I am a huge Jenny Colgan fan, which may have hurt me with this book. When I pick up one of her books, I expect a plucky heroine who has had a major life change occur. She then focuses on finding her passion and begins a new life, usually in a small town with quirky, fun characters and a flawed but good love interest. Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend gets one of these elements right. Sophie's life is turned upside down when her rich father dies and she is suddenly in need of a home and a job. Unfortunately, I didn't like Sophie or her life choices. I also didn't like the love interests and felt the ending was not satisfying. Oh well- I'm not giving up on Colgan, so I chalk this up to personal taste.

I have mentioned before that Jenny’s early works are not my favorite, but I always give them a shot! I struggled a lot with the unrealistic plot points (yes, I know, that is why we are here… but still..) even though I usually enjoy a (sort of) rags to riches story. I did appreciate that the main character does learn and grow as the book goes on, and gets a happy ending. Overall, a cute, light read for Jenny Colgan and Sophie Kinsella fans. I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley, thank you to them. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’m enjoyed this, but this is probably my least favorite Jenny Colgan book I’ve read. It’s fine. I enjoyed it. It’s solid. The main character is such a mess, and she recovers from all her privilege quickly. I really believe and appreciated the change in Sophie. I felt the ending to the “Then” section was rushed. I got my happy ending, but I felt like we skipped some parts to get there.

I received an ARC of Diamond’s Are a Girl’s Best Friend from @netgalley.

Sophie Chesterton grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth...so much so that she didn't really realize how wealthy her family was until well into her middle and high school years. After school, Sophie continued her IT girl life until her father's unfortunate death. After a period of great mourning, the terms of her father's will became quite clear: she was to experience true hard work and must fend for herself for 6 months before being entitled to her inheritance. Sophie reluctantly finds an awful flat to share with 3 other college men. She finds that money, although very useful, isn't really what makes a person happy.

I have no hesitation in admitting to being anAanglophile, so the English terms and phrases were fun to read (of course I "hear" them all with the required British accent as I read). It was easy to champion Sophie from page one, even in her selfish, teenage rich-girl awfulness. Her humbleness in admitting her need for a "come-uppence" made her likable in the extreme. This story is more about money not buying happiness than it is about diamonds being a girl's best friend. Great beach reach for fellow Anglophiles. This is a perfect vacation reading book, or for a time when you just need something to make you feel better about the hours you slave at living paycheck to paycheck.

A light read perfect for summer! Sophie is down on her luck and has to essentially recreate herself, and we get to enjoy the journey. Throughout the story I got hints of Sophie Kinsella and Jojo Moyes from Me Before You BEFORE Louisa meets Will and is an absolute train wreck.


I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

Sophie and her father were very close, especially since her mother died when Sophie was young. Now in her twenties, without a real career or purpose in life other than partying, playing and shopping Sophie is devastated when her "best" friend steals away her rich, handsome boyfriend. Almost simultaneously her father is stricken by a fatal heart attack, leaving Sophie a very rich orphan, or so she thought. At the reading of the will, her wicked stepmother, Gail, informs Sophie that she has to earn her own living for the space of a year before she can access her sizable inheritance. Gail and her father were hoping Sophie would find some direction in her life on her own, but Gail feels she has to force the issue. Sophie has nowhere to turn - her rich "friends" want nothing to do with her. Sophie finds herself in the poorest part of London sharing a flat with four very quirky, messy men. In lieu of her deposit (which she didn't have anyway) Sophie agrees to clean the place - which has been sorely neglected. She also finds work with a famous photographer who does soft porn shoots on the side. Sophie has definitely hit bottom when someone leaks her situation to the press. What happens next is great fun to read and a little inspiring.

I'm a huge fan of Jenny Colgan and jumped at the chance to read an ARC. This book was published in the UK in 2013, but is being released in the US on March 10. It is a little different from the Beach Street and Cafe books but in a good way. I would eagerly purchase it for the middle school library but the language is a little mature for my middle-schoolers. Read this charming for a refreshing, light read and enjoy!

So part of me wants to rate this book 2 stars, and part want to rate it 4 stars...... I compromised! Sophie is a spoiled rich girl who loses everything and has to make a life for herself all on her own. Everything that happens after that is unrealistic. It’s a quick and sometimes fun read if you suspend reality. It’s NOT my favorite Jenny Colgan book, but it’s ok.

Cute, light read! I love a good riches to rags story and this one was cute. The ending did feel a little rushed.....one minute, things seem to be going one way and the next......poof!

I have read a few of Jenny Cologan's other books, so I thought I'd give this one a whirl. Although I don't usually read chick lit, I thought this book was a fine, quick read. I'm glad things worked out for the main character although I didn't totally like her. Recommended for those who like something lite to read.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Recommend this to fans of Sophie Kinsella -- a fun, romantic story about a young woman who is rich and a bit clueless. When she loses everything unexpectedly, she has to figure out how here life will look going forward. Very charming characters and briskly-paced story. Lots of fun!

This was my first Jenny Colgan book, and I know she's very prolific, so I've been missing out. This was a really fun, refreshing read. I love a story that makes a more privileged character find the true meaning of life/whatever. I loved Confessions of a Shopaholic and I got vibes of that book from this one, but in a new light. I'm now a Jenny Colgan fan, and can't wait to read more by her!

Sophie is a woman who has it all - she has money to burn and a life style supported by her father - until........it's all gone. she is forced to find work, but with no money, no credit card, finding a place to live is her first priority. She moves into a grungy apartment inhabited by three men - She cleans the place in lieu of rent and realizes she really is the lowest point of her life, With many false starts, she ends up a better person than when she started and rich in ways one would never believe. I love Jenny Colgan. While this books was grittier than many of her others, it kept me enthralled until the very last page!

When Sophie's father dies her life of privilege ends. She has to learn how to survive and ends up learning about life and friendships and how to make a life that makes her happy.

This book was received as an ARC from HarperCollins Publishers - William Morrow Paperbacks in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book reminded me a lot of Candace Bushnell's books such as Sex in the City and Lipstick Jungle but also Sophie Kinsella's Confessions of a Shopaholic where they take a obsession and learn the true meaning and value of life. We have heard the phrase forever..."Diamonds are a girl's best friend." This book really brought that to life with the same positive outlook and deep meaning behind the phrase. Jenny Colgan does a remarkable job with the character of Sophie Chesterton in describing her dilemma and when she realizes she has all she ever wanted and is still not happy or even questions whether or not all of it is real. Now enter poverty and moving in with four boys and forced to eat canned beans everyday. Yet at first Sophie will stop at nothing to get back to her old lifestyle but thanks to this experience, she realizes there is more to life than just diamonds. This was a morally gratifying story that everyone should read. Fans of Candace Bushnell and Sophie Kinsella will also appreciate this book.

We will consider adding this title to our Adult Fiction collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.