Review: Definitely a must-read.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 19, 2014
We live in a society where much of our value is determined by our looks. Places like Hollywood and Beverly Hills epitomize this. People just aren’t happy with the body they were born with and will go to great lengths to fit in and become what they believe to be the ideal person. It’s not just men or women, it’s both.This is the heartbreaking story of a self-defined “Ugly duckling”. As a result of a miserable childhood, and being raised by a narcissistic and bi-polar mother, Mercedes is severely lacking in self-esteem. Every time she looks in the mirror, all she can see is her flaws. She has an amazing personality and is a very successful businesswoman but she can’t see past her imperfections and realize what a truly beautiful person she is. It doesn’t help that her friends have all succumbed to the desire to alter and fit in. This book has me holding my breath many times and pleading with Mercedes “Don’t do it, please don’t do it. Don’t give in!!”Without giving away too much, I will just say that a huge turn of events at the end will have you letting out a huge sigh of relief! This book is very well written and had me hooked from the beginning. There are so many important and eye-opening messages wrapped up in this truly heartbreaking story.  The characters are all so real and it’s a story that everyone can relate to. The peer pressure, the struggle to fit in, is something that everyone has either experienced or witnessed at some point in their life. I loved this story and look forward to reading more from this author!