TEEN: Flawless - Lara Chapman

Release Date: 03/05/11

BOOK BLURB:

Sarah Burke is just about perfect. She's got killer blue eyes, gorgeous blond hair, and impeccable grades. There's just one tiny-all right, enormous-flaw: her nose. But even that's not so bad. Sarah's got the best best friend and big goals for print journalism fame.


On the first day of senior year, Rock Conway walks into her journalism class and, well, rocks her world. Problem is, her best friend, Kristen, falls for him too. And when Rock and Kristen stand together, it's like Barbie and Ken come to life. So when Kristen begs Sarah to help her nab Rock, Sarah does the only thing a best friend can do-she agrees. For someone so smart, what was she thinking?


REVIEW:

To be blunt, I wasn’t looking forward to this title as personally the book jacket didn’t appeal. That said, when at a loose end I will give most things a try so after resisting reading this and feeling pretty board I picked it up to give it a go. What unfurled was a tale that whilst reminiscent of Cyrano De Bergerac with touches of the Steve Martin’s Roxanne was a tale that was not only upbeat but also one that demonstrated that true beauty is of the soul not of the face. Yes many are distracted by a pretty face these days but when you find your soul mate you know.

Personally, whilst I felt that this was an interesting concept to explore for a modern audience I would have been happier had the lead character not so much as had a big nose but been overweight as for me that is the current issue that needs addressing to put positive physical over the modern skinny supermodels that the magazines like to push down the young female readers throat. It’s a negative issue and above all else they’re aiming for a physical attribute that very few will ever manage (likewise I’m fed up with magazines either calling a size 12 “fat” or “curvy.”)

All in the characters were interesting with the lead heroine being quite bubbly and fun to hang around. Add to this a decent supporting cast, a plot that moved at a reasonable pace as well as a good overall arc and the reader really will have a title to enjoy.