Christine Stringer’s writing is sharp and witty, and Charity as a character is wonderfully flawed in the best way — relatable, frustrating, and ultimately lovable.

I really enjoyed the humor and the emotional moments woven throughout the book. Some parts of the plot felt a bit rushed or predictable, but it didn’t take away from the overall charm of the story. The message about self-acceptance and the ups and downs of growing up really hit home.

A cute book about how someone tries to break into the film industry. Charity thinks she's got it made and soon find out that it's a dog eat dog world and everyone is just out for themselves. She meets Kai, but isn't sure if she can trust him. I enjoyed reading and finding out how Charity stood her ground and made a name for herself.

Book Review

📖📖📖📖

Thank you to @netgalley and @booksparks for this advanced readers copy. Set to release on June 10, 2025, it’s a debut novel you won’t want to miss.

Set in the ‘90’s, it’s all things Hollywood movie glam. Charity is a hysterical character working as an assistant while trying to break into movie producer success.

While Charity works hard to prove herself, she is also working against an awful coworker, lack of funds, and a major mistake that could cost her everything and then some. The nods to the ‘90’s were so fabulous, and anyone struggling during those times will absolutely relate.

There is so much wit in this novel. Charity’s love life takes a dive, and the FBI gets involved in her colossal mistake. I thought I had that part figured out, but I had it all wrong!

I really enjoyed this quick read!

#charitytrickett #imalreadyhungry

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced reader copy!

Loved!!! This story follows the life of a young assistant to an up and coming producer in Hollywood in the 90’s. Charity is so fun and kind, it’s so easy to root for her. Loved the first person POV of the fun and not so glamorous parts of the film industry in the 90’s.

The book reminded me of like if Lizzie McGuire was 26 in Hollywood in the 90’s. So good!! Would make a great beach read this summer. Comes out June 10 😎

honestly wasn’t sure how I’d end up like this book, but it’s actually really good. My only wish for it, was that the characters had a little more background information— to see why someone was the way they were. But other than that it was good and I highly recommend the book once it’s released!

Imagine feeling like you finally get the chance to live your best life in Hollywood, making amazing TRUE friends, experiencing the film industry with the stars and having a great career ahead of you. Not to mention a gorgeous man that isn’t playing games (shocker I KNOW)! Now, get sucked into the life of Charity Trickett. I loved her, I cried with her, and I wanted to be her best friend and biggest cheerleader! I felt like I was there with her experiencing the good and the bad, and learning some valuable life lessons in the meantime. Trust your friends that never leave your side, avoid scummy men, stand up for yourself and never stop trying! I loved this book and I feel a sense of hope after reading this story. Hope for life, lights at the end of tunnels, opportunities, love, friendship, strength and never giving up on your dreams!❤️

Review of ‘Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous’ by Christine Stringer, due for publication on 10 June 2025 by SparkPress.

This was a great light hearted, quirky read following Charity, a film assistant in Hollywood in the 90’s - very much a male dominated time and space. She’s put upon by her boss, Casper. His lofty and really unlikeable production assistant, Saffron, is horrible to her, treating her like her own PA, even though Charity is more qualified than her and writing her own screenplay.

At its heart, it’s a story about friendships, triumph over adversity and fighting for what is right.

Recommended read.

3.75 ⭐️ rounded up

Okay so Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous was kinda like if The Devil Wears Prada and La La Land had a chaotic little baby set in 1997 Hollywood. I went in thinking this would be super glam and fast-paced but it was more like... real-life messy with a sprinkle of studio drama.

Charity is honestly a likable main character. She’s awkward but in a charming way, and you’re really rooting for her even when she’s spiraling (which happens a lot). The whole “Hollywood is fake and stressful” vibe is very real here. Like, she’s broke, overworked, making bad decisions with men AND jobs, and somehow ends up caught in an FBI investigation?? Girl was fighting for her life.

The writing was solid and I loved the 90s throwbacks. The humor was hit or miss—some moments made me laugh, others felt kinda forced. And the pacing dragged a bit in the middle. There were times I was like “okay... let’s wrap this scene up.” That said, I did get emotionally attached and the ending felt worth it.

Also, someone please get Charity a financial advisor and a therapist.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this ARC

Thank you so much to @BookSparks and @christinestringerauthor for choosing me to be on the #CharityTrickettReviewTour ! And to @netgalley for the ebook, which allowed me to devour this book even quicker!

I absolutely loved this book!! 1990’s Hollywood- the glamour, drama, and behind the scenes of trying to make it in the film industry as a woman! This book had so much nostalgia, and really brought to light the challenges that come with being in the movie bizz. The drama had me so engulfed, that I finished this one so quickly. One of my favorite little bonuses- the 90’s themed chapter names.

This one was so much fun, and I highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and SparkPress for the e-arc!

This was fun! At first when I started the first couple of chapters, I wasn’t sure if this book was for me, but after getting a little deeper into the story, there came a point where I needed to know what happened next. I ended up really enjoying Charity’s character and seeing what was next for her. I also really enjoyed the different characters throughout the story as well, but wished there was some more clarity/development surrounding some of the relationships she had.

The pop culture references (especially the chapter titles) were greatly appreciated and I was surprised to learn that the author actually experienced some of the things Charity went through.

Overall, it was very much worth the read and would be a perfect book to bring to the beach or on vacation..

Charity Trickett is Not So Glamorous is a fun lighthearted book perfect for a summer read. I enjoyed the characters of this book, and Charity’s group of friends were stand out characters. As Charity continued to struggle to find her place in Hollywood, the friends she made along the way were a highlight to the story. I did feel that the plot of the book felt a little slow in the middle. It was a little repetitive to see Charity hit roadblock after roadblock in her career in film. However, the ending wrapped up Charity’s career in Hollywood perfectly. I loved the use of the chapter titles as tributes to song of the 90s. This book is not too deep, so it would be a great book to read on a vacation or by the beach.

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.