A review by oddandbookish
Valley Verified by Kyla Zhao

inspiring
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (Berkley) for promotional purposes. 
 
This was such a fun and empowering story! 
 
I love fashion and I grew up in the Silicon Valley so naturally I loved the premise and thought it was executed well. The portrayal of the fashion industry and the tech industry felt current and tackled issues commonly seen in today’s world (for example, influencers photoshopping their photos before posting them). I also enjoyed that it explored the loneliness of moving to a new city and being away from friends and family. 
 
The pacing was excellent. The story never felt rushed or dragged out. The writing style was also easy to follow and engaging, making it a quick read. 
 
I loved all the characters (minus the villain). The main character, Zoe, is so lovable and you can’t help but root for her to succeed. All her friends and co-workers were amazing as well. Austin, Bram, Lillian, Damien, Cassie, Bjorn. I loved them all! I particularly liked Zoe’s friendship with Bernadette. 
 
Lastly, I liked the female solidarity and their team up at the end. It’s always great to see women supporting other women, especially in a male dominated field like tech. 
 
Overall, if you’re looking for an entertaining read with strong female characters, consider checking this one out!