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Party Girl
Landon Brinkley’s dreams are all coming true. She’s landed an internship with the fabulous Selah Smith, event planner for the Hollywood elite, taking her from small-town Texas to the bright lights of LA. Landon soon finds herself in a world in which spending a million dollars on an event—even a child’s birthday party—is de rigueur and the whims of celebrity clients are life-and-death matters. At first, the thrill of working on A-list parties and celebrity weddings is enough to get Landon through the seventy-five-hour workweeks and endless abuse at the hands of her mercurial boss. But when the reality of the business reveals itself, she’s forced to make a choice: do whatever it takes to get ahead, or stay true to herself.
Drawing on the author’s real-life experiences as an event planner to the stars, Party Girl takes readers on an adventure among Hollywood’s most beautiful—and most outrageous—people, revealing the ugly side of Hollywood’s prettiest parties.
Revised edition: This edition of Party Girl includes editorial revisions.
Drawing on the author’s real-life experiences as an event planner to the stars, Party Girl takes readers on an adventure among Hollywood’s most beautiful—and most outrageous—people, revealing the ugly side of Hollywood’s prettiest parties.
Revised edition: This edition of Party Girl includes editorial revisions.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 9, 2014
1941 people are currently reading
11181 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Hollis
27 books32.3k followersRachel laid the foundation for her lifestyle brand and media company with the same unfiltered honesty and staunch inclusivity that made her a two-time #1 New York Times bestselling author. Hollis connects with a highly engaged and growing global audience of women who treasure her transparency and optimism. She is one of the most sought-after motivational speakers, plays host to one of today’s top business podcasts and is a proud mama of four who uses her platform to empower and embolden women around the world. Rachel calls Texas home; more specifically the Hill Country just outside of Austin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 991 reviews
October 4, 2014
I'm going to go ahead and give it 5 stars, because, well if I don't love it then what hope is there for anyone else?? ;)
May 9, 2015
“Watch out LA, Landon Brinkley is here and she’s… belting out every word of this song like her life depends on it!”
This was a chick-lit style story about a girl who desperately wanted to be a party planner, even if it killed her.
Landon was a nice person, which was a bit of a problem for her in the harsh world of party planning that she found herself in! I have to say that I was impressed with the way she stuck with it though, even when things got tough, and was determined to earn herself a place as a party planner, no matter how tough it was.
The storyline in this followed Landon as she started working at SSE – a company which planned parties, and was totally thrown in at the deep end! She was literally expected to understand lingo that she had no idea about, and she worked so hard to try and do a job that was like swimming with sharks!
There was a touch of romance in this, and the course of this romance didn’t run smoothly, although this was more to do with the job than anything!
The ending to this was pretty good, and it was nice to see what Landon had accomplished after all that she’s been through.
6 out of 10
This was a chick-lit style story about a girl who desperately wanted to be a party planner, even if it killed her.
Landon was a nice person, which was a bit of a problem for her in the harsh world of party planning that she found herself in! I have to say that I was impressed with the way she stuck with it though, even when things got tough, and was determined to earn herself a place as a party planner, no matter how tough it was.
The storyline in this followed Landon as she started working at SSE – a company which planned parties, and was totally thrown in at the deep end! She was literally expected to understand lingo that she had no idea about, and she worked so hard to try and do a job that was like swimming with sharks!
There was a touch of romance in this, and the course of this romance didn’t run smoothly, although this was more to do with the job than anything!
The ending to this was pretty good, and it was nice to see what Landon had accomplished after all that she’s been through.
6 out of 10
February 26, 2017
*4.5 stars*
I've been working my way through new-to-me authors who are going to be at this year's RT convention (https://www.rtconvention.com), and this book is the first from that list that I've really, really enjoyed. Total shocker, especially since the author narrates her own audiobooks.
Authors narrating their own audiobooks is a no-no, in my book, only because very few have the acting chops and vocal range to pull it off. While Rachel Hollis doesn't excel at male voices, she rocked out her female voices and gave great feeling to her characters. I was amazed at how much I loved the audio, and I'll totally spring for the rest of the series in audio format.
Party Girl is very "The Devil Wears Prada"-esk, but not in a bad way. It is clear where some of the influence comes from, but it stops short of ever feeling derivative. I was really surprised at how easily I fell in love with this story. The MC, Landon Brinkley, is a hard-working, spunky, high-hair, southern, nonjudgmental character, and I adored her. That is saying a lot, because female MCs have a tendency, for some reason, to cut other women down and come across as the lowest common denomenator. Landon doesn't. She was a total breath of fresh air, and I would read about her any day of the week.
I stop short of calling this book a romance, for all of my fellow traditional romance-lovers, because the focus of the book is really on Landon's personal development. While there is some romance, it takes a far backseat. There is also absolutely no sex (or any action) on page, which makes it more chick-lit-y, in my book.
If you want an interesting, engaging, story about a woman trying to make it in the cut-throat world of LA with lots of great side characters and some light romance, don't pass this one up. And the audio upgrade is totally worth it. Rock on, Rachel Hollis.
I've been working my way through new-to-me authors who are going to be at this year's RT convention (https://www.rtconvention.com), and this book is the first from that list that I've really, really enjoyed. Total shocker, especially since the author narrates her own audiobooks.
Authors narrating their own audiobooks is a no-no, in my book, only because very few have the acting chops and vocal range to pull it off. While Rachel Hollis doesn't excel at male voices, she rocked out her female voices and gave great feeling to her characters. I was amazed at how much I loved the audio, and I'll totally spring for the rest of the series in audio format.
Party Girl is very "The Devil Wears Prada"-esk, but not in a bad way. It is clear where some of the influence comes from, but it stops short of ever feeling derivative. I was really surprised at how easily I fell in love with this story. The MC, Landon Brinkley, is a hard-working, spunky, high-hair, southern, nonjudgmental character, and I adored her. That is saying a lot, because female MCs have a tendency, for some reason, to cut other women down and come across as the lowest common denomenator. Landon doesn't. She was a total breath of fresh air, and I would read about her any day of the week.
I stop short of calling this book a romance, for all of my fellow traditional romance-lovers, because the focus of the book is really on Landon's personal development. While there is some romance, it takes a far backseat. There is also absolutely no sex (or any action) on page, which makes it more chick-lit-y, in my book.
If you want an interesting, engaging, story about a woman trying to make it in the cut-throat world of LA with lots of great side characters and some light romance, don't pass this one up. And the audio upgrade is totally worth it. Rock on, Rachel Hollis.
September 15, 2015
Now this was a great surprise. I wish I could remember how it crossed my radar but all I know is I tagged it "will probably regret". I suppose I should have a flip-side "delightfully unexpected".
I liked Landon almost from the start. She's a go-getter who isn't afraid to do a tough job or to deal with tough people. It helps that she knows what she wants and that she's pursuing that dream with all the vigor she possesses. And that means doing her very best as an intern for the premier event planner in LA. There's more than a little Devil Wears Prada here—the movie, not the book I couldn't stand. The big difference is that Landon knows what she wants so it isn't so much a fish out of water story. Oh, and that Selah doesn't have that touch of mastery that made Miranda Priestly so intriguing (despite her awful behavior).
The story really does turn on whether you like Landon, though. I can't imagine not doing so, but the story is much more of her growth and maturity than it is anything else. The romance, while satisfying and well-handled, is a side feature, though it caps the novel nicely. I hesitate to bring in the author biography, though the depth of detail of event planning is well appreciated. You can see that she knows that space. Fortunately, she's a very talented writer as well, so that depth is presented entertainingly and solely as it pertains to the characters and story. i.e. no awkward expositive lumps or showing off or boring details nobody but industry insiders would care about. Also, now I think on it, she has an equally light touch dealing with the crazy that surrounds celebrity culture (the waters that high-profile event planning swims in). What could have been exploited for humor or plot twists or pandering was mostly the backdrop it needed to be for the story to work as Landon's journey.
So yeah, solid story, excellent characters, good plot. I was thoroughly entertained and this deserves every one of the four stars.
A note about Steamy: No steam. It bears a mention as I'm tagging this New Adult and there's a sexy-times expectation with that genre.
I liked Landon almost from the start. She's a go-getter who isn't afraid to do a tough job or to deal with tough people. It helps that she knows what she wants and that she's pursuing that dream with all the vigor she possesses. And that means doing her very best as an intern for the premier event planner in LA. There's more than a little Devil Wears Prada here—the movie, not the book I couldn't stand. The big difference is that Landon knows what she wants so it isn't so much a fish out of water story. Oh, and that Selah doesn't have that touch of mastery that made Miranda Priestly so intriguing (despite her awful behavior).
The story really does turn on whether you like Landon, though. I can't imagine not doing so, but the story is much more of her growth and maturity than it is anything else. The romance, while satisfying and well-handled, is a side feature, though it caps the novel nicely. I hesitate to bring in the author biography, though the depth of detail of event planning is well appreciated. You can see that she knows that space. Fortunately, she's a very talented writer as well, so that depth is presented entertainingly and solely as it pertains to the characters and story. i.e. no awkward expositive lumps or showing off or boring details nobody but industry insiders would care about. Also, now I think on it, she has an equally light touch dealing with the crazy that surrounds celebrity culture (the waters that high-profile event planning swims in). What could have been exploited for humor or plot twists or pandering was mostly the backdrop it needed to be for the story to work as Landon's journey.
So yeah, solid story, excellent characters, good plot. I was thoroughly entertained and this deserves every one of the four stars.
A note about Steamy: No steam. It bears a mention as I'm tagging this New Adult and there's a sexy-times expectation with that genre.
March 12, 2015
Actual rating: 1.5 stars.
I'm not sure why I continually subject myself to the crapfest that is chicklit. It could be because when the books are good--a rarity--they are funny, heartwarming and real. This book was not such an anomaly. The basic premise of this novel is so cliched. We have all seen the movie or read the book where the sweet, small town girl moves to the big, bad scary city. She meets the boy of her dreams, gets steamrolled by the mean girl, and ultimately triumphs. Done right, this plot can be charming. I adored Reese Witherspoon's take on it in "Legally Blonde". Granted, Reese is an Academy-Award winning actress who has made a lucrative career out of being adorable. (Ironically, her best roles--those of Tracy Flick and June Cash--didn't utilize her awesome powers of cuteness.)
The basic premise is as follows: Landon Brinkley, a sweet, small-town girl from Texas moves to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams of being an event planner. The author had a successful career in that arena so those parts of the novel have verisimilitude. They are also the best parts. Honestly I would have loved a novel about all of the funny, ridiculous, and rewarding aspects of event planning. Throw in a little celebrity tell-all and it would have been an orgiastic medley of guilty pleasures. Unfortunately, the book was a vapid rehashing of "The Devil Wears Prada" without any of the humor. At least Andi in the aforementioned "Devil" was smart--Landon is like a cartoon Texas girl, complete with pink clothes and big hair. She is constantly described as smart, but continues to do things that are ridiculous. She has no spine--she cannot even stand up to one of the assistants; but somehow she manages to defy her evil boss and start HER OWN event planning business. Every aspect of this novel annoyed the crap out of me.
On a side note, if you plan to utilize Spanish in your book, please make sure it's correct. There was one scene where Landon helps to placate an angry Hispanic client. She rushes over speaking horrific Spanish and the guy is supposedly charmed. Um, no. Nothing was grammatically correct, the syntax was completely wrong, and the subjunctive wasn't used in two instances where it needed to be. Hey Ms. Hollis--using a Spanish dictionary does NOT mean you can speak Spanish. "Viejo" is the correct adjective when describing a person, Ms. Hollis. But I digress.
Landon starts the job on her first day apparently hoping that being cute and Southern will excuse her lack of planning. She has done no research on the company, Selah Smith Events, for which she is working as an intern. She has read about the events in magazines, but doesn't seem to know that the person that interviewed her is a male because they have only talked via the interwebs. Really?! That is the POINT of LinkedIn, for cripe's sake. She doesn't ask about the company dress code so she shows up for her first day in a completely inappropriate outfit. She doesn't think that L.A. traffic might be awful, and shows up half an hour late for her first day. Oh, and she doesn't call/text/e-mail her supposed mentor to let them know that tardiness might be imminent. In any job I worked, that kind of inconsiderate offense would be subject to termination.
While all of that nonsense suspends disbelief for anybody who has ever held a job, Landon's ridiculous naivete and milquetoast personality were so ludicrous and overexaggerated they were laughable. We are supposed to fall in love with the character's innocence. I wanted to tie her to a chair, duct tape her eyes open, and force her to watch increasingly shameful pornography until she grew the hell up. I grew up in a very protective family in a small town in Florida; yet I had more gumption and common sense at SEVENTEEN than this Southern-fried idiot has at twenty-fricking-three.
Then come a series of ever-more improbable events in which our innocent (read: abysmally stupid) heroine [snort] stumbles her way from an internship at the company to a paid position, lands one of L.A.'s wealthiest and hottest bachelors, and defies her evil boss. She also manages to start her own company with NO CAPITAL based on her good relationship with one celebrity client and the aforementioned Hispanic client. Because powerful Latinos got that way by handing over their business interests to half-witted white girls.
Oh, God--the Satanic boss. Selah Smith, the eponymous head of SSE, is such a bitch caricature it makes my head hurt.
" She might as well try to slay Landon and be done with it. I mean, she does everything but rub her hands together gleefully and laugh maniacally. At one point, she actually says, "I will ruin you." What are you, Ultraman? You can't ruin me, you abominable tart. I'll call OSHA on your abusive ass.
Landon is such a wuss that she allows this woman to treat her shabbily. Indonesian sweat shop workers would quit after this treatment, but our ridiculous protagonist continues along without a protest. Work on Thanksgiving with no prior notice and after booking a flight? Sure! Break up with the love interest because you like him too? Okey dokey. Allow you to verbally abuse me and take credit for my work? Yupper.
L.A. is such a tiny, podunk town that there are NO OTHER event planning companies for which she could work. And of course, no one else makes a fuss either. I am not familiar with the vagaries of event planning; I'm sure it is stressful to the extreme. However, Federal law does have limits on the number of hours one can require their employees to work. You cannot expect me to believe that AN ENTIRE FRIGGING COMPANY allows this woman to get away with a reign of terror that makes Pablo Escobar look like a jolly uncle.
There was nothing in this book that was original, funny, or redeeming with the exception of the party descriptions. If you like shallow, stupid MC's and trite writing, by all means pick up a copy.
You'd think by now I would have learned my lesson with chicklit. Perhaps I am even more naive than I thought--I keep hoping to find the gem in the dungheap. This book was not that gem.
I'm not sure why I continually subject myself to the crapfest that is chicklit. It could be because when the books are good--a rarity--they are funny, heartwarming and real. This book was not such an anomaly. The basic premise of this novel is so cliched. We have all seen the movie or read the book where the sweet, small town girl moves to the big, bad scary city. She meets the boy of her dreams, gets steamrolled by the mean girl, and ultimately triumphs. Done right, this plot can be charming. I adored Reese Witherspoon's take on it in "Legally Blonde". Granted, Reese is an Academy-Award winning actress who has made a lucrative career out of being adorable. (Ironically, her best roles--those of Tracy Flick and June Cash--didn't utilize her awesome powers of cuteness.)
The basic premise is as follows: Landon Brinkley, a sweet, small-town girl from Texas moves to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams of being an event planner. The author had a successful career in that arena so those parts of the novel have verisimilitude. They are also the best parts. Honestly I would have loved a novel about all of the funny, ridiculous, and rewarding aspects of event planning. Throw in a little celebrity tell-all and it would have been an orgiastic medley of guilty pleasures. Unfortunately, the book was a vapid rehashing of "The Devil Wears Prada" without any of the humor. At least Andi in the aforementioned "Devil" was smart--Landon is like a cartoon Texas girl, complete with pink clothes and big hair. She is constantly described as smart, but continues to do things that are ridiculous. She has no spine--she cannot even stand up to one of the assistants; but somehow she manages to defy her evil boss and start HER OWN event planning business. Every aspect of this novel annoyed the crap out of me.
On a side note, if you plan to utilize Spanish in your book, please make sure it's correct. There was one scene where Landon helps to placate an angry Hispanic client. She rushes over speaking horrific Spanish and the guy is supposedly charmed. Um, no. Nothing was grammatically correct, the syntax was completely wrong, and the subjunctive wasn't used in two instances where it needed to be. Hey Ms. Hollis--using a Spanish dictionary does NOT mean you can speak Spanish. "Viejo" is the correct adjective when describing a person, Ms. Hollis. But I digress.
Landon starts the job on her first day apparently hoping that being cute and Southern will excuse her lack of planning. She has done no research on the company, Selah Smith Events, for which she is working as an intern. She has read about the events in magazines, but doesn't seem to know that the person that interviewed her is a male because they have only talked via the interwebs. Really?! That is the POINT of LinkedIn, for cripe's sake. She doesn't ask about the company dress code so she shows up for her first day in a completely inappropriate outfit. She doesn't think that L.A. traffic might be awful, and shows up half an hour late for her first day. Oh, and she doesn't call/text/e-mail her supposed mentor to let them know that tardiness might be imminent. In any job I worked, that kind of inconsiderate offense would be subject to termination.
While all of that nonsense suspends disbelief for anybody who has ever held a job, Landon's ridiculous naivete and milquetoast personality were so ludicrous and overexaggerated they were laughable. We are supposed to fall in love with the character's innocence. I wanted to tie her to a chair, duct tape her eyes open, and force her to watch increasingly shameful pornography until she grew the hell up. I grew up in a very protective family in a small town in Florida; yet I had more gumption and common sense at SEVENTEEN than this Southern-fried idiot has at twenty-fricking-three.
Then come a series of ever-more improbable events in which our innocent (read: abysmally stupid) heroine [snort] stumbles her way from an internship at the company to a paid position, lands one of L.A.'s wealthiest and hottest bachelors, and defies her evil boss. She also manages to start her own company with NO CAPITAL based on her good relationship with one celebrity client and the aforementioned Hispanic client. Because powerful Latinos got that way by handing over their business interests to half-witted white girls.
Oh, God--the Satanic boss. Selah Smith, the eponymous head of SSE, is such a bitch caricature it makes my head hurt.
" She might as well try to slay Landon and be done with it. I mean, she does everything but rub her hands together gleefully and laugh maniacally. At one point, she actually says, "I will ruin you." What are you, Ultraman? You can't ruin me, you abominable tart. I'll call OSHA on your abusive ass.Landon is such a wuss that she allows this woman to treat her shabbily. Indonesian sweat shop workers would quit after this treatment, but our ridiculous protagonist continues along without a protest. Work on Thanksgiving with no prior notice and after booking a flight? Sure! Break up with the love interest because you like him too? Okey dokey. Allow you to verbally abuse me and take credit for my work? Yupper.
L.A. is such a tiny, podunk town that there are NO OTHER event planning companies for which she could work. And of course, no one else makes a fuss either. I am not familiar with the vagaries of event planning; I'm sure it is stressful to the extreme. However, Federal law does have limits on the number of hours one can require their employees to work. You cannot expect me to believe that AN ENTIRE FRIGGING COMPANY allows this woman to get away with a reign of terror that makes Pablo Escobar look like a jolly uncle.
There was nothing in this book that was original, funny, or redeeming with the exception of the party descriptions. If you like shallow, stupid MC's and trite writing, by all means pick up a copy.
You'd think by now I would have learned my lesson with chicklit. Perhaps I am even more naive than I thought--I keep hoping to find the gem in the dungheap. This book was not that gem.
March 16, 2019
This book had some of my favorite things. A strong heroine that finally discovers her own strength. Humor. Romance. Strong female friendships and hot guys. But most of all I love that the audio is read by the author. The accent is real, ya’ll, and I love it!
An adorable romance. Although there is a lot of alcohol consumption there is very little strong language and no sex.
An adorable romance. Although there is a lot of alcohol consumption there is very little strong language and no sex.
April 30, 2015
I loved this book so much! I just didn't want to put it down! (The time I did was because adulting was inescapable lol) Review will be up soon on the blog!
July 25, 2019
My computer decided to take its time to install a huge update. A whole working day (no kidding)! Then I didn't have internet. So, this book definitely begged me to be listened to, instead of working, and I didn't mind.
This was good! I don't know if I ever read a romance like this. Not a single thing made me annoyed. Maybe it's because this is not written by an author who usually writes romances. And the feelings were so familiar for a "nobody" who wants to start a career and proves herself. I mean, we don't save the world, but we all deserve to have our precious moment after finding non published Harry Potter copy for Devil who wears Prada.
This was good! I don't know if I ever read a romance like this. Not a single thing made me annoyed. Maybe it's because this is not written by an author who usually writes romances. And the feelings were so familiar for a "nobody" who wants to start a career and proves herself. I mean, we don't save the world, but we all deserve to have our precious moment after finding non published Harry Potter copy for Devil who wears Prada.
January 7, 2014
I was lucky enough to get my hands on this little baby early - during the Christmas holiday, to be exact. And I let myself indulge. It was perfect. Everything I needed in a frothy holiday read. I loved The Devil Wears Prada and Confessions of a Shopaholic and this book has the same wit, charm, and dizzying, can't-resist-peeking, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of fame and fortune from a party planners perspective. Women's Fiction at it's finest...or funnest. I loved it!
February 14, 2014
What an awesome debut novel from Rachel Hollis! I immediately fell in love with the synopsis and signed up to review this book for its Release Day Launch. It's such a wonderful feeling when the book you're excited about reading lives up to all your expectations! Ms. Hollis will grab your attention from the very beginning and keep you hooked right up to the end. And you will love each and every minute of it!
In Party Girl we're introduced to Landon Brinkley, a Texas native who has relocated to LA with the dream of making it big as an events planner. Armed with her mantra, "I am strong. I am smart. I am courageous.", her savings account and a teaching degree to fall back on she's ready to give it her all and make this change work.
Working for her idol Selah Smith of SSE (Selah Smith Events) is a dream come true, even if it is an unpaid internship. It's just the right amount of motivation she needs to keep her goals in perspective. However, Landon finds herself quickly changing in order to fit in and make her life easier. It's only temporary right? She's just gotta put in the time and gain the experience needed to start her own business. And failure is not an option. Although she quickly realizes Selah isn't the person she thought she was and that SSE is much more complicated and nerve-wracking than her previous events planning job, she sticks with it determined to impress her boss and make a name for herself.
I absolutely loved Landon with her big hair, love of all things pink & colorful, and Texas charm! She's by far one of the funnest characters I've come across in a while. She's living (or fictional) proof that you can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the girl. I really admired that fact that she's so hardworking and determined. I was standing in her corner cheering her on from the very beginning because that's the kind of deep connection you're able to make with her. Landon's character is very real and easy to relate to.
Miko, or Jin as she's known in the workplace, is an absolute life saver! She takes Landon under her wing right off the bat because, unlike all of her other jaded co-workers, Miko remembers what it was like to start from the bottom. I loved her quirky personality and all of the book references! She proves herself to be an amazing friend every step of the way.
Max, Landon's roommate, is definitely unique. She hides behind a tough exterior but inside she's a softy. I kinda felt bad every time she revealed a new fact about herself that Landon didn't know because when asked why she never mentioned it before, her response would always be, "You didn't ask." There's much more to this girl than meets the eye. It takes a bit of digging and an unfortunate accident to get to the bottom of it, but it's well worth the wait because, like Miko, she's an amazing friend.
Throw in some hot guys, workplace drama, a drunken girls night out (or two), incredible fashion and an awesomely witty writing style and you've got yourself one hell of a fun read. If you loved The Devil Wears Prada and watch The Wedding Planner every chance you get…not that I do that or anything…then you will absolutely adore this book! You get a behind the scenes look at what really happens, or happened, at an events planning company. The writing is absolutely flawless and will have you laughing out loud at some points. I'm seriously impressed by the incredible attention to detail. Ms. Hollis literally paints a picture in your mind of each scene as it unfolds. I would highly recommend this book and can totally see myself rereading it time and time again!
In Party Girl we're introduced to Landon Brinkley, a Texas native who has relocated to LA with the dream of making it big as an events planner. Armed with her mantra, "I am strong. I am smart. I am courageous.", her savings account and a teaching degree to fall back on she's ready to give it her all and make this change work.
Working for her idol Selah Smith of SSE (Selah Smith Events) is a dream come true, even if it is an unpaid internship. It's just the right amount of motivation she needs to keep her goals in perspective. However, Landon finds herself quickly changing in order to fit in and make her life easier. It's only temporary right? She's just gotta put in the time and gain the experience needed to start her own business. And failure is not an option. Although she quickly realizes Selah isn't the person she thought she was and that SSE is much more complicated and nerve-wracking than her previous events planning job, she sticks with it determined to impress her boss and make a name for herself.
I absolutely loved Landon with her big hair, love of all things pink & colorful, and Texas charm! She's by far one of the funnest characters I've come across in a while. She's living (or fictional) proof that you can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the girl. I really admired that fact that she's so hardworking and determined. I was standing in her corner cheering her on from the very beginning because that's the kind of deep connection you're able to make with her. Landon's character is very real and easy to relate to.
Miko, or Jin as she's known in the workplace, is an absolute life saver! She takes Landon under her wing right off the bat because, unlike all of her other jaded co-workers, Miko remembers what it was like to start from the bottom. I loved her quirky personality and all of the book references! She proves herself to be an amazing friend every step of the way.
Max, Landon's roommate, is definitely unique. She hides behind a tough exterior but inside she's a softy. I kinda felt bad every time she revealed a new fact about herself that Landon didn't know because when asked why she never mentioned it before, her response would always be, "You didn't ask." There's much more to this girl than meets the eye. It takes a bit of digging and an unfortunate accident to get to the bottom of it, but it's well worth the wait because, like Miko, she's an amazing friend.
Throw in some hot guys, workplace drama, a drunken girls night out (or two), incredible fashion and an awesomely witty writing style and you've got yourself one hell of a fun read. If you loved The Devil Wears Prada and watch The Wedding Planner every chance you get…not that I do that or anything…then you will absolutely adore this book! You get a behind the scenes look at what really happens, or happened, at an events planning company. The writing is absolutely flawless and will have you laughing out loud at some points. I'm seriously impressed by the incredible attention to detail. Ms. Hollis literally paints a picture in your mind of each scene as it unfolds. I would highly recommend this book and can totally see myself rereading it time and time again!
June 4, 2015
I loved everything about this book!! From the remarkable characters, the inside scoop of the party planning business, the laugh out loud humor, the literary references, and to the little dash of romance.
There were many times during the course of reading where It felt very Devil Wears Prada except we're in the event coordination world. And I just so happen to love The Devil Wears Prada so it was A-Ok for me!
Can't wait to start book 2!!!
There were many times during the course of reading where It felt very Devil Wears Prada except we're in the event coordination world. And I just so happen to love The Devil Wears Prada so it was A-Ok for me!
Can't wait to start book 2!!!
January 29, 2014
This book was pure fun. Loved the sassy main character, the behind the scenes deliciousness of the event planning industry, and the breezy writing style. A perfect combo - highly recommended!
December 30, 2014
While planning out my winter break TBR, someone on Twitter suggested I read Party Girl. I was hoping to get some books from my TBR read but after checking out some reviews and the synopsis, I decided Party Girl might just be the perfect read to start off my break. It certainly had some flaws but it was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I’m so glad I gave it a shot.
Landon is a bit of a country mouse. She’s from Texas (like me) and shew as raised as a true southern girl with all the manners and charms you would expect. To be completely honest, I thought the southern charm was a little overdone at points but not throughout the whole book. Otherwise, I loved how Landon’s upbringing played a role in everything she did. She was a little naive when she arrived in LA and landed her internship but she looked at life in a very positive way. I don’t know if I could have dealt with all the crap she had to put up with. Her family and their role in her life actually ended up helping her through tough times and helped her bond with some of the people she came in contact with. She used every aspect of her life to help her get ahead in her job.
The characters were by far my favorite part of Party Girl. Landon was charming and sweet and I loved her even with her overly positive attitude and naivete. She was open to new things and new people. She didn’t let first impressions affect whether or not she got to know someone. Her roommate, Max, was kind of like a porcupine. She definitely had some defenses up outwardly but underneath it all she was really great. She was funny and smart and very driven. She had some secrets that she kept from Landon but she had a good heart and good motives. Miko, Landon’s friend and coworker, was definitely the funniest character. She had such an amazing personality. She took charge but she always had fun. She was a great asset to Landon, both outside of work and at work. There was also the possibility of a love triangle but it luckily never amounted to anything. Taylor was a sweetheart but he seemed like he could be a bit of a player. I also just always saw him as nothing more than a friend to Landon. Brody, on the other hand, brought out the flutters. He was so cute. Sure there were times when I thought he was a pompous asshole but he eventually grew on me. He had a soft side to him that Landon brought out and she had an awkward side to her that he brought out. Points to Rachel Hollis for having a totally awkward character that I couldn’t help but relate to.
The party planning aspect played a huge role in the book and Rachel Hollis definitely knew what she was writing about. The details were intense but not overdone. I loved getting a look into the lives of party planners and all the stuff they have to deal with when planning a party that only lasts a few hours. Every aspect of the book was centered on party planning and it was a totally unique story. If it didn’t seem like such a demanding job, I’d totally look into being a party planner!
Overall, Party Girl is the perfect read if you’re looking for something fun and flirty. The romance was just right, the characters provided laughs, and the story itself had me hooked. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Landon is a bit of a country mouse. She’s from Texas (like me) and shew as raised as a true southern girl with all the manners and charms you would expect. To be completely honest, I thought the southern charm was a little overdone at points but not throughout the whole book. Otherwise, I loved how Landon’s upbringing played a role in everything she did. She was a little naive when she arrived in LA and landed her internship but she looked at life in a very positive way. I don’t know if I could have dealt with all the crap she had to put up with. Her family and their role in her life actually ended up helping her through tough times and helped her bond with some of the people she came in contact with. She used every aspect of her life to help her get ahead in her job.
The characters were by far my favorite part of Party Girl. Landon was charming and sweet and I loved her even with her overly positive attitude and naivete. She was open to new things and new people. She didn’t let first impressions affect whether or not she got to know someone. Her roommate, Max, was kind of like a porcupine. She definitely had some defenses up outwardly but underneath it all she was really great. She was funny and smart and very driven. She had some secrets that she kept from Landon but she had a good heart and good motives. Miko, Landon’s friend and coworker, was definitely the funniest character. She had such an amazing personality. She took charge but she always had fun. She was a great asset to Landon, both outside of work and at work. There was also the possibility of a love triangle but it luckily never amounted to anything. Taylor was a sweetheart but he seemed like he could be a bit of a player. I also just always saw him as nothing more than a friend to Landon. Brody, on the other hand, brought out the flutters. He was so cute. Sure there were times when I thought he was a pompous asshole but he eventually grew on me. He had a soft side to him that Landon brought out and she had an awkward side to her that he brought out. Points to Rachel Hollis for having a totally awkward character that I couldn’t help but relate to.
The party planning aspect played a huge role in the book and Rachel Hollis definitely knew what she was writing about. The details were intense but not overdone. I loved getting a look into the lives of party planners and all the stuff they have to deal with when planning a party that only lasts a few hours. Every aspect of the book was centered on party planning and it was a totally unique story. If it didn’t seem like such a demanding job, I’d totally look into being a party planner!
Overall, Party Girl is the perfect read if you’re looking for something fun and flirty. The romance was just right, the characters provided laughs, and the story itself had me hooked. I look forward to reading more in this series.
January 10, 2014
I'm a true fan! Every character jumps right off the page. Funny, uplifting and so entertaining… This coming of age story is filled with a scrumptious balance of romance, drama, and of course, glitter!
January 10, 2014
I felt a kinship with Landon from the start. You can't help but love her and root for her from page one. Anyone who has ever been thrown into the shark tank that is their first big job will laugh, cringe and cry along with her.
December 20, 2013
This book was so much fun! Like a rich, sinfully delicious cupcake, I inhaled it in one sitting.
January 29, 2017
it was such a cute read! i enjoyed every bit of it.
September 5, 2022
Oops… I already read this book when the title was The Devil Wears Prada. Oh well 😉.
August 25, 2016
This book was definitely an eclectic mix!
Some parts were utterly adorable. Others were very nerdy (yay for getting every book reference!).
There was tons of growth and amazing secondary characters. I loved the southern manners and big hair (its true even though cliche-we like our hair BIG).
Then there was part of the book that was like watching a UFC fight where someone is getting the crap beat out of them and they just keep getting back up. You wince at the TV & yell "just stay down" because it is so painful to watch.
I kept thinking come on how much more of a beating was Landon going to take before throwing in the towel. But she had the perseverance of the Energizer bunny and her strength won out!
Some parts were utterly adorable. Others were very nerdy (yay for getting every book reference!).
There was tons of growth and amazing secondary characters. I loved the southern manners and big hair (its true even though cliche-we like our hair BIG).
Then there was part of the book that was like watching a UFC fight where someone is getting the crap beat out of them and they just keep getting back up. You wince at the TV & yell "just stay down" because it is so painful to watch.
I kept thinking come on how much more of a beating was Landon going to take before throwing in the towel. But she had the perseverance of the Energizer bunny and her strength won out!
October 18, 2019
The internship of dreams brings Landon to LA. But from the very first day with the one and only elite event planner Selah Smith, known to be the best, she has to learn that this job not at all what she prepared for.
In the world where people spend millions of dollars for their toddlers birthday bash, she's expected to just know it all, put up with the attitude the whole team seems to share and make Selah her number one priority.
She sacrifices her free time, her private life and her pride. But can she sacrifice relationships and someone elses career for her own?
I was quickly absorbed into this fast paced journey. It's an interesting glimpse behind the scenes of the glam, on how crazy party planning and big dreams are in LA. And all easy to follow, funny and entertaining.
Especially the parts about that work seem so non-fiction.
I liked positive, not judging Landon instantly. She's good with people, desperate to succeed but also wants to be who she is. She's also so naive and all those people and their influence make her insecure. Her drunk outburst on what exactly Selah does and how she's "working on being Brody's girlfriend, like a part time job" was so good.
Selah is one of these characters I love to hate on in books, manipulative, scheming and unreasonable. She depends on her team because she actually barely does anything than barking orders or screaming at people and still treats them inferior.
There's a lot of pretending and the event planning characters are exactly how you expect them to be.
The Devil wears Prada vibes are obvious, Selahs superior attitude mirrors Miranda Priestly. But it has its own voice, mostly because hard work doesn't seem to be how she made it. I would have loved to see how and what she does in the end. That ending was sweet but kind of underwhelming.
But there is always someone who makes a great ally and I loved how Miko felt sorry and took Landon under her wing. She's not just a designer but a YA-reading nerd, so you can't not like her.
And Landons roommate Max, who works in a bar and hides that she's actually wealthy was also an impressive character.
Her quiet, attentive brother Brody is something else. While he seems to be Selahs boy toy who thinks she's just "a little irrational because she's stressed", there's much more to him and he did surprise me a few times.
I also liked Taylor, the tech guy who looks like Adam Levine and hope for more of him.
But what I liked most about this is that the romance is just on the side, actually only adds to the problems with the job. It's more about the girls strong friendship and Landons personal growth, which shows that the important thing is that you can be kind of a nice person and successful.
And it still shows how good it can be to know someone who knows someone.
In the world where people spend millions of dollars for their toddlers birthday bash, she's expected to just know it all, put up with the attitude the whole team seems to share and make Selah her number one priority.
She sacrifices her free time, her private life and her pride. But can she sacrifice relationships and someone elses career for her own?
I was quickly absorbed into this fast paced journey. It's an interesting glimpse behind the scenes of the glam, on how crazy party planning and big dreams are in LA. And all easy to follow, funny and entertaining.
Especially the parts about that work seem so non-fiction.
I liked positive, not judging Landon instantly. She's good with people, desperate to succeed but also wants to be who she is. She's also so naive and all those people and their influence make her insecure. Her drunk outburst on what exactly Selah does and how she's "working on being Brody's girlfriend, like a part time job" was so good.
Selah is one of these characters I love to hate on in books, manipulative, scheming and unreasonable. She depends on her team because she actually barely does anything than barking orders or screaming at people and still treats them inferior.
There's a lot of pretending and the event planning characters are exactly how you expect them to be.
The Devil wears Prada vibes are obvious, Selahs superior attitude mirrors Miranda Priestly. But it has its own voice, mostly because hard work doesn't seem to be how she made it. I would have loved to see how and what she does in the end. That ending was sweet but kind of underwhelming.
But there is always someone who makes a great ally and I loved how Miko felt sorry and took Landon under her wing. She's not just a designer but a YA-reading nerd, so you can't not like her.
And Landons roommate Max, who works in a bar and hides that she's actually wealthy was also an impressive character.
Her quiet, attentive brother Brody is something else. While he seems to be Selahs boy toy who thinks she's just "a little irrational because she's stressed", there's much more to him and he did surprise me a few times.
I also liked Taylor, the tech guy who looks like Adam Levine and hope for more of him.
But what I liked most about this is that the romance is just on the side, actually only adds to the problems with the job. It's more about the girls strong friendship and Landons personal growth, which shows that the important thing is that you can be kind of a nice person and successful.
And it still shows how good it can be to know someone who knows someone.
January 25, 2016
This book started as a "I need to read this before Austin Book Fest" for the simple fact that I want to be able to go to Rachel's table. I mean lets be honest- shes a damn HOOT......how surprised was I .......THIS BOOK...guys, was utterly fabtastic!! Think Legally Blonde meets Sweet Home Alabama and has a love child named The Devil Wears Prada LOL!!!!!! Light and Airy- Rachel writes with whit, leaving all the angsty pillow biting to others. I loved every bit of this read, it was funny and so well descriptive that I was able to live the fantastic life of her characters.
“If I had a power color, it would definitely be SPARKLE"
Landon is a Texas transplant- right in the heart of Hollywood. As a fellow southern girl- I loved her accent, drawl and sassiness. Her character was sweet albeit a bit naive, funny and seriously determined.
“Inside my head is a tumble of incoherent screams that sound an awful lot like someone speaking in tongues. Apparently my inner voice is Pentecostal.”
Getting the chance to intern at the most elite event planning company, Landon knows this is where she will begin preparing for the start of her dreams. However, she finds herself at the short end of the stick with a dragon of a boss and ends up losing her way. Seeing her grow and gain that self confidence she needed to find her way back to her old self really made for a great read.
“Your integrity is the only thing they can't take away from you.”
I am so excited to read the next 2 books in the series- Landon's close friends and the supporting characters in the book Max and Miko were hilarious and I am beyond eager to see how Rachel portrays their stories. What a pleasant surprise..........
“If I had a power color, it would definitely be SPARKLE"
Landon is a Texas transplant- right in the heart of Hollywood. As a fellow southern girl- I loved her accent, drawl and sassiness. Her character was sweet albeit a bit naive, funny and seriously determined.
“Inside my head is a tumble of incoherent screams that sound an awful lot like someone speaking in tongues. Apparently my inner voice is Pentecostal.”
Getting the chance to intern at the most elite event planning company, Landon knows this is where she will begin preparing for the start of her dreams. However, she finds herself at the short end of the stick with a dragon of a boss and ends up losing her way. Seeing her grow and gain that self confidence she needed to find her way back to her old self really made for a great read.
“Your integrity is the only thing they can't take away from you.”
I am so excited to read the next 2 books in the series- Landon's close friends and the supporting characters in the book Max and Miko were hilarious and I am beyond eager to see how Rachel portrays their stories. What a pleasant surprise..........
August 5, 2016
Fresh, sunny and spirited, Party Girl is a charming and delightfully entertaining big city adventure for the lofty dreamer in all of us. This vibrant and confectionery tale takes the reader deep into the fast-paced trendy trenches of high-end event planning.
We see every rich, juicy detail through the starry eyes of the novel’s sweet lovable heroine Landon. Her sparkly bliss and infectious enthusiasm are a joy to experience. She’s an endearing character- strong willed, self respecting and generous- a shining light and a striking contrast to the venomous trolls whose will and oppressive authority she must endure and submit to. Despite every test, sabotage and stumble, Landon pushes through. She’s tenacious, hard working and so determined! She comes out on the other side, exhausted, but also stronger and wiser. With her dreams still fully intact, Landon charges ahead- ready for the next invigorating challenge. It’s inspiring!
Amongst all of the chaos and glitzy drama, a blushing attraction and mutual fascination develops between Landon and the butterflies-inducing and breathtakingly beautiful Brody. Their complicated relationship is secondary to her career and life long goals- but she can’t deny her feelings any more than he can. Landon and Brody’s unconventional and innocent courtship is infused with honest enchantment and softness. As one of the book’s many highlights, their happily ever after will leave you wistful and wishing for more.
I truly enjoyed reading this enlivening and empowering youthful journey. Party Girl is a golden debut worth sharing.
ARC courtesy of InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review.
We see every rich, juicy detail through the starry eyes of the novel’s sweet lovable heroine Landon. Her sparkly bliss and infectious enthusiasm are a joy to experience. She’s an endearing character- strong willed, self respecting and generous- a shining light and a striking contrast to the venomous trolls whose will and oppressive authority she must endure and submit to. Despite every test, sabotage and stumble, Landon pushes through. She’s tenacious, hard working and so determined! She comes out on the other side, exhausted, but also stronger and wiser. With her dreams still fully intact, Landon charges ahead- ready for the next invigorating challenge. It’s inspiring!
Amongst all of the chaos and glitzy drama, a blushing attraction and mutual fascination develops between Landon and the butterflies-inducing and breathtakingly beautiful Brody. Their complicated relationship is secondary to her career and life long goals- but she can’t deny her feelings any more than he can. Landon and Brody’s unconventional and innocent courtship is infused with honest enchantment and softness. As one of the book’s many highlights, their happily ever after will leave you wistful and wishing for more.
I truly enjoyed reading this enlivening and empowering youthful journey. Party Girl is a golden debut worth sharing.
ARC courtesy of InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2014
Anyone who has ever had an internship will cringe/love this book. My internship was at a magazine and I read the first half of this book in my own painful flashback. This is a funny and lovely book. Smart and insightful and FUNNY!
January 8, 2015
Review coming soon!
July 8, 2016
Boring and vapid. I could not finish it.
July 9, 2017
I just plum loved it.
Wow, this was so unexpectedly adorable. I absolutely loved it. I listened partially to audio and read the last 50%. And want more more more of Landon & Brody!
Wow, this was so unexpectedly adorable. I absolutely loved it. I listened partially to audio and read the last 50%. And want more more more of Landon & Brody!
January 23, 2019
This was my first audiobook.
April 10, 2019
I love everything Rachel Hollis, so I'm probably biased, but I found the story refreshing!
February 17, 2014
Reading Party Girl by Rachel Hollis is the most fun I’ve had while reading in a LONG time! There were just so many fantastic aspects of this book that all worked so well together and made me adore it to absolute pieces. The characters, the parties, the horrible bosses, and the quirky best friends; they all were what made this book cute, quirky, and a definite favorite!
Landon was an extremely likeable character from the very first page! While she was a way more girlie than I could ever dream of being, I couldn’t help but connecting with her as a character on so many levels. She was ready to embrace this new, exciting life in Hollywood and nothing was going to stand in her way. Her outlook on life (before the evil boss!) was so positive and enthusiastic; it definitely made me smile! Once Landon reaches Hollywood and is introduced the crazy, hectic, harsh reality that happens only when you are an intern for an assistant of an assistant of Selah Smith THE PARTY PLANNER, she gets nervous and a little overwhelmed, yes, but that confidence and determination to make something special out of her life never faltered. I really loved and appreciated Landon as a character for that very reason!
Landon also seemed like such a real, honest, genuine character and I think that’s why I fell so head over heels for this story. She is this fantastic mix of all of my favorite personality traits: sure she is confident but she has moments of insecurity, nervousness and fear. She is girlie and bubbly which means she is mistaken as a “dumb blonde” a lot but she is smart and savvy in all the best ways. She has quite a few setbacks personally and professionally but she also has a lot of great moments too in which she was really able to show how she grew as a person! By the end of this story, I just felt like I knew her not as a character but as a friend!
Another one of my favorite parts of this book were the other characters! There was such a crazy, quirky cast of characters each bringing their own something special to the story! Landon’s roommate, Max was hilarious even if she didn’t mean to be. Max is this tough girl with a bit of an attitude (and scowling) problem but seeing her friendship with Landon grow, was one of my favorite parts! Landon’s co-workers (the ones that weren’t evil and horrible!) like Taylor and Miko, were such a pleasant surprise. Not only did they add humor to the book but they were rooting Landon on the whole time and I loved them for that!
This book also contained some romance; an unexpected but sweet, adorable, lovely romance all the same! Landon first meets the handsome, rich, and successful Brody Ashton while choking on a muffin in an elevator. From that moment on, Landon and Brody’s interactions are awkward at best. She feels like she’s out of his league and he pegs her wrong from the beginning. This is my favorite type of romance though because they start off in a tense place with their relationship but we got to see that transform to acceptance of one another, the start of their fragile (but still intact) friendship, and finally blossom into full-on love. It was slow-building and sweet in all of the best ways!
While I ADORED this book for all of these reasons and more, there is one particular aspect I cannot fail to mention; IT, the book, not just the character, was so real, genuine, and fun! I was SO glad I read about the author before going into this book because knowing a little more about Rachel and all of the awesome things that she as done in her career so far, made this book seem even more authentic to me! She has (or at least I suspect she has!) gone through a lot of what Landon went through; from the internship, to the horrible boss, to the exciting parties, and finally to starting her own party planning business.
This is a book I have been pushing onto people before I even finished reading and it is a book that I will be pushing onto people for a long time! I adored the characters, the relationships between them, and the party planning aspect but more than that, I love the good feeling I got when I read this book. It is fun, delightful, adorable and I honestly cannot suggest this one enough!
Landon was an extremely likeable character from the very first page! While she was a way more girlie than I could ever dream of being, I couldn’t help but connecting with her as a character on so many levels. She was ready to embrace this new, exciting life in Hollywood and nothing was going to stand in her way. Her outlook on life (before the evil boss!) was so positive and enthusiastic; it definitely made me smile! Once Landon reaches Hollywood and is introduced the crazy, hectic, harsh reality that happens only when you are an intern for an assistant of an assistant of Selah Smith THE PARTY PLANNER, she gets nervous and a little overwhelmed, yes, but that confidence and determination to make something special out of her life never faltered. I really loved and appreciated Landon as a character for that very reason!
Landon also seemed like such a real, honest, genuine character and I think that’s why I fell so head over heels for this story. She is this fantastic mix of all of my favorite personality traits: sure she is confident but she has moments of insecurity, nervousness and fear. She is girlie and bubbly which means she is mistaken as a “dumb blonde” a lot but she is smart and savvy in all the best ways. She has quite a few setbacks personally and professionally but she also has a lot of great moments too in which she was really able to show how she grew as a person! By the end of this story, I just felt like I knew her not as a character but as a friend!
Another one of my favorite parts of this book were the other characters! There was such a crazy, quirky cast of characters each bringing their own something special to the story! Landon’s roommate, Max was hilarious even if she didn’t mean to be. Max is this tough girl with a bit of an attitude (and scowling) problem but seeing her friendship with Landon grow, was one of my favorite parts! Landon’s co-workers (the ones that weren’t evil and horrible!) like Taylor and Miko, were such a pleasant surprise. Not only did they add humor to the book but they were rooting Landon on the whole time and I loved them for that!
This book also contained some romance; an unexpected but sweet, adorable, lovely romance all the same! Landon first meets the handsome, rich, and successful Brody Ashton while choking on a muffin in an elevator. From that moment on, Landon and Brody’s interactions are awkward at best. She feels like she’s out of his league and he pegs her wrong from the beginning. This is my favorite type of romance though because they start off in a tense place with their relationship but we got to see that transform to acceptance of one another, the start of their fragile (but still intact) friendship, and finally blossom into full-on love. It was slow-building and sweet in all of the best ways!
While I ADORED this book for all of these reasons and more, there is one particular aspect I cannot fail to mention; IT, the book, not just the character, was so real, genuine, and fun! I was SO glad I read about the author before going into this book because knowing a little more about Rachel and all of the awesome things that she as done in her career so far, made this book seem even more authentic to me! She has (or at least I suspect she has!) gone through a lot of what Landon went through; from the internship, to the horrible boss, to the exciting parties, and finally to starting her own party planning business.
This is a book I have been pushing onto people before I even finished reading and it is a book that I will be pushing onto people for a long time! I adored the characters, the relationships between them, and the party planning aspect but more than that, I love the good feeling I got when I read this book. It is fun, delightful, adorable and I honestly cannot suggest this one enough!
July 10, 2014
This is my first time writing a coherent review where I do not just go 'OMG I loved this book/I hated this book'. Well I shall try to anyway.
First of all, thank you to Rachel for the ebook in return for an honest review! :)
Ok, onto the story. Landon is our main girl (any 'A Walk to Remember' fans out there? :D) and she dreams of making it in LA, as an event planner. Basically she ends up working for Selah Smith (you can compare her to Miranda Priestly, but much much worse). Add an awesome co-worker/best friend, roommate and a hot guy, and you have the ingredients for a perfect chick lit.
I believe the story picks up a lot when she gets promoted due to someone being fired. We get to see her being more confident and assertive and well more drama happens when she is the key player in planning. The romance with the actual guy takes a while to get started but once it does, it is the most adorable thing ever. Their non-date (but really it is a date) is really cute. I need my own guy like that (trying to be spoiler free by not mentioning the name. I hope it makes sense).
One of my favourite characters in this book was Miko. She was such an awesome friend and co-worker. Without her Landon would be so lost in this industry. And I loved their ongoing coffee buying thing for each other, and giving names for each coffee drinking time. I need my own Miko as well. My life would be more colourful with her and if I worked with her, then that would the cherry on an awesome cake.
The other main character is Max, Landon's roommate. I liked that she was more open after an important episode and quite supportive of Landon and her man but before that she was always saying 'you never asked' when Landon finds out something new about her. I felt like there was a gap there. We did not really get real conversations between her and Landon where I could see that Landon was always talking about herself or something. Since I did not see that Landon actually does not ask I felt like Max was being annoying. But once she opens up a bit more I really liked her. She was not judgemental of Landon's man when they were still not official.
Also it would have been really satisfying if we could see what happened with Selah after the mini showdown near the end. I would have loved it if I could see that she was suffering, because karma thought it was time to visit her but it did not really happen. She was such a vile character so I thought we would get a mini duel if you like between Landon and Selah. We did get a hint of something because of what Miko does but I wanted moreeeee like a slap at least. But I guess we do not always have the privilege to insult our horrible (ex) bosses in real life as it could have terrible consequences. By the way are there actual bosses who are as bad as Selah? She is just something else, butting into your personal life but making it seem as if it is unprofessional of you to have a life.
If not for those points then it would have been a five star. Apart from that I really liked the book. It never bored me and I actually wanted the best for Landon and her dude (can't say who it is because I was confuzzled myself as to who she would end up with. Ok the other dude is not exactly a potential I guess, but I thought there was something there). There are some books I have read where I wanted the narrator to crash and burn because they just annoyed me a lottt, or maybe I am just a mean, mean person.
If you enjoyed The Devil Wears Prada (I have not read the book yet but I loved the movie. I know it is not the same thing but the story is similar) then you will definitely enjoy this book.
Cheers, to Sandra Bullock ;P
First of all, thank you to Rachel for the ebook in return for an honest review! :)
Ok, onto the story. Landon is our main girl (any 'A Walk to Remember' fans out there? :D) and she dreams of making it in LA, as an event planner. Basically she ends up working for Selah Smith (you can compare her to Miranda Priestly, but much much worse). Add an awesome co-worker/best friend, roommate and a hot guy, and you have the ingredients for a perfect chick lit.
I believe the story picks up a lot when she gets promoted due to someone being fired. We get to see her being more confident and assertive and well more drama happens when she is the key player in planning. The romance with the actual guy takes a while to get started but once it does, it is the most adorable thing ever. Their non-date (but really it is a date) is really cute. I need my own guy like that (trying to be spoiler free by not mentioning the name. I hope it makes sense).
One of my favourite characters in this book was Miko. She was such an awesome friend and co-worker. Without her Landon would be so lost in this industry. And I loved their ongoing coffee buying thing for each other, and giving names for each coffee drinking time. I need my own Miko as well. My life would be more colourful with her and if I worked with her, then that would the cherry on an awesome cake.
The other main character is Max, Landon's roommate. I liked that she was more open after an important episode and quite supportive of Landon and her man but before that she was always saying 'you never asked' when Landon finds out something new about her. I felt like there was a gap there. We did not really get real conversations between her and Landon where I could see that Landon was always talking about herself or something. Since I did not see that Landon actually does not ask I felt like Max was being annoying. But once she opens up a bit more I really liked her. She was not judgemental of Landon's man when they were still not official.
Also it would have been really satisfying if we could see what happened with Selah after the mini showdown near the end. I would have loved it if I could see that she was suffering, because karma thought it was time to visit her but it did not really happen. She was such a vile character so I thought we would get a mini duel if you like between Landon and Selah. We did get a hint of something because of what Miko does but I wanted moreeeee like a slap at least. But I guess we do not always have the privilege to insult our horrible (ex) bosses in real life as it could have terrible consequences. By the way are there actual bosses who are as bad as Selah? She is just something else, butting into your personal life but making it seem as if it is unprofessional of you to have a life.
If not for those points then it would have been a five star. Apart from that I really liked the book. It never bored me and I actually wanted the best for Landon and her dude (can't say who it is because I was confuzzled myself as to who she would end up with. Ok the other dude is not exactly a potential I guess, but I thought there was something there). There are some books I have read where I wanted the narrator to crash and burn because they just annoyed me a lottt, or maybe I am just a mean, mean person.
If you enjoyed The Devil Wears Prada (I have not read the book yet but I loved the movie. I know it is not the same thing but the story is similar) then you will definitely enjoy this book.
Cheers, to Sandra Bullock ;P
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