Review – Holly’s Inbox: Scandal in the City
Holly Dehnam is back and her life seems to have settled into a nice pattern. She’s in love with her boyfriend and they seem to be getting along great, she’s up for a promotion at work, and things are calm with her family and friends. Just when Holly starts to feel really good about things, disaster strikes, and it looks like she might lose everything that’s important to her.
I enjoyed Holly’s Inbox by Holly Denham, so I was anxious to read the follow-up, Holly’s Inbox: Scandal in the City, and I must say, I enjoyed the second one as much as the first! A modern-day epistolary novel, the book is written entirely as emails and text messages. It’s amazing how well a story can be told in that fashion. This delightful book is loads of fun! Don’t let the number of pages (535) put you off – it’s a quick read and you’ll find yourself flipping the pages as quickly as you can to find out what’s going to happen next. I didn’t want to put it down!
Holly is a great character – she wants to do well and she wants to please everyone. I really liked Holly and rooted for her, laughed with her and urged her to make the right decision. I think most women can relate to something about Holly or the people she has to deal with. A few of the people she deals with are something else, but they’re realistic enough to remind you of someone you’ve known and had to deal with – I found myself hoping they’d get what they deserved. There’s a little twist at the end that I didn’t see coming, but I thought it was just great!
Holly’s Inbox: Scandal in the City is definitely chick lit, but the romance aspect of the story takes a back seat to the scandal at work, so it’s not overly mushy. The story is just told in a fun, lighthearted way and reading it is a pleasurable way to spend the day.
Review copy provided by Sourcebooks. I am an Indiebound Affiliate.
I added Holly’s Inbox to my wishlist yesterday. Good to know there is a second book too.
I remember all the hype for the first book. Holly sounds like a cute character 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed this follow up. I don’t know why but I just can’t get myself to pick up this series.
I’ve got Holly’s Inbox on my shelves, and need to remember it would be good for a day by the pool or the beach. They sound like a nice break from my normal serious topics.
I haven’t rad the first book yet but it is on my wishlist, I’m glad to know the second book is good as well.
Thought this was a very cute and fun summer read. I like being able to fly through the book because of the format
I think I have the first one in my TBR pile too. It sounds great for the readathon, if I ever can manage to do it!
I read the online beginnings of Holly’s inbox and loved it but somehow missed when the book came out. Now that there is a second one, I think I better get busy and find them both!
Thanks for the review.
LibrarysCat
I have been reading such good things about these two books, and although I don’t really read much in the epistolary format, I think these sound fun. It’s always nice to have a good light read to fall back on when things get to heavy, and I bet this would make a marvelous summer read. I am glad you liked it so much, and I thank you for the wonderful review!
One of my daughters and I were shopping over the weekend and we ended up at the book store. When she saw this book she knew she wanted to read it because she’d enjoyed the first so much. So I bought it for her (with the hopes of reading it myself at some point). Glad to hear you liked it!
I enjoyed this one so much that I want to go back and read the first.
What a unique way to set up a story! I love the idea of emails and texts being used to tell the story. Thanks for the review-I haven’t heard of this series, but I will be on the lookout.
I enjoyed this one, but less so than everyone else, I think. Holly’s constant drinking to the point of blacking out bugged me!
Holly’s Inbox is pretty popular this month. Thanks for sharing this. It looks interesting.
Isn’t it great when the second book in a series is just as good as the first? I love it when that happens!! And I’m glad you enjoyed it. It does sound like a fun read.
I read the majority of this book at the beach- perfect beach reading! Light and fun 🙂
I still need to read the first! It’s great when a sequel doesn’t disappoint, isn’t it?
I’m glad you liked this one too Kathy. I loved the twist at the end- that’s what makes me think there’s another installment coming.
Sounds like a good sequel. I haven’t read the first one, but I hope to borrow Anna’s copies of both these books.
I read the first one and loved it. You really have to hope for the best for Holly and her friends!
I’m reading this one right now and am loving it too 😀
I love when follow up books are just as good as the first book the author wrote!
It sounds like a fun book to read. A fun series…I am in the mood for a fun book…
After reading your review, I know I must get a hold of a Holly’s Inbox book one of these days! 🙂
I haven’t read these books yet, but from your review it sounds like I would enjoy them.
Glad you enjoyed this one! I have the first waiting for me to read, I need to get over being intimidated by it’s size.
I want to read these!
Hi Kathy,
I remember reading and reviewing book one in this series; with your glowing review, I am going to have to pick up a copy of ‘Holly’s Inbox: Scandal in the City’ to read, very soon! 🙂
I wanted to let you know about 3 new book giveaways that are open worldwide, on my website. There is one book in particular, called Therapy: A Novel by Harrie Rose, which I though you would really enjoy; but please feel free to enter all 3 book giveaways, if you like.
Take care & have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
All My Best,
Bobbie
Glad to see you enjoyed the book, too. I think the author does a good job balancing the office scandal and the romance. Hope there’s a part 3!
I love that that modern epistolary novel is via e-mails and texts. No one sends letters anymore! Sad, huh? I still need to read the first one of these books.
I really am looking forward to reading this one – it sounds like so much fun!
This sounds like the perfect end of the summer read!
I’m really curious about this series. It sounds very different from the stuff I usually pick up, but I think I’d like it.
I’m not a big chick-lit fan, but I really thought Holly’s Inbox was fun to read. I really enjoyed the format. I’m looking forward to reading this one as well. Glad you liked it!
You have just reminded me to read HOLLY’S INBOX. This is going to be the next on my list. 🙂
I have the first one…really need to read that. I love books told in letter format or the like. I’ve always loved those since I was younger.
Glad the second was just as good!! 🙂 It’s so great that the author is a guy.
i’ve seen this book around quite a bit. i’m glad you enjoyed it! i need to get started on this series. it sounds so fun and refreshing.
It’s definitely time for me to get to Holly’s Inbox–it sounds like I’m going to want to pick this one up as well.