The Stylist Takes Manhattan: A Novel

stupid vapid shallow keast. very unlikable. oh and baby photoshoots? are not nightmares..but shoots with the stupid celebs this author is obsessed with can be .beyond dumb cliched copycat of the shopaholic series. will never attempt any of her "writings" again

Amber and her newly acquired boyfriend Rob have been ticking along nicely – and her job designing windows for a well-known store is fulfilling – but she still has nightmares from her last experience. Amber isn’t the usual type of person, a bit quirky with an encyclopedic knowledge of designers and fashion – things that are less impressive to her parents than marriage and 2.5 kids would be, But Rob’s been offered an opportunity to document a famous lingerie line’s new show, and do a sort of ‘lead up to fashion week’ television show, and Amber is feeling every inch of her “less than lingerie model-esque’ figure. And, for some reason, the relationship she thought was ticking forward well doesn’t seem to feel the same for him. But, offered an opportunity to go along to New York, perhaps work on her own styling portfolio, and, of course, get closer to Rob – how can she resist. And like we’ve learned about Amber, it’s not long before her ‘making a statement with her clothes’ brings not only inappropriate choices for weather, but notice (and a snap judgment) about someone who will soon be very important to her. A few connections and phone calls, a visit from her best friend Vicky that just adds to the chaos and hijinks, and finally, a show-stopping substitution of a model who brings down the house after sabotage is attempted – and the story has a solid mix of laugh-out-loud ridiculous moments, some true tests to friendships and other relationships, and plenty of “heart in the right place’ moments for Amber that shines through, even with the craziness. This book can be read as a standalone – as even the few references to events from the first book are explained briefly, and most have only momentary bearing on this story. Plenty of new experiences, moments and sights to be explored through Amber’s eyes, as well as some pretty funny moments of wholly inappropriate dancing and conversations captured on tape, and a whole station full of firefighters who are, perhaps now, a bit less anxious to make the British Girl feel so welcomed. I received an eArc 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.