Thursday, March 14, 2013

The Liar, the Bitch, and the Wardrobe by Allie Kingsley

Summary:
If you’re going to step on people on your way to the top, you might as well do it in stilettos . . .

. . . Or so she’s been told. Lucy Butler, former wallflower, lands her dream job working for her idol, world-famous fashion photographer Stefano Lepres. But in a world where getting doused in coffee for not getting the order right is the new normal, she isn’t getting any closer to her ideal of being behind the camera herself. Then a superstar actress generously takes Lucy under her wing and teaches her the ways of the rich and famous—treating her to racks of designer clothes and introducing her to a life of private planes and penthouse suites. Soon Lucy is dating a rock star, attending the hottest Hollywood parties, and dressing the part.

Lost in the luxury, she loses sight of the things that once mattered most. It’s going to take a hard blow from the high life to send Lucy back to the real life she always wanted.

From an industry insider—and featuring wardrobes personally selected by celebrity stylist Robert Verdi—this is a novel that will keep you guessing and introduce you to a world you know exists; you’ve just never seen it unretouched. (from GoodReads)

Review:
So when I started The Liar, the Bitch and the Wardrobe (cute title, by the way!) I fully expected it to be pretty much a remake of The Devil Wears Prada. So I wasn't disappointed that it turns out pretty much the same way as its predecessor. It would have been nice for it to be an original story, but I was okay with what I got. I thought this novel was cute and fun and perfect for people interested in Hollywood and celebrities.

So if you've seen The Devil Wears Prada you know that a lowly girl gets a job working for a high-powered   executive working in the fashion industry. This book follows that plotline, except Lucy becomes the assistant to a famous celebrity photographer, in the hopes of being a photographer herself. Of course, the job is nothing like she expects (she hasn't watched Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep in a movie together) and is surprised that she is little more than a glorified servant.

Just like Anne Hathaway's character, Lucy gets caught up in the glamour and lights of Hollywood when she becomes friends with a celebrity socialite (who is pretty much just famous for being famous). She wears fabulous clothes, dines in luxury, and jet sets across the globe. I was definitely living vicariously through Lucy - I wish someone would buy me designer outfits and take me to Paris!

Naturally, Lucy realizes that her career is going no one and her new "friends" are actually her friends. Which is great message, but we've heard it a million times. The Liar, the Bitch and the Wardrobe definitely lacks originality, but the story was fun enough that I didn't mind too much. If you like this type of setting/plot then I recommend this novel. It also falls into the category of "New Adult" so if you're in your early 20s here's a character of the same age!

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: sent a copy by the publisher.

2012/Berkeley Trade/292 pages.

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