The author of the chic, clever and best-selling novel “The Devil Wears Prada” tries her hand at romantic chick lit.It’s a good idea in theory, but in “Everyone Worth Knowing” author Lauren Weisberger loses the naughty witticisms and trades them for overdone clichés and stereotypes romance novels are notorious for.
“Everyone Worth Knowing” starts off with a similar storyline to “Devil.” The smart and cynical 20-something in Manhattan is fed up with her current socioeconomic situation and lands a savvy job that a million girls would die for.
Weisberger’s heroine, Bette, a converted hippie who is tired of working a mundane job as an investment banker, solicits her semi-famous uncle, Will, who fills in the spot of the very gay fairy god father, helping Bette to make all her dreams come true in 367 pages. He hooks Bette up with the hottest public relations agency in town, with a boss much kinder than the infamous witch Miranda Priestly (from “Devil”).
Yet, Andy’s, I mean Bette’s office is still filled with the snarky wannabe socialites Weisberger pigeonholed in her first novel. The anorexic, wish-they-were-Paris-Hilton-hopefuls and party boys donning Armani t-shirts paired with Black American Express cards promote celebrities by day and party with by night. This coked-out, hungry crew was much funnier in Weisberger’s first novel.
Of course, Bette is sucked into their cool club scene Madison Avenue is infamous for and, like in “Devil”, the reader sees the sweet and slightly cynical heroine transform into another toned, hi-lighted, Seven Jeans clad member of NYC’s up-in-coming upper crust.
But at least Andy had an air of indifference paired with cynicism that she kept in the sole of her Manolos. Bette does not, however. Maybe Weisberger was trying to keep it light and play it safe, but I miss the amusing adroitness she wrote with for “Devil.”
The plot seems to drag in places, but I kept reading just to see who was going to pass out on a banquette next or who would sleep with whom.
Romance novels aren’t without their fill of attractive men, witches to defeat and friends to save from their own hapless relationships.
Bette’s true social worth skyrockets when she shacks up with a British heart throb, much beloved for his hot body and party habits. Following directions from her boss, to be a true PR girl she must savor the publicity her new semi-romance has earned her and ride the wave of Page Six.
Lust, potential love and hot sex were items missing in “Devil” and I like the suspense that comes when Bette begins to fall for a bouncer who caters to her party crew. Their scenes together are playful and occasionally scintillating. I found myself turning pages anxiously with scenes involving Bette and her man candy.
With all of Bette’s new changes, there’s always someone watching – in her case, her family, former friends and the whole of Manhattan. Bette somehow manages to get on the bad side of a gossip columnist. It’s pretty easy to figure out who it is early, too.
The predictability of “Everyone Worth Knowing” is disappointing, especially from such a creative writer like Weisberger. I hope the dark humor in “Devil” somehow finds its way back into the spot light for her next book.
-Reviewed by: Lauren Morgan
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