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Alt der glimter
Er diamanter virkelig en kvindes bedste ven?
Sophie Chesterton har det hele. Hun kender alle, der er værd at kende, bliver inviteret til de rigtige fester og har et klædeskab, der er Vogue værdigt. Men en skæbnesvanger aften bliver Sophies verden vendt på hovedet, og hun står pludselig uden en klink på lommen. Nu må de fine restauranter skiftes ud med baked beans, hverdagen som it-girl med et underbetalt job som fotografassistent og det enorme hus med en lille lejlighed med fire ildelugtende roomies: Alec, Cal, James og Wolverine.
Sophie er desperat efter at få sit gamle liv tilbage, men alligevel har hun på fornemmelsen, at selvom hendes gamle liv måske glitrede på overfladen, så er det nok nærmere hendes nye venner, som har hjerter af guld. Det kan godt være, at der ikke altid lugter lige godt, og at elkedlen er lidt suspekt, men Sophie ved, at hun altid har de fire fyres opbakning.
Ikke mindst står den charmerende og spontane Cal og den pålidelige, søde Alec begge klar med en hjælpende hånd, når Sophie har brug for det, en skulder at græde ud ved og et smil på læben, når det er det, hun mangler.
Der er amoriner i luften … Men tør hun give sit hjerte væk, og hvem vil i det lange løb bedst kunne passe på det?
Sophie Chesterton har det hele. Hun kender alle, der er værd at kende, bliver inviteret til de rigtige fester og har et klædeskab, der er Vogue værdigt. Men en skæbnesvanger aften bliver Sophies verden vendt på hovedet, og hun står pludselig uden en klink på lommen. Nu må de fine restauranter skiftes ud med baked beans, hverdagen som it-girl med et underbetalt job som fotografassistent og det enorme hus med en lille lejlighed med fire ildelugtende roomies: Alec, Cal, James og Wolverine.
Sophie er desperat efter at få sit gamle liv tilbage, men alligevel har hun på fornemmelsen, at selvom hendes gamle liv måske glitrede på overfladen, så er det nok nærmere hendes nye venner, som har hjerter af guld. Det kan godt være, at der ikke altid lugter lige godt, og at elkedlen er lidt suspekt, men Sophie ved, at hun altid har de fire fyres opbakning.
Ikke mindst står den charmerende og spontane Cal og den pålidelige, søde Alec begge klar med en hjælpende hånd, når Sophie har brug for det, en skulder at græde ud ved og et smil på læben, når det er det, hun mangler.
Der er amoriner i luften … Men tør hun give sit hjerte væk, og hvem vil i det lange løb bedst kunne passe på det?
319 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2009
353 people are currently reading
5591 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Colgan
122 books11.7k followersJenny Colgan is the author of numerous bestselling novels, including 'The Little Shop of Happy Ever After' and 'Summer at the Little Beach Street Bakery', which are also published by Sphere.' Meet Me at the Cupcake Café' won the 2012 Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance and was a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller, as was 'Welcome to Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams', which won the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2013.
For more about Jenny, visit her website and her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter.
Jenny Colgan has also been published under the name Jenny T. Colgan.
For more about Jenny, visit her website and her Facebook page, or follow her on Twitter.
Jenny Colgan has also been published under the name Jenny T. Colgan.
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February 9, 2020
I had low expectations and this book still failed to live up to them.
The romance is EVERYTHING I HATE. ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING. The heroine, who is attracted to the hero Cal the moment she meets him, constantly telegraphs her attraction; he ignores her and has a parade of one-night-stands whom the heroine makes breakfast for and cleans up after. Then, once the heroine has thrown herself at him, he has sex with her... before GOING BACK TO THE PARADE OF OW AND ONE NIGHT STANDS!!!!!!
Admittedly, the heroine 'rejected' the hero after their night together, but that's only because he was basically about to do it to her first. Also, Cal is a SICKENING character and only a true hero if you have the tastes of a masochistic teenager. He's misogynistic, obsessed with having sex with as many women as possible, invites the heroine's bullies to a party because they're 'fit', and accuses the heroine of being a 'lezzer' because she wears tracksuit bottoms. What the hell? I realise this was written in the 90s, but it was nauseating to see how obsessed the heroine still was with him after those comments.
The ending of the book is unrealistic, unlikeable, and untrustworthy. I was hoping to find a new version of Sophie Kinsella when I read this book but I'm deeply disappointed.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
The romance is EVERYTHING I HATE. ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING. The heroine, who is attracted to the hero Cal the moment she meets him, constantly telegraphs her attraction; he ignores her and has a parade of one-night-stands whom the heroine makes breakfast for and cleans up after. Then, once the heroine has thrown herself at him, he has sex with her... before GOING BACK TO THE PARADE OF OW AND ONE NIGHT STANDS!!!!!!
Admittedly, the heroine 'rejected' the hero after their night together, but that's only because he was basically about to do it to her first. Also, Cal is a SICKENING character and only a true hero if you have the tastes of a masochistic teenager. He's misogynistic, obsessed with having sex with as many women as possible, invites the heroine's bullies to a party because they're 'fit', and accuses the heroine of being a 'lezzer' because she wears tracksuit bottoms. What the hell? I realise this was written in the 90s, but it was nauseating to see how obsessed the heroine still was with him after those comments.
The ending of the book is unrealistic, unlikeable, and untrustworthy. I was hoping to find a new version of Sophie Kinsella when I read this book but I'm deeply disappointed.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
August 15, 2014
What does an It girl do if she loses all her money?
Sophie Chesterton is a girl about town – she knows all the right people, goes to all the right parties, and wears all the right clothes. But deep down she suspects that her best friends are actually rather nasty, and that her lifestyle doesn’t really amount to much. Her father wants her to make her own way in the world. to make him proud. But after one shocking evening her life is changed for ever.
It's summer and for summer I think the best books are ones that make you laugh, happy, and are an easy read. "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" fits into that mold. First, how could you not love the title of the book? Second, it's funny and you just have to like and feel for Sophie Chesterton, even with her spoiled ways. It has romance, bitchness, and hot mess situations.... perfect chit-lit plot.
Sophie Chesterton is a girl about town – she knows all the right people, goes to all the right parties, and wears all the right clothes. But deep down she suspects that her best friends are actually rather nasty, and that her lifestyle doesn’t really amount to much. Her father wants her to make her own way in the world. to make him proud. But after one shocking evening her life is changed for ever.
It's summer and for summer I think the best books are ones that make you laugh, happy, and are an easy read. "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" fits into that mold. First, how could you not love the title of the book? Second, it's funny and you just have to like and feel for Sophie Chesterton, even with her spoiled ways. It has romance, bitchness, and hot mess situations.... perfect chit-lit plot.
March 25, 2020
Jenny Colgan is one of my favourite British Chicklit authors. She has a way of telling a story that is funny and relatable. “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” is a re-release having first been published in 2009.
The protagonist is Sophie Chesterton, a London socialite born into money. The family money has bought her a lifestyle free of most everyday responsibilities. Then one day it all is taken away.
The quest for Sophie to find a job and a place to live leads to a cast of characters that are unique and interesting. Sophie’s need for survival brings with it choices not for the faint of heart. Told with Colgan’s usual hilarity, Sophie begins to adapt to her circumstances.
I enjoyed the book, but did find myself a little less engaged at times. In my opinion, the story is more targeted to a YA reader. Having said that, it was a nice light read and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
The protagonist is Sophie Chesterton, a London socialite born into money. The family money has bought her a lifestyle free of most everyday responsibilities. Then one day it all is taken away.
The quest for Sophie to find a job and a place to live leads to a cast of characters that are unique and interesting. Sophie’s need for survival brings with it choices not for the faint of heart. Told with Colgan’s usual hilarity, Sophie begins to adapt to her circumstances.
I enjoyed the book, but did find myself a little less engaged at times. In my opinion, the story is more targeted to a YA reader. Having said that, it was a nice light read and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
November 2, 2009
Eh. Imagine if, let's say Nikki Hilton, loses all her money and her friends and family, and is forced to live in a dirty sharehouse with four guys as she tries to find her own way in the world. Transpose it to London, and you have this story. Of course Sophie has to choose between two of the guys she lives with - shy, nerdy Eck or hot Cal who sleeps around - and of course she falls into a job that allows her to develop of childhood love of photography while meeting many odd but fabulous people. It's a quick, sweet, untaxing read, fairly typical in the romance department, and utterly unbelievable.
January 23, 2018
Another good book by Jenny Colgan
December 23, 2015
From AntonySimpson.com:
I originally discovered Jenny Colgan by picking up here book Where Have All the Boys Gone? I loved it and was unable to put it down! So when I saw her latest book Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend in a local supermarket, I couldn’t resist picking it up.
The book tells the story of a socialite-IT-girl Sophie Chesterton whose life evolves around parties, clothes, diamonds and all things shiny and sparklie, all paid for by her rich father. All seems perfect in Sophie’s world until disaster strikes, daddy’s gone and so is daddy’s money. Sophie is forced for the first time in her life to slum it: moving in with University students, having to clean to pay her way (rather than have a housemaid), working long hours in a low paid job photographing page 3 models (rather than her voluntary work in an exclusive fashion photographers), etc.
In the book you follow Sophie’s journey as she deals with her fathers death, builds a relationship with her step mother, discovers love, makes new friends and rediscovers old ones, finding out about the interesting and funny experiences that happen along the way. One particularly funny scene is when Sophie uses oven cleaner to clean the toilet, one of the boy students she lives with uses the toilet and Sophie hear’s a scream from the bathroom. Hilarious!
In the end you come to care for Sophie and really appreciate the journey and life changing experiences she undertakes along the way. If you love chick-lit-books, a bit of entertaining, light reading, you’ll love this book.
I originally discovered Jenny Colgan by picking up here book Where Have All the Boys Gone? I loved it and was unable to put it down! So when I saw her latest book Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend in a local supermarket, I couldn’t resist picking it up.
The book tells the story of a socialite-IT-girl Sophie Chesterton whose life evolves around parties, clothes, diamonds and all things shiny and sparklie, all paid for by her rich father. All seems perfect in Sophie’s world until disaster strikes, daddy’s gone and so is daddy’s money. Sophie is forced for the first time in her life to slum it: moving in with University students, having to clean to pay her way (rather than have a housemaid), working long hours in a low paid job photographing page 3 models (rather than her voluntary work in an exclusive fashion photographers), etc.
In the book you follow Sophie’s journey as she deals with her fathers death, builds a relationship with her step mother, discovers love, makes new friends and rediscovers old ones, finding out about the interesting and funny experiences that happen along the way. One particularly funny scene is when Sophie uses oven cleaner to clean the toilet, one of the boy students she lives with uses the toilet and Sophie hear’s a scream from the bathroom. Hilarious!
In the end you come to care for Sophie and really appreciate the journey and life changing experiences she undertakes along the way. If you love chick-lit-books, a bit of entertaining, light reading, you’ll love this book.
June 28, 2020
Four and a half stars.
When Sophie Chesterton's father dies she finds her lavish lifestyle (house in Knightsbridge, cocktails in Chelsea, fake job, black Amex card, and shopping in Harrods) is a thing of the past. At first his will requires her to live off her own earnings independently for six months but when the dust settles it seems that her father was over-extended and all his assets are taken to pay his debts.
Sophie can barely afford a grotty flatshare in the Old Kent Road, sharing with four art students. She can't even afford to pay the deposit so agrees to clean the flat if the boys cover her deposit. Acting as gopher for a renowned photographer who makes his real money taking 'glamour' shots of topless models, Sophie struggles to build a new life, torn between two of her flatmates: the sultry manslut Cal and the kind sweet Eck. TBH I wasn't in any doubt who she would pick but I enjoyed the modern, adult riff on that children's classic A Little Princess, I was at home in bed with summer flu and this was just the ticket, fun, easy-reading romance.
When Sophie Chesterton's father dies she finds her lavish lifestyle (house in Knightsbridge, cocktails in Chelsea, fake job, black Amex card, and shopping in Harrods) is a thing of the past. At first his will requires her to live off her own earnings independently for six months but when the dust settles it seems that her father was over-extended and all his assets are taken to pay his debts.
Sophie can barely afford a grotty flatshare in the Old Kent Road, sharing with four art students. She can't even afford to pay the deposit so agrees to clean the flat if the boys cover her deposit. Acting as gopher for a renowned photographer who makes his real money taking 'glamour' shots of topless models, Sophie struggles to build a new life, torn between two of her flatmates: the sultry manslut Cal and the kind sweet Eck. TBH I wasn't in any doubt who she would pick but I enjoyed the modern, adult riff on that children's classic A Little Princess, I was at home in bed with summer flu and this was just the ticket, fun, easy-reading romance.
August 26, 2021
Delicious and sweet page turner!
The tale of spoiled Sophie taking on the world when she doesn’t want to is a wonderful treat. I laughed out loud several times. Loved all the ‘boys’! A great read for a day when you might be feeling a little blue or hopeless. A testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
The tale of spoiled Sophie taking on the world when she doesn’t want to is a wonderful treat. I laughed out loud several times. Loved all the ‘boys’! A great read for a day when you might be feeling a little blue or hopeless. A testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
April 15, 2020
I highly recommend this on audiobook! The narrator is charming, and the story is sweet and funny. Great entertainment and distraction from the COVID 19 crisis.
August 25, 2021
I wasn’t trailing in the gutter. Yet somehow that was worse. When everything is as bad as it can possibly be at least you stand out for being a complete disaster. You’re still special, just special for being such an unbelievable fuckup. People speak about you in vaguely hushed tones all the time. Whereas when everything is patently going to be average and you’re just going to have to get through it—that, in a funny way, is much harder. I couldn’t throw my hands up in the air and go to bed for a week. I had to soldier on.
This was a cute book along the light lines of Meg Cabot and Sophie Kinsella. The plot intrigued me: Rich spoiled girl forced to make it on her own. I have seen movies with this trope, but can't remember reading any other books with that plot line. I will probably try some more by this author because I did like her voice. A couple of things prevented me from loving it. I didn't like the love interest. No matter how much he was redeemed in the end I didn't like how he used women through most of the book. And, if he was so attracted to Sophie, why did he not try harder to repair the misunderstanding? I'm going to have to put a spoiler alert on this because part of the plot of this was who she was going to end up with. I liked Eck because he was the underdog, and didn't like how the author besmirched his nice guy character in the end. Don't like Bad Boys and don't like when they end up with the girl usually. Also, the filth that her 4 male roommates lived in before she came was just disgusting. How could any guy that has any character at all live like that? Just didn't understand it.
But I did like Sophie's journey a lot. This was my second chance Jenny Colgan as I was not overwhelmed by the first book I read by her. I will proceed with caution.
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2019
This book was received as an ARC from HarperCollins Publishers - William Morrow Paperbacks in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
This book reminded me a lot of Candace Bushnell's books such as Sex in the City and Lipstick Jungle but also Sophie Kinsella's Confessions of a Shopaholic where they take a obsession and learn the true meaning and value of life. We have heard the phrase forever..."Diamonds are a girl's best friend." This book really brought that to life with the same positive outlook and deep meaning behind the phrase. Jenny Colgan does a remarkable job with the character of Sophie Chesterton in describing her dilemma and when she realizes she has all she ever wanted and is still not happy or even questions whether or not all of it is real. Now enter poverty and moving in with four boys and forced to eat canned beans everyday. Yet at first Sophie will stop at nothing to get back to her old lifestyle but thanks to this experience, she realizes there is more to life than just diamonds. This was a morally gratifying story that everyone should read. Fans of Candace Bushnell and Sophie Kinsella will also appreciate this book.
We will consider adding this title to our Adult Fiction collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
This book reminded me a lot of Candace Bushnell's books such as Sex in the City and Lipstick Jungle but also Sophie Kinsella's Confessions of a Shopaholic where they take a obsession and learn the true meaning and value of life. We have heard the phrase forever..."Diamonds are a girl's best friend." This book really brought that to life with the same positive outlook and deep meaning behind the phrase. Jenny Colgan does a remarkable job with the character of Sophie Chesterton in describing her dilemma and when she realizes she has all she ever wanted and is still not happy or even questions whether or not all of it is real. Now enter poverty and moving in with four boys and forced to eat canned beans everyday. Yet at first Sophie will stop at nothing to get back to her old lifestyle but thanks to this experience, she realizes there is more to life than just diamonds. This was a morally gratifying story that everyone should read. Fans of Candace Bushnell and Sophie Kinsella will also appreciate this book.
We will consider adding this title to our Adult Fiction collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
April 6, 2020
Sophie Chesterton, a shy, introverted child, is cherished by her wealthy parents, but, suddenly, her mother dies and her grief stricken father sends her to a nearby posh boarding school. There she meets a very rich and beautiful girl who changes Sophie into a slim, haute couture “It girl.” She has learned to adapt to this haughty, spoiled existence with a passion...until one night when her life is shattered forever.
I’ve always said that Jenny Colgan has a winning formula for her books: city girl loses everything, moves to somewhere isolated, often in Scotland, starts over and makes something out of nothing, falls in love with some perfectly quirky guy and lives happily ever after. I was about to say that this book was a delightful change in the formula, but, upon reflection, I realized that, no, this is pretty much her formula except that the back of beyond place in Scotland has become some back and beyond part of south London. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! If you like her books, you’re sure to love this! I’m just sorry I finished it...
I’ve always said that Jenny Colgan has a winning formula for her books: city girl loses everything, moves to somewhere isolated, often in Scotland, starts over and makes something out of nothing, falls in love with some perfectly quirky guy and lives happily ever after. I was about to say that this book was a delightful change in the formula, but, upon reflection, I realized that, no, this is pretty much her formula except that the back of beyond place in Scotland has become some back and beyond part of south London. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! If you like her books, you’re sure to love this! I’m just sorry I finished it...
October 12, 2020
Sigh...
Jenny Colgan is one of the most inconsistent authors I have ever read. Some of her books have been very good and satisfying. But then there are books like this one...
The storyline is good: a spoiled rich girl loses everything in (literally) one night: her handsome boyfriend, her galpals, her trust fund, the party scene, everything she's based her sorry shallow life on is gone in 24 hours.
Now Sophie Chesterton will get a look at how the rest of the world lives. She moves into a crummy apartment with four guys who have never seen the purpose of cleaning up after themselves; she has to learn to take public transportation (rather than limos), and generally has to grow up. In the process, she not only matures, but she comes to realize what is, and is not, important.
As I said, a great idea for a book. And there are some funny scenes, as well as very poignant ones. But Colgan took what could have been a fabulous book and instead chose to fill this novel with trashy, vulgar references and foul language that was completely unnecessary.
Swing and a miss.
Jenny Colgan is one of the most inconsistent authors I have ever read. Some of her books have been very good and satisfying. But then there are books like this one...
The storyline is good: a spoiled rich girl loses everything in (literally) one night: her handsome boyfriend, her galpals, her trust fund, the party scene, everything she's based her sorry shallow life on is gone in 24 hours.
Now Sophie Chesterton will get a look at how the rest of the world lives. She moves into a crummy apartment with four guys who have never seen the purpose of cleaning up after themselves; she has to learn to take public transportation (rather than limos), and generally has to grow up. In the process, she not only matures, but she comes to realize what is, and is not, important.
As I said, a great idea for a book. And there are some funny scenes, as well as very poignant ones. But Colgan took what could have been a fabulous book and instead chose to fill this novel with trashy, vulgar references and foul language that was completely unnecessary.
Swing and a miss.
March 4, 2020
I was curious as to whether this had held up from when it was first published- after all, we've moved forward a great deal in our outlook and attitudes. Read it as a rom com chick lit beach book and you'll have a good time. Don't take it seriously. Sophie, who finds herself having to support herself after her father removes the cash that underpins her lifestyle, is indeed a real pill in a way. However, the point of this is that she grows up in more ways than one, deals with crisis maturely, and finds that indeed, there is more to life than, ahem, diamonds. I'd be curious how she would fare in the age of social media! Not my favorite of Colgan's novels but she's such a good storyteller that the pages turn. Thanks to Edelweiss for the reissued DRC.
August 5, 2021
This was entertaining but nothing really special. This had light & fun atmosphere and some scenes made me laugh. I wasn't really fascinated by the story because it was so predictable.
I really liked Sophie: she was amazing. She had been rich but she was still so kind & mature and I enjoyed her dry humor. Almost all characters were quite stereotypical and that was a bit shame. I was a bit disappointed in love triangle and romance overall. There was one love interest that came a bit from the bushes.
I think Sophie's arc was amazing and well written. It was enjoyable to follow her growth. Romance didn't work here, I didn't feel the chemistry and the ending was way too sugary for me.
I really liked Sophie: she was amazing. She had been rich but she was still so kind & mature and I enjoyed her dry humor. Almost all characters were quite stereotypical and that was a bit shame. I was a bit disappointed in love triangle and romance overall. There was one love interest that came a bit from the bushes.
I think Sophie's arc was amazing and well written. It was enjoyable to follow her growth. Romance didn't work here, I didn't feel the chemistry and the ending was way too sugary for me.
October 30, 2021
Sometimes you just need an easy, entertaining read, you know? When Sophie’s dad dies, her life is turned upside down as she loses everything and has to learn how to make her own way in the world. This story has love triangles, lavish life styles, a Cinderella-esque plot line, and ultimately, true happiness. I was surprised by the ending, but loved that everything was wrapped up in a neat bow for me - the perfect stay at home read!
Follow me on Instagram @whaterikaisreading for more reviews!
Follow me on Instagram @whaterikaisreading for more reviews!
February 22, 2013
It's unrealistic and unbelievable. The ending was just.. meh. It's a good thing I read Colgan's subsequent novels first (like the Cupcake series & also Sweet shop of dreams) because if I were to read this (Diamonds) first, I wouldn't want to read anymore of Colgan's novels. She IS a good writer and I love her newer works, except for this one. =\
June 13, 2020
I adore Jenny Colgan. I got the sense that her earlier books are not of the same caliber of her more recent. That might be true, but I enjoyed this one. Were some things unrealistic? Yes. Were some things silly? Yes. But it felt wonderful to read this rom com after reading a book about Trump 🤮 And I loved the ending. That’s enough for me!!!
June 25, 2018
cute. easy to read. liked the story. the title doesn't really match the story.
there was one scene in the book that I was reading on the bus and I started to laugh so hard I was crying and the lady next to me asked if I was ok. I rarely laugh out loud when reading b
there was one scene in the book that I was reading on the bus and I started to laugh so hard I was crying and the lady next to me asked if I was ok. I rarely laugh out loud when reading b
November 16, 2016
3.5/5
Entertaining read!
Entertaining read!
March 20, 2020
While this may have been, as others commented, unrealistic and unbelievable, it was a fun read and escapism - exactly what I needed!
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
April 6, 2020
Completely unbelievable plot - to begin with, how does a multimillionaire (who works in that industry) mess up his finances so badly that his only child literally gets *nothing* after he dies?? Maybe things work differently in Great Britain, but in the US we have iron clad trusts, life insurance policies, etc. So I’m not seeing how something quite so drastic could ever in a million years happen to Sophie. Her friends being evil bitches, yes, that I could believe unfortunately all too easily.
I also am not totally on board with her and Cal’s relationship. Mostly because he was super mean to her and every one else and had a never ending revolving door of strange women whom he slept with unapologetically. Call me old fashioned, but the statistics on STDs are not in his favor....
I also had zero sympathy for the step mother who just literally disappeared and cut off all contact with Sophie after the government had seized everything. I’m not sure she deserved a happy ending at all, being such a hypocrite (preaching to a spoiled 25 year old about being an adult while hiding out and cutting off all communication after everything went south because she was “afraid of getting yelled at”). I mean she sure had a lot of opinions about her husband’s finances, without ever being privy to anything that was going on? I guess I just don’t buy that.
I gave it more than 1 star because I had a chuckle anytime Wolverine came up.
I also am not totally on board with her and Cal’s relationship. Mostly because he was super mean to her and every one else and had a never ending revolving door of strange women whom he slept with unapologetically. Call me old fashioned, but the statistics on STDs are not in his favor....
I also had zero sympathy for the step mother who just literally disappeared and cut off all contact with Sophie after the government had seized everything. I’m not sure she deserved a happy ending at all, being such a hypocrite (preaching to a spoiled 25 year old about being an adult while hiding out and cutting off all communication after everything went south because she was “afraid of getting yelled at”). I mean she sure had a lot of opinions about her husband’s finances, without ever being privy to anything that was going on? I guess I just don’t buy that.
I gave it more than 1 star because I had a chuckle anytime Wolverine came up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2021
This was my favourite of the Jenny Colgan back catalogue reads I had on my shelf!
June 4, 2025
Really not great, but exactly what I needed
March 13, 2020
There are few things that make me happier than a Jenny Colgan book, even re-releases that perhaps would have passed me by the first time, feeling a bit too “young” in terms of the lead character. But, this book is so perfectly imperfect, it hits the right note at every moment. Sophie is a spoilt, well-to-do, Daddy’s Girl, with a serious attitude for her stepmother, the ‘teen jaded’ princess with two frenemies who are less friends than enemies, and a rather slothful and shallow existence. She’s a ‘posh girl’ with more money than sense, and no responsibilities. Until her father dies suddenly, and one of the conditions of her receiving her inheritance is to live, totally self-supported, for six months. No one is bailing her out: not her stepmother, not her friends, and not even the housekeeper who’d been with her since childhood will make her a coffee.
So with a thousand pound cheque from her stepmother, two suitcases full of clothes and a quick-lesson in ‘cleaning’, she’s off to a flat share on the King’s Road, with three (sometimes four) very messy art students in a flat that’s never seen a cleaner. Her portion is only covering the rent – utilities are extra – so she starts to clean, learning her way around managing without a never-ending slush fund. It was truly amusing to watch her struggle through with the everyday tasks, and then find a job as a photographer’s assistant in his hush-hush glamor modeling sideline – as she tries to navigate paying bills, learning to make tea, cleaning and adjusting to a life without. And it is truly without as it turns out her father’s bad investments mean that there’s no inheritance, no extras and nothing special in her life. Until she starts a relationship with a roommate – who is chucking in art college while in his final year to join the corporate world, and seeking out an apartment for the two of them after the flat-share ends, all based on a ‘safe’ sense of who she is with him.
Sophie has undergone a ton of growth and change, and aside from some poorly chosen romantic interludes with two different flatmates, and the fact that she never shared her history with them – or her ‘semi-celebrity’ status, she’s finding a career in photography, and has discovered that her ‘friendships’ pre-flat share were far less about friends and more about their need to feel superior and above it all. A real relationship and marriage to the last person she expected, a lovely little girl and a serious surprise at the end gives Sophie the options and choices she always wanted, that she didn’t know that she longed for. The whole experience tempered and strengthened her, providing her a sense of self and self-assurance that she’d never before had, and whole new worlds opened to her with her little family. It’s always fun to read the Colgan of then and the one of now – and see how her characterizations always hold true even as her ability to tell a story has matured and become less ‘in your face’ than the first encounter with Sophie would lead you to believe. One of my favorite authors, Colgan always manages to push the real world aside for her stories, knowing that everything will work out in the end – and I’ll feel happier when it’s over.
I received an eBook copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
So with a thousand pound cheque from her stepmother, two suitcases full of clothes and a quick-lesson in ‘cleaning’, she’s off to a flat share on the King’s Road, with three (sometimes four) very messy art students in a flat that’s never seen a cleaner. Her portion is only covering the rent – utilities are extra – so she starts to clean, learning her way around managing without a never-ending slush fund. It was truly amusing to watch her struggle through with the everyday tasks, and then find a job as a photographer’s assistant in his hush-hush glamor modeling sideline – as she tries to navigate paying bills, learning to make tea, cleaning and adjusting to a life without. And it is truly without as it turns out her father’s bad investments mean that there’s no inheritance, no extras and nothing special in her life. Until she starts a relationship with a roommate – who is chucking in art college while in his final year to join the corporate world, and seeking out an apartment for the two of them after the flat-share ends, all based on a ‘safe’ sense of who she is with him.
Sophie has undergone a ton of growth and change, and aside from some poorly chosen romantic interludes with two different flatmates, and the fact that she never shared her history with them – or her ‘semi-celebrity’ status, she’s finding a career in photography, and has discovered that her ‘friendships’ pre-flat share were far less about friends and more about their need to feel superior and above it all. A real relationship and marriage to the last person she expected, a lovely little girl and a serious surprise at the end gives Sophie the options and choices she always wanted, that she didn’t know that she longed for. The whole experience tempered and strengthened her, providing her a sense of self and self-assurance that she’d never before had, and whole new worlds opened to her with her little family. It’s always fun to read the Colgan of then and the one of now – and see how her characterizations always hold true even as her ability to tell a story has matured and become less ‘in your face’ than the first encounter with Sophie would lead you to believe. One of my favorite authors, Colgan always manages to push the real world aside for her stories, knowing that everything will work out in the end – and I’ll feel happier when it’s over.
I received an eBook copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
May 6, 2020
I'm a big fan of Jenny Colgan's books, having loved her most recent ones, The Bookshop on the Corner and The Bookshop on the Shore. They are charming and sweet, and I love the Scottish island setting.
I recently read one of her earlier books, recently republished- Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend, which is a little different from her newer books. It's set in London, and the story is a bit rougher-around-the-edges. It's also very funny.
Sophie Chesterton is a gal-about-town, she spends her days shopping and getting her nails done and her nights out on the town with her two best friends and her boyfriend, whom she hopes will pop the question soon.
Life is good for Sophie until it is not. A tragic event forces her to leave her father's mansion and make her own way in the world. She ends up living in an apartment in the dodgy end of town with four young men, who take in her in with the understanding that she will clean their disgusting apartment as part of the rent. One of them even calls her "Cinders", short for Cinderella. (The scenes where she cleans the bathroom may be too much for some germophobes to even read.)
Sophie wants to be a photographer, and she manages to find a job as a photographer's assistant. She knows the photographer as a fashion photographer, who shoots the most glamorous women. On the side, however, he shoots scantily clad women for the tabloids, and the small, shoddy studio where he does this is where Sophie gets a job.
The characters in the book are terrific; the young women who work as tabloid models had me laughing out loud. The "boys" Sophie live with are interesting- James (the military man), Wolverine (whose name perfectly describes his canine appearance and actions), Cal (who brings home a different woman every night) and Eck (the sensitive artist). Even Sophie's stepmother, who could have been one-dimensional, has more shades to her.
Sophie is the best character however. I love her salty language (you'll learn a lot great British slang in this book), and attitude. She could have just given up, but Sophie pushes on, even in the face of severe embarassment from her former friends.
There is a love triangle here between Sophie and two men, and the ending came as a bit of surprise, but a welcome and logical one at that. If you liked Bridget Jones' Diary, Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend is a perfect read for you.
I recently read one of her earlier books, recently republished- Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend, which is a little different from her newer books. It's set in London, and the story is a bit rougher-around-the-edges. It's also very funny.
Sophie Chesterton is a gal-about-town, she spends her days shopping and getting her nails done and her nights out on the town with her two best friends and her boyfriend, whom she hopes will pop the question soon.
Life is good for Sophie until it is not. A tragic event forces her to leave her father's mansion and make her own way in the world. She ends up living in an apartment in the dodgy end of town with four young men, who take in her in with the understanding that she will clean their disgusting apartment as part of the rent. One of them even calls her "Cinders", short for Cinderella. (The scenes where she cleans the bathroom may be too much for some germophobes to even read.)
Sophie wants to be a photographer, and she manages to find a job as a photographer's assistant. She knows the photographer as a fashion photographer, who shoots the most glamorous women. On the side, however, he shoots scantily clad women for the tabloids, and the small, shoddy studio where he does this is where Sophie gets a job.
The characters in the book are terrific; the young women who work as tabloid models had me laughing out loud. The "boys" Sophie live with are interesting- James (the military man), Wolverine (whose name perfectly describes his canine appearance and actions), Cal (who brings home a different woman every night) and Eck (the sensitive artist). Even Sophie's stepmother, who could have been one-dimensional, has more shades to her.
Sophie is the best character however. I love her salty language (you'll learn a lot great British slang in this book), and attitude. She could have just given up, but Sophie pushes on, even in the face of severe embarassment from her former friends.
There is a love triangle here between Sophie and two men, and the ending came as a bit of surprise, but a welcome and logical one at that. If you liked Bridget Jones' Diary, Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend is a perfect read for you.
March 23, 2020
Everyone who knows me is aware that my most favorite book is The Bookshop on The Corner by Jenny Colgan. All of Jenny’s books are just a fun and cute read that will surely make you smile when you finish them. I’m hoping somehow one day I will get to meet her and have her sign my copy! (If you know anyone who knows someone who knows her, hook me up folks!)
Sophie Chesterton has it all and is living her best life. With daddy’s money supporting her she spends her days shopping for all the latest fashions, going to parties, and expensive lunches with her equally rich friends. Her boyfriend is amazing and Sophie is pretty sure a proposal will be coming soon. Her dad has always given her everything she wants until his new girlfriend seems to put a bug in his ear that Sophie needs to stop living such an extravagant life. Who does this lady think she is coming in and trying to make changes when everything is pretty perfect as it is? Whether is was the things Gail said or her father realizing all on his own that Sophie needs a dose of reality, her fairytale life comes to an abrupt hault when her father takes it all away. Everything. Sophie must walk out the door with only a small bag of clothes and learn for the first time how to make it on her own. How can she make a living with no real skills? Who will teach her how to cook and clean when she’s had a maid her whole life? Most importantly will her friends be there for her when she has no money for expensive meals and no designer clothes suitable for fancy parties? Everything will change but maybe for the better.
Sophie Chesterton has it all and is living her best life. With daddy’s money supporting her she spends her days shopping for all the latest fashions, going to parties, and expensive lunches with her equally rich friends. Her boyfriend is amazing and Sophie is pretty sure a proposal will be coming soon. Her dad has always given her everything she wants until his new girlfriend seems to put a bug in his ear that Sophie needs to stop living such an extravagant life. Who does this lady think she is coming in and trying to make changes when everything is pretty perfect as it is? Whether is was the things Gail said or her father realizing all on his own that Sophie needs a dose of reality, her fairytale life comes to an abrupt hault when her father takes it all away. Everything. Sophie must walk out the door with only a small bag of clothes and learn for the first time how to make it on her own. How can she make a living with no real skills? Who will teach her how to cook and clean when she’s had a maid her whole life? Most importantly will her friends be there for her when she has no money for expensive meals and no designer clothes suitable for fancy parties? Everything will change but maybe for the better.
May 10, 2020
This is a perfect summer read; very cute and fun. I like to read this kind of book after finishing a heavy or intense thriller.
Sophie was born in a wealthy family and she’s never had to think about money. Her dad has always been there to pay for everything. Her friends and boyfriend are just like her - their lives are based on parties and beauty salons.
Her life changes overnight when her father dies of a heart attack. Her so-called friend steals her boyfriend and all of a sudden Sophie is alone in the world with no money. Her dad did leave her a trust fund but only on the condition that she has to live a simple life for six months before she can have the money.
Sophie ends up sharing a dormitory at a university with some very messy boys; the place is disgusting. Since she has no money, she agrees to clean their apartment in exchange for a place to stay. The woman who cleans the mansion where she used to live agrees to teach her the basics of cleaning.
Sophie’s life has turned upside down. When she runs into her old friends, she realizes how shallow her life used to be. Sophie learns how to be more humble and to appreciate the simple things in life. She reminds me of Alexis from the television show Schitt’s Creek.
This was my favorite book by Jenny Colgan and I know a lot of people really like her books. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it if you need something light to distract your mind.
Sophie was born in a wealthy family and she’s never had to think about money. Her dad has always been there to pay for everything. Her friends and boyfriend are just like her - their lives are based on parties and beauty salons.
Her life changes overnight when her father dies of a heart attack. Her so-called friend steals her boyfriend and all of a sudden Sophie is alone in the world with no money. Her dad did leave her a trust fund but only on the condition that she has to live a simple life for six months before she can have the money.
Sophie ends up sharing a dormitory at a university with some very messy boys; the place is disgusting. Since she has no money, she agrees to clean their apartment in exchange for a place to stay. The woman who cleans the mansion where she used to live agrees to teach her the basics of cleaning.
Sophie’s life has turned upside down. When she runs into her old friends, she realizes how shallow her life used to be. Sophie learns how to be more humble and to appreciate the simple things in life. She reminds me of Alexis from the television show Schitt’s Creek.
This was my favorite book by Jenny Colgan and I know a lot of people really like her books. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it if you need something light to distract your mind.
July 23, 2020
Okay, first things first — I’ve read other books by Jenny Colgan and have loved them. And I will read other books by Colgan in the future and will probably love them too.
But this one just plain sucked.
The romance — which was fairly key to the entire story — was horrible. Sophie’s initial love interest is a man who has a rep for never sleeping with the same girl twice. He’s slimy, mean, misogynistic, and coarse. He called Sophie a “lezzer” for wearing sweatpants, he asked to hang out with Sophie’s friends because they were “fit,” and he’s only interested in women’s bodies and nothing else.
Basically, a smarmy example of the fucking patriarchy in action.
And Sophie falls for him...??!! WHAT.
There was also a really awkward bit about Sophie selling herself for money (not prostitution but for porn), and while this definitely made it clear how desperate she was, it was just... awkward and felt very forced.
The love triangle was horrible and awkward because I was always rooting for the one that Sophie ended up rejecting. He was kind, and gentle, reliable, and sweet. But of course she has to reject him and opt for the “bad boy” stereotype over there in the corner.
The ending was trite and frankly, unbelievable, even though I felt like Colgan (or her publisher) was patting herself on the back for wrapping everything up so neatly.
But this one just plain sucked.
The romance — which was fairly key to the entire story — was horrible. Sophie’s initial love interest is a man who has a rep for never sleeping with the same girl twice. He’s slimy, mean, misogynistic, and coarse. He called Sophie a “lezzer” for wearing sweatpants, he asked to hang out with Sophie’s friends because they were “fit,” and he’s only interested in women’s bodies and nothing else.
Basically, a smarmy example of the fucking patriarchy in action.
And Sophie falls for him...??!! WHAT.
There was also a really awkward bit about Sophie selling herself for money (not prostitution but for porn), and while this definitely made it clear how desperate she was, it was just... awkward and felt very forced.
The love triangle was horrible and awkward because I was always rooting for the one that Sophie ended up rejecting. He was kind, and gentle, reliable, and sweet. But of course she has to reject him and opt for the “bad boy” stereotype over there in the corner.
The ending was trite and frankly, unbelievable, even though I felt like Colgan (or her publisher) was patting herself on the back for wrapping everything up so neatly.
March 27, 2020
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads giveaways, I was not required to give a favorable review. This was a wonderfully written story about how when you think you have it all, it all can disappear. Sophie was a woman who grew up getting pretty much everything she wanted. But when her dad remarries and she gets into more trouble she is thrown out of the house and has to find her way. She ends up rooming with 4 guys who are students at art school. But also she finds out who her true friends are, not the ex=boyfriend that is marrying her friend, and now that her father has died, she is having to finding her way around and take care of her self. But she will find a career, friends that actually care, and makes amends with her step mother. I loved this story.
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