Review: Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista by Aven Ellis
Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista
by: Aven Ellis
Publication Date: Sept. 10, 2014
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 223 pages
Order Links: Amazon
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Recent college graduate Avery Andrews is ready to begin a new life in the big city. She’s landed an apartment in Chicago’s famed Lincoln Park neighborhood–and has her eye on the cute commodities trader just a floor above.
If Premier Airlines knew about her fear of flying, they never would have hired her to be their marketing assistant—but it’s not like Avery wants a lifelong career. Right now she simply wants a job to pay her bills…and fund a few little shopping excursions, too.
Her new lifestyle comes with a price tag, as Avery is not only faced with paying a ridiculous rent but finds she’s perceived as one of the vacant, husband-hunting fashionistas who live in the area. Avery resents this stereotype—so she doesn’t want a lifelong career, and she loves fashions she can’t afford, but that doesn’t mean she is empty-headed and spoiled, does it?
When an opportunity to participate in a documentary at work arises, Avery finds a two-fold solution to her problems. She’ll earn extra money for it, and the documentary will show her as a serious career woman, enabling her to shed that husband-hunting fashionista label for good.
When the camera is on, Avery attempts to be a motivated professional woman. But when she is challenged by Deacon Ryan, the videographer assigned to cover her story, Avery finds herself wanting things she was never supposed to want—like a lasting career—and Deacon. And Avery might just gain more from the experience than a perfect career image and extra cash to put in her Tory Burch wallet…
If Premier Airlines knew about her fear of flying, they never would have hired her to be their marketing assistant—but it’s not like Avery wants a lifelong career. Right now she simply wants a job to pay her bills…and fund a few little shopping excursions, too.
Her new lifestyle comes with a price tag, as Avery is not only faced with paying a ridiculous rent but finds she’s perceived as one of the vacant, husband-hunting fashionistas who live in the area. Avery resents this stereotype—so she doesn’t want a lifelong career, and she loves fashions she can’t afford, but that doesn’t mean she is empty-headed and spoiled, does it?
When an opportunity to participate in a documentary at work arises, Avery finds a two-fold solution to her problems. She’ll earn extra money for it, and the documentary will show her as a serious career woman, enabling her to shed that husband-hunting fashionista label for good.
When the camera is on, Avery attempts to be a motivated professional woman. But when she is challenged by Deacon Ryan, the videographer assigned to cover her story, Avery finds herself wanting things she was never supposed to want—like a lasting career—and Deacon. And Avery might just gain more from the experience than a perfect career image and extra cash to put in her Tory Burch wallet…
Aven Ellis is always a good go-to author when I'm in the mood for something sweet, light, and fun. I originally wasn't sure if I would be able to relate to Avery, because I'm not really very fashion conscientious. I'm not up on the big name designers and I have no idea who Tory Burch is. LOL. That being said, as soon as I started reading, I realized that I didn't need to. Avery is a recently graduated woman who has just started her new job as a real career woman. She is offended that people would be so quick to judge her and condemn her as a vapid fashionista who is only interested in securing a wealthy husband. So what if she likes to look good? Why is that such a crime?
I like Avery because we got to see some key character growth with her throughout the novel. In the beginning, she does place too much emphasis on appearances and the type of guys she should be interested in and that really did bother me. Her company chooses her to be the focus of a new documentary, in which she will have her day to day life filmed so the world can see an inside view of the Premier Airlines up and comer. Avery is determined to use this as her opportunity to prove to the world that just because she lives in Lincoln Park, is single, and has great fashion sense doesn't mean she's some prima donna. I get that she wants to do that, but at the same time she's not being true to herself by putting on airs for the camera.
In fact, she's downright awkward on camera. I loved seeing her try to figure out what to do, with barely any direction from her oh-so-sexy cameraman Deke Ryan. Oh, I'm sorry. Did I not mention him yet?
Deacon (Deke) Ryan is one sexy hunk of man. Avery knows she shouldn't be interested in Deke, but she can't get the t-shirt wearing guy out of her mind, as much as she wants to. The two definitely don't get off on the right foot, as Deke takes her awkwardness and uncertainty of how to act on camera as shallow and makes it known on the phone- to which Avery hears and is hurt. He is apologetic for his behavior, but Avery is determined to prove more than ever she has something to offer the world.
As the two continue to work with one another, they find themselves becoming more at ease with the other, and now Avery wants to know more about him, as she really enjoys spending time with him. I liked their relationship, as it is full of sexual tension. The two are operating under a serious miscommunication that Deke waits entirely too long to put right, because he's been hurt in the past and people have disappointed him one too many times.
By the end though, Avery realizes that it doesn't matter what Deke wears or if he's not like Sullivan Preston III, her wealthy upstairs neighbor who turns out to be a big douche. He is genuine and caring and she really falls for who he is and she isn't afraid to make it known to the world.
While I enjoyed this one, I just found that it didn't quite leave a lasting impression on me. I like that Ellis is a very detailed author, but there were some every day things in Avery's life that I just felt I could have done without knowing. The storyline, while fun, just didn't resonate with me like I would have wanted. The chemistry and sexual tension between Avery and Deke and their budding relationship is what really sold me on this one. I loved seeing them get to know one another and watching them both fall for the other. While this wasn't my favorite of Ellis's books, I still suggest you give it a try and fall for the cute, quirky, sometimes awkward heroine, and the oh-so-sexy casual and rugged hero.
4 comments
Great review!
ReplyDeleteThis one does sound like a sweet, easy read. Something to read after a very intense emotional book! Does suck that the book didn't leave a lasting feeling with you. I do hate when that happens... but it does. Glad you enjoyed the book though!
*hugs*
It's too bad the book wasn't quite all you'd hoped, but at the same time, it sounds like it was a nice, light read - and those are good sometimes!
ReplyDeleteOh this sounds like a really cute read. I definitely like the sound of Deke! Definitely keeping this one in mind for when I need a fluffy and fun read. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI love cute and fun romantic contemporaries so I might just like this one. And I love seeing fashionable characters so I'm extra curious. I think it would be entertaining to see the development in their relationship. Great review. :D
ReplyDeleteLeave me some comment love! And I will get around to commenting back!
My blog is an award-free blog, however, as I just do not have the time to follow-up.