If I Ruled the World
A witty novel filled with scandal and romance in the world of publishing from a former editor-in-chief
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If I Ruled the World
Narrated by:
Kristolyn Lloyd
Pre-order Now for £12.99
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Narrated by:
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Kristolyn Lloyd
About this listen
‘Sparkles with drama, scandal and ’90s New York energy’ ESSIE CHAMBERS
‘A sexy, fast-paced ride!’ TIA WILLIAMS
Get ready for a utterly immersive journey through one of the most dynamic eras in pop culture history.
It's 1999, and Nikki Rose is the only Black editor on the staff of a prestigious fashion magazine she once thought would be her ticket to becoming a respected editor-in-chief. But after being told one too many times by her boss that ‘Black girls don’t sell magazines’, she quits to take over Sugar, a struggling hip-hop music and lifestyle magazine with untapped potential.
Thrown into an entirely new world of wealth, decadence and debauchery, Nikki has just six months to save Sugar – and her own dreams. As she pulls all-nighters at the office and parties with New York City’s most influential bad boys, Nikki must prove she has what it takes to lead. But her most dangerous challenge is evading Alonzo Griffin, her married, powerful ex-lover and former boss, who is determined to destroy both her and Sugar.
Along the way, Nikki leans on a circle of loyal friends and navigates unexpected romances that force her to reckon with what – and who – she truly wants.
Written by the ultimate insider, this is a juicy story of ambition, friendship, love and finding your own voice.
Editorial Review
’90s nostalgia with a hip-hop flair
"Black girls don't sell magazines." Fashion editor Nikki Rose has heard it one too many times. So when she's offered the chance to run a struggling hip-hop magazine, she walks away from a prestigious gig to bet on herself—and on the voices the industry refuses to amplify. But nothing in the sleek, sexy, cutthroat world of late-'90s New York comes easy in Amy DuBois Barnett's electrifying debut. The former editor-in-chief of
Ebony,
Honey, and
Teen People infuses Nikki's story with the lived-in authenticity of someone who's been there, survived, and has the scars to prove it. For anyone who's ever had to work twice as hard for half the recognition, this one hits home. —Margaret H., Audible Editor
Critic reviews
'With a keen eye and an accomplished voice, Amy DuBois Barnett takes us on a thrilling ride through the high-stakes world of magazine publishing in 1990s New York. At the intersection of fashion and hip-hop, If I Ruled the World captures the glamour, danger and magic of a defining moment in American culture. An utterly dazzling debut!' Robinne Lee, bestselling author of The Idea of You
'I’m always here for '90s nostalgia, especially of the NYC variety – and Amy DuBois Barnett’s If I Ruled the World scratches the itch. As a major player in the fashion and music scenes of the era, who better than Barnett to weave a world sizzling with such delicious romance, swagger and intrigue? A sexy, fast-paced ride!' Tia Williams, New York Times bestselling author of A Love Song for Ricki Wilde
'Amy DuBois Barnett’s debut sparkles with drama, scandal and ’90s New York energy. She powerfully captures a pressure-cooker moment of transition – the messy work of growing past bad choices, squaring ambition with integrity and holding on to your ride-or-dies. It’s a pitch-perfect depiction of a world I didn’t want to leave' Essie Chambers, national bestselling author of Swift River
'Funny, sexy, witty and full of grit, If I Ruled the World is for anyone who’s spent a lifetime climbing a ladder that keeps adding rungs. This fierce, unputdownable, guilty pleasure of a novel steps back into the uniquely fabulous and ruthless New York hustle at the turn of the century, through the eyes of a real Working Girl ad industry insider, when the biggest players moving the needle of culture were grinding for recognition in a society that would rather look away. An utterly intoxicating debut' Xochitl Gonzalez, New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming
'If I Ruled the World had me hooked from the very first page. This fascinating story from inside magazine publishing – and the music world – really hits all the right notes: it's meaningful, nostalgic, heartfelt and resonant' Kate Fagan, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Three Lives of Cate Kay
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