This is really super hard to review... does it get a 3+ or a 4- ?
My favorite part, and the reason I requested it from NetGalley, was its setting in the Bay Area, and working in Silicon Valley. That part doesn't disappoint, as I rarely get to read about places from my day to day life. Many characters are based on real life Tech people, and some on amalgamations, and while I don't know if non-SV people will understand all the easter eggs, they're not really important to the plot. If you want to read a simple girl power book taking place in the Tech world, you should try this one.

My second favorite part was the plot, once it got going (but the delay in getting going was NOT a favorite). I love a good Girls take down the Men story, even if it was a bit oversimplified.

One thing I did not like was just personal to me, so I'm not using it to figure into the grade - The main character, Zoe, has zero self confidence. None at all, to the point that anything at all said to her is taken as a sign that she is not liked and is doing a bad job, even when it's clear to the reader that a compliment was being paid. I don't relate to this character, and I don't want to read about women like this, but if some women can relate to Zoe, then this would be a plus for them.

The characters and dialog were overall great and real to my life in SV, but it often veered into exposition and explanations when there would be none in real life. As well, does any woman these days really need sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior explained to them? This continually frustrated me, especially when it was Zoe who needed to learn the lessons. Zoe comes from the Fashion world in New York, I have a hard time believing she's never observed bad male behavior before.

So... when it dragged it REALLY dragged, but when it was going good, it was REALLY good. It just couldn't hang on to the Really Good at a steady pace. I would say it's a good light beach read, and I have no doubt the author is going to keep getting better. If she wrote another book based in Silicon Valley I would definitely give it a shot, so I'm rounding up to 4 stars (though it's 4-). Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Valley Verified is a fun read for fans of The Devil Wears Prada and The Social Network. I thought the author did a great job of amplifying the juxtaposition of the fashion and the tech worlds.

I really liked the fact that the author seems to be calling out the toxicity that exists in both the fashion industry and the male dominated field of tech. The book tackles tough topics like body positivity, abuse of power and sexism in the workplace, and how quickly false information can spread. The book read a bit slow for me but the audiobook really helped propel the story forward.

This may be a good read for young people looking for confidence and the ability to stand up for yourself in the workplace.

When Zoe leaves her fashion editorial job in NYC to become the fashion marketing director for a startup at Silicon Valley things don't go as she expected them to be. Her coworkers don't take her ideas into consideration, she doesn't feel like she fits in the work environment, there's also the misogyny culture in the company, and she really feels way over her head.
The book is a critique of the corporate world but also combines themes of diversity and empowerment.
Being this my first book by this author I enjoy her writing style and look forward to reading more books from her.

I really loved the story of Zoe going from a fashion writer to working for a tech company. It’s a great show of how changing careers can be a huge step but that that you can transfer experience from one subject to another. I did feel like the story needed a little more to it though. It was interesting to see Zoe go through the challenges of learning a new job and how she persevered.

Hm, I am waffling between 2 and 3 stars because while I thought this was ok, I had a lot of disconnect between me and the characters. Everyone felt a bit too surface level and honestly Silicon Valley type books aren't really my style, so the lack of depth really hurt this read for me.

All in all, I did like how the fashion and tech world collided here and I thought that idea was a unique spin on what many might just assume is The Devil Wears Prada. I think this would be a better limited series than a book to really dig into the characters and their rich environment.

Thank you to Berkley for this arc! All thoughts are my own.

Valley Verified centers around fashion loving Zoe Zeng as she transitions from a thankless fashion editorial job to a high level position at a fashion based app startup in Silicon Valley. Unfortunately, Zoe feels in over her head as she deals with this cutthroat, male-dominated environment that leaves her feeling useless and inexperienced and the overarching theme is her learning how to #girlboss in this coming of age story.

I thought this was fine up until maybe 50% but then found myself skimming for most of the remainder. I recognize that I maybe don’t care about tech based stories as this is the third one I’ve tried in the more recent months and I’ve found that I have a really hard time connecting with the characters and the setting of Silicon Valley.

More so, I started to get really annoyed with Zoe by the midway mark of this book. I feel like she really regressed in her thinking and was very naive about the people she was working with. It was pretty obvious what was going on and I got very annoyed with her hatred of Lillian because like, girl, you’re the only two women in the office. Maybe have a bit of perspective of how she’s had to hold herself in this workspace before you arrived? Just some of Zoe’s thinking in this book felt like she was a teenager and I think she wouldn’t have found herself in some of the positions she was in if she had just a little bit of forethought.

The romance was very lackluster as well and felt like much of that storyline was in the background. I didn’t feel a lot of chemistry between the two. I did enjoy some of these side characters, especially Bernadette. I would enjoy a book about Ms. Bernie and her story.

Overall, this was fine but it was honestly a little forgettable. I read this last week and I’m already forgetting some names and most of the scenes. I still want to read Kyla’s debut because I have it and I’ve heard fun things about that one, but this book missed the mark for me.

When a fashion writer dives headfirst into the cutthroat Silicon Valley tech world, her future threatens to unravel.

 

Zoe Zeng is a young twenty-something working at a high-end fashion magazine—totally reminds me of The Devil Wears Prada (one of my comfort movies!) Zoe feels stuck and wants more. Then she meets Bill, and he convinces her to move across the country to California to work for his innovative marketing app. It is a definite coming of age story (which I am drawn to), and I really liked Zoe's character overall.

Zoe is sick of being told what she can and cannot write. Seeing Zoe struggle with her career path will speak to a lot of the women who are feeling unfulfilled. The writing flowed well and I enjoyed reading about Zoe.

This book started out pretty slowly. I thought it was just about Zoe's new job and there wasn't much to the plot. But it really picked up in the second half. I enjoyed this peek into the tech world!

Zoe makes a huge career pivot from working for a fashion magazine in NYC to a tech startup in Silicon Valley. Her new role as VP in marketing comes with many perks but her tech-minded coworkers won’t take her seriously or hear out her ideas. Although I dress in sweat suits most days and couldn’t completely relate to Zoe, I really enjoyed this uplifting novel. It’s about a young woman adapting to major life changes, finding her way in a male-dominated industry, and overcoming imposter syndrome. There is also a sprinkle of romance that felt organic and was a nice bonus. Through Zoe’s experience, Zhao tackles common occupational stereotypes, misogyny in the workplace, and the impact of technology on human relationships. A fun, light, and smart read.

Thanks to Berkley for an advanced copy of Valley Verified by Kyla Zhao.

I enjoyed the Devil Wears Prada meets Silicon Valley aspect of this book. It had coming-of-age vibes and it's fun to see the mix of fashion and tech start-up. It was a fun and quick read. My only complaint was the main character Zoe was a little naive at times.

Zoe Zeng has been offered a unique opportunity- leave her thankless job of being a junior fashion writer to becoming Vice President of Marketing for a unique app startup- FitPick, a fashion app that allows users to vote on outfits others wear. Zoe is excited by the perks and the new salary, but finds herself in an industry that claims to be all about diversity, but really is about the bottom line. I really enjoyed this one- Zoe is a quirky but loveable character trying to decide the direction of her life without compromising herself. I think this would be even better in a reread.

I found this to be a very interesting book. The premise of a fashion writer, finding themselves involved in the tech industry and trying to navigate that cutthroat world is very interesting. Zoe is a complicated protagonist, and I really enjoyed seeing her journey because she wasn’t happy in her old life, but she also realizedthat the new life is not any easier. I enjoyed the piercing on the story and found a majority of the characters to be interesting, although not, always sympathetic. It’s an interesting look into both the fashion and tech world.

Zoe Zeng has been working in fashion for years, but she feels like she’s not getting anywhere. As a writer for Chic magazine, she has an insider’s view of fashion and gets to go to lots of fun events and launches. She gets invited to parties and works on photo shoots and keeps up with all the latest trends with her two best friends from the magazine. It’s a dream come true for her.

But it’s only part of her dream.

While she loves being a part of haute couture, Zoe understands that the fashion industry has issues. It’s too centered on women of a certain size and style, and anyone who doesn’t fall into that mold is pushed to the side. Zoe tries to offer up a different perspective on her articles, but her editor is not interested in any opinion other than her own. And she’s old-school. So Zoe’s passion for inclusion gets pushed aside as she churns out more clickbait for her editor.

And then she meets Bill Lawrence, and everything changes. Bill is the CEO of a fashion startup in Silicon Valley called FitPick, and he thinks Zoe might be the perfect person to help them out. The app lets users upload photos of themselves in outfit ideas, and others on the app can vote which one they like best. Zoe likes the app and loves how FitPick is trying to be inclusive for all users, letting anyone upload photos and vote. And when Zoe’s opinion at the magazine is ignored one more time, she decides to take Bill up on his offer and moves across the country.

Even though she knows nothing about tech or startups, Zoe asks questions of the small team at FitPick. They train her on the technical side, and she comes up with ideas on how to draw in users and writes the copy that takes Bill’s vision for the app and makes it accessible for users and potential funders. They are gearing up for another meeting with a venture capitalist whose interest is already piqued by the app.

Zoe comes up with a marketing idea for the app, to bring in influencers from different areas of fashion, so their followers can vote on their outfit ideas and offer opinions on new fashions they are designing. And when that idea is successful, grabbing the attention of several heavy-hitters in the tech world, Zoe starts to feel like less of an imposter and more of an insider. But the tech world is cutthroat. Does Zoe have what it takes to be successful in the valley, or will she be packing up her designer clothes and heading back to New York?

Valley Verified is an intriguing novel about what it takes to be successful in fashion and in technology. It takes these two industries and compares and contrasts the ways they influence our lives. It’s about how much it takes to disrupt the traditional patriarchy and create inclusive places for everyone to have a voice. And how to do that in style.

I so enjoyed reading Valley Verified. I loved Zoe and wanted to keep cheering for her, during her ups and her downs. She’s smart and resourceful, and she brought color and life to this story. This is a fun one for anyone who is interested in fashion or startups, or for anyone who is craving a story starring a strong woman wanting to disrupt the old boys’ club.

Egalleys for Valley Verified were provided by Berkley through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Quick Synopsis:
Zoe Zheng, the main character, is a fashionista combatting not only her boss but also the stereotypical adoration of petite sizes in today’s fashion world. As a writer for a fledgling magazine, Zoe strives to challenge archaic narratives. When met with constant opposition, her values eventually lead her into the tech industry, where she hopes she can be heard and make a change through a newly invented fashion app. What follows is a coming-of-age story detailing Zoe’s battles with size shaming, sexual harassment, and blaring ignorance.

Characters:
Zoe and her friends strengthen the story. Kyla Zhao makes it so easy to root for Zoe. Her fortitude kept me turning pages, hoping for her eventual triumph. I empathized with Zoe the entire story and loved her relentless spirit.

Storyline/Pacing:
My only issue with Valley Verified was that the storyline lacked velocity periodically.

Author:
Kyla Zhao’s background in Silicon Valley and magazine editorials lends itself perfectly to this book. At times, I wondered if any of it was autobiographical.

Overall:
I recommend this to lovers of The Devil Wears Prada, Legally Blonde, or Working Girl. If you’re into fashion or tech or just want to read women’s fiction with a YA vibe, pick this one up. - 3.5 stars

Disclosure:
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Press for the Digital Review Copy of Valley Verified. All opinions are my own.

Reading a book about the tech world of Silicon Valley wouldn't normally be my thing, so I was a little hesitant what to expect when I picked up "Valley Verified" to read. However, once I started reading, it had my attention! "Valley Verified" is the story of Zoe Zeng, who works for a fashion magazine in New York CIty, but who takes a leap of faith into the world of technology when she is offered a position to work as VP of Marketing on an up-and-coming fashion app called FitPick. Nervous to leave her job and her friends in New York City to move on her own across the country to bring her fashion knowledge into a field that is completely new to her, Zoe initially struggles to find herself accepted by her co-workers and to have her ideas taken seriously. Soon her suggestions and ideas are put into play, helping lead to some early successes with the app. However, she soon finds herself taking the fall when her suggestions are twisted and are viewed as everything the app was trying not to be, leading to negative fall-out for the start-up, and Zoe has to fight to clear her name and the reputation of FitPick.
Starting this book, I really wasn't sure if this was the one for me- but the more I read, the more I found myself rooting for Zoe to be successful in this new world for her, fighting against being one of the few female's on the team, new to the start-up tech industry, and working with co-workers who were out for themselves and willing to throw Zoe under the bus. Throw in a hint of romance, and this turned out to be a wonderful surprise of a book!
Thanks to NetGalley and the Bekley Besties program for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
Valley Verified by Kyla Zhao
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 380 / Genre: Fiction

Zoe Zeng is living the dream in NYC as a fashion writer for Chic magazine, well, except for the extremely low pay and the insufferable boss who makes her swallow her integrity for fluff pieces and mindless listicle articles. But there are days when her thought-provoking pieces do make the magazine and she and her two work besties celebrate in style. But when she meets Bill Lawrence at a fashion event and he offers her a job as VP of marketing at his Silicon Valley startup for his fashion app, she takes the leap and moves out west. From there, Zoe is plunged into the high tech world of California startups, where the geeks rule and she desperately tries to catch up and prove she deserves her new role. But like everywhere else, she finds herself playing a man’s game and must face possible sexual harassment and double standards.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s based in Palo Alto, which is near where I live, so now I have a list of great restaurants mentioned in the book to try. It also gives a realistic view of what it’s like to work for a high-tech startup and some of the challenges women face without all-out man bashing. While there is a sexist villain in this story, the rest of the men that are mentioned are supportive and understanding. Zoe is a bright, go-getter, who, when the going got tough, shut down a bit but didn’t wallow in whiny self-pity, which is something I can’t stand. She built back up her confidence, found her allies, and got ready to fight back. Well done!

Thank you @NetGalley, @BerkleyPub, and @KylaJZhao for the advanced copy of this book!

From the fashion magazines of NYC to the tech world in Silicon Valley, Zoe is trying to find her place in the fashion world. It's a coming of age story and a lot of the subject matter about what women can face in the workplace is very timely. My main issue is that the writing and characters felt very YA to me so it was hard to take some of the subject matter seriously. It felt like watching a CW show which I was not expecting and so it took away from my enjoyment of the book. I think if you enjoyed Legally Blonde or The Devil Wears Prada, this would be a good choice!

Many thanks to Berkley & Netgalley for the ARC

Cute and a very realistic depiction of the tech startup world of silicon valley but it felt as if Zhao was trying to do a bit TOO much here. While ultimately it was a feel-good book , it was a little too cutesy for me.

I enjoyed this story about a young woman named Zoe Zeng who’s worked in the fashion industry in NYC and switches jobs to work for a fashion app in Silicon Valley. The working world in the Valley is very different from NYC, there’s an industry gossip column that reports on the startups and people involved called Valley Verified that can literally make or break a company.

Zoe is starting to date one of her coworkers but she’s frustrated with the process of getting her new ideas implemented. Once she figures it out, things start to take off for her until suddenly she’s panned in Valley Verified. She wants to know who sold her out and why.

4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.