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tishywishy's review
3.0
I wasn't quite sure what the heck I was reading for a bit. The story jumps around from Kate so much that it's hard to get a handle on where the story is going. Eventually, the author decides to stick to the script so to speak and I am finally able to get a grasp on what's going on with Kate and why her friends and relatives are so kooky (kinda). I would say the book really starts to make itself clear about 60% of the way in. Having worked in admissions tho, I had a soft spot for some of the details (and craziness).
slicciardi's review
3.0
Loved Kate's character growth. All the characters are kinda annoying but it's necessary to the story
ford0218's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rachele's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
shareen17's review
3.0
This is a funny, easy-to-read book about a woman who, despite no previous experience, ends up working in the admissions office of an elite New York prep school. I liked that just when I thought I knew exactly where the book was going, the author kept adding complexity to the characters that added some depth to what is mostly a humorous book.
jbduran's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
fakhardina's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sternbergjulie's review
3.0
Funny, diverting, hopeful, and light. Read when you feel you can't spend one more second worrying about the state of the world and your role in it.
celjla212's review
3.0
When Kate Pearson graduated college and was all set to move in with her French boyfriend in Paris, it came as a hard shock when he decided that was the time to break things off with her. In the next months, she fell apart, spending most days on her sofa or bed, going days without showers, and generally being miserable. With the help of her sister and friend Chloe, she finally gets it together enough to land a job at one of New York City's most prestigious private schools as an admissions officer.
Kate is, at first, quite overwhelmed by a job she's sure she has no business doing. But meeting these families who would--and do--do anything to get their kids into the perfect school gives her a focus and keeps her busy. Soon Kate is highly invested in her job and slowly but surely getting her life back on track.
I wanted to like this book much more than I did. I have to admit, the things that upset me the most was seeing a girl who was so bright and focused fall apart in such a dramatic way over a man who clearly didn't love her. It actually is revealed later that she didn't love him the way she though she did either, so in the way the entire basis of the book is negated, annoyingly.
The thing I was looking forward to most was getting to know some of the parents and kids who were focused on getting into the school; we do, and some are certifiable, but there was not as much substance there as I would have hoped for.
For a college educated woman, Kate is unbelievably naive and in turn, lucky. Based on her interview, she really shouldn't have landed the job in the first place. She did turn out to be a good fit, but show me one real world example where you can go into an interview at such a professional setting cursing, with a short skirt on, and still land a job?
Finally, there was the fact that everyone in Kate's life thought they had to baby her, or that they were responsible for her. Tough love was really what she needed, but never what she got. She coasts by on her good looks and then only after that does she put in work.
I know it sounds like I really hated this book, but I found it just okay, overall. Kate was severely irritating but a good chunk of the book didn't even revolve around her, so getting breaks from her point of view was great. I'm not sure that I would recommend Small Admissions, but if you do read it don't go into it expecting anything too deep.
Kate is, at first, quite overwhelmed by a job she's sure she has no business doing. But meeting these families who would--and do--do anything to get their kids into the perfect school gives her a focus and keeps her busy. Soon Kate is highly invested in her job and slowly but surely getting her life back on track.
I wanted to like this book much more than I did. I have to admit, the things that upset me the most was seeing a girl who was so bright and focused fall apart in such a dramatic way over a man who clearly didn't love her. It actually is revealed later that she didn't love him the way she though she did either, so in the way the entire basis of the book is negated, annoyingly.
The thing I was looking forward to most was getting to know some of the parents and kids who were focused on getting into the school; we do, and some are certifiable, but there was not as much substance there as I would have hoped for.
For a college educated woman, Kate is unbelievably naive and in turn, lucky. Based on her interview, she really shouldn't have landed the job in the first place. She did turn out to be a good fit, but show me one real world example where you can go into an interview at such a professional setting cursing, with a short skirt on, and still land a job?
Finally, there was the fact that everyone in Kate's life thought they had to baby her, or that they were responsible for her. Tough love was really what she needed, but never what she got. She coasts by on her good looks and then only after that does she put in work.
I know it sounds like I really hated this book, but I found it just okay, overall. Kate was severely irritating but a good chunk of the book didn't even revolve around her, so getting breaks from her point of view was great. I'm not sure that I would recommend Small Admissions, but if you do read it don't go into it expecting anything too deep.
aunt_b's review
There was more vulgar language than I am comfortable with.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Cursing