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hollidayreadswithme's review
4.0
For more of my reviews, check out my book blog at www.readingreckless.wordpress.com.
The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson is about twins who couldn’t be more different. One Twin is obsessed with her appearance and wants to compete in a beauty pageant. The other is a bookworm (I have a love-hate relationship with this trope) who only accompanying her sister because the pageant is in Orlando and you know what else is in Orlando, The wizarding world of Harry Potter.
The central conflict revolves about a guy but I love the twin dynamic. Their differences and their perspectives of each other make for a lot of fun. What cinched it for me was the conflict between the sisters that one sister didn’t even know what there. It was a great lesson in communication and forgiveness and how resentment can corrode a relationship.
One of the things that I didn’t like was the number of pop culture references that will date the novel for future reading. Charlotte talks about Ms. Congenialty, Harry Potter, etc. Ms. Congeniality came out 19 years ago. So most of the younger audience for this book won’t know what Wilson is talking about.
Overall the book had some heartwarming moments and was a tad cliche but that’s to be expected in some of this kind of romance novel. I would say that it’s a great read for the airport or a layover situation because it is well written, easy to read and has some complex family dynamic issues that, when resolved, will warm your heart.
kaela35's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Super cute - a lighthearted and fun read. Not a lot of depth to it, but fun.
appaloosa05's review
2.0
I'm not much of a romance reader but the premise intrigued me. A fun read, I felt like it dragged a bit towards the end. 2.5 stars.
eggjen's review
4.0
This was like Miss Congeniality for bookworms. I stayed up way too late to finish it.
katykelly's review
5.0
A book-lover's Miss Congeniality. With added Darcy.
5 stars for the fluffy enjoyment of a romantic fantasy, this is not serious literature and is self-referential and ironic, but manages to hold onto a strong and centred lead, with some moments of female bonding and collaboration.
A woman after my own heart, a fellow school librarian, Charlotte takes up her sister's offer of a hotel room and holiday, enjoying the chance to 'nerd-out' at Harry Potter World. But her sister Ginny is wanting her sister to cheer her on as she competes in the Miss American Treasure competition, and later, as she suffers the ill-effects of an allergic reaction, needs Charlotte to use her unique talent as her identical twin to help her stay in the pageant she cares so much about...
Miss Congeniality is heavily referenced, the world of the pageant mocked but also elements of it (the camaraderie between contestants and stereotype-busting skills and abilities of the women: "accomplished, inspiring women") paid homage to. Alongside this, book lovers will enjoy the many references to Harry Potter and works of literature as our librarian/pageant contestant gives her own idiosyncratic insight into the world of the beauty queen.
Charlotte, I instantly connected with (we have similar book taste, as well as occupation!), and liked her quick wit, her references, her love for the sister she can't fathom and desperately tries not to feel jealous of:
"My sister has always been the pretty one. The Jane Bennet to my Elizabeth, the Meg March to my Jo."
The story progresses as you might expect, with the makeover, the tripping over heels and minor mishaps and triumphs in the pageant, and yes, even a romantic situation developing with a rather lovely Darcy-a-like.
I really connected with Charlotte's love interest, it felt like he cropped up fairly regularly and remained somewhat enigmatic for half the story, then getting a little more to say for himself, he wasn't completely one-dimensional and had some backstory. Refreshing change. And a dual computer and English degree?! Dream man!
Ginny gets to show her own core too, not just a pretty face, but a motivated and smart one in her way, and again, shows there's reasons for what she does with her life. And she and Charlotte get to show how important sisters can be.
The pageant scenes are very entertaining, the romantic story quite lovely (and a little steamy!) actually, and Charlotte's development an irresistible arc with the intrigue, secrets, fumbling and soul-searching. As well as book references.
As I said at the start, you know you are getting something potentially 'fluffy', but the book is more than that, there's a lot of heart, family issues, feminist questions and humour here that takes it over and above many similar sounding titles.
I loved the similarity to the Sandra Bullock film, and the identical-twin (such a staple of many eighties soap operas!) plot device. Well thought-through, and a wonderfully enjoyable read.
With thanks to Netgalley for the sample reading copy.
5 stars for the fluffy enjoyment of a romantic fantasy, this is not serious literature and is self-referential and ironic, but manages to hold onto a strong and centred lead, with some moments of female bonding and collaboration.
A woman after my own heart, a fellow school librarian, Charlotte takes up her sister's offer of a hotel room and holiday, enjoying the chance to 'nerd-out' at Harry Potter World. But her sister Ginny is wanting her sister to cheer her on as she competes in the Miss American Treasure competition, and later, as she suffers the ill-effects of an allergic reaction, needs Charlotte to use her unique talent as her identical twin to help her stay in the pageant she cares so much about...
Miss Congeniality is heavily referenced, the world of the pageant mocked but also elements of it (the camaraderie between contestants and stereotype-busting skills and abilities of the women: "accomplished, inspiring women") paid homage to. Alongside this, book lovers will enjoy the many references to Harry Potter and works of literature as our librarian/pageant contestant gives her own idiosyncratic insight into the world of the beauty queen.
Charlotte, I instantly connected with (we have similar book taste, as well as occupation!), and liked her quick wit, her references, her love for the sister she can't fathom and desperately tries not to feel jealous of:
"My sister has always been the pretty one. The Jane Bennet to my Elizabeth, the Meg March to my Jo."
The story progresses as you might expect, with the makeover, the tripping over heels and minor mishaps and triumphs in the pageant, and yes, even a romantic situation developing with a rather lovely Darcy-a-like.
I really connected with Charlotte's love interest, it felt like he cropped up fairly regularly and remained somewhat enigmatic for half the story, then getting a little more to say for himself, he wasn't completely one-dimensional and had some backstory. Refreshing change. And a dual computer and English degree?! Dream man!
Ginny gets to show her own core too, not just a pretty face, but a motivated and smart one in her way, and again, shows there's reasons for what she does with her life. And she and Charlotte get to show how important sisters can be.
The pageant scenes are very entertaining, the romantic story quite lovely (and a little steamy!) actually, and Charlotte's development an irresistible arc with the intrigue, secrets, fumbling and soul-searching. As well as book references.
As I said at the start, you know you are getting something potentially 'fluffy', but the book is more than that, there's a lot of heart, family issues, feminist questions and humour here that takes it over and above many similar sounding titles.
I loved the similarity to the Sandra Bullock film, and the identical-twin (such a staple of many eighties soap operas!) plot device. Well thought-through, and a wonderfully enjoyable read.
With thanks to Netgalley for the sample reading copy.
shareen17's review
3.0
A light, quick summer read. When her twin sister comes down with a rash, Charlotte steps in to keep her in the running for a beauty competition even though it is way out of her comfort zone.