[Review: Model Misfit by Holly Smale]

"Model Misfit"
Author: Holly Smale
Series: Geek Girl #2
Pages: 400
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: July 21st, 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by pubisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Harriet knows that modelling won’t transform you. She knows that being as uniquely odd as a polar bear isn’t necessarily a bad thing (even in a rainforest). And that the average person eats a ton of food a year, though her pregnant stepmother is doing her best to beat this.

What Harriet doesn’t know is where she’s going to fit in once the new baby arrives.

With summer plans ruined, modelling in Japan seems the perfect chance to get as far away from home as possible. But nothing can prepare Harriet for the craziness of Tokyo, her competitive model flatmates and her errant grandmother’s ‘chaperoning’. Or seeing gorgeous Nick everywhere she goes.

Because, this time, Harriet knows what a broken heart feels like.

Can geek girl find her place on the other side of the world or is Harriet lost for good?

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Model Misfit,

I love a funny, fluffy, book to cleanse my pallet every once in awhile. You book, were just what the doctor ordered. You had me doubled over in laughter. Again and again. You're just super cute, and I like your characters, a lot. I thought that you were really similar to the first book in your series, which is why I couldn't give you a higher rating, but that doesn't mean that I didn't like you. We're still friends. Promise.

-The White Unicorn 

Just like Geek Girl this book had me doubling over in laughter. Smale sure knows how to write some geniusly awkward characters, and it shines, once again, in Model Misfit. Harriet is back to her old tricks, only this time she's already a model. Or at least she's still trying to be one. I love that even though this book is 6 months in the future from the last pages of Geek Girl, Harriet still hasn't mastered much of anything. She's just the same girl that we all got to meet in book one. It's refreshing, and hilarious.

Though I loved the fact that not much has changed for Harriet, it was also something that made me feel a bit like I was reading the first book all over again. Sure, the adventures were different, and Smale added a few new characters into the mix, but I felt like it was a bit of a repeat action. I just wish that Harriet would have grown a tad from book one to book two.

The plot was cute, and I was glad that we ended up in such a different location. Japan seems like an interesting place, even though I have no inclination to want to go there myself. It was cool to read about all the photo shoots that Harriet ended up doing, and live through her for a minute.

I have to admit that I adored Rin. She was a great addition to Harriet's model world. Plus, it was nice to see Harriet meeting a few girls other than her BFF. 

The romance was also kind of a repeat of book one. Though Harriet and Nick had a few more issues to hash out this time around. Like a breakup and a makeup and a lot of needless confusion along the way. 

I know that it might seem like I didn't like this book all that much, but in all actuality, I did. I just wish that there would have been a bit more character development in the 6 months that we didn't see the characters. That being said it was still a nice break from all the other kinds of books that I've been reading, and I can't dislike a book that makes me smile.

Rating:

3 Unicorns = I liked it a lot, but it had it's issues!     

[Review: Geek Girl by Holly Smale]

"Geek Girl"
Author: Holly Smale
Series: Geek Girl #1
Pages: 384
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: January 27th, 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via Edelweiss) for honest review

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Summary:

Geek + runway = a hilarious runaway hit! This bestselling UK debut is full of humor and high-fashion hijinks—and now it’s coming to America.

Harriet Manners is tired of being labeled a geek. So when she’s discovered by a modeling agent, she seizes the chance to reinvent herself. There’s only one problem: Harriet is the definition of awkward. Does she have what it takes to transform from geek to chic?

Geek Girl is the first book in a hilarious new trilogy. It was also the #1 bestselling YA debut of 2013 in the UK, where it was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for Best Book for Teens. With all the humor and fabulous shenanigans of Louise Rennison’s Confessions of Georgia Nicolson and Meg Cabot’s The Princess Diaries, Geek Girl is about to become an international superstar.

-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:

An Open Letter To Geek Girl,

You made me laugh. Roll on the floor, wipe tears from my eyes laughter. I haven't read a book as sweet and funny and snarky as you in ages and I am happy that I've found you. There is nothing better than your average girl being thrust into something she doesn't understand and you delivered so well on that front! Thanks for all the laughs.

-The White Unicorn

I for one am so glad that this UK book finally got published in the US! I'm also really glad that it's part of a trilogy and I almost never say that about contemporary novels. Smale has delivered a debut that will make you laugh your face off. 

The plot is pretty simple. Geeky girl accidentally gets scouted at a fashion field trip for school and becomes an overnight success as a model. Thing is, she never wanted it. In fact it's her best friend who loves fashion. It's quite enjoyable to watch Harriet as she navigates the world of fashion. She's out of her depth and it's so much fun to watch her try to make sense of her life as it's changes right in front of her. She goes from a gangly red-head to a trending model and it's a grand adventure. Harriet's quirks make her character for me and I'm so glad that Smale has given her almost too much character. Sometimes that's not a bad thing and Harriet proves that. 

On top of this being a novel about Harriet coming into her own, it really focuses on family and friendships. Harriet's family is an interesting mess, but they all love each other and it was nice to see that they were featured so prominently in a novel where they could have just been in the background.

It also looks at friendships when you're a bit of an outcast. I love books that have protagonists like this and Harriet really does her thing, as do all of her friends. I must mention that there is also a bit of budding romance that I just adored. Lion Boy is darling and I can't wait to see what happens between them in the next installment. Add in the fact that the fashion industry that Smale gives us is full of satire and you really can't go wrong.

If you're looking for the perfect fun read, I suggest Geek Girl on so many levels!

Rating:

5 Unicorns = Get your hands on this NOW!