Chicklish: REVIEW: The Look by Sophia Bennett

Review by Beverley of A Reading Daydreamer.

Ted is tall. Freaky. When she’s spotted by a model agency, she can’t believe it. At the same time, her gorgeous sister falls seriously ill. With her world turned upside down, Ted must choose between fame and family. Can she be a supermodel and a super sister? All in five-inch heels?

Ted Trout cannot believe it when someone from a model agency sees her on the streets and tells her she has potential to become a model. What is so special abut her? It certainly can’t be her frizzy, ‘bird’s nest hair’. And what about the beautiful sister standing next to her? Confused, she forgets about it until the family discover something shocking: her sister Ava has lymphoma. Through Ava’s encouragement, Tec agrees to try modelling out. The Look goes on to follow Ted’s new, glamorous career and how a family copes with heartbreak. Will Ted remain faithful to her family or will she choose fame and riches?

I jumped at the chance to read this before its release date and I was so EXCITED to have one in my hands! After the success of the Threads trilogy, I knew that The Look wouldn’t disappoint and I really hoped that it would live up to my expectations. But WOW, it goes beyond my expectations. Sophia Bennett is back and better than ever; this has to be her BEST book yet!

The characters are so believable and I instantly warmed to Ted and Ava. Ted is just like any other fifteen-year-old: stumbling through adolescence and life in general. By the end of the book, I have so much admiration for her because she is strong and brave and doesn’t allow people to force her into doing things she doesn’t want to do. Modelling seems to change Ted as a person, it boosts her confidence and shapes her as a unique individual. Her maturity grows throughout the novel and she becomes like the older sister to Ava, supporting her through everything and caring for her after her cancer treatment. Ava is also a very likeable character: she fights against a deadly illness while trying to keep everyone happy. Despite her bubbly attitude, it was still possible to feel the fragility in the family and the fear that they could lose her to cancer.

The storyline is fabulous, told through Ted’s witty narration which makes the book much more interesting, I laughed out loud in several parts. The novel is quite surreal in some cases because I couldn’t possibly imagine being a model but Sophia describes everything so perfectly that you can certainly imagine it all. There aren’t any particular twists or turns in the plot because most of the turning points come from the actions of the characters but that doesn’t make it less enjoyable.

I LOVED The Look and I would encourage all teenage girls to get it when it comes out. I think it is perfect for Sophia’s older teenage fans (like me!) and is a wonderful step-up from the Threads books. Sophia Bennett has once again conjured up a beautifully glamorous masterpiece, full of dreams, hopes and heartbreak. And yes, it does live up to the bright pink page edges!

Reviewed for Chicklish by Beverley of A Reading Daydreamer.