Frankly, Magenta is just plain annoying! This is a sort of chick lit novel but somehow it was missing the happy spark one hopes for. I felt for Anthony.

Really enjoyable read. Good characters and a Good story. Well worth a read. Think others will enjoy.

Newly minted career girl Magenta Bright reluctantly finds herself growing up – she’s now a live-in girlfriend, a successful business owner, and an obsessive desirer of classic leather handbags.

But, fuelled by her creative talent, Magenta doesn’t seem to know when to stop. Between designing and launching a new range of bags, planning her parents’ second wedding, and whisky binges with scary international model and best friend Anya, something’s got to give, and it’s not long before her relationship with shy artist Anthony is in the firing line.

Will handbags lead to heartbreak for the unstoppable Magenta Bright?

I have to admit, I really enjoyed this book way more than I initially expected. I was in the mood for a light, fun read - and the fact that it dealt with the fashion world didn't hurt either - but, instead, I found myself entrapped in Magenta's world. 

Magenta's upbringing and lifestyle may not have been relatable for me; but she herself, her flaws, her insecurities, and her actions were. Throughout the course of the book she wasn't always likable and I often found myself frustrated with her or wondering what the hell she was doing. But that's what made her a fully-fleshed, properly developed character. She wasn't perfect, and she actually had a strong, fascinating personality; she was ambitious, powerful, and intelligent. But she was also sensitive and imperfect, which made her far less intimidating and distant. In short, she was a human being and not a caricature of one.

Unlike Magenta, I felt like the rest of the characters - perhaps with the exception of Cassandra - were a bit more stereotypical, more like caricatures and stock characters. And I was actually okay with it; it meant that there was more room for Magenta to shine and, for once, I was completely fine with a single character taking over the story. She was a strong enough character to carry most of the storylines on her own and I was more than happy to see her in the spotlight.

That being said, the book wasn't the cute, fluffy read I was anticipating. It dealt with a few heavy issues, like miscarriage and abortion, and at times it made me incredibly sad or frustrated - mostly the latter, if I'm being honest. At its core, it was still a romantic comedy, but more 'serious' than its premise made it out to be. 

My only issue with the book was that I really couldn't bring myself to care about Magenta and Anthony's relationship. A big part of the plot revolves around them and their love story, but I just couldn't bring myself to care - and if I'm being honest I'd rather see Magenta single and conquering the fashion world step by step. I just couldn't see Anthony's appeal as a character and he definitely paled in comparison to his partner. 

Overall, a very enjoyable and quick read, ideal for the summer break. I think I might even pick up its prequel.

**An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.**

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This is a chicklit book that is not, I really did not enjoy it at all.

DNF at 10%. I can't read any more of this. First of all, I didn't realise this was the second book in the series so the introduction of the character of Magenta was lost on me. And also I'm finding the narrative very telling and Magenta a tad immature. Just not the kind of chick-lit I look to read but might be fine for others, just not me.

I'm going to start this review with a little disclaimer: I find it very difficult to feel sympathy for upper-class rich people whose lives are very close to perfect.

I'll be honest from the beginning. I didn't really like this book. I'm actually struggling to remember the name of the main character. Interestingy I can recall the names of both her best friend and her boyfriend, so perhaps I'd rather hear a story about either of them. In a way, that's probably true.

I found the protagonist very difficult to relate to. When hungover, she reaches for Dior sunglasses, and she calls her parents "mother and father". She's also her biggest problem. If she would simply talk to anybody about what was going on in her head she'd have very few things to be dealing with. I guess it would make for a very short book, but I'm not sure that's such a bad thing anyway. Even towards the end when I think she's finally going to get over herself, she runs away from her problems again. Just frikkin talk to him! 

Having said that, I will concede that she does suffer a true heartbreak during this story. It's the sort of event that no amount of money or privelage can fight against, and we can truly feel her despair coming through the pages. Even that isn't enough to turn this around for me though. 

She is spoiled, idiotic, unfunny and cowardly, and I really couldn't care less what happens to her.

When first I met Magenta in her upheaval of a life, she was frustrating, immature and more than a little selfish, but there was something there: a sense of humor and the willingness to move onward and upward, despite her setbacks. Or the copious amounts of liquor she consumes with her best friend, or the recurrent niggles of self-doubt nipping at her heels. Now, with some of her life settled, and designs for the bags she has come to create flying in from all directions, she’s a bit more focused, if still a novice.

She had plenty on her plate: no apartment, no job, no career and no man – but she resolved most of those in the first book: and quite satisfactorily. But now, with a wonderful man and a career that utilizes her not so inconsequential fashion sense, and is buoyed by her supermodel best friend, she’s raring to take on every new challenge. And therein is her problem: she’s still scattered, and still functions with that bit of self-absorbed narrative that is wholly hers. While her new partner Anthony is wonderful and charming, if often feeling left out with her other interests. See, she’s still all wrapped up in reuniting her parents and getting them to remarry, and her nights with her best friend are still booze-fueled and late, and Anthony is actually feeling a bit pushed to the side.

In the first book, Temple managed to keep Magenta fresh and uniquely her own: even with the train wreck that she was making of her life, there were hopes for her to show some depth and growth. Here, those moments are fewer and more difficult to find: with her own narrative often reverting to one of an eighteen year old, immature and not always considering consequences before the action. Yet, this is one of those stories that you want to cheer on Magenta and want the best for her. Even as you repeatedly (or I) want to strangle her senseless, just to get her to stop and think first. She does, after what felt like an interminable time, and became again that dotty friend that you enjoy in doses: not necessarily one you’d want about full time. Temple makes you want to know her, and want to love her – but perhaps as she has her own moments of se;f-doubt and insecurities, as a reader you are also reluctant to give her your all. A great installment and follows nicely after the first book, one that you’ll want to read to get the full measure of the character that Temple created.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” http://wp.me/p3OmRo-9gh /” > <a> I am, Indeed <a/>

I was so glad to see there was more to read about Magnta's life,troubles follow our heroine like bees with honey,but it's a pleasant experience to witness her growth page after page.

Rosa Temple made an art of the perfect mix for lovely rom coms with a touch of thought provoking themes.
I've really enjoyed the first book in the series and this wasn't different...still a win for me and I recommend it.

The first thing I have to say that I wasn't aware that this book was a sequel when I picked it up. Still, that didn't faze me, it's a chick-lit novel so it should be an easy read and I thought that it sounded pretty good.

Unfortunately my excitement didn't last long. I hate giving such low reviews for ARCs but the only thing I liked about this book was Tallulah because I love babies. Rosa Temple does clearly have some talent, Magenta's voice is very clear without but unfortunately that wasn't enough.

I found the books pacing to be either too slow or too fast, I didn't particularly care about any of the characters and I felt there was a lot more tell rather than slow. That could be down to page length restrictions though so could be understandable.

All that aside, this book is a quick read so if you enjoyed boom one then definitely give this one a go.

The book was cute, reminded me a bit of Jane of Austin. An easy read, nothing heavy and a character that we could relate to. Would definitely recommend the book to pick for those who like reading light books, romance, contemporary novels.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for proving me with a copy of this book. This is a well written chick lit book that kept me turning the pages till the very end.. It was humorous, sweet and uplifting. Magenta was a likeable character, that I could relate to. Overall an enjoyable, pleasant read.