Reviews

Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown

johnny92m's review against another edition

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2.0

This is a prime case of a movie tainting your enjoyment of a book. I went into this with a lot of high hopes (probably too high, honestly), as I absolutely love both the movie and the musical version of this story. So of course I was anxious as anything to finally read the source material. I was left feeling flat and under styled by the entire thing.

While the author shows a real knack for smart, quick witted writing, the entire story felt open ended and hollow. A lot of characters seemed tacked on for no additional purpose other than to fill a page quota. Elle didn't have any real uphill challenges, and her feelings, particularly towards Warner's new beau were all over the map, it was hard to keep track.

If I'd read this first, maybe I'd have liked it better. But unfortunately for fans of the big screen/stage adaptations, this will leave you feeling underwhelmed.

catherineisa's review against another edition

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  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.25

radair's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

Satirical and painfully written

firstimpressionsreviews's review against another edition

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2.0

I’ve always loved the film Legally Blonde. Elle Woods was quick, charming, and went after what she wanted. After discovering that the film was based on a book I was eager to read how her paper counterpart compared. 
Oh, how disappointed I was. In the novel, Elle is a stereotypical dumb blonde who is blinded by the idea of getting her loser boyfriend Warner back. When she isn’t scheming about how to steal Warner away from his fiancee she spends her time reading People magazine in class, that is when she isn’t skipping school for a nail appointment. Yes, Elle is those things in the movie as well but it seemed more blatant in print. 
The plot was also lacking. Elle’s classes or any development in her progress as a law student were continuously shelved in order to draw attention to the color of her nail polish. Josette, her manicurist on speed dial also had a much smaller part and felt she was underutilized. I really wanted to throw the book against the wall, either to knock some sense into the barely fleshed-out characters or as a cathartic release of my frustration. 
Unfortunately, the writing was no saving grace. It felt very amateurish. It reminded me of when I was in middle school and used “like” and “coolio” in almost every sentence. Overall, the novel was a bit of a letdown. 
Perhaps I’m viewing the movie through rose (or pink) tinted glasses which clouds my judgment of said book. However, it still begs the question, Amanda Brown, what have you done with my Elle Woods?

jackieswitzer96's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

2.5

mena_bh's review against another edition

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funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

3.5

nightshade_1's review against another edition

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3.0

₊꒰ ⊹ ࣪—˚Final thoughts

⥼~-✰-~⥽ ☽ ˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚*☾ ⥼~-✰-~⥽



izpalm's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

sheldon1979's review

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funny hopeful informative medium-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

3.5

Elle Woods was in a sorority getting ready to go out with her boyfriend whom she believed was going to ask her to get married but unfortunately she got dumped and he said he was going to goto law school.

So Elle studied and took her LSATs to get into law school to try and win over her Ex but once she discovers when she arrives that her Ex has now a new fiance so she figures she will try to get through law school so it will show her Ex she is his equal.

bexrecca's review against another edition

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  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

0.25

The movie is delightful. This book is that rare case of movie beats the book by a mile. Elle doesn't seem to do much growing or changing and everything feels so gross. Blah.

I only finished it as fast as I did because I was on an airplane.