A few monthes ago, a parcel landed in my lap. The gift, from Ms L, was a press copy of The Carrie Diaries, the new book from Candace Bushnell which documents on Carries life, before she moved to NY, before she met Manolo and Big, and more importantly, the rest of the girls.
I had already been warned that I was not allowed to disclose the book to anyone, as the details of the storyline were so secretive that there were legal implications if I lost it or it found its way out of my hands into wherever. So full of anticipation, delighted with excitement, and slightly gutted I couldn’t read it on the bus due to its secretive nature, I snuck into my bedroom and read the full book from front to back in a Saturday morning.
I want to say it was reminiscent of the show overall, but this was a bit difficult, due to the fact Carrie is seventeen. It was abit more Sweet Valley High, than Salvatore Feragamo, and as a die hard fan, I found it a little hard not to remove SJP from narrating, and acting the storyline inside my head. Which is a bit hard, when she is snogging Sebastien Kydd, the hot badboy comes to Castlebury, to stir things up with her and her friends. I also thought that Carrie said in the show, that her father left her mother when she was younger, yet in this book he is the mainstayer-I don’t want to reveal too much, so it is best to read it!-so it made me have my own “I couldn’t help but wonder” moment.
Regardless of all of this, it certainly gave an insight into an American teenage girls life, white cowboy boots, an’ all. True to the theme of the show, Carrie makes mistakes and learns through these, the most important relationships are with her friends, is confused by the kingdom of male, and begins her in-awe marriage with NY early on………………

Meet Carrie Bradshaw before ‘Sex and the City!’

Before Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw was a small town girl who knew she wanted more. She’s ready for real life to start, but first she must navigate her senior year of high school. Up until now, Carrie and her friends have been inseparable. Then Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture, and a friend’s betrayal makes her question everything.
With an unforgettable cast of characters, The Carrie Diaries is the story of how a regular girl learns to think for herself, and evolves into a sharp, insightful writer. Readers will learn about her family background, how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impression her early friendships and relationships left on her. Through adventures both audacious and poignant, we’ll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where her new life begins.

The Carrie Diaries
By Candace Bushnell and published by Harper Collins, 6.49 from Amazon.co.uk