonist. I love this book for its lightness." (Bookworm)

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2025

About the author

I'm Known For...
Passion and an enthusiasm for life

My Current Project...
'Ticket to Earth and Back' of course :-). I also co-founded global online donation platform ammado. The Internet is still a baby - how great that we get the chance to use it for the greater good! I'm also a Forbes.com contributor writing about technology and humanity. And then I have many personal projects which include love, laughter and joy.

My Greatest Achievement...
On a professional level ammado. On a spiritual basis 'Ticket to Earth and Back'. And on a personal level it is my greatest achievement that I'm starting to realize that our ability to love is truly divine - and that we should wholeheartedly cherish the joy it gives.

My Education...
School and Law School in Düsseldorf/Germany
PhD in Media - and Unfair Competition Law in Münster/Germany
Business Studies- Stanford, Graduate School of Business/California.
Rest: Life

I Truly Respect...
People who have the courage to overcome conventions and to follow their hearts.
I love this quote by George Bernard Shaw: "I hear you say 'Why?' Always 'Why?' You see things; and you say 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?'

Moments I'd Like To Forget...
I don't want to forget any moments, whether they were happy or hurtful. But I don't want to re-live those where I didn't live life to its fullest extend!

How I Pay For my Wardrobe...
With difficulty...

Blocks I've Been Around...
Thinking about it makes me feel old...

Things That Really Happened...
You wouldn't believe it anyway...

My Other Website...
www.ammado.com
http://www.forbes.com/sites/annakupka/

This Is Annoying Me...
Narrow-minded people

This Is Making Me Worry...
An exaggerated pressure on young people to perform

This Is Bringing Me Joy...
Courage, out-of -the-box thinking, vision and love

I'm Running From...
a hectic live towards a joyful life

This Is Helping Me Create...
A glass of red wine

My Most Awkward Moment
Too many to mention. The above-mentioned glass of red wine was usually involved...

I Live In...
Zürich/Switzerland (previously 11 years in Dublin/Ireland)


(The above is an adjusted version of my Forbes.com profile)

Reviews

[Margaret P Medberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a lot to like about this story which is the first in a series. The main character Sophie is a fashion writer and wannabe designer. She has been in a miserable booty-call relationship that her friends want her out of, and suddenly she starts hearing the voice of God giving her good advice and sometimes being a bit snarky. Soon she meets her hunky landlord Patrick who seems to be attracted to her despite her obvious quirkiness. So all of those elements should make a great story. And at times they do. It just takes so long for anything to really happen. There are pages, chapters, and minutiae devoted to designing clothes and trying to get over the horrible Oliver. I wanted to see her start having a real relationship with Patrick sooner.

Also, while I like the fantasy element of her conversations with God and apparently Coco Chanel, I need to warn anyone thinking this is a Christian novel, that it decidedly is NOT. While God, as Sophie hears him, does offer some good advice and comfort at times, there are other times when the author veers into very un-Godlike territory, which sadly takes away from the story. I think the author is trying to write a saucy rom-com but while there is a lot of com, there isn’t enough rom.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Melinda]

DNF @ 30%

[Lisa Benison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Story Set in London Fashion World with Great Characters and Interesting Premise

This was a cute story and different from anything else I have read. At first, I found it quite annoying that Sophie could not get out of her own way and stop pining over her clearly awful ex. But once she did, and accepted her friends' advice and help the story became interesting and a lot more fun - especially with her "heavenly advisors". I would have liked to understand Patrick's motivations for helping her and his "instant attraction" but perhaps we will understand more about their relationship and get his side of the story in the next installment. I am looking forward to reading it - Stay tuned!

I was sent an ARC by the author and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Leann Arave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quirky, interesting book. The storyline was good, but the characters had to grow on me. I also thought it was a little strange that Sophie, would randomly talk to God, as if he were a best friend, standing in the room. Most of the time she would blame him for when things went wrong. The story follows Sophie through her break up with her boyfriend, creating a new fashion trend, losing her portfolio, to meeting the handsome new neighbor. There is a lot of drama, good friends, bad friends and a little romance. There is an ending to the story, but it also sounds like it will continue in book 2. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Dotty · Rating 4 out of 5]

It did take a bit for me to get into the story.. Even though the character hears God speaking to her this is not a Christian novel. It is confusing to the reader since there is unlike Christian stuff in the story also. I feel you can't really have it both ways unless you're telling how God turned your life away from what you use to be to now.

The author does write great characters and they do seem to become real to you. It will hold your attention once you get into the the story.

I received the book through Hidden Gems and freely give this review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her life has just been turned upside down as she is dump and her fashion clothes have been stolen. Now she needs to get her fashion back or face ruin. It is not going to be easy but she will get help from an unexpected source. See how she gets her property back
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and it was a wonderful read

[Cindy Hardegree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely not the run of the mill type of romance. We all speak to God but Sophie has a running conversation with God and Coco Channel. With an attraction to her neighbor she is on a journey of self learning. Patrick believing Sophie was still holding feelings for her ex keeps his distance. The anticipation was great!
I received this book as an arc and am voluntarily submitting my review.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. The FMC's character is one I could not connect with. Needy, clinging to her BF who so obviously didn't care about her at all. Even when she catches him with another woman, she's in denial and makes up excuses for him. I could not respect such a character, much less like her.

[Mary Pauline M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a fun and delightful read ! Loved every minute !