A very quick read that delves into the life of a twenty-something, female assistant, trying to make it in 90s Hollywood. As a millennial, I loved the homage to 90’s pop-culture by way of chapter titles. Charity was a very well developed character and this is a tale of how quickly a person can go from zero to hero, then back to zero, in Hollywood. I enjoyed this book and hope there’s a sequel so that we can see what happens to Miss Trickett next

4⭐️

I liked it, but my immediate reaction upon finishing was: that’s it? I feel rather unresolved. Not even an epilogue??

Anything that can go wrong for Charity Trickett will go wrong. It was comical for the most part when she wasn’t getting in her own way, but you can’t help but root for her. A little redundant: especially with the antics at the office. This was set in the 90’s, but I never felt truly immersed in that era. It was like the only way you’d know it was that time period was the mention of technology. Sure, we heard about VHS, DVDs, pagers and the one off-hand of CDs to MP3 conversion, but it lacked pop culture references that would’ve made it fun and immersive. I don’t think it really added to the story that it took place in the past, though I could comprehend logistics-wise why that was necessary. I think I just wanted MORE to really sell it for me.

Things I loved:
- The chapter titles
- The ensemble of quirky and vivacious characters


Thank you to NetGalley and SparkPress for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous is a fun, light-hearted read about a girl in her 20s trying to make her big break in Hollywood in the 90s.

At first when reading the blurb, I was really curious about what aspects of this book related to a true story, and when that was revealed, it was great! However, I found aspects of the book to be quite rushed and areas of the plot that could've been developed further. It felt like a lot was happening, but we never really scratched the surface of them. I also felt that it got a bit repetitive with all of the bad things happening to Charity and her never really catching a break.

The book was an incredibly easy read and did enough to keep you hooked the entire time, just to see what was going to happen next.

It'll be a perfect summer read!

Thank you netgalley and Spark Press for this opportunity!

3.75 Stars – An Entertaining Ride Through 90s Hollywood

Charity Trickett is Not Glamorous is a lighthearted, fast-paced read that makes for a perfect palate cleanser or fun beach read. Loosely based on a true story, it offers a quirky peek into 1990s Hollywood through the eyes of a lovable assistant to a Hollywood director, who always seems to land herself in the most precarious (and hilarious) situations. The characters are charming, the tone is light, and while it’s not aiming for literary acclaim, it delivers on entertainment and heart. I found myself rooting for Charity the whole way through. A quick, lighthearted read with just the right touch of humor and heart.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a fun book! Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous is the perfect summer read, I was throughly entertained from beginning to end.

Charity is a witty, relatable character whose energy jumped off the page. The book does an excellent job of showing what it can be like to be a woman in a male dominated environment, especially in the 90s (and seriously, fuck Bellotti and Casper), yet it feels lighthearted and the pacing is on point throughout.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Laugh-out-loud funny, full of 90s nostalgia, and way too relatable.

This book is an absolute joy — a breezy, witty, behind-the-scenes look at the wild world of movie-making, complete with romantic mishaps, office drama, and more than a few jaw-dropping disasters.

Charity is the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for. She’s a lovable, slightly awkward, endlessly determined mess who stumbles her way through a minefield of egos, bad dates, and backstabbing coworkers with humor and heart. I laughed out loud at her misadventures and winced at her close calls (an FBI investigation?! Girl, same.)

Underneath the comedy, though, is a charming story about chasing your dreams, finding your people, and surviving the madness of LA one blunder at a time. If you love books with heart, hilarity, and a dash of Hollywood scandal, this one’s for you.

Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous, this book just wasn't for me. I tried to get into it, I made it about 35% before I gave up.

I personally felt that the writing style was too chaotic and rushed. I would barely be able to process something before the story moved on to something else with no page dividers or anything to indicate that one scene is over and a new scene is beginning.

I felt that the characters lacked depth and the dialogue felt forced and was not fleshed out prior to publishing.

I wanted to love this book but I feel that I am just not the target audience.

I can see how this book might be for some people. It is lighthearted and there are some genuinely funny moments in there. If you are into film and celebrity tv then this book might just be a five star read for you!

Set against the glitzy but unforgiving backdrop of 1990s Hollywood, Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous will take you on a rollercoaster of ambition, missteps, and resilience. Charity, the slightly awkward but deeply relatable heroine, arrives in LA with big dreams and a bigger heart. What follows is a chaotic and often heartbreaking glimpse into what it really looks like to try and “make it” in the film industry—especially as a woman with ideals.

Charity is a quirky, compelling character who stumbles often but never quite loses her spark. You’ll root for her even when you’re cringing at her choices. What really grounds the book is her circle of friends, especially Daniel, Pup and O-M-G Vivy—an absolute scene-stealer whose loyalty and humor give the story heart. The female friendships here shine even when the romance and professional drama veer toward the messy.

Christine Stringer doesn’t sugarcoat the industry's darker corners: the misogyny, the hierarchy, the emotional toll of always being underestimated. The writing is engaging, and some of the conflict hits uncomfortably close to home, in the best way. At times, the plot does feel a bit overstuffed, with so many crises thrown at Charity that it’s hard to catch your breath alongside her. Still, it all serves to show just how tough the path can be for someone trying to succeed with more kindness than cunning.

The ending leaves a few threads dangling—but it’s emotionally satisfying, and in a strange way, the uncertainty fits. After all, Hollywood dreams rarely come with tidy conclusions. This book doesn’t reinvent the Hollywood dream-chasing narrative, but it tells it with enough grit, charm, and heart to make it a worthy addition to your TBR—especially if you love flawed heroines who refuse to give up, no matter how many doors slam in their face.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.95/5)

"Charity Trickett is Not So Glamorous" by Christine Stringer is a delightful and engaging read that captures the essence of self-discovery and the complexities of modern life. The story follows Charity, a relatable protagonist who navigates the ups and downs of her not-so-glamorous existence with humor and heart.

Stringer's writing is both witty and poignant, drawing readers into Charity's world as she grapples with her aspirations, relationships, and the societal pressures that often accompany them. The characters are well-developed, each adding depth to the narrative and providing a rich tapestry of interactions that feel genuine and impactful.

What I particularly enjoyed about this book is its ability to balance lighthearted moments with deeper themes of identity and self-acceptance. Charity's journey is one of growth, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she learns to embrace her true self, flaws and all.

The pacing is spot-on, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish, and the dialogue sparkles with authenticity. Stringer has a knack for creating relatable scenarios that resonate with anyone who has ever felt out of place or struggled to find their footing in a world that often seems superficial.

Overall, "Charity Trickett is Not So Glamorous" is a charming and insightful read that will leave you with a smile on your face and a renewed sense of appreciation for the beauty in everyday life. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a heartfelt story that reminds us that true glamour comes from within.

This book was such a compelling and chaotic ride through 1990s Hollywood. The story follows aspiring screenwriter Charity Trickett as she tries to break into the film industry, and wow. She really goes through it. From backstabbing coworkers to shattering setbacks, poor Charity just couldn’t catch a break

Christine Stringer’s writing pulls you in right away. Some of the characters were so infuriatingly well-written that I genuinely found myself yelling (internally) at them. That’s how real they felt. The book also doesn’t shy away from showing the darker, grittier side of Hollywood - the misogyny, the power plays and how difficult it is for someone with heart to survive and thrive in such a cutthroat environment.

Charity’s journey is messy and emotional making it incredibly human. I do wish we got to see what happened to her after the final chapter but the ending still felt satisfying and earned. It wrapped up in a way that made sense, even if I wanted just a little bit more.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this one and if you’re into fierce ambition and stories about resilience with a dose of harsh reality, this one’s for you.

Review Title: Just Not the Book for Me

I really wanted to love this one—the title and cover totally grabbed me. But unfortunately, Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous didn’t deliver what I was hoping for.

While the concept had potential, the execution fell flat for me. I never really connected with the characters, and the pacing felt sluggish. The humor didn’t land the way I’d hoped, and I kept waiting for something—anything—to really hook me. Sadly, that moment never came.

DNF at around 35%. I can absolutely see this appealing to readers who enjoy lighter, slice-of-life women’s fiction, but I personally prefer stories with a little more emotional depth, dynamic plot progression, and character development. This one just didn’t hit those notes for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early read.

Charity Trinkett is Not so Glamorous was an interesting read about the experience of working for a major show business company.

I won’t lie, the rating of the book fluctuated as I read. One minute I was convinced it was a 2 star read but then it would jump to 4 then go back down and up as Charity kept going through situation after situation. While some of it was awkward, that’s what made it even more real, the struggle of balancing life.

I do love a good pop culture reference and I think it’s interesting how the author used her real life experiences to write this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and SparkPress for the eARC!

I loved this book!!! This is the type of book to take on a vacation to the beach or mountains. In the book we follow Charity as she tries to survive in Hollywood. She has help navigating Hollywood with the help of her friends and some not so nice people. When you meet those not so friendly types (Saffron) you will be cheering for Charity. Saffron was written so well that she made me feel very uncomfortable. That's not a bad thing, when a book can draw you into the characters then it is well worth the read. I hope we get more of Charity and her friends in the future!! This would make a good series.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC on exchange for an honest review.

This book was so good! It’s not my typical genre but the fact it’s based of the author’s real experiences was so crazy to read about. Charity Trickett goes through absolute hell in this. A broke girl in her 20s trying to make a name for herself in the film industry just has bad luck after bad luck. I have a bone to pick with Saffron, Casper and Belotti. She was treated so awful. I was glad to see the friendship Charity made with those around her and were by her side through thick and thin. The touch of romance was so sweet too! I think this is a great summer read and definitely an outstanding book! Christine, you are a strong and fierce woman!

Check out my insta to see my upcoming review of this book! @paigetopagereads

A quirky, chaotic romp through 1990s Hollywood—equal parts heartfelt and hilarious. 🎬✨

Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous is a delightful mix of industry satire, emotional honesty, and sheer misadventure. Christine Stringer takes us behind the scenes of late-'90s Hollywood, where dreams glitter, reality bites, and one determined young woman stumbles (repeatedly) toward a career in film.

Charity is a charming, relatable protagonist—naïve, hopeful, stubborn, and just trying to keep her head above water while working for a mega-director on a blockbuster set. There are wild mishaps, awkward moments, and one near-catastrophe that made my stomach drop. I loved how the book balanced slapstick chaos with sharp observations about ambition, gatekeeping, and being a woman in a male-dominated industry.

The writing sparkles with wit, and despite the often absurd situations Charity finds herself in, there’s a beating heart at the centre of it all. Her vulnerability, resilience, and optimism kept me rooting for her—even when things got very messy.

It’s ideal for fans of Bridget Jones, The Devil Wears Prada, or anyone who's ever tried to break into a competitive field and lived to tell the tale (or write it down with a glass of wine in hand). Smart, funny, and oddly comforting.

Mixed Feelings on a Chaotic yet Enjoyable Ride

In Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous, Christine Stringer delivers a narrative packed with a dizzying array of characters and plot twists that oscillate between laugh-out-loud moments and moments of sheer bewilderment. While there’s undeniable charm and humor at work, the story sometimes overindulges in excessive details and unfocused subplots.

Plot and Pacing

One of the core challenges of the book is its pacing. At times, it feels as though too many storylines are introduced without sufficient time to develop them meaningfully. Important elements—such as the boyfriend’s infidelity—arrive with little narrative impact, and abrupt transitions leave the reader scrambling to piece together the overall picture. The resolution of major issues, including the sudden decision on her living situation/movie script near the very end, felt rushed. Such a rapid wrap-up made it difficult to process the emotional and narrative weight of the events that preceded it.

Character Overload and Development

Stringer populates her novel with many characters, and while this rich tapestry creates moments of humor and unexpected twists, it also becomes overwhelming. For example:
• Duke (the Ex-Boyfriend): The portrayal of Duke as a detestable figure is effective, yet his presence in the narrative ends up feeling more like an intermittent annoyance than a driving force in the story.
• Casper and Saffron: The subplot involving the stolen DVD and Casper’s transformation into a villain felt like a missed opportunity—particularly because the reveal didn’t match how he treated others earlier in the book. It might have been more compelling had Casper and Saffron been behind the theft, which could have added tension and payoff to their roles. Saffron, as the insufferable co-worker who constantly overstepped, also didn’t receive a satisfying resolution. Letting her walk away unscathed felt unearned and unresolved.
• Romantic Relationships: The romantic arcs are similarly underdeveloped. Kai, while charming, doesn’t share much meaningful connection with Charity before their sudden “I love you” moment. It felt abrupt and unearned, lacking the emotional groundwork needed to make that payoff feel believable.

The Actor and the Advice

The subplot involving the actor giving Charity advice about her ex also felt oddly placed. At the time, his character hadn’t been developed enough for the moment to carry weight—it felt random and forced. Later in the story, we get more insight into his role and personality, but by then, the initial scene already felt like a disconnect from the rest of the narrative.

Humor and Missed Opportunities

Despite its flaws, the book does deliver genuinely funny and lighthearted moments. There’s a playful energy that keeps the story moving, even when it stumbles. Vivy, in particular, is a standout—her scenes bring warmth and charm that balance some of the more chaotic or uncomfortable elements. However, not all of the humor lands, and some hypotheticals, random scripts, and excessive side scenes detract from the story’s momentum and depth. The harsh treatment by the studio owner—both verbal and physical—also felt over-the-top and tonally out of place, making those scenes more jarring than impactful.

Overall Impression

Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous had great potential. It’s clear the author aimed for something ambitious and layered, and at times, the story delivers. But the overabundance of characters, scattered pacing, and missed chances for emotional payoff made it hard to fully connect. I didn’t hate the book—it made me laugh, and I did enjoy parts of the ride—but it left me wishing it had done more with the strong foundation it started with. For that reason, it lands at a solid three stars for me.

If you’re looking for your next beach/vacation read, then look no further!

Charity Trickett, a perfect blend of Bridget Jones and The Devil Wears Prada. Set in the late 90s, Charity lands her dream job as a film producer assistant yet has to deal nightmare of a colleague. Things just get worse if Charity until she finds herself in the middle of an FBI investigation. She’s trying to stay on top of everything while keeping her personal life from getting too crazy.

This is the Christine Stringer’s debut book, and some of the storyline was actually based on her real life experience working as an MGM assistant.

The chapters titles are all references to 90s pop culture- kind of foreshadows what’s to come. You’ll definitely enjoy the nostalgia if you grew up in the 90s and 00s.

Thank you @netgalley and Spark Press for this opportunity!

Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous is out on June 10, 2025

An enjoyable read following the trials and tribulations of wannabe film writer Charity who moves from Canada to the bright lights of Hollywood as a director assistant . Charity takes off in the world of glamour but soon realises it can be a long way to fall … an interesting insight into the movie industry and a nice easy read

Bridget Jones hit Hollywood is this fun 90s inspired Hollywood caper! I loved the relatability of our MC and it was so fun watching her get in and out of all the interesting situations she finds herself in. It unfolded like a movie. Soooo good

The beginning of the book seemed a little young young adult, but I pushed through and it became more age appropriate especially as we saw Charity through multiple.... Horrible situations.... This read like a Bridget Jones novel but with an actress and a pension for drama. Charity presents as a young native female eager to make it in Hollywood with some questionable characters that she's all to eager to trust. The end was satisfying and was an overall happy ending there was just what felt like one pitfall after another with our FMC to be believed.

Thank you to Spark Press for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions on this novel are of my own.