The Stylist by Rosie Nixon
Release Date: 11th February 2016
Publisher: MIRA
Buy: Hardback | Kindle
Rating:
When fashion boutique worker Amber Green is mistakenly offered a job as assistant to infamous, jet-setting ‘stylist to the stars’ Mona Armstrong, she hits the ground running, helping to style some of Hollywood’s hottest (and craziest) starlets. As awards season spins into action Mona is in hot demand and Amber’s life turned upside down. Suddenly she catching the attention of two very different suitors, TV producer Rob and Hollywood bad boy rising star Liam. How will Amber keep her head? And what the hell will everyone wear? The Stylist is a fast-paced, fun-packed rummage through the ultimate dressing up box.
Amber Green is perfectly content with her life working in a fashion boutique. She’s more H&M than Hermes and seems to spend more of her time steaming Stella McCartney outfits than actually selling them, but that’s ok. However, Amber’s life looks set to transformed before her very eyes when she catches the attention of the notorious Mona Armstrong; lover of strong coffee and stylist to the stars. Mona has just lost her assistant and by some crazy twist of fate (in other words a mistake involving shoes and a window dressing) Mona decides that Amber is the perfect candidate to step into her previous assistants shoes (read: killer heels)
Firstly Mona needs an assistant to help her out at the up-and-coming Golden Globes (After all a celebrity without a stylist if like Kylie Jenner without her pout!) This involves Amber being flown out to Los Angeles and staying in Mona’s luxurious house…No biggie!
But whilst Amber quickly masters making Mona’s essential caffe macchiato, can she hack it in the cut throat world of fashion? Throw in a hunky TV producer, Hollywood hunk and, erm, a micro-pig and you have one fast-paced, funny and hugely entertaining tale.
You know when you see a book and you just know that a certain story is MADE for you? That’s exactly how I felt when I first clapped eyes on The Stylist. This was also enforced by the quote from the legend that is Adele Parks on the front cover, telling me that The Stylist was a must-read for The Devil Wears Prada and Shopaholic fans. SAY. NO. MORE.
The Devil Wears Prada is probably one of my all time favourite books and The Stylist massively reminded me of Lauren Weisberger’s novel in many ways. The seemingly ordinary lead character who doesn’t know a great deal about fashion, who is thrust into a fast and furious world where people survive on coffee and nothing… NOTHING is more important than wearing the latest designer must-have. There’s also the teeny, tiny matter of a crazy boss who doesn’t settle for anything less than perfection.
I have no doubt that Rosie Nixon has called upon her experiences of working in the magazine industry to compile some of the funniest, craziest and all round brilliant situations I think I have ever read about. The Stylist was such a joy to read and I found myself completely caught up in the weird and wonderful world that Amber was struggling to survive in.
Amber herself is a wonderful character. She is so easy to relate to and you’ll catch yourself thinking that if you suddenly found yourself in Amber’s situation then you would behave in exactly the same way. She’s realistic, funny, warm and always tried her best. She’s a real champion and the kind of character that you just cannot help but love.
I love how strong the characters are in this novel; especially Mona. This woman is amazing (and not necessarily in a good way…However she is AMAZINGLY fun to read about!)
I found Rosie’s writing to be an absolute dream. It’s witty, light and she has a natural talent for humour. I also adored her descriptions of some of the dresses that came out at the various awards ceremonies. I was practically drooling…It was also great fun to have a behind-the-scenes peek at some of these big events (And there are lots to choose from as the story takes us from the Golden Globes to the BAFTAs to the Oscars…)
The Stylist really is entertaining chick lit at it’s best. Not only does it have a fantastic story at its heart but a brilliant range of characters, too. And of course it’s not all about dressing celebrities and evil bosses. There’s romance and friendship, too – vital elements in any good story in my opinion.
Refreshing, funny and a must-read for fashionistas everywhere.
A huge thank you to Cara at MIRA for sending me a copy of The Stylist for review. ♥
Rosie Nixon has been joint Editor of HELLO! magazine for the past five years where she relishes the role of hands-on editor with a love of all things celebrity, royal and fashion-related. She previously held senior positions at glossy women’s magazines including Grazia, Glamour and Red. In her career she has been lucky enough to attend a multitude of glamorous award ceremonies, premieres and showbiz weddings all around the world. Ever discreet and protective of the big stars she has worked with, Rosie’s experience has undoubtedly enabled her to write her debut novel, The Stylist.
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