Not-Quite-Supermodel by Kathy Tong

Whilst there is a lot to love about this book there is also a lot to, if not actively hate then certainly to, dislike intensely. 

Firstly there is the severe lack of proofreading; there are double words, words missed out entirely and some very peculiar sentence constructions.  This does become an issue as they are peppered liberally throughout the novel and start to take on a life of their own and therefore overpower the story. 

Then you have the storyline repetitions to hammer a point home.  I can just about cope with the constant references to wanting to eat Oreos or wanting to stop smoking - after all if you are on a constant diet of low calorie ready meals you are going to want your favourite high fat, high calorie snack and if you are a smoker the "I should give up" thought crosses your mind several times in a 24 hour period.  What did start to irritate were the constant references to her issues surrounding bathrooms, at times it felt like this was a good 75% of Alex's character.  I'm also not convinced that her showering solution would actually work - have you ever got cling film wet?, it isn't pretty.

Fortunately the good stuff manages to overpower the bad and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent buried in my eReader.  Alex is actually fairly normal, sure she has her quirks but don't we all, when she gets the chance to try a different life she screws her courage in both hands and gives it a go.  It doesn't exactly run smoothly for her but in a way that feels completely logical and grounded in normality.  From a poisonous booker at her agency to a complete inability to pose she certainly has her work cut out getting booked.

Throw in a cast of peculiar support characters and there is definitely scope for humour.  Fortunately, we do get plenty of fun moments, not laugh out loud funny but certainly smirk worthy.  From Keisha on the check out at the local store with her full on abrasive New York attitude through to the wannabes populating the staff at "the" bar/restaurant to be seen in.  The only thing that felt forced was how easily Alex slips in to friendship groups, the older you get the harder it is and the character doesn't come across as the type who would easily make close friendships as they involve revealing parts of yourself you don't like.  However, make friends she does and quite a lot of them, strangely she only has one friend she is in touch with from back home throughout the entire book.

The story was fun and vibrant and is a glorious romp.  If you want to just be entertained then this one does that in spades.

THIS IS AN HONEST REVIEW OF A FREE COPY OF THE BOOK RECEIVED VIA BOOK SIRENS.