Book Review: The Social Climber by Amanda Pellegrino

Social Climber: One who attempts to gain a higher social position or acceptance in fashionable society.-Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Eliza Bennett appears to live the ideal life. She has a glamorous career with a New York PR agency. Her closet is filled with designer frocks. She works out at the best boutique health clubs. And she lives in a gorgeous penthouse apartment with her fiancé Graham Walker who comes from very rich old money family. Their high society wedding is just a week away.

So what’s the catch? Well, Eliza isn’t exactly what she claims to be, and some much of this unfolds in Amanda Pellegrino’s delicious novel The Social Climber. And as this story unfolds, people in Eliza’s well-heeled circle aren’t exactly what they seem either.

Unlike Graham, Eliza did not grow up wealthy and privileged. She grew up quite the opposite. Born Elizabeth, Eliza came from a deeply religious and some would say backward farming family. Money was tight, and Eliza was often clothed in hand-me-downs and poorly fitting clothing sewn by her mother. Mostly homeschooled, Eliza dreamed of a better life and this comes to fruition when she goes to Covenant College.

Now Covenant College is hardly Berkeley. It’s ultra religious and very conservative. There is a slew of rules and regulations the students must abide by or else they will receive demerits. Of course, the students do find away to have their fun. Eliza’s roommate is Ruthie. By Covenant’s standards, Ruthie is a bit of a rebel. But she and Eliza become true blue friends. Ruthie helps Eliza break out of her shell, and her less than stylish wardrobe. Eliza does well academically, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t get up to all kinds of merrymaking-partying, drinking, smoking weed, and losing her virginity. But the fun and games end when Ruthie disappears. Eliza is crushed, not knowing what has happened to her bestie. Will she ever know?

Years later, Eliza is kicking ass and taking names in the Big Apple. She’s made the best connections, and has a big rock on her left hand. But she is still haunted by Ruthie’s disappearance, and has something up her designer sleeve. Hmm, could it be revenge?

The Social Climber’s chapters take turns telling of Eliza’s background and college life at Covenant and the current time leading up to her wedding to Graham. Though Eliza is desperate to hide her past even though she’s gone to great lengths to ingratiate herself to the upper crust, and appears to move in their circles nearly seamlessly. Yet, as the wedding date approaches, Eliza soon realizes there is something not quite right with the family she’s marrying into, and possibly her fiancé, Graham. And in the end, there was a twist that I did not see coming.

Though Eliza is probably not the most upfront protagonist you’ll come across, you are compelled to learn more about her and how her story plays out. And though at first The Social Climber comes across as just another chick lit book, it ends up being a very satisfying thriller.

Book Review: The Overnight Socialite by Bridie Clark

Meet Lucy Jo Ellis. When she moved from a small town in Minnesota to New York City, she had big dreams. She wanted to be a successful fashion designer with her clothing showcased on the runway and in fashion magazines like Vogue. Sadly, she’s working for harridan designer, cutting patterns, and struggling to survive.

Now meet Wyatt Hayes the IV. Wyatt is a wealthy man about town from an old-money family. He’s just broken up with Cornelia Rockwood, a high society rich girl who fancies the idea of becoming a big celebrity. Wyatt also fancies himself as an anthropologist (he does have a Ph.D in anthropology) who tells his best friend, Trip, he can transform any woman of lowly birth to a glamorous and respectful doyenne of the rich and richer.

As Lucy and Wyatt meet, Lucy has had a horrible night. She just lost her job with the designer due to a very unfortunate incident, and she’s just had her cab ride stolen. She’s caught up in a downpour and contemplating moving back to Minnesota when Wyatt offers to make her into the toast of the town. At first, Lucy is insulted. But the more she thinks about it, she wonders if getting this makeover will help her connect with the right people and get her fashion career back on track. As for Wyatt, well, he has some rather nefarious plans. He wants to use this little experiment to write about and perhaps set the high society he grew up in on its ear.

Lucy has to go through several transformations to reach A-List status. The first is her name. Despite knowing people named Topsy, Libet, and Binkie, Wyatt considered Lucy Jo to be low class. So she is named Lucia Haverford Ellis, Lucy for short. Wyatt helps her create a background story that belies her upbringing by a single mom in Minnesota. Lucy is also put through a strict regiment of diet and exercise so she can fit into size two designer frocks. Lucy also has to learn certain sensibilities of the upper crust and is put through several arduous tasks. Wyatt hopes all of this will pay off when Lucy is presented at the highly regarded Fashion Forum Ball.

No dummy or slouch, Lucy catches on quickly and becomes the delight of New York society, getting her name mentioned in print media and blogs that cover the rich and famous. Along for the ride is Trip’s girlfriend, Eloise, who is a top notch fashion stylist. Eloise gives Lucy the ins and outs of acceptable haute couture. Despite their dissimilar backgrounds, they develop a true friendship. Eloise encourages Lucy’s fashion design aspirations and Lucy gets busy designing many stunning frocks while also keeping a full calendar of engagements.

Of course, not everybody loves Lucy. Cornelia (that bitch on Jimmy Choo heels) is spitting mad that Lucy has usurped her in the social pecking order and she starts sleuthing Lucy’s past. She couldn’t possibly be the “real thing,” could she? And Wyatt’s mother isn’t too thrilled with her son using Lucy as some type of experiment. What if Lucy finds out she’s essentially a pawn in Wyatt’s life? And what if Lucy and Wyatt have feelings for each other?

Just as things get heated and Lucy is to attend the Fashion Forum Ball, her mother Rita comes into town. Lucy is horrified. Rita hasn’t always been a good mother to Lucy, and Lucy fears her mother may out her as Lucy Jo Ellis not Lucia Haverford Ellis. And there’s also talk in the media that the Lucy the upper crust knows and loves isn’t quite what she seems.

The Overnight Socialite is a delightful frothy read. It reminds me a lot of the musical My Fair Lady. And like Eliza Doolittle, Lucy Jo Ellis is a character you just want to root for. And I loved how supportive most of the Manhattan blue bloods were towards her. Sure, Lucy was born with a plastic spork in her mouth, not a silver spoon. But she’s kind, smart, and talented, and those qualities should be lauded. Though Wyatt sees Lucy as an anthropology experiment, he grows incredibly fond of Lucy. The Overnight Socialite is also filled with name dropping and gossip of celebrities, fashion designers, and highest of Manhattan society. And though it does end a bit abruptly, The Overnight Socialite leaves you with wanting more. I think a sequel is definitely needed. Do Lucy and Wyatt end up together? Does Lucy end up a successful fashion designer? Does Cornelia fall into a volcano? Bridie Clark, please write that sequel!