Customer Reviews

The First Assistant: A Continuing Tale from Behind the Hollywood Curtain

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

... That's the best way I can think to describe this book. I really enjoyed it - I think more than the first. The ending makes me wonder if the authors are setting up for a short series of stories (??).

A "feel good" story that gives readers reason to believe that if they keep on trying, there's nothing that they can't achieve. As in most fairytales, our heroine finally gets her "happpily ever after" but not before encountering a wide range of characters who who join Lizzie on (and sometimes cause interference with) her journey: There's "Prince Charming" (Luke), a "Fairy-Godmother" (Lara), the "Wizard" (Jason/Scott), the "Evil Step-Mother/Sister" (Amber), the "Take-Along Buddy" (Emerald), as well as a wonderful cast of supporting characters that make Lizzie's journey all the more fun and interesting.

Of course some of the situations Lizzie finds herself in are a little extreme and sometimes ridiculous, but that's part of the magic and fun of this character. No matter how many times Lizzie seems to fall and loose her sense of dignity, she always manages to get back up and keep on reaching for the stars (in this case, literally!).

A fast, light read, the book reminds me of a feel-good romantic comedy. With the recent release of "The Devil Wears Prada" and the in-production "Nanny Diaries", I have to wonder if we'll see Lizzie, Scott, Lara, Luke and the rest of the supporting players on the big screen sometime in the future.

Certainly not the best in fiction, but defnitely not the worst. Worth tossing in your bag to take to the beach, pool or park this summer. Thoroughly entertaining, heartfelt, and magical. Sometimes funny, sometimes touching, sometimes a little "roll-your-eyes-over the-top", Lizzie's got that realistic something that makes you love her and root her on while she travels along hoping to catch that one big break that she's forever looking for.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the further adventures of Lizze and friends and what the future holds for them. If you enjoyed the first book ("THE SECOND ASSISTANT") you're certain to like this one just as much if not more. Unlike other authors' second attempt at success ("The Debutante Divorcee", "Citizen Girl", "Everyone Worth Knowing") Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare get it right and their second time around is just as entertaining as the first.

Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare's "The First Assistant: A Continuing Tale from Behind the Hollywood Curtain," a sequel to "The Second Assistant" continued with Lizzie, working now as the first assistant to Scott, her best friend's husband at The Agency. Despite having a promotion, life at The Agency was still difficult for Lizzie as the person who took her old position, Amber, was out to get Lizzie from day one. On top of that, Lizzie's boyfriend, Luke was out producing a movie at Prague and the actress in the movie was Luke's ex-girlfriend. When Lizzie found out that Luke may be cheating on her, Lizzie decided to accept the position of an assistant to the latest, and hottest teen sensation, Emerald.

This was a rather average chick-lit for me. There was never a strong storyline and by the time I got to the middle of the book, I was not very engaged. The story seemed to lack excitement. I also wished that the authors spent a little more time with Lizzie's love interest. Even though this was not the worst book in this genre, but it was certainly not very memorable.

To me, "The First Assistant" was amusing but irritating in equal measure due to the utterly predictable plot, the unfleshed-out character, Luke, and annoying basic grammar errors such as "Who's phone is this?" Not nearly as good as "The Second Assistant."

"The First Assistant" was a great sequel to "The Second Assistant". It picked up where the first novel left off, and it was engaging, entertaining, and had the same bumbling humor. The plot was not predicatble, which is always a nice touch, and yet it was still pleasantly exactly what I had expected.
There is of course the matter of a few typos (which some previous reviewers have also mentioned), which were fairly minor, and I feel can be over-looked... but they did made things a tad confusing for a bit, so be aware of that as you read.
All in all, while this novel is not exceptional, and not quite as good as the first, if you fell in love with Lizzie in the first book, you'll love this one too!

Book: The First Assistant

Fairly similar to its predecessor: The Second Assistant. Fast paced, funny, light reading. For those (like me) who enjoy gossipy novels about the Hollywood scene. Well-defined characters and some hilarious situations. The end may be a bit vague; I would have preferred a clearer definition but that is personal. All in all, a pleasant book and a fairly fast read.

I had read the second assistant when it came it out and thought it was okay but not oustanding. This newest additional far outweighs the first book. Once I started reading it I could barely put it down. If you liked Clare Naylor's Dog Handling then you will like this!

Just as funny as The Second Assistant. I laughed out loud so many times people were beginning to wonder what I was reading. Too good to put down!

The plot and characters picked up where the first book left off. The plot wasn't 100% predictable. I found myself guessing how the story might end,so I read the entire book in around 3 hours. I was pleased the book wasn't the usual girl meets boy,girl will do anything to keep boy from leaving.Overall,a great beach/holiday read.

I loved this book. I read the first on The Second Assistant over a year ago and had no idea there would be a sequel. I'm so glad there was. I'm now hoping there will be a third one. I would recommend this book to anyone!!!!!

This was an easy read and read it only in a few hours. Lizzie sort of annoyed with a lot of drunk scenes (I have to wonder if the authors are going towards an alcoholic storyline for the next book). I also noticed that in the part where she is talking to Luke after she's back from Thailand, it says she's talking to Scott and then we're back to Luke again. One would think an editor would have caught that. Lara is definately my favorite character although I didn't care for her much in the first book. I found myself liking Lizzie a little less in this edition.