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Lizzie Miller #1
The Second Assistant: A Tale from the Bottom of the Hollywood Ladder
No political science degree could ever prepare Elizabeth Miller for her new job as second assistant at The Agency, whose clients include everyone you’ve never met—but you know who they’re sleeping with. A former congressional intern in Washington, Lizzie makes a bid for a life change that lands her a job a world away, where ethics and First Amendment debates take a backseat to pleading the Fifth for ritalin-snorting boss Scott Wagner, the hottest young agent in Hollywood who devotes his days to playing online poker—that is, when he’s not closing a $30 million deal for one of his AAA-list clients. And while getting six hundred dollar highlights from Cameron D’s colorist or organizing the strippers for George C’s party come close to causing heart failure for this East Coast girl, the real dangers lurk elsewhere. But Lizzie is a survivor, and no Machiavellian assistant, lecherous producer, or power struggle at The Agency can douse her nascent dreams of climbing up the Hollywood ladder. But first she has to run down to the Coffee Bean to pick up that triple espresso, or Scott is going to throw something....
For anyone who loved The Nanny Diaries or The Devil Wears Prada, The Second Assistant is a compulsively readable novel and a gleeful skewering of Tinsel Town packed with outrageous, thinly veiled stories about the deranged, the dastardly, and the unspeakably glamorous that will have tongues wagging from coast to coast.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2004
63 people are currently reading
8290 people want to read
About the author
Clare Naylor
10 books80 followersClare Naylor is the author of The Goddess Rules, Catching Alice, and Dog Handling, and the co-author of The Second Assistant with Mimi Hare. She lives in England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 331 reviews
August 15, 2007
This book was eh. After The Nanny Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada, it was very been-there-done-that. Maybe I should write an fictionalized account of my years spent as a camp counselor...
October 31, 2011
Have to say that when I first started this book I didn't think I was going to finish it. It seemed shallow and the hatefulness of some of the characters just put me off. But being me, I kept reading because I always hope it will get better and because I have to know what happens even if it doesn't.
So glad I continued on because it did get better. It was still a bit shallow and full of unredemptive characters; however, I really loved the main character. And I was so glad she got her Hollywood ending!!!
So glad I continued on because it did get better. It was still a bit shallow and full of unredemptive characters; however, I really loved the main character. And I was so glad she got her Hollywood ending!!!
February 12, 2020
I picked this up (for free!), solely because I liked the title 'The Second Assistant'... not seeing the tag line 'a tale from the bottom of the Hollywood ladder', which if I did, I wouldn't of bothered.
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Despite being written in the pre #MeToo era, so some of the scenarios are not as humorous as they were when first penned, this is a fast, fun read, a bit like say Entourage meets Sex in the City :). If I was bring critical I would talk about the interchangeability of the most of the male cast, but hey maybe that's Hollywood!
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A nice and breezy 6 out of 12.
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Despite being written in the pre #MeToo era, so some of the scenarios are not as humorous as they were when first penned, this is a fast, fun read, a bit like say Entourage meets Sex in the City :). If I was bring critical I would talk about the interchangeability of the most of the male cast, but hey maybe that's Hollywood!
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A nice and breezy 6 out of 12.
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January 30, 2018
So.... I knew this wouldn't be a difficult read, but I was a little suprised that pretty much every single one of my premonitions about where this book would go, came true. I had only bargained for half.
Lizzie is balancing on a fine line between being a likable character and a complete imbecile.
And unfortunately I have this "thing" about obviously pretty women complaining about how plain and ugly they are, and Lizzie is is there sniffing at that "thing" like it's a LBD on sale. She's got SO MANY men flirting with her, and yet she's completely sure they've got bad eye-sight or thinking she's someone important (when it's quite obvious, constantly, that she's not) or just lonely for the night.
Yet it's kind of nice that she doesn't let it get to her head, or that she's not at all interested in money, in more than a "I need it to pay rent, and possibly eat" kind of way.
And despite thinking that celebrities are pretty daft, I can't help but finding them incredibly fascinating, so I also can't help finding this book a bit fascinating, even though I have no idea how accurate it is.
Yes, there is a lot of name-dropping, but it's mostly in terms of observations and first names only, and not people Lizzie deals with personally. And the famous people she DOES interact with are made up, although sometimes you can almost see who the authors based the character on.
So, in short. Yes, the book was predictable as fuck, but still entertaining. Kinda like Hollywood!
Lizzie is balancing on a fine line between being a likable character and a complete imbecile.
And unfortunately I have this "thing" about obviously pretty women complaining about how plain and ugly they are, and Lizzie is is there sniffing at that "thing" like it's a LBD on sale. She's got SO MANY men flirting with her, and yet she's completely sure they've got bad eye-sight or thinking she's someone important (when it's quite obvious, constantly, that she's not) or just lonely for the night.
Yet it's kind of nice that she doesn't let it get to her head, or that she's not at all interested in money, in more than a "I need it to pay rent, and possibly eat" kind of way.
And despite thinking that celebrities are pretty daft, I can't help but finding them incredibly fascinating, so I also can't help finding this book a bit fascinating, even though I have no idea how accurate it is.
Yes, there is a lot of name-dropping, but it's mostly in terms of observations and first names only, and not people Lizzie deals with personally. And the famous people she DOES interact with are made up, although sometimes you can almost see who the authors based the character on.
So, in short. Yes, the book was predictable as fuck, but still entertaining. Kinda like Hollywood!
July 14, 2009
It took me I guess over a month to read this book. I just couldn't get into it. It felt like a lot of short stories made into chapters at first. No continuity to anything. Then about 200 pages in, it was like going downhill on a rollercoaster. I thoroughly enjoyed those last 160 pages, but i couldn't believe it took me that long. I am going to give these ladies another try with the follow-up next. Hopefully their writing skills got a little better.
February 21, 2010
The bleach-blond sun-drenched version of The Devil Wears Prada. While the topics here have been skewered before, they´re so deserving in my mind (especially since I live in LA) that I enjoyed the mindless romp anyway.
September 13, 2017
Light, breezy and entertaining with a likable heroine. This was a fun fantasy of what it would be like to be young, pretty, and smart - and working at a high powered Hollywood agency.
March 25, 2022
Love the insight in the high society of the movie industry!
May 21, 2025
haha this was goofy. it read like a tv show. i would've given it 4 stars if it weren't for the transition music in between chapters... too much
the ending made me chuckle
the ending made me chuckle
August 20, 2023
It was fun, it was full of sarcasm, it was chic… it was at the used bookstore for a reason. Last ~100 pages saved it 🎥✨🌴
September 23, 2017
I surprisingly really liked this book.
I was drawn to the story by the fact that, even though there are more important things in the world,I really enjoy the movies. It is always interesting to imagine what life would be like in the "glamorous" world of Hollywood. This story seemed to offer a backstage pass. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect.
After reading it I can say that a lot of the characters and situations were cliche and based on a very superficial and, if I can be honest, quite revolting culture. There were a lot of situations that made me go, "seriously?" because they were so ridiculous.
What was redeeming to me about this book was the main character. I found her to be very real both in the emotions she expressed and how she responded to various situations. I rooted for her throughout the story, and there were times she was laugh out loud funny. Even though I would never put up with the stuff she did, I found her to be relate-able. I also liked the way romance was handled in the story.
For a fluffy read, this book was enjoyable. If you like the movies and are looking for something fun and not too serious, I think you will enjoy this story.
I was drawn to the story by the fact that, even though there are more important things in the world,I really enjoy the movies. It is always interesting to imagine what life would be like in the "glamorous" world of Hollywood. This story seemed to offer a backstage pass. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect.
After reading it I can say that a lot of the characters and situations were cliche and based on a very superficial and, if I can be honest, quite revolting culture. There were a lot of situations that made me go, "seriously?" because they were so ridiculous.
What was redeeming to me about this book was the main character. I found her to be very real both in the emotions she expressed and how she responded to various situations. I rooted for her throughout the story, and there were times she was laugh out loud funny. Even though I would never put up with the stuff she did, I found her to be relate-able. I also liked the way romance was handled in the story.
For a fluffy read, this book was enjoyable. If you like the movies and are looking for something fun and not too serious, I think you will enjoy this story.
April 24, 2009
Definitely one for by-the-pool or while lounging-under-the-summer-sun kind of light reading.
In the tradition of "The Devil Wears Prada" the now painful truth is re-asserted: that working for the rich/powerful/glamorous can be torturous & definitely not what it's all cut out to be.
Elizabeth Miller gives up an idealistic job as a Washington senator's aide to join the Agency, a super-powerful Hollywood outfit that represents stars, producers and directors. The young L.A. newcomer may not be as clearheaded and full of self-knowledge as she's intended to be but predictably she gets her head over the whole LA thing in no time. The insider peeks at Tinseltown are more engrossing than the plot, but a hot script and backroom Agency dealings keep the pages turning.
Book Details:
Title The Second Assistant: A Tale from the Bottom of the Hollywood Ladder
Author Clare Naylor & Mimi Hare
Reviewed By Purplycookie
In the tradition of "The Devil Wears Prada" the now painful truth is re-asserted: that working for the rich/powerful/glamorous can be torturous & definitely not what it's all cut out to be.
Elizabeth Miller gives up an idealistic job as a Washington senator's aide to join the Agency, a super-powerful Hollywood outfit that represents stars, producers and directors. The young L.A. newcomer may not be as clearheaded and full of self-knowledge as she's intended to be but predictably she gets her head over the whole LA thing in no time. The insider peeks at Tinseltown are more engrossing than the plot, but a hot script and backroom Agency dealings keep the pages turning.
Book Details:
Title The Second Assistant: A Tale from the Bottom of the Hollywood Ladder
Author Clare Naylor & Mimi Hare
Reviewed By Purplycookie
January 7, 2012
This a totally forgettable, predictable and boring book. It is full of stereotypes, nothing happens before the final plot twist (well, it's the only plot twist anyway and it's not that big a twist either), the characters are two-dimensional and the authors are big on name-dropping (Cameron and Steven and George and Bob and Drew and Cameron and Cameron and Cameron and Cameron...). Definitely not a good read.
June 23, 2007
classic tale of young idealistic girl who goes to hollywood and finds herself both in over her head, in love, and totally confused about whether she wants to stay in hollywood or not. the ending is too cheesy for words, but lizzie's a cool character. the writing just isn't as good as it could be (and the sequel is much better).
January 18, 2018
It was similar to The Devil Wears Prada, with the exception of the boss *almost* being a likable character. It seems like there was a missing PUNCH in the story, and the "takedown" or whatever they called it was not as climaxed as it could have been.
Hopefully The First Assistant brings that climax that I was searching for in this book.
Hopefully The First Assistant brings that climax that I was searching for in this book.
February 17, 2019
The reason I couldn't finish this is that I was 40% in when I realized... it's not engaging. It's like a bunch of stories glued together and calling it a novel. Nothing flows. Every chapter is disjointed compared to the previous, or next. Maybe the story gets better after the 40% mark, I don't know... It' just not worth it to read though.
January 28, 2021
A fun beach read
I have been reading a lot of dark mysteries and self improvement books. So I selected this to be a bit of a break and it was. I kind of loved this!
I have been reading a lot of dark mysteries and self improvement books. So I selected this to be a bit of a break and it was. I kind of loved this!
August 14, 2017
What is it about:
Lizzie just changed her work field from politics to entertainment, working as a second assistant to Scott and The Agency. Hollywood is all new to her and she had to juggle her new environment, unhelping coworkers, backstabbing acquaintance, weird boss, even weirder president of The Agency, handsy clients, and possible love interest(s). Could Lizzie stay sane despite them all?
What I like about it:
Definitely not your run-in-the-mill Hollywood novel. I mean, yes, it's quite glamorous (Lizzie at the premiere and Sundance), but also more into the working side of Hollywood (aspiring writer, aspiring director) with a dash of office politics. I do love it. It was beyond my expectation and it wasn't shallow at all! Lizzie didn't sneer at the pretty blondes around LA, she also didn't undermine whatever work people might do. In fact, she'd done a little self-talk about her being in the industry with her ideals before when she was working in politics. It's real, and it's just so good. I can't help but care about her, Lara, Scott, and The Agency. Really can't wait to read the second one.
What I don't like about it:
There's a cheating theme, handled lightly and I could let it pass.
Lizzie just changed her work field from politics to entertainment, working as a second assistant to Scott and The Agency. Hollywood is all new to her and she had to juggle her new environment, unhelping coworkers, backstabbing acquaintance, weird boss, even weirder president of The Agency, handsy clients, and possible love interest(s). Could Lizzie stay sane despite them all?
What I like about it:
Definitely not your run-in-the-mill Hollywood novel. I mean, yes, it's quite glamorous (Lizzie at the premiere and Sundance), but also more into the working side of Hollywood (aspiring writer, aspiring director) with a dash of office politics. I do love it. It was beyond my expectation and it wasn't shallow at all! Lizzie didn't sneer at the pretty blondes around LA, she also didn't undermine whatever work people might do. In fact, she'd done a little self-talk about her being in the industry with her ideals before when she was working in politics. It's real, and it's just so good. I can't help but care about her, Lara, Scott, and The Agency. Really can't wait to read the second one.
What I don't like about it:
There's a cheating theme, handled lightly and I could let it pass.
April 4, 2018
This was a good book; I can't say it was great. The storyline was what you would expect of a Hollywood agent's (second) assistant. It had the egos, the drugs, the cheating, the failing marriages, the overbearing character(s), the exclusive parties, the back-stabbing, the letdowns, the overworked underlings, the striving (and starving) writers, the flings, the office in an uproar, the mistakes by the lower echeleons that could never, ever, ever be rectified, the collosal amounts of money that are spent on parties, jewelry, art, revenge, houses, decorating, catering, clothing, manis and pedis, lunch, booze, PIs, lawyers, scripts, the list could go on and on, (and it has). And most of this was in the first 100 pages. I picked up this book because I have "The First Assistant" in my personal library which I'm trying to thin out. And it doesn't make much sense to read the First Assistant before the Second Assistant. Would I read it again? Probably not, but if you're looking for something to pass the time, smile a bit, grit your teeth at other times, this just might be the book for you.
December 21, 2019
I bought a book on e-bay and there was some sort of deal where if I bought 2 more titles something was free. It was slim pickings but the cover had me thinking it was modern chick lit. So I am listening to it and there is a fax delivered to the man's hotel note with a message, a landline, a pager....how OLD is this book? Over 15 years old. Then there were themes in the book that just are not cool in today's #metoo era. Spoiler alert....to reward her for all of her brilliant hard work, she is promoted to...wait for it...FIRST assistant. Really? I couldn't tell if the author was trying to convey that this was a huge win or a big disappointment because as I was reading it I thought "that's it? She does that great job and now she still has to deal with assholes?"
May 10, 2019
This book had been on my shelf for years and I mostly read it so I could take it off. It was actually better than I thought. The beginning was a bit rough because the story seemed so trivial but I like how it was written and appreciate the dry humour.
One part especially made me laugh out loud. ‘Luke looked at me like I’d just fallen down the stupid tree and hit not only every stupid branch but every stupid squirrel and every stupid leaf on the way.’
It got better as it went and I loved the ending.
One part especially made me laugh out loud. ‘Luke looked at me like I’d just fallen down the stupid tree and hit not only every stupid branch but every stupid squirrel and every stupid leaf on the way.’
It got better as it went and I loved the ending.
March 20, 2022
Outrageous as it is surprisingly relatable for the average Jane who has never set foot in La La Land. It has the random bark of laughter spurt out of you with every shenanigan Elizabeth Miller endures and conquers.
It's Ugly Betty, Sex and the City, and The Devil Wears Prada rolled into one with more comic twists and shocking situations that not even the writers of Grey's Anatomy could make up. Albeit fictitious, this is the underground insider's guide every one breaking into the chaotic world of entertainment should have.
It's Ugly Betty, Sex and the City, and The Devil Wears Prada rolled into one with more comic twists and shocking situations that not even the writers of Grey's Anatomy could make up. Albeit fictitious, this is the underground insider's guide every one breaking into the chaotic world of entertainment should have.
September 14, 2023
Enjoyed it because it was an easy read with likeable characters. However, the ending felt sooo rushed, and it just went from 0 to 100 real quick. I think they could’ve executed the narrative a bit better by focusing on certain key storylines in more detail instead of just having so many different storylines, some with absolutely no relevance to the plot. Would love to see a film adaptation though! (with a revised script)
2.5/5
2.5/5
June 13, 2017
Actually pretty well written. As expected the story was a bit vapid and predictable but entertaining enough for a sick day home from work. The main character is a bit underdeveloped and the ending is a bit rushed to tie things into a nice bow but not remotely close to the worst I've ever read. If 'chick lit' is your preferred genre this is solid.
October 28, 2017
Cute! Think "The Devil wears Prada." Funny thing is that while I was reading this book, the whole "Harvey Weinstein" story was breaking & there's a lot of that in this story. "Man whores" !
Anyway, the lead, Elizabeth, resonates with all of us at some point. The end guides you to their next book "The First Assistant " if you're so inclined. Just good entertaining Chic Lit =4 stars
Anyway, the lead, Elizabeth, resonates with all of us at some point. The end guides you to their next book "The First Assistant " if you're so inclined. Just good entertaining Chic Lit =4 stars
April 18, 2018
het begin van dit boek doet een beetje denken aan de duivel draagt prada.
Als je dat boek al niets vond, stop dan al maar met lezen, want het hele boek lang is het een flauw afkooksel van dit boek. Alleen dan niet over mode, maar over films.
Alle cliches van de wilde filmindustrie komen zowat in dit boek aan bod. ik heb het uitgelezen, maar eerder uit koppigheid dan uit plezier.
Als je dat boek al niets vond, stop dan al maar met lezen, want het hele boek lang is het een flauw afkooksel van dit boek. Alleen dan niet over mode, maar over films.
Alle cliches van de wilde filmindustrie komen zowat in dit boek aan bod. ik heb het uitgelezen, maar eerder uit koppigheid dan uit plezier.
February 27, 2020
I liked this story... I liked Lizzie even though she was seriously naive at times which kind of was silly because she was smart and worked in politics before coming to Hollywood to live/work. I’m not sure if this story line has any truth to it, but it felt like it could be realistic. And I liked Lizzie and Luke Lloyd’s relationship. I think it will be interesting where it leads in the next book.
July 8, 2018
quite engaging and witty read with some very wry observations about the bizarre world of hollywood. The story moves along well and the characters are fairly amusing if sometimes a little too shallow. All the same this was an enjoyable beach read. September 2004
January 1, 2019
The Devil Wears Prada set in Hollywood. It is fun, if you are in the mood for it. I related a lot to the protagonist, even though sometimes the author relied too much on the artifice "let's make the MC make decisions for the wrong reasons for comedic purposes".
Displaying 1 - 30 of 331 reviews