Book written by Teri Wilson, published 2018
Charlotte Gorman is completely comfortable with her less than glamorous life as a school librarian, and couldn't be further from her identical twin Ginny's life as an Instagram famous beauty queen. That is, until Ginny suffers an allergic reaction and isn't able to compete, and Charlotte agrees to suddenly take her sister's place in the pageant while she heals. In Miss Congeniality meets The Parent Trap, Charlotte experiences life in the spotlight and finds out what and beauty pageants--ahem, scholarship competitions--are all about.
If you're looking for a totally relaxing, romantic brain candy story, then look no further. The story is predictable but cute and fun nonetheless. Plus, now all I want is a T-shirt that says "Speak Darcy to me". Sometimes I just need a small, fun, and perky book to just lose myself in, and did I ever get lost here! I read the whole book in one day and don't regret a thing. Book lovers will completely relate to Charlotte when she feels whiplash after having to trade her Harry Potter theme park for the glitz and glam of pageants. Beware the swoony love interest, too.
This book is super clean, with minimal (if any) swearing, but does have an instance or two about not eating to keep the ideal body image.
If you haven't walked the runway yet, turn around now, otherwise you might sink
your heels in these spoilers.
I prefer the scent of ink on paper and old library books to perfume. And while I want to see world peace happen, I’m not convinced that a real-life Barbie can hasten it by uttering those words into a microphone.
I totally feel for Charlotte, because it's never fun to feel left behind, especially within your own family. Add to that the one person that should have seen Charlotte above the rest also preferred her sister, and of course she's a little resentful. Which is what made Gray so absolutely dreamy that among all the pageant girls, he liked her in her T-shirts, and even could tell Hermione apart from Ginny. (Ha, Ha, but did anyone else notice that Charlotte's sister literally has the name of an HP character and that it wasn't a topic of jealousy even once?? Just saying.) But they are literally identical twins, so if there's some makeup involved, why can't Charlotte be "the pretty one" too? And anyone who can eat whatever they want and then fit into model-sized bikinis and evening gowns absolutely cannot complain about their genes! Plus, Ginny knew Charlotte was "the smart one" because everyone has their strengths, and that's not a heartbreaking label. I loved the growth that Charlotte experienced, as well as the coming together of distanced sisters.
I adored that Charlotte-pretending-to-be-Ginny won the talent portion of the show by doing something so uniquely her! I liked that this book was very women positive in the fact that it's not woman vs woman and competitive, but rather boosting and cooperative. Of course, I've never been remotely near a pageant so I don't know how they actually are, but as a judge herself, Ms. Wilson was able to show behind the scenes of the work and camaraderie and support that take place. Plus, Charlotte becomes actually interested in continuing the pageant, an example that women can be beautiful and invest in their appearances while also bookish and smart. What do you think? Did you like this story or would you rather stick with Gracie Lou Freebush?
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