Book Sample Review - Trading Up by Candace Bushnell

8/08/2020

Book Sample Review - Trading Up by Candace Bushnell

Disclaimer: 

I made this series because I am a beginner at book reviews, (Currently no access to ARC - "Advanced Readers Copy") and I have no way of getting my hands on a lot of books, without spending a ton of money. I mean I do have access to a library app that I am eternally grateful for (Thank you, Libby I love you to death), but there are some items on there that are not available.  

Hence, I made this series where I can get a feel of whether or not I would be tempted to continue reading a book by going ahead in making the next step of purchasing / picking it up, judging it on the three free chapters the authors or publisher has provided on Amazon Kindle. 

My reviews for (1) samples and (2) books that I purchased with my own money are not going to be spoiler-free. I realized that it's very hard for me to make reviews without touching on certain topics, so while I label it on the title as a "Book Review", it would really be more of a "Book Analysis" or "Book Discussion." Viewers discretion on that part. As of now I only have Libby, Prime Reading, Book Bub, and Book Sirens on my utility belt. If I ever plan to do a Book Subscription or sign up for Kindle Unlimited, I will also disclose it to the readers. 

Copies of books that I've acquired through "Books Sirens" will be spoiler-free. That is a part of their policy when giving out free copies directly from the author. In exchange for a free copy of the book, it is strongly recommended that spoilers are not included so that it won't spoil the story or plot for other future readers. I am always going to label it with a hashtag, #BookSirens so you'll know that a particular review will not contain any minor or major spoilers. 

I'm sorry for the long intro, but I need to clear this up in every post. Anyway on to the review!

Rating:✮✮✮ 

Reaction:

If you're into "Gossip Girl" and you've been dying for material that's exactly like it, you're in luck. You can inject Bushnell's "Trading Up" directly into your veins. Catty characters with frenemies relationship. Check. Glamorous inner elite circles only parties. Check. Flawed but gorgeous female MC. Check and check. 

I've really missed "Gossip Girl" over the years (who hasn't?) and I know I can only get stuff that ghostwriters have been writing. So it's a real treat that Bushnell's books have come to the rescue. I always think of "Sex and The City" as the bigger, older, more experienced older sister of "Gossip Girl."

The first page was a bit of a struggle. It felt like a very slow read for me because it started in a male's POV and I was a bit turned off. And it was a character I didn't care about. Lucky for me, in the next following paragraphs, the MC is finally introduced. 

I was reading this sample late at night at around 11 PM, and I have to say that the sample included made a really good ending chapter to get the readers hooked to get them to buy the book. 

I think the third chapter (free samples, usually include three, so I'll refer to it as chapter three) is integral in any sample. And has to be judiciously cut. You have to be able to tell if the book is going to be something you want to read or not. And I think they did a superb job of having the readers really invested in a sample (even though I hate cliffhangers).  

I think Bushnell has seven more books, and I can't wait to check all of them out.  And I was so happy to find out that Megan Hess (one of my favorite illustrators of all time) has been the one to design her book jackets. Definitely A+ for the cover of the book.

9 comments

  1. Replies
    1. You'll like her! Let me know which books you've checked out x

      Mari

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    2. Sure :) Have a great week :)

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  2. Thank yous o much for sharing. I need to check it.

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  3. Oo this sounds like a fun and lighthearted read to check out!

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    Replies
    1. It feels like a summer beach read for me too :)

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  4. Ahh sounds right up my street so I will have to look at giving it a go!

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