ScruplesScruples
Score Classic
What it's about
Billy Ikehorn, a plain, lonely girl from Boston, transforms herself, marries a much older billionaire, and is widowed with a fortune. She opens Scruples, the most luxurious boutique in Beverly Hills, with the help of a gorgeous photographer and a brilliant young designer. As the store succeeds, love, money and Hollywood ambitions collide.
Why it's worth reading
It hit #1 on the New York Times list. It defined the glamorous 'shopping and sex' bestseller of the 1970s and 80s.
You'll love it if you liked
Valley of the Dolls
Zoya
The Thorn BirdsGood to know
It's long and full of designer labels and explicit sex.
By the numbers
- Readers15 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller35 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #528 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #745 of the 762 classics we rank
- #2686 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Moving
If you like this, read next
Rebecca
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My Cousin Rachel
The Woman in White
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The Postman Always Rings TwiceExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →Quick answers
Is Scruples worth reading?
Yes. It hit #1 on the New York Times list. It ranks #2,686 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 55.8 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Scruples about?
Billy Ikehorn, a plain, lonely girl from Boston, transforms herself, marries a much older billionaire, and is widowed with a fortune. She opens Scruples, the most luxurious boutique in Beverly Hills, with the help of a gorgeous photographer and a brilliant young designer. As the store succeeds, love, money and Hollywood ambitions collide.
How long does it take to read Scruples?
About 14 hours (574 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Scruples?
If you liked it, try Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann, Zoya by Danielle Steel or The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough.





















