Model Misfit by Holly Smale Series: Geek Girl, #2
Publisher: HarperCollins Australia
Release Date: September 26, 2013
Genres: Contemporary, Drama, MG
Pages: 356
Source: Received in exchange for review
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“My name is Harriet Manners, and I am still a geek.”
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?
The Geek Girl series has always been those books that I turn to when I’m feeling down or just lazy in general to work my brain with dark conspiracies and run down worlds. Model Misfit was exactly what I needed–typically fun and drama-filled.
What I love about Holly Smale’s debut series is how she always starts her books with something shocking and not really in Harriet’s character. It really helps draw readers into the novel. In Geek Girl, Harriet’s story begins with her faking an abnormal sickness with red spots all over her body but soon turns out she was just faking ill. In Model Misfit, Harriet seems completely under control with her new modelling job, a true top model; but a chapter later we find out Harriet was just fooling with us. Moving on, in Holly Smale’s latest novel, Harriet soon finds herself in Tokyo, Japan modelling once again. Only a day before she was sad as her summer holiday plans were all ruined when her best friend Nat was forced to go to France, leaving Harriet all alone.
Model Misfit is very much a character and drama orientated read. We are once again reunited with Harriet’s narration, fun facts and excitable but awkward charisma that I ended up to enjoy in Geek Girl. I love how Harriet is talking to us readers, like we are sitting next to her and she’s telling us her life story. It contains certain perks such as her inner dialogue which I appreciate dearly. Harriet can always get some laughs out of me. Nat does not hold a great role in this instalment, but her relationship with Harriet is fantastic. There are distinct flaws in this friendship however that makes it feel more genuine–though I must admit some dramas get way too unrealistic and unbelievable.
My main dilemma was how most complications that Harriet came across were just misunderstandings. Sure, a few are okay but Model Misfit was packed with them and it began to irritate me to no end.
Other than that, Model Misfit was just as good as Geek Girl and I look forward to see how things continue in Picture Perfect. I recommend this to young teens/middle grade readers.
~Thank you HarperCollins Australia for sending me this copy!~
Melanie
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it sounds like a fun book when you want something light. And this cover is so funny! I confess I didn’t know this one.
Melliane recently posted…Cursed by Destiny by Cecy Robson + Giveaway
Ooh you ought to keep it in mind, Melliane! Ever since my sister saw this cover, she keeps on poking her toungue at me. That naughty little thing 😛
This one sounds really good! I am on that faze where I just want to kick back and relax with a book and this series seems like a good one to try. Going to reserve it at my library right now! Great review Melanie.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Okay now this looks like the mindless chick flick I’ll be needing to get my brain settled into xD It looks super fun, and funny! But if there’s a point where it gets a tad annoying… well who cares?! I need something brainless to take over my brain!! HEEHEE.
Fantastic review Mel! <33 And I'm glad you enjoyed yourself reading this one 😀
Emily recently posted…Avalon by Mindee Arnett
A no brainer read is sometimes the best! 🙂
I think I enjoyed this one more than Geek Girl and it certainly did help that I met Holly when I was in the middle of it. She’s such a lovely person!
I can’t wait to read Picture Perfect – I’m a big fan of these books and like them more because they’re not perfect and do have a few issues. I think that’s what makes them so likeable because Harriet is very much like myself.
Great review, Melanie!
Lucy @ Queen of Contemporary recently posted…Letterbox Love (23)
I can’t wait for Picture Perfect either! The cover looks epic
The cover just makes me smile, and this sounds like a light fun read. Girl drama..LOL my youngest likes books like this, they make her laugh aloud.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Sunday Post #85 -sharing blog news and book haul
Girl drama isn’t my fav, but I don’t mind it. It’s just when it becomes excessive, i just don’t buy it 😐
This sounds very cute – sort of a teen-age “Sex in the City” with quirky narration and angsty drama. I enjoyed reading the review. Thanks Mel! 🙂
Lexa Cain recently posted…Dream Destination Blog-Hop
Aw thanks Lexa! <33
I really liked Geek Girl too, and you are completely right in saying these are fun, light books that I like to turn to when it gets too heavy in YA. Sounds like it had some unnecessary drama, though.
Alise recently posted…ARC Review: Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes
I think Model Misfit was a tad better than GG, but the romanctic angle here wasn’t the best
Geek Girl was a really fun, fluffy and witty book, so I’m probably gonna read this one as well. Both books are for me escapism from all the heavy books I’ve read recently. Great review!
Thanks Sandra!
This series looks so cute! It looks like something that I’d really like to read. I love books set in somewhere out of North America!
LOVELY REVIEW, MEL!
– Nova
Nova Lee @ Musings of a Blogder recently posted…Promo Post: Stir Me Up – Sabrina Elkins
The setting here was pretty awesome! Thanks Nova <3
Okay, i didn’t know Geek Girl has a second book until now. I would love to read this one too, curious about what would happen to Harriet this time. Thank you for sharing! ^_^
I’m glad I put your attention to it!
Did you like this one better than the first one? As a teen I remember everything being overly dramatic; my emotions, my actions, etc., so it’d make sense a confused and unhappy teen model would make misunderstandings huge complications. It’s part of their job being a teenager. 🙂
I’ve always heard things about this series and how it’s delightfully light and hilarious. I really want to read it for myself now just to see the kind of adventures and characterization Harriet goes through. Her inner dialogue really speaks to me lol.
Fantastic review, Melanie! <33
Eileen @ Singing and Reading in the Rain recently posted…Crash Into You by Katie McGarry Tour Stop
I guess, given that you recommend this to middle graders, I won’t be picking up this series any time soon. I would probably find Harriet’s issues to be non-issues! Thanks for the honest review, per usual 😀
Dre @ Sporadic Reads recently posted…My Birthday Giveaway : Win Any Book From TBD!
This is the kind of book I like to turn to when I just want something.. fun. Something that often gets me out of reading funks, too! Even if I don’t LOVE the book it’s just such an entertaining and light hearted read it gets me in a good mood. Great review, love!
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