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The High Moments
Scarlett is far from perfect.
She changes herself to please others.
She makes mistakes – over and over again.
She repeatedly goes back to people that have hurt her.
Scarlett has a tricky relationship with her mother and is desperate for people to like her.
She moves to London without a plan, but when she manages to land a job at a modelling agency she thinks that her life is finally on track.
Scarlett soon discovers that the fashion industry is far from what she had imagined and her life begins to spiral out of control. But at least people know who she is. She is starting to become someone.
And surely it’s better to be someone – even if it’s someone you hate?
With a vein of dark humour at its core, The High Moments offers an astute, often stark look at the fashion industry and the challenges you face as a woman in your twenties. Fans of Emma Jane Unsworth's Animals and shows like Girls will love this.
She changes herself to please others.
She makes mistakes – over and over again.
She repeatedly goes back to people that have hurt her.
Scarlett has a tricky relationship with her mother and is desperate for people to like her.
She moves to London without a plan, but when she manages to land a job at a modelling agency she thinks that her life is finally on track.
Scarlett soon discovers that the fashion industry is far from what she had imagined and her life begins to spiral out of control. But at least people know who she is. She is starting to become someone.
And surely it’s better to be someone – even if it’s someone you hate?
With a vein of dark humour at its core, The High Moments offers an astute, often stark look at the fashion industry and the challenges you face as a woman in your twenties. Fans of Emma Jane Unsworth's Animals and shows like Girls will love this.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2020
29 people are currently reading
540 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
April 18, 2025
I am very excited to be part of the Instagram Tour for The High Moments by Sara-Ella Ozbek. Thank you to Kaleidoscopic Book Tours for this amazing opportunity, and for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The High Moments is a book about Scarlett.
She’s not perfect and she has a very tricky relationship with her mother. All she wants is to be successful and for people to like her.
She is one of those people that make goals on New Year’s Eve, and then reflect back one year later, just to realise that nothing has changed. But one day, she does decide it’s time for a change. So she moves to London. She doesn’t have a particular plan, but she does want to be a designer.
She ends up getting a job at a modeling agency with a very low salary. But the fashion industry is the worst place you can go to, if you are willing to change yourself, just to appeal to others.
Which is something Scarlett, obviously, does.
She makes friends that aren’t that real. She hands out with the wrong crowd. And she sleeps with men she shouldn’t. She takes drugs. She consumes alcohol. Way more than she is supposed to. But at least people start to recognise her. They invite her to parties she could only have dreamed of. Surely that can’t be all that bad? Well – it is.
And she doesn’t really learn from it, until it’s way too late.
This book was compared to The Devil Wears Prada, and I don’t agree with that comparison. The Devil Wears Prada is a gem, and the first of its kind, so it shouldn’t be a very easy story to compare. Just because this book follows a woman that works in a very fast paced fashion industry it doesn’t mean comparisons should be thrown left right and center.
Additionally, Scarlett is a very insecure person. And despite her goal in design, she doesn’t show a lot of determination. She seemed to care way more about her parties, than to be good at her job and get promoted in her career. But I think that her immaturity comes with her age, and the story was captured in a time when she still needed to experience everything and grow. Which she does, at the very end of the book, even though it’s a slow start.
Aside from this, I really enjoyed the book, and it only took me one day to finish it. I was very invested and entertained, and I have only praise for that. The scenes were very realistic and the characters were very real. The plot was predictable, but I expected that. Every time Scarlett would make a bad decision, I knew it would come back to bite her. And I also knew she would learn to grow from all the mistakes she made – which she does. And that pleases me.
“Everyone always wonders how good people can do terrible things, but bad behaviour is the easiest thing in the world, really. You just don’t think about it.”
If you love fast-paced books, filled with humour and fashion, I promise you will enjoy The High Moments by Sara-Ella Ozbek. It will lift your spirits and make you giggle. And on top of that, it will make you discuss Scarlett’s choices in life with your best friend. What more do you want in a book?
Wishlist | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Ko-fi
The High Moments is a book about Scarlett.
She’s not perfect and she has a very tricky relationship with her mother. All she wants is to be successful and for people to like her.
She is one of those people that make goals on New Year’s Eve, and then reflect back one year later, just to realise that nothing has changed. But one day, she does decide it’s time for a change. So she moves to London. She doesn’t have a particular plan, but she does want to be a designer.
She ends up getting a job at a modeling agency with a very low salary. But the fashion industry is the worst place you can go to, if you are willing to change yourself, just to appeal to others.
Which is something Scarlett, obviously, does.
She makes friends that aren’t that real. She hands out with the wrong crowd. And she sleeps with men she shouldn’t. She takes drugs. She consumes alcohol. Way more than she is supposed to. But at least people start to recognise her. They invite her to parties she could only have dreamed of. Surely that can’t be all that bad? Well – it is.
And she doesn’t really learn from it, until it’s way too late.
This book was compared to The Devil Wears Prada, and I don’t agree with that comparison. The Devil Wears Prada is a gem, and the first of its kind, so it shouldn’t be a very easy story to compare. Just because this book follows a woman that works in a very fast paced fashion industry it doesn’t mean comparisons should be thrown left right and center.
Additionally, Scarlett is a very insecure person. And despite her goal in design, she doesn’t show a lot of determination. She seemed to care way more about her parties, than to be good at her job and get promoted in her career. But I think that her immaturity comes with her age, and the story was captured in a time when she still needed to experience everything and grow. Which she does, at the very end of the book, even though it’s a slow start.
Aside from this, I really enjoyed the book, and it only took me one day to finish it. I was very invested and entertained, and I have only praise for that. The scenes were very realistic and the characters were very real. The plot was predictable, but I expected that. Every time Scarlett would make a bad decision, I knew it would come back to bite her. And I also knew she would learn to grow from all the mistakes she made – which she does. And that pleases me.
“Everyone always wonders how good people can do terrible things, but bad behaviour is the easiest thing in the world, really. You just don’t think about it.”
If you love fast-paced books, filled with humour and fashion, I promise you will enjoy The High Moments by Sara-Ella Ozbek. It will lift your spirits and make you giggle. And on top of that, it will make you discuss Scarlett’s choices in life with your best friend. What more do you want in a book?
Wishlist | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Ko-fi
April 29, 2020
Don't you really hate when a book gets misrepresented on the blurb? The High Moments is described as "a filthier more sordid Devil wears Prada". Filthier? Yeah. More sordid? For sure. "The Devil wears Prada"? You wish. I just lost count how many times I thought about DNFing it while reading this, but as it was an ARC I forced myself to reach the end.
Scarlett is not a likable character at all so I couldn't care less about what happened to her. At the beginning she behaves like an ungrateful brat acting as if the world owed her something. Girl, if you want a career work for it cause it's not falling from the sky! She was selfish and pretentious and had a need for validation from others, constantly debasing herself to achieve it, that was so ackward to read about.
All her relationships with her "friends" couldn't be more fake and don't get me started on her relationship with Zack. Toxic much? I might understand she would accept it at the beginning due to her infatuation with him, but after everything he did to her? Are you crazy? How could she love herself so little? Even when she bottomed out I couldn't feel an ounce of sympathy for her.
And the drugs! OMG! If I'd had to read another scene of people doing cocaine, ketamine or whatever I would have thrown my kindle out the window! Now I understand that title, cause she spends half the book on drugs, drinking or with a hangover.
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster UK for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Scarlett is not a likable character at all so I couldn't care less about what happened to her. At the beginning she behaves like an ungrateful brat acting as if the world owed her something. Girl, if you want a career work for it cause it's not falling from the sky! She was selfish and pretentious and had a need for validation from others, constantly debasing herself to achieve it, that was so ackward to read about.
All her relationships with her "friends" couldn't be more fake and don't get me started on her relationship with Zack. Toxic much? I might understand she would accept it at the beginning due to her infatuation with him, but after everything he did to her? Are you crazy? How could she love herself so little? Even when she bottomed out I couldn't feel an ounce of sympathy for her.
And the drugs! OMG! If I'd had to read another scene of people doing cocaine, ketamine or whatever I would have thrown my kindle out the window! Now I understand that title, cause she spends half the book on drugs, drinking or with a hangover.
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster UK for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 10, 2020
I noped my way out of this book at about 35%. I just couldn't anymore. The blurb compares The High Moments with much better books like The Devil Wears Prada, which means it's already setting itself up for some very disappointing readers. Being a millennial isn't' easy, so there's a lot that I think readers can relate to in Scarlett's character. Still, the big issue for me here is that it also relies far too heavily on tired and incorrect Millennial cliches - like expecting life to just fall into place, entitlement, and being vacuous and selfish.
Scarlett is a disgustingly unlikeable character, and her decisions simply didn't resonate with me. There are also far too many convenient and unbelievable things that fall into place at the beginning of the novel to get Scarlett into her London life that the whole premise just ended up feeling way too far fetched.
There was just not enough development, or reality within The High Life to keep me interested and reading. There are enough toxic people in real life, so there was just no way I was going to force myself to read a story about one of those very people's dreams coming true.
Scarlett is a disgustingly unlikeable character, and her decisions simply didn't resonate with me. There are also far too many convenient and unbelievable things that fall into place at the beginning of the novel to get Scarlett into her London life that the whole premise just ended up feeling way too far fetched.
There was just not enough development, or reality within The High Life to keep me interested and reading. There are enough toxic people in real life, so there was just no way I was going to force myself to read a story about one of those very people's dreams coming true.
July 13, 2020
I have to confess that I didn’t find Scarlett particularly likeable but I did find myself absolutely addicted to her story! I was fascinated by her move to London and the crazy world she found herself living in, the fashion industry is notoriously harsh so I was keen to see how she would navigate it. Unfortunately most of the choices she made were pretty dire and at one point I realised that I was just waiting for the moment she would stop behaving like a selfish child - but would that moment ever come?
The writing was great, somehow the author managed to create an inclusive atmosphere that made me feel like I was also a part of the ‘Pure Models’ world. I found myself thinking about the book even when I wasn’t reading - always a sign of a good read!
Favourite Moments
* Awkward sofa surfing
* A fruity show
* Billie’s texts
* A straight talking friend
This was a gritty tale of a difficult path to self-discovery that I found unexpectedly addictive.
The writing was great, somehow the author managed to create an inclusive atmosphere that made me feel like I was also a part of the ‘Pure Models’ world. I found myself thinking about the book even when I wasn’t reading - always a sign of a good read!
Favourite Moments
* Awkward sofa surfing
* A fruity show
* Billie’s texts
* A straight talking friend
This was a gritty tale of a difficult path to self-discovery that I found unexpectedly addictive.
Read
May 19, 2020Review: This book felt like The Devil Wears Prada meets Sweet Bitter and I loved it. I love the format of this book, the fact that it reads a little like a diary with some new year's resolutions at the beginning and notes to self throughout and then we always know what day and kind of time of year it is following the fashion calendar.
Scarlett is a prickly character and not everyone is going to love her but you will definitely find her intriguing and want to watch as she tries to better herself but kind of ends up going into self destruct code. Scarlett is definitely a follower but likes to think that she is a leader and so older readers, like myself will definitely feel like they want to take care of her and look out for her even though she is intent on the path she is taking.
This book is definitely not for the faint hearted, there is a lot of sex and drug use and Scarlett’s life isn’t always pretty to watch. There are some very questionable choices on almost every page but that’s what makes it compelling reading and once you start you won’t want to stop turning those pages.
I loved being in this world of fashion, the cut throat world that it was and living in it vicariously through Scarlett. I loved getting to know her and watching her grow and learn as the book went on and I definitely loved the gritty edge that this book had. This is coming of age meets literary fiction and was such a refreshing read.
Scarlett is a prickly character and not everyone is going to love her but you will definitely find her intriguing and want to watch as she tries to better herself but kind of ends up going into self destruct code. Scarlett is definitely a follower but likes to think that she is a leader and so older readers, like myself will definitely feel like they want to take care of her and look out for her even though she is intent on the path she is taking.
This book is definitely not for the faint hearted, there is a lot of sex and drug use and Scarlett’s life isn’t always pretty to watch. There are some very questionable choices on almost every page but that’s what makes it compelling reading and once you start you won’t want to stop turning those pages.
I loved being in this world of fashion, the cut throat world that it was and living in it vicariously through Scarlett. I loved getting to know her and watching her grow and learn as the book went on and I definitely loved the gritty edge that this book had. This is coming of age meets literary fiction and was such a refreshing read.
January 21, 2026
Reminiscent of The Devil Wears Prada, with a lot more scandal. I liked how the theme of frequency and ease of drug/alcohol abuse in the industry was used.
“Life is about finding joy in the small moments”
The author describes the highlight reel of IG vs the basic life details, Helping to pop the facade of having it all
“Life is about finding joy in the small moments”
The author describes the highlight reel of IG vs the basic life details, Helping to pop the facade of having it all
October 12, 2020
3.5 stars
Scarlett makes mistakes - over and over again.
She repeatedly goes back to the people that hurt her, no matter how badly.
She changes herself to please others.
This is for anyone who has ever felt like their own worst enemy.
This was a bit of a departure for me - not my usual genre! Post uni Scarlett is back living with her mother and pulling pints in the local bar. Fast forward a few months, and everything has changed - including Scarlett. She’s lands a job at a modelling agency, she wears all the ‘right’ clothes however ridiculous they seem, parties every night, snorts cocaine, tries harder drugs… And her instagram feed is full of the evidence of her wild party girl lifestyle, snaps with models and other celebs.
Isn’t this just what she wanted?
But it’s a cutthroat world, and Scarlett realises, perhaps a little late, who her real friends are.
I’m not a fashionable person, I’m the first to admit. But this book had a strange hold on me. I didn’t actually like Scarlett, but I was still invested in her - quite a feat! It’s dark and gritty, so be prepared for that! You hear about models’ lives being wild, but I never thought about their agents. I kept wanting Scarlett to stop behaving like a selfish brat and make a sensible decision… you’re left waiting quite a while!
In the end, there is a path of self-discovery for Scarlett which was much needed. One thing I liked was how British centric this book was (I’m so used to reading US set books), very refreshing.
But what a world to live in! Funny, dark and kind of filthy - see what you think. I was surprised! It was pretty frustrating at points, but a light and easy read as well - I know I've contradicted myself but hey - you know what I mean!
Thanks to Kaleidoscopictours and Simon and Schuster for the copy to review! And massive congratulations to Sara-Ella Ozbek on her debut!
Scarlett makes mistakes - over and over again.
She repeatedly goes back to the people that hurt her, no matter how badly.
She changes herself to please others.
This is for anyone who has ever felt like their own worst enemy.
This was a bit of a departure for me - not my usual genre! Post uni Scarlett is back living with her mother and pulling pints in the local bar. Fast forward a few months, and everything has changed - including Scarlett. She’s lands a job at a modelling agency, she wears all the ‘right’ clothes however ridiculous they seem, parties every night, snorts cocaine, tries harder drugs… And her instagram feed is full of the evidence of her wild party girl lifestyle, snaps with models and other celebs.
Isn’t this just what she wanted?
But it’s a cutthroat world, and Scarlett realises, perhaps a little late, who her real friends are.
I’m not a fashionable person, I’m the first to admit. But this book had a strange hold on me. I didn’t actually like Scarlett, but I was still invested in her - quite a feat! It’s dark and gritty, so be prepared for that! You hear about models’ lives being wild, but I never thought about their agents. I kept wanting Scarlett to stop behaving like a selfish brat and make a sensible decision… you’re left waiting quite a while!
In the end, there is a path of self-discovery for Scarlett which was much needed. One thing I liked was how British centric this book was (I’m so used to reading US set books), very refreshing.
But what a world to live in! Funny, dark and kind of filthy - see what you think. I was surprised! It was pretty frustrating at points, but a light and easy read as well - I know I've contradicted myself but hey - you know what I mean!
Thanks to Kaleidoscopictours and Simon and Schuster for the copy to review! And massive congratulations to Sara-Ella Ozbek on her debut!
October 9, 2020
“I looked like something in between a high-school student in a nineties rom-com and a female Bond villain.”
May 9, 2020
I find myself in a mood recently where I like to alter dark thrillers with uplifting fun novels and this bright colourful cover made me think I was holding just that. I can’t say I was exactly right with my assumption.
So I’m afraid to say I’m not a fan. I don’t really like reading novels where people throw themselves into destruction for no good reason and this one had such a negative vibe with nothing to act as a counterweight. You can forgive some people for not seeing clearly or for making mistakes because they just don’t get that some people are bad news but I wanted to slap, shake and yell at Scarlett, the main protagonist, so many times. I know she’s young but surely everyone knows that drugs are bad news and you don’t just jump in that ugly puddle? And do you just trust any guy you meet right away?
The High Moments offers an insider’s look into the world of high fashion and particularly the modelling of haute couture. It is clear where the author found the inspiration but whereas The Devil Wears Prada was focused on poor-girl Andrea Sachs who learns new skills fast and is climbing the upward hill, The High Moments shows you the other side, pretty much how you should not do it. The story is a downward spiral of mistakes, all because Scarlett Willems is so desperate to be liked. At the start of the novel I was rooting for her to go to London and to make it, and it was looking good because she did get an opportunity to be someone but then she just follows around the wrong kind of people. Ugh I know when you are young you don’t always see who you have in front of you but still it was painful to watch and I was sure that Scarlett knew that it was all fake and there were no real friendships to find there. All the clichés you think you know about the fashion industry, the sex, drugs and rock & roll (but especially the first two) are very much true. I used to think it was only the models who did this but it turns out that it includes everyone, even the models’ agents snort the night away. Scarlett is only too happy to join the club.
She’s also very hung up on this bad boy kind of type but from the first time I met him I didn’t hold much hope that he would be a good guy underneath it all, even though it is an often used plot devise in romance novels. But then this is not a romance novel, obviously :-).
I kept on reading mostly because I wanted to see Scarlett take a turn and free herself of the bad influences. I wanted to see the girl she was in the first pages of the novel. She was in so deep that I did wonder how she was going to pull this off. The ending is somewhat satisfying but by that time all my sympathy for her was drained down so much that my heart didn’t really jump up and down like it should have when she was forced to see what she was doing to herself.
The novel isn’t perfect, the characters could have been developed more and Scarlett’s naivety isn’t particularly charming. But if you like to set your teeth into a gritty, unflinching novel about what happens behind the curtains of a modelling agency though, this will leave you wide-eyed.
Maybe there’s a lesson to be learned here though and that is that you have to be your own self and not let others decide who you are.
So I’m afraid to say I’m not a fan. I don’t really like reading novels where people throw themselves into destruction for no good reason and this one had such a negative vibe with nothing to act as a counterweight. You can forgive some people for not seeing clearly or for making mistakes because they just don’t get that some people are bad news but I wanted to slap, shake and yell at Scarlett, the main protagonist, so many times. I know she’s young but surely everyone knows that drugs are bad news and you don’t just jump in that ugly puddle? And do you just trust any guy you meet right away?
The High Moments offers an insider’s look into the world of high fashion and particularly the modelling of haute couture. It is clear where the author found the inspiration but whereas The Devil Wears Prada was focused on poor-girl Andrea Sachs who learns new skills fast and is climbing the upward hill, The High Moments shows you the other side, pretty much how you should not do it. The story is a downward spiral of mistakes, all because Scarlett Willems is so desperate to be liked. At the start of the novel I was rooting for her to go to London and to make it, and it was looking good because she did get an opportunity to be someone but then she just follows around the wrong kind of people. Ugh I know when you are young you don’t always see who you have in front of you but still it was painful to watch and I was sure that Scarlett knew that it was all fake and there were no real friendships to find there. All the clichés you think you know about the fashion industry, the sex, drugs and rock & roll (but especially the first two) are very much true. I used to think it was only the models who did this but it turns out that it includes everyone, even the models’ agents snort the night away. Scarlett is only too happy to join the club.
She’s also very hung up on this bad boy kind of type but from the first time I met him I didn’t hold much hope that he would be a good guy underneath it all, even though it is an often used plot devise in romance novels. But then this is not a romance novel, obviously :-).
I kept on reading mostly because I wanted to see Scarlett take a turn and free herself of the bad influences. I wanted to see the girl she was in the first pages of the novel. She was in so deep that I did wonder how she was going to pull this off. The ending is somewhat satisfying but by that time all my sympathy for her was drained down so much that my heart didn’t really jump up and down like it should have when she was forced to see what she was doing to herself.
The novel isn’t perfect, the characters could have been developed more and Scarlett’s naivety isn’t particularly charming. But if you like to set your teeth into a gritty, unflinching novel about what happens behind the curtains of a modelling agency though, this will leave you wide-eyed.
Maybe there’s a lesson to be learned here though and that is that you have to be your own self and not let others decide who you are.
August 9, 2020
I loved this book, there is something just so refreshing about watching a main character turning her life into an absolute train wreck!
Once she finally gets a job in London, its starts her onto a year of her life where she spirals out of control, with sex, alcohol and a cacophony of drugs, while instagramming to show of her fabulous new life and trying to make friends with the models she is working with.
It's a look at the fashion industry from a model agent's point of view, of a inexperienced not overly worldly at times it appears impressions, and at times I hated Scarlett and others I really felt for her.
But regardless I had to keep reading to see if she was ever going to realise what a hot mess she has become.
There was so much that I loved about this book, I felt as though I was a fly on the wall at Pure Models, and the various parties. I found myself hoping that Scarlett wouldn't make the next really cringey decisions after another. It's definitely a look at the seedier side of the industry away from all of the gloss and glamour.
A really polished debut novel and I'm curious to see what the author will come up with next.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Once she finally gets a job in London, its starts her onto a year of her life where she spirals out of control, with sex, alcohol and a cacophony of drugs, while instagramming to show of her fabulous new life and trying to make friends with the models she is working with.
It's a look at the fashion industry from a model agent's point of view, of a inexperienced not overly worldly at times it appears impressions, and at times I hated Scarlett and others I really felt for her.
But regardless I had to keep reading to see if she was ever going to realise what a hot mess she has become.
There was so much that I loved about this book, I felt as though I was a fly on the wall at Pure Models, and the various parties. I found myself hoping that Scarlett wouldn't make the next really cringey decisions after another. It's definitely a look at the seedier side of the industry away from all of the gloss and glamour.
A really polished debut novel and I'm curious to see what the author will come up with next.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
September 15, 2020
OMG! What a crazy world to live. I’m so glad that I’m not into fashion or anything near it. I thought The devil wears Prada was madness. But The high moments is worst. Because in this book you can find drugs, alcohol, some xxx scenes and a lot of bad decisions.
I never thought I would like the plot. At first Scarlett’s big wish looked like an “American dream”, especially when, without thinking, she went to London, even she didn’t have money, a place or a job. All she had was a note in her phone with her New Year resolutions. But somehow she managed to survive in the lions’ cage. And at the end of the year (how Britney Spears said) everybody wanted a piece of her.
The high moments reminds me of Rules for saying goodbye by Katherine Taylor and Members only by Leonie Fox. What can I say… I’m a sucker for drama! So I really enjoyed Scarlett’s adventure in the fashion industry and how she managed to choose just the bad roads. Thank you KaleidoscopicTours and Sara-Ella Ozbek and Simon and Schuster UK for the opportunity to read this book!
I never thought I would like the plot. At first Scarlett’s big wish looked like an “American dream”, especially when, without thinking, she went to London, even she didn’t have money, a place or a job. All she had was a note in her phone with her New Year resolutions. But somehow she managed to survive in the lions’ cage. And at the end of the year (how Britney Spears said) everybody wanted a piece of her.
The high moments reminds me of Rules for saying goodbye by Katherine Taylor and Members only by Leonie Fox. What can I say… I’m a sucker for drama! So I really enjoyed Scarlett’s adventure in the fashion industry and how she managed to choose just the bad roads. Thank you KaleidoscopicTours and Sara-Ella Ozbek and Simon and Schuster UK for the opportunity to read this book!
April 25, 2025
Nepajėgiau įveikti, nes atrodė viskas taip pop ir apie nieką, iš blogosios pusės. Tai metu šalin ir nerekomenduoju. 🤷
January 1, 2021
All I want for 2021 is 'millennial fiction' where the protagonist isn't unbearable.
The High Moments follows Scarlett, who has just graduated from university and is despairing about her small town life living with her Mum and pulling pints in the local pub. Her best friend Billie tells her to stop moaning and make the life she wants (to be a fashion designer) happen. Scarlett decides to move to London and falls into a job at a modelling agency and becomes obsessed with living 'her best life' which isn't perhaps all that great.
On the plus side, the novel is very pacey, Ozbek is also a screenwriter and there are scenes that really feel ready for television. I also did quite enjoy the curtain pull back as to the work of modelling agencies and how they work - again, Ozbek used to be an agent herself so all the scenes at and around Pure (the agency where Scarlett works) feels very real.
However, for this entire book you are in Scarlett's head and that soon becomes a place you do not want to be. Almost the minute she gets her very junior position she decides she is better than almost everyone she comes into contact with, including the models despite the fact she is also desperate for them to like her so she can post pictures of Chilten Firehouse on Instagram. Ozbek doesn't really set Scarlett's fashion ambitions up that well at the start of the novel, so you're never really sure what is even motivating her in the first place. There are times when her desire to please feels really true - particularly in her interactions with Zack - but I wasn't crazy about the fact that it seemed to be strongly insinuated that her behaviour was being driven by a sense of not being enough because of her parents divorce which just felt a bit lazy.
On the whole, the other characters felt quite one dimensional. The other agents at Pure are relatively well-drawn but are also based on stereotypes (Northern! Gay!) and the models and other people Scarlett comes into contact are broad stereotypes- Lilah is lazy and moody, it's hinted that Jade the lesbian manipulates other women to sleep with her and toxic Zack is described as 'swarthy' which is a weird term to come across in a book published in 2020.
This gets two stars because I read it all and found it entertaining enough, but I'm a bit tired of Girls-lite fiction being the main thing that gets published for my age group.
The High Moments follows Scarlett, who has just graduated from university and is despairing about her small town life living with her Mum and pulling pints in the local pub. Her best friend Billie tells her to stop moaning and make the life she wants (to be a fashion designer) happen. Scarlett decides to move to London and falls into a job at a modelling agency and becomes obsessed with living 'her best life' which isn't perhaps all that great.
On the plus side, the novel is very pacey, Ozbek is also a screenwriter and there are scenes that really feel ready for television. I also did quite enjoy the curtain pull back as to the work of modelling agencies and how they work - again, Ozbek used to be an agent herself so all the scenes at and around Pure (the agency where Scarlett works) feels very real.
However, for this entire book you are in Scarlett's head and that soon becomes a place you do not want to be. Almost the minute she gets her very junior position she decides she is better than almost everyone she comes into contact with, including the models despite the fact she is also desperate for them to like her so she can post pictures of Chilten Firehouse on Instagram. Ozbek doesn't really set Scarlett's fashion ambitions up that well at the start of the novel, so you're never really sure what is even motivating her in the first place. There are times when her desire to please feels really true - particularly in her interactions with Zack - but I wasn't crazy about the fact that it seemed to be strongly insinuated that her behaviour was being driven by a sense of not being enough because of her parents divorce which just felt a bit lazy.
On the whole, the other characters felt quite one dimensional. The other agents at Pure are relatively well-drawn but are also based on stereotypes (Northern! Gay!) and the models and other people Scarlett comes into contact are broad stereotypes- Lilah is lazy and moody, it's hinted that Jade the lesbian manipulates other women to sleep with her and toxic Zack is described as 'swarthy' which is a weird term to come across in a book published in 2020.
This gets two stars because I read it all and found it entertaining enough, but I'm a bit tired of Girls-lite fiction being the main thing that gets published for my age group.
April 19, 2021
When small town girl Scarlett packs up her bags (and trusty A-level dress she designed) jumps on the train to London to start her new life, what she didn’t expect was to be sleeping on her ex flings couch, applying for a million and one jobs to get rejection or ghosted each and every time, fast forward to her dream: parting with models in Morocco, doing Cocain of ipads, and living the glamorous lifestyle of the fashion industry on a £15k a year job, wasn’t all that it was cracked up to be. In this real insight to the fashion world, the real behind the scenes. It’s gritty, amusing & I cannot tell you how many times I cringed, but I could not put this book down.
Initially the main character Scarlett seems like she has all the big plans - moving to London, getting a job as a designer down south- which for those who went to university to study fashion is the end goal, she seems rather childish, and seems to depend on her best friend to set her new life in motion. which when she does take the move to London, she completely pushes Billie away as she didn’t ‘fit’ into the new glamour filled life. Scarlett live the dream of entering the glamour pud world of fashion, as an assistant, I felt really dissonnected to Scarlett at the start of the book, she seemed like a nobody who had big dreams, and couldn’t see past her own self importance. I for one did not likeScarlett once she befriend model Lilah, and started sleeping with Liahs on and off boyfriend; but you can clearly see her character develop and I did grow fond of her, once she put down the wine and drugs & started working for what she wanted - hutnqhain the confusion and the high pressure of her job that actually she didn’t really want,
Relationship with mother? This seems very much like her mother doesn’t understand her dreams and by initallly getting her a job at a university, makes me think her mother
Wants her to take after her. - slightly pushy? You can see Scarlett doesn’t want her mother’s help, until the end of the book where she knows she is in trouble.
Towards the end of the book, after Scarlett lost her job in London, I did start to feel sorry for her, but this is when she became her self.. not a drug induced pretend rich girl,
Amusing, gritty and a real insight into the fashion world from an outsiders point of view.
Initially the main character Scarlett seems like she has all the big plans - moving to London, getting a job as a designer down south- which for those who went to university to study fashion is the end goal, she seems rather childish, and seems to depend on her best friend to set her new life in motion. which when she does take the move to London, she completely pushes Billie away as she didn’t ‘fit’ into the new glamour filled life. Scarlett live the dream of entering the glamour pud world of fashion, as an assistant, I felt really dissonnected to Scarlett at the start of the book, she seemed like a nobody who had big dreams, and couldn’t see past her own self importance. I for one did not likeScarlett once she befriend model Lilah, and started sleeping with Liahs on and off boyfriend; but you can clearly see her character develop and I did grow fond of her, once she put down the wine and drugs & started working for what she wanted - hutnqhain the confusion and the high pressure of her job that actually she didn’t really want,
Relationship with mother? This seems very much like her mother doesn’t understand her dreams and by initallly getting her a job at a university, makes me think her mother
Wants her to take after her. - slightly pushy? You can see Scarlett doesn’t want her mother’s help, until the end of the book where she knows she is in trouble.
Towards the end of the book, after Scarlett lost her job in London, I did start to feel sorry for her, but this is when she became her self.. not a drug induced pretend rich girl,
Amusing, gritty and a real insight into the fashion world from an outsiders point of view.
September 20, 2020
The High Moments is a fully engrossing story that reinforces the fact that the grass isn't always greener.
Scarlett hails from a small town in Devon. She longs to escape to London, get away from her mother, and become a fashion designer. Without any plan as to what she will do when she gets there, she goes to London and she manages to get herself a job at a model agency, dealing with the bookings with a view to becoming an agent herself.
From the off I wanted Scarlett to remember that being a model agent wasn't what she wanted to do. But I also knew that it was a starting block, a better than nothing situation. I struggled at times to take to Scarlett; she's young, she's inexperienced, she makes terrible decisions, she wants people to like her and tends to be a bit two-faced to achieve it. Instagram followers are more important to her than doing the right thing. And yet I could see that underneath all that she was vulnerable, in a strange new world of fashionistas, drugs and parties, being led astray whilst revelling in her newfound freedom and feeling flushed with success.
In all honesty, when I started this read I wasn't sure I was going to like it. I didn't feel like the target audience and didn't gel immediately with Scarlett. But as I read on I started to become absolutely caught up in her life (car crash that it seemed to be) and genuinely hoped for the best for her. I was also totally absorbed in the model agency world, about which the author writes from experience. I can categorically say that that world would never be for me but what a ride to follow Scarlett's initiation into the competitive and often shallow environment.
I really enjoyed Sara-Ella Ozbek's writing. She managed to make me feel sympathetic towards Scarlett whilst also disliking her behaviour for a fair amount of the story. Her other characters are sharp and jump off the page, and I was fully immersed in the model agency setting. This is a slice of life story about a young woman in her 20s who wants to make it but goes on a rather circuitous route to find herself. I thought it was an excellent debut from Ozbek which felt very current and very stylish.
Scarlett hails from a small town in Devon. She longs to escape to London, get away from her mother, and become a fashion designer. Without any plan as to what she will do when she gets there, she goes to London and she manages to get herself a job at a model agency, dealing with the bookings with a view to becoming an agent herself.
From the off I wanted Scarlett to remember that being a model agent wasn't what she wanted to do. But I also knew that it was a starting block, a better than nothing situation. I struggled at times to take to Scarlett; she's young, she's inexperienced, she makes terrible decisions, she wants people to like her and tends to be a bit two-faced to achieve it. Instagram followers are more important to her than doing the right thing. And yet I could see that underneath all that she was vulnerable, in a strange new world of fashionistas, drugs and parties, being led astray whilst revelling in her newfound freedom and feeling flushed with success.
In all honesty, when I started this read I wasn't sure I was going to like it. I didn't feel like the target audience and didn't gel immediately with Scarlett. But as I read on I started to become absolutely caught up in her life (car crash that it seemed to be) and genuinely hoped for the best for her. I was also totally absorbed in the model agency world, about which the author writes from experience. I can categorically say that that world would never be for me but what a ride to follow Scarlett's initiation into the competitive and often shallow environment.
I really enjoyed Sara-Ella Ozbek's writing. She managed to make me feel sympathetic towards Scarlett whilst also disliking her behaviour for a fair amount of the story. Her other characters are sharp and jump off the page, and I was fully immersed in the model agency setting. This is a slice of life story about a young woman in her 20s who wants to make it but goes on a rather circuitous route to find herself. I thought it was an excellent debut from Ozbek which felt very current and very stylish.
September 23, 2020
“For a woman, though, it wasn’t natural. We weren’t allowed to get fat or die single, so why on earth would we be allowed to feel and act on our desires? We were only meant to want sex if it was going to lead us down the road to a suburban house with an Aga and a Crib.”
Sex, drugs and..... well- stress.
Fucking hell! What an absolutely fantastic read! I couldn’t tell you the last time I laughed out loud at a book and equally felt disgusted in the same paragraph! This felt like the perfect love child if Ugly Betty, Devil wears Prada and fleabag were to get together and have a very dysfunctional baby!
Usually when a book promises a filthy, dark and hilarious read I accept that it definitely isn’t going to live up to all 3 of those descriptions. But it succeeded every expectation I could have had! Gone are the days of the simple “girl next door does a silly thing, meets a nice guy and lives happily ever after” with the witty, cutesy british politeness. I would much rather be reading what fucked up, mental, stalkery, drug addicted Scizzle is doing. Because, this story is what it’s like being a young woman in this day and age! We don’t wake up smelling like roses! Most of the time we wake up smelling like piss!
It also deals with some of the issues us women sometimes experience when trying to find our way: sexuality, finding our crowd (you know the one that actually cares about us), drug abuse, alcohol addiction, relationships-that-we-can’t-live-without-that-mean-nothing, body shaming, relationships with our parents, trying to be successful, loneliness, slut shaming and the list goes on! These are portrayed in such a raw, honest way that it’s an absolute breath of fresh air!
I’m not ashamed to say that I related to some of Scarlett’s story and I can honestly say although it was an rollercoaster crash of a ride- it’s totally made me feel empowered! Would recommend this to any young woman trying to get by. EXCEPT for you prudes- this is NOT FOR YOU!
Thank you to the author, kaleidoscopictours and simonschuster for allowing me to read for an honest review
Sex, drugs and..... well- stress.
Fucking hell! What an absolutely fantastic read! I couldn’t tell you the last time I laughed out loud at a book and equally felt disgusted in the same paragraph! This felt like the perfect love child if Ugly Betty, Devil wears Prada and fleabag were to get together and have a very dysfunctional baby!
Usually when a book promises a filthy, dark and hilarious read I accept that it definitely isn’t going to live up to all 3 of those descriptions. But it succeeded every expectation I could have had! Gone are the days of the simple “girl next door does a silly thing, meets a nice guy and lives happily ever after” with the witty, cutesy british politeness. I would much rather be reading what fucked up, mental, stalkery, drug addicted Scizzle is doing. Because, this story is what it’s like being a young woman in this day and age! We don’t wake up smelling like roses! Most of the time we wake up smelling like piss!
It also deals with some of the issues us women sometimes experience when trying to find our way: sexuality, finding our crowd (you know the one that actually cares about us), drug abuse, alcohol addiction, relationships-that-we-can’t-live-without-that-mean-nothing, body shaming, relationships with our parents, trying to be successful, loneliness, slut shaming and the list goes on! These are portrayed in such a raw, honest way that it’s an absolute breath of fresh air!
I’m not ashamed to say that I related to some of Scarlett’s story and I can honestly say although it was an rollercoaster crash of a ride- it’s totally made me feel empowered! Would recommend this to any young woman trying to get by. EXCEPT for you prudes- this is NOT FOR YOU!
Thank you to the author, kaleidoscopictours and simonschuster for allowing me to read for an honest review
September 21, 2020
I really enjoyed this one, it gave me The Devil Wears Prada feels almost straight away (I haven't read the book yet, but I definitely got the film vibes). I'm not sure that TDWP theme stayed throughout, I mean I don't remember there being that much sex and cocaine in there, but the idea of a young woman with little interest in models becoming absorbed in the modelling industry and changing both her personality and looks for it too was definitely in there.
I loved Scarlett's story, yes, she annoyed me at times, her choices made me want to shake her and ask her what on earth was she thinking?! The way she treated her lifelong friend Billie, her 'best friend' Lilah, and don't even mention her choices when it came to Zack! But I just needed to read more and more to see what was going to happen next. It's ironic that she calls Steph 'Hot Mess' at the beginning of the book, yet that is just the description that fits the woman she becomes, which she admits herself later in the book.
As much as Scarlett did slightly annoy me on occasion, I also felt so much for her too. She was sucked into a lifestyle that she never really wanted. That mother/daughter relationship that is so important just wasn't there. Her father was definitely not the greatest. And that small comment with such a big thing about her and her cousin?! That's all even before the new lifestyle she has begins to make her world crumble around her.
I loved that we got to see the whole year after beginning the book with those New Year's resolutions. To see the difference a year can really make, and oh did it make a difference! What I really loved was the the journey we got to follow Scarlett on, and how we saw that journey end as the reader. It just made me feel so much!
Thank you so much to Simon and Schuster UK and Sara-Ella Ozbek for gifting me my copy of The High Moments, and to Anne Cater for including me on the blog tour with Random Things Tours!
I loved Scarlett's story, yes, she annoyed me at times, her choices made me want to shake her and ask her what on earth was she thinking?! The way she treated her lifelong friend Billie, her 'best friend' Lilah, and don't even mention her choices when it came to Zack! But I just needed to read more and more to see what was going to happen next. It's ironic that she calls Steph 'Hot Mess' at the beginning of the book, yet that is just the description that fits the woman she becomes, which she admits herself later in the book.
As much as Scarlett did slightly annoy me on occasion, I also felt so much for her too. She was sucked into a lifestyle that she never really wanted. That mother/daughter relationship that is so important just wasn't there. Her father was definitely not the greatest. And that small comment with such a big thing about her and her cousin?! That's all even before the new lifestyle she has begins to make her world crumble around her.
I loved that we got to see the whole year after beginning the book with those New Year's resolutions. To see the difference a year can really make, and oh did it make a difference! What I really loved was the the journey we got to follow Scarlett on, and how we saw that journey end as the reader. It just made me feel so much!
Thank you so much to Simon and Schuster UK and Sara-Ella Ozbek for gifting me my copy of The High Moments, and to Anne Cater for including me on the blog tour with Random Things Tours!
September 23, 2020
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
Sex Drugs and Rock n Roll in 362 pages
Absobloodylutely fantastic!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book had words no other book would dare write, it had scenes only our imaginations would normally allow & relationships so messed up you almost wished you were a part of them.
I have to say i so needed this book right now. Our world is so abnormal so rule setting and following, so back to basics at the moment. And this book was the opposite. It was all about the rule breaking, the drug taking, the slutty one night stands & all nighters the reading community needs.
"Scarlett is never taken seriously, living a boring mundane life, dreaming of a London Paris New York lifestyle. On the day she upps and leaves, they all know she will be back by dinner time. But she's not. Accepted in the London modelling world she is thrown in the deep & dirty and immediately has to fit in. So far from her innocent life previously led, but she is loving it, and she wouldn't look back, who doesn't want the sex and drugs lifestyle? Even if Scarlett, the Real one is hidden underneath, just wishing to be accepted"
We all try different styles, personalities and faces before we find the one that fits best. It doesn't make the masks from the past wrong, they're all a part of us, and for Scarlett that is why I absolutely loved her, and you i promise will love her too.
𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐣𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬? 🖕
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #photosofbooks #bookworm #bookaddict #ilovereading #ilovebooks #igreaders #mumswhoread #kaleidoscopictours #thehighmoments #gifted #booktour #giftedbook #fiction #paperback #sexdrugsandrocknroll
Sex Drugs and Rock n Roll in 362 pages
Absobloodylutely fantastic!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book had words no other book would dare write, it had scenes only our imaginations would normally allow & relationships so messed up you almost wished you were a part of them.
I have to say i so needed this book right now. Our world is so abnormal so rule setting and following, so back to basics at the moment. And this book was the opposite. It was all about the rule breaking, the drug taking, the slutty one night stands & all nighters the reading community needs.
"Scarlett is never taken seriously, living a boring mundane life, dreaming of a London Paris New York lifestyle. On the day she upps and leaves, they all know she will be back by dinner time. But she's not. Accepted in the London modelling world she is thrown in the deep & dirty and immediately has to fit in. So far from her innocent life previously led, but she is loving it, and she wouldn't look back, who doesn't want the sex and drugs lifestyle? Even if Scarlett, the Real one is hidden underneath, just wishing to be accepted"
We all try different styles, personalities and faces before we find the one that fits best. It doesn't make the masks from the past wrong, they're all a part of us, and for Scarlett that is why I absolutely loved her, and you i promise will love her too.
𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐣𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬? 🖕
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #photosofbooks #bookworm #bookaddict #ilovereading #ilovebooks #igreaders #mumswhoread #kaleidoscopictours #thehighmoments #gifted #booktour #giftedbook #fiction #paperback #sexdrugsandrocknroll
June 7, 2021
I was debating giving this 4 stars because I really enjoyed it despite it being a throwaway summer coming of age novel meets devil wears prada.
I've seen people criticise it and say that the author made the modelling/fashion industry really bitchy and drug fuelled, but..... she worked for VOGUE for 6 years, i'm gonna go ahead and say she knows what it was like? Even if it was exaggerated, it's a book? That's kind of why fiction exists.
The main character Scarlett is pretty unlikable but this book read like an episode of Girls, you want to see these girls mess up their lives because they do it to themselves, they play with fire, you know it's going to go wrong, and you can see Scarlett's mistakes from a mile off.
I found the characters interesting enough to follow and want to see more of, other than Zack, who quite frankly was the typical douchebag, predatory mediocre boy that i CANNOT for the life of me, understand why these girls seem to go back to.
It was full of the usual tropes you would expect to see from books like Devil wears Prada, Gossip Girl, Carrie Diaries etc, betrayals, the main character forsaking her old friends and life for the sake of enjoying the grass on the other side, love triangles etc but it's tropes done well. It's enjoyable, and i've never been the kind of reader to dislike something just because it uses popular tropes.... there's a reason these tropes are popular, they work when done well and with this book, i thought they worked well!
I've seen people criticise it and say that the author made the modelling/fashion industry really bitchy and drug fuelled, but..... she worked for VOGUE for 6 years, i'm gonna go ahead and say she knows what it was like? Even if it was exaggerated, it's a book? That's kind of why fiction exists.
The main character Scarlett is pretty unlikable but this book read like an episode of Girls, you want to see these girls mess up their lives because they do it to themselves, they play with fire, you know it's going to go wrong, and you can see Scarlett's mistakes from a mile off.
I found the characters interesting enough to follow and want to see more of, other than Zack, who quite frankly was the typical douchebag, predatory mediocre boy that i CANNOT for the life of me, understand why these girls seem to go back to.
It was full of the usual tropes you would expect to see from books like Devil wears Prada, Gossip Girl, Carrie Diaries etc, betrayals, the main character forsaking her old friends and life for the sake of enjoying the grass on the other side, love triangles etc but it's tropes done well. It's enjoyable, and i've never been the kind of reader to dislike something just because it uses popular tropes.... there's a reason these tropes are popular, they work when done well and with this book, i thought they worked well!
February 10, 2020
The blurb for this book does it few favours. It's nothing like The Devil Wears Prada or Bridget Jones Diary and anyone expecting that will probably walk away disappointed and not liking the book. Yes there are similarities but this is not light comedy and Scarlett is not a sweet character that you're rooting for. She's selfish, self-absorbed, and generally pretty unlikable. But ...
She's also young, unsure and desperate to be liked and accepted, unfortunately she seeks validation with the worst people unable to see how shallow and vacuous most of them are. She is used by them and she uses them to validate her self-esteem. Safe to say that doesn't really work out for her.
I found that when I stepped back and remembered just how difficult it can be to be that young and frankly, that messed up I could feel for her and hope that she could step back from the people, the drugs, the alcohol, and the sex that she craves but leaves her ashamed but wanting more.
This book is far from perfect but I kept wanting to know what would happen next, would she completely destroy herself or could she turn her life around.
If you read this expecting light humour chances are you won't enjoy it, if you read it accepting the darkness and wondering if redemption is possible you'll get more from it. Eventually, I did.
Thanks to NetGalley for the free copy in return for an honest review.
She's also young, unsure and desperate to be liked and accepted, unfortunately she seeks validation with the worst people unable to see how shallow and vacuous most of them are. She is used by them and she uses them to validate her self-esteem. Safe to say that doesn't really work out for her.
I found that when I stepped back and remembered just how difficult it can be to be that young and frankly, that messed up I could feel for her and hope that she could step back from the people, the drugs, the alcohol, and the sex that she craves but leaves her ashamed but wanting more.
This book is far from perfect but I kept wanting to know what would happen next, would she completely destroy herself or could she turn her life around.
If you read this expecting light humour chances are you won't enjoy it, if you read it accepting the darkness and wondering if redemption is possible you'll get more from it. Eventually, I did.
Thanks to NetGalley for the free copy in return for an honest review.
August 28, 2021
The High Moments is a WILD ride.
The story follows Scarlett as she wakes up after a heavy New Year's Eve and comes to the conclusion that her life isn't going anywhere if she keeps living in her small town near Exeter, and therefore abruptly moved to London without a plan of job but a dream of working in the fashion industry.
What follows is Scarlett getting a job at a modelling agency and quickly befriending the agency's hotshot model and falling into her world and the perfectly curated 'glamour' of the London fashion scene. I feel like The High Moments is aptly named, as Scarlett seemed to spend most of her time on one drug or another and trying to change herself to fit into this while new world that she has found herself apart of - ending in dramatic consequences.
Overall this was an entertaining read, if not slightly frustrating at times. With Scarlett being a recent graduate I feel like in a way (minus all the drugs) she is quite a relatable, in the sense of being at a crossroads in life and not really sure what you're doing - something which I think a lot of people experience.
This book definitely has elements of The Devil Wears Prada and Mean Girls and is funny and entertaining. I'll be definitely looking into other books written by the author.
The story follows Scarlett as she wakes up after a heavy New Year's Eve and comes to the conclusion that her life isn't going anywhere if she keeps living in her small town near Exeter, and therefore abruptly moved to London without a plan of job but a dream of working in the fashion industry.
What follows is Scarlett getting a job at a modelling agency and quickly befriending the agency's hotshot model and falling into her world and the perfectly curated 'glamour' of the London fashion scene. I feel like The High Moments is aptly named, as Scarlett seemed to spend most of her time on one drug or another and trying to change herself to fit into this while new world that she has found herself apart of - ending in dramatic consequences.
Overall this was an entertaining read, if not slightly frustrating at times. With Scarlett being a recent graduate I feel like in a way (minus all the drugs) she is quite a relatable, in the sense of being at a crossroads in life and not really sure what you're doing - something which I think a lot of people experience.
This book definitely has elements of The Devil Wears Prada and Mean Girls and is funny and entertaining. I'll be definitely looking into other books written by the author.
February 3, 2020
Massive thanks to NetGalley and Simon Schuster UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'm afraid to say that 'The High Moment's by Sara-Ella Ozbek was just absolutely not for me. I selected it based on the concept and comparison to The Devil Wears Prada, hoping for those same elements of humour and entertainment. Though, I haven't actually read Weisberger's novel so perhaps that was my first mistake.
Sadly I just couldn't finish this book and for me that's down to Scarlett's character. I kind of hate her to be honest. Incredibly fake and pretentious, I gave up all hope for her when she has sex with a guy just because, even though she doesn't want to. When she reaches round, despite the terrible sex, to finish him off that was the exact moment I decided I can't read this anymore. That coupled with the fact she, literally, bends over backwards to be used and abused by a guy who clearly couldn't give a f**k about her and it all just completely turned me off. I'd have liked to have seen Scarlett have a little more about her than this - I was just left feeling sorry for her.
I'm afraid to say that 'The High Moment's by Sara-Ella Ozbek was just absolutely not for me. I selected it based on the concept and comparison to The Devil Wears Prada, hoping for those same elements of humour and entertainment. Though, I haven't actually read Weisberger's novel so perhaps that was my first mistake.
Sadly I just couldn't finish this book and for me that's down to Scarlett's character. I kind of hate her to be honest. Incredibly fake and pretentious, I gave up all hope for her when she has sex with a guy just because, even though she doesn't want to. When she reaches round, despite the terrible sex, to finish him off that was the exact moment I decided I can't read this anymore. That coupled with the fact she, literally, bends over backwards to be used and abused by a guy who clearly couldn't give a f**k about her and it all just completely turned me off. I'd have liked to have seen Scarlett have a little more about her than this - I was just left feeling sorry for her.
May 27, 2020
DNF at 71%.
Comparing this book to Fleabag and The Devil Wears Prada is the first mistake it made, giving me high hopes that I would love it. The only thing similar to Fleabag is the lack of filter, and as for The Devil Wears Prada... the storyline and characters are far too similar that it honestly just feels like fanfiction.
I usually love the hard-to-like characters, but I had no love for the main character here, Scarlett. She's not a nice person and the more I read the more I disliked her. The other characters were very one-dimensional, and I sometimes couldn't remember which one was which as they were unfortunately all so bland.
It should be noted that this book features heavily on drugs, which isn't made obvious before reading. I think a lot of people have gone into this expecting it to be a millennial-humoured finding-yourself story, as it is marketed as one, but it's not. If it was advertised differently and found the right audience I believe it would be enjoyed much more. It just wasn't for me.
Thanks to Netgally and Simon and Schuster UK for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Comparing this book to Fleabag and The Devil Wears Prada is the first mistake it made, giving me high hopes that I would love it. The only thing similar to Fleabag is the lack of filter, and as for The Devil Wears Prada... the storyline and characters are far too similar that it honestly just feels like fanfiction.
I usually love the hard-to-like characters, but I had no love for the main character here, Scarlett. She's not a nice person and the more I read the more I disliked her. The other characters were very one-dimensional, and I sometimes couldn't remember which one was which as they were unfortunately all so bland.
It should be noted that this book features heavily on drugs, which isn't made obvious before reading. I think a lot of people have gone into this expecting it to be a millennial-humoured finding-yourself story, as it is marketed as one, but it's not. If it was advertised differently and found the right audience I believe it would be enjoyed much more. It just wasn't for me.
Thanks to Netgally and Simon and Schuster UK for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 19, 2020
If I'm honest I didn't know if I would like this book at the start, don't get me wrong I loved the writing and I loved the synopsis. As I got into the book, however Scarlett's character didn't leave me jumping for joy. She was very unlikeable at stages i will admit and I found myself not really caring about her. That being said Sara Ella Ozbek showcases the fashion industry in a completely different light. This book shows the good, the bad and the ugly. We get a deeper look into the fashion industry and the substance abuse that goes along with it.
This book gave me Bridget Jones Diary vibes mixed with Devil wears prada. Mixing Bridget's messy life with the fashion industry and you have the book, the high moments.
I am giving this book 3 stars solely on Sara-Ella's writing technique. She kept me interested in the storyline and the pace flowed very nicely. I marked the book down on the pure fact that Scarlett's character did annoy me at times and I didn't feel like there was a massive amount of character development.
Thank you Kadeidoscopictours for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book gave me Bridget Jones Diary vibes mixed with Devil wears prada. Mixing Bridget's messy life with the fashion industry and you have the book, the high moments.
I am giving this book 3 stars solely on Sara-Ella's writing technique. She kept me interested in the storyline and the pace flowed very nicely. I marked the book down on the pure fact that Scarlett's character did annoy me at times and I didn't feel like there was a massive amount of character development.
Thank you Kadeidoscopictours for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 21, 2020
I was addicted to this book. I was fully involved with Scarlett’s life decisions and I couldn’t get enough!
I will warn you now there are a lot of scenes depicting characters taking drugs and engaged in sexual activities, but I felt it only added to the raw and gritty lifestyle that Scarlett was involved in. The reader needs to read these scenes to be completely absorbed, as though you are living it right there with Scarlett.
There were plenty of times where I was shaking my head at the decisions Scarlett made, as her life in the fashion world is self destructive and as you go through the book it just slowly gets worse. I was rooting for her though and desperately wanted her to see that what she was doing wasn’t right.
It doesn’t just show you the dark side of the fashion industry but it’s also a book about self discovery and that overwhelming need to be liked, whether that be with a boyfriend, at work or on social media. I felt sorry for Scarlett as that is all she wanted, she just didn’t have the support there for her.
Overall I gave this 5 stars because I could not put it down, I’m still thinking about it now and I could quite easily have read more chapters!
I will warn you now there are a lot of scenes depicting characters taking drugs and engaged in sexual activities, but I felt it only added to the raw and gritty lifestyle that Scarlett was involved in. The reader needs to read these scenes to be completely absorbed, as though you are living it right there with Scarlett.
There were plenty of times where I was shaking my head at the decisions Scarlett made, as her life in the fashion world is self destructive and as you go through the book it just slowly gets worse. I was rooting for her though and desperately wanted her to see that what she was doing wasn’t right.
It doesn’t just show you the dark side of the fashion industry but it’s also a book about self discovery and that overwhelming need to be liked, whether that be with a boyfriend, at work or on social media. I felt sorry for Scarlett as that is all she wanted, she just didn’t have the support there for her.
Overall I gave this 5 stars because I could not put it down, I’m still thinking about it now and I could quite easily have read more chapters!
February 10, 2023
*may contain spoilers*
The high moments by Sara - Ella ozbek
I asked for this book for Christmas as when I spotted it in Waterstones I felt drawn to the fact it was about a woman struggling in her twenties, (very relatable).
The high moments follows Scarlett a twenty something year old who moves to London to find a job as a fashion designer. Well… this doesn’t happen but does find herself being an agent in a modelling agency. I did read through it pretty quickly and it was an entertaining read.
However, highlighting the ‘high moments’ there was a lot of talk/influence of drugs, overdosing and the aftermath of these chemicals to an excessive amount. Another thing I didn’t like was the amount of emojis, I’ve never really seen it in books before but Ozbek definitely used them a lot. I understood that the writing was in content of social media and modelling but it was a bit too much.
Overall I would give this book a 3/5 stars because of the reasons above. Furthermore, the main character was very selfish, I almost came to dislike her because of the way she would make decisions in certain situations especially with Zack. Very predictable book too. I liked it but not the best book I’ve read.
The high moments by Sara - Ella ozbek
I asked for this book for Christmas as when I spotted it in Waterstones I felt drawn to the fact it was about a woman struggling in her twenties, (very relatable).
The high moments follows Scarlett a twenty something year old who moves to London to find a job as a fashion designer. Well… this doesn’t happen but does find herself being an agent in a modelling agency. I did read through it pretty quickly and it was an entertaining read.
However, highlighting the ‘high moments’ there was a lot of talk/influence of drugs, overdosing and the aftermath of these chemicals to an excessive amount. Another thing I didn’t like was the amount of emojis, I’ve never really seen it in books before but Ozbek definitely used them a lot. I understood that the writing was in content of social media and modelling but it was a bit too much.
Overall I would give this book a 3/5 stars because of the reasons above. Furthermore, the main character was very selfish, I almost came to dislike her because of the way she would make decisions in certain situations especially with Zack. Very predictable book too. I liked it but not the best book I’ve read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2022
A generous 2.5 stars. I really liked Nothing I Wouldn't Do so expected more from this and it fell a bit flat. There's a lot of wit in there but I just don't think there's enough plot to fill a book. It's a bit repetitive and some of the parts that have the most heart - eg her relationship with her new flatmate - are given the least time.
Also I'm sorry I know people take drugs and that's fine but my god taking drugs is nowhere near as interesting as authors seem to think. Like yes I get it people in the fashion industry like cocaine it's actually quite boring.
The main character is pretty awful, I get that the story is about personal growth and becoming less horrible but there's not really enough backstory to excuse her being so awful?? Like right at the end you get some stuff about her dad being a drug addict (on, it's implied, ecstasy, which is not particularly realistic) but it's all a bit lacking in substance.
Also I'm sorry I know people take drugs and that's fine but my god taking drugs is nowhere near as interesting as authors seem to think. Like yes I get it people in the fashion industry like cocaine it's actually quite boring.
The main character is pretty awful, I get that the story is about personal growth and becoming less horrible but there's not really enough backstory to excuse her being so awful?? Like right at the end you get some stuff about her dad being a drug addict (on, it's implied, ecstasy, which is not particularly realistic) but it's all a bit lacking in substance.
September 17, 2020
The High Moments has a Devil Wears Prada vibe to it, but don’t read this expecting it to be the same.
Scarlett is the lead characters and I can’t say that I took to her. In the end I found myself more loving to hate her. I found her frustrating especially with the questionable decisions she makes along the way. That being said, I was hooked on her story, turning the page because I needed to know what she was going to do next.
There are aspects of Scarlett’s character that I think many twenty-something women, millennials, will relate to.
Scarlett moves to London looking for a job in fashion and ends up working at a modelling agency. She thinks this is a step in the right direction and that everything is falling into place. What we see following Scarlett in her new role is, what I imagine, the darker side of the fashion industry.
Written in a similar style to a diary we follow Scarlett on her journey in discovering the behind the scenes of the fashion and model industry. She shares her resolutions as well as notes she makes to herself.
Scarlett enters a very ‘rock n roll’ lifestyle with drugs and sex featuring frequently within the book.
The intrigue of what Scarlett will do next and the interwoven web that the models and agents become was the highlight of the book to me. I found myself continuing to find out what will happen next with Scarlett.
Scarlett is the lead characters and I can’t say that I took to her. In the end I found myself more loving to hate her. I found her frustrating especially with the questionable decisions she makes along the way. That being said, I was hooked on her story, turning the page because I needed to know what she was going to do next.
There are aspects of Scarlett’s character that I think many twenty-something women, millennials, will relate to.
Scarlett moves to London looking for a job in fashion and ends up working at a modelling agency. She thinks this is a step in the right direction and that everything is falling into place. What we see following Scarlett in her new role is, what I imagine, the darker side of the fashion industry.
Written in a similar style to a diary we follow Scarlett on her journey in discovering the behind the scenes of the fashion and model industry. She shares her resolutions as well as notes she makes to herself.
Scarlett enters a very ‘rock n roll’ lifestyle with drugs and sex featuring frequently within the book.
The intrigue of what Scarlett will do next and the interwoven web that the models and agents become was the highlight of the book to me. I found myself continuing to find out what will happen next with Scarlett.
June 24, 2020
This was my favourite book of the year so far- a story set within the modelling industry in London, a young woman desperate for validation, glamour and success. As someone who has worked for some of the brands mentioned in the story, it conveyed such a realistic presentation of this world and the people in it, it made me cringe and verge on PTSD several times! The details such as the models wages, measurements, living arrangements etc are accurate and so I devoured this novel in 24 hours. Sometimes stories touch on the fashion world in a cliched way, and you can tell the author has no idea, but not here. It was gripping and gritty and honest, and I have so many people I know need to read and enjoy this story!
June 11, 2020
4⭐️ I really enjoyed this dark and catty look into the world of modelling agencies and the fashion industry although this book should definitively come with a warning that there is a lot of sex and drug use throughout! If I’m honest the characters really aren’t that likeable but regardless I still really felt for Scarlett and her desperate need to be somebody (let’s face it we can all relate to that in some way!) and the writing style was great and had me easily reading well into the night!
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A big thank you to @netgalley and @simonschusterau for this digital copy to review!! The High Moments will be available in Australia in August ✨
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A big thank you to @netgalley and @simonschusterau for this digital copy to review!! The High Moments will be available in Australia in August ✨
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