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Hattie Moore #1

OMG! Is This Actually My Life?

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Fourteen-year-old Hattie Moore doesn't actually know who her father is - but that's the least of her problems. How can she become a TOTAL HOTNESS GODDESS when Miss Gorgeous Knickers at school hates her and no one fancies her because she has no breast? And her family are an actual nightmare. Her unbelievably annoying brother is EVIL and on top of that, her gran is a TOTAL mental who may be texting rude jokes to just about EVERYONE in the world. Including her dentist.

Hattie's diary of this tumultuous year is an absolutely hilarious account of the ups and downs of teenage life including a dating bogey phobia, near death from biscotti and a home-made breast-growing machine.

336 pages, Paperback

First published February 7, 2013

20 people are currently reading
575 people want to read

About the author

Rae Earl

16 books246 followers
I come from Stamford in Lincolnshire. It’s where a lot of TV and films are shot because it hasn’t changed much in 500 years. My childhood was like most people’s – a mixture of lovely and very odd. Lovely because I spent a lot of time with good friends, music and tadpoles. Odd because I spent a lot of time worrying about everything – like war, murderers and poisonous mushrooms (don’t ask). I was a bit weird. Like we all are.

After school I went to Hull University to study English Literature – which I LOVED. At that point the government actually still gave you money to study – so I GOT PAID to READ BOOKS for 3 years. I then worked in radio for 15 years. Firstly as the person who makes the adverts (all those annoying jingles that stay in your head for DAYS – that’s me!) Secondly as a breakfast presenter. I got to interview lots of famous boy bands and once nearly broke Cheryl Cole’s chair on stage. We don’t talk about that. I got in trouble. I’ve always written things but most of them were actually slightly rubbish. Or they were about people and I never wanted them to see it. I don’t think I was any good at writing till I was 35 and that was after a lot of practice.
I have a shed in my back garden I go to. It’s full of brilliant things – like a mini stable and horses, loads of stationery and a giant old railway station clock (slight ‘Dr.Who’ vibe). My first book ‘My Mad, Fat Diary’ was published a few years ago. Hattie is my third. My second is potentially the best book ever written since Shakespeare – but I can’t make it work so at the moment it’s just a bit rubbish. I haven’t given up hope though.

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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Maja (The Nocturnal Library).
1,017 reviews1,958 followers
February 22, 2013
Middle Grade books seem to be falling straight into my lap lately, but I’m not complaining, not yet. OMG! Is This Actually My Life? caught me completely off guard. I can’t remember the last time I laughed myself into stitches.

Fourteen-year-old Hattie Moore is just like every other fourteen-year-old girl on the planet. She worries about boys, school and friends, obsesses about the changes on her body, worries about her braces and her “jaws of death”, hates her older sibling and despises the most popular girl in school. But on top of all that, Hattie doesn’t know her real father, she doesn’t even know his name, and she dreams he’ll show up one day to solve all her problems. Like every other girl in the history of girls, Hattie pines for a boy she barely even knows and fails to see what’s right in front of her. She is an extremely relatable character.

"Just done my weekly tit test in front of the mirror. When I jump up and down they STILL don't move. Goodnight, breasts. Please grow a bit overnight so I can bounce to school."*

OMG! is a diary novel that reminded me, in some ways, of Adrian Mole (whom I adored while growing up) and Bridget Jones (whom I never particularly liked). It wasn’t just the format that made me think of Adrian and Bridget, it was the combination of that, the fabulous British humor and some character traits Hattie shared with one or the other. Although OMG! was an endless source of hilarity, I really liked that Earl found a way to push some seriousness between the lines, mostly through Hattie’s non-existent relationship with her father, and her tense and resentful relationship with her mother. Those things were, of course, wrapped up in her great sense of humor, but they were there to give the readers something to think about.

OMG! has an array of colorful characters. Hattie’s two best friends, Weirdo Jen and Dimple, are both very supportive, each in her own way. Her grandmother insists on texting dirty jokes to everyone, including her dentist, and asks for a ‘Britain’s Hottest Firemen’ calendar each Christmas. Her archenemy is the prettiest and meanest girl in school, Ruby aka Miss Gorgeous Knickers. There is, of course, McFittie, a server in Bertie’s, whom Hattie never really spoke to (other than him offering her a biscotti), but whom she’s desperately in love with nevertheless. And last, but not least, there’s Goose, Hattie’s first neighbor, her oldest and most supportive male friend and an all around awesome guy who spends time with her stepfather and cheers her up when things go terribly wrong.

Dimple is UBER gorgeous. In fact, I’m a bit annoyed her parents aren’t arranging her marriage because it means she’s shopping in the snog supermarket at the same time as me. ”Love IS a battlefield” – so one of my mum’s CDs says.*

What stopped me from fully enjoying Hattie’s diary was her (Earl’s) excessive use of caps. They served a purpose, of course, they reflected Hattie’s flair for the dramatic, but the overall effect was a bit jarring. I’m not sure younger readers would feel the same, though, so please don’t take my word for it. I really think this book is an excellent choice for younger teens and more patient adults.

*Quotes taken from an uncorrected proof.


Profile Image for Renu (The Page Turner).
138 reviews115 followers
December 22, 2015
A fun and frothy read littered with British humour!

When I received this for review my first thought was 'Oh, what a cute cover!' and then I read the blurb and thought "hmm, sounds a bit young for me" but despite this I decided to give it a go. Sometimes I need a book that can just make me laugh, and OMG! Is This Actually My Life? is exactly that book. Written in diary format it follows the ups and down of 14 year old Hattie's life as she goes on a journey of self discovery.

Hattie has two brilliant best friends Dimple and Jen. Dimple is a smart and beautiful Indian girl who is obsessed with chocolate, and Jen is an emo who loves Vampires and being Spiritual. It's hilarious the amount of crazy antics these three get up to. The scene I found most amusing is when Hattie has a crush on this guy she nicknames "McFittie". After much conferring with the girls as to how to attract him she decides to go with Jen's idea of "eating sexily" in front of him, but the Biscotti she's eating goes down the wrong way and she ends up chocking and spitting it out all over the place! *giggles*

OMG! Is This Actually My Life? features a wonderful set of quirky characters. There's Hattie's totally 'mental' nan, her 'evil' brother, and of course her mum and her dad, but the one I think deserves a special mention is Goose "the guy next door". He has a crush on Hattie, but she's completely oblivious to the the way he feels. He was so cute, I just wanted to hug him!

I love how Earl incorporates popular culture and British culture/slang into the book. There are references to Primark, Jeremy Kyle, Harry Potter, Eastenders and phrases like 'you doughnut', 'is a total mental', and 'chav' are thrown in too. It just made Hattie all the more relatable when she mentioned things like Facebook, x-factor, and Zumba.

OMG! Is This Actually My Life? works great as a stand-alone, but from the way things ended there is plenty of room for a sequel. If there is I'll be over the moon, but if not I'll still be happy as this is a book I know I'll be re-reading!

Earl is also the author of 'My Mad Fat Diary' a book (based on her life) that has been turned into a TV show and is currently airing on E4.

This review also appears on my blog, The Page Turner.
Profile Image for Alysha.
32 reviews6 followers
November 24, 2017
wasnt bad. i think this is aimed at someone who enjoys reading diary style but i prefer diary and story passages so yeah :) really cool idea, just not for me.
Profile Image for Vic Page.
840 reviews16 followers
Read
May 25, 2020
Georgia Nicholson style british novels: a host unto themselves, and entirely an underrated genre. loved this.
Profile Image for Deya Kaur.
11 reviews2 followers
January 3, 2023
Classic literature. Deserves a place in the canon it makes me laff everytime!!
48 reviews
March 26, 2018
Entertaining and enjoyable; a relaxing, easy read.
Profile Image for Beth Kemp.
Author 27 books23 followers
February 24, 2013
Hilarious diary novel perfect for tweens and younger teens

Boys, friendships, family stuff - all the drama of the early teen years is here in Hattie's diary. I enjoyed this and found myself snorting and laughing out loud more than once (much to the surprise of some nice bus passengers...). It's worth noting that the author is also the writer of TV's 'My Mad Fat Diary', but this is pitched much younger than the series.

Hattie is a typical 14 year old with normal 14 year old worries. She's trying to figure out who she is and where she fits in and for Hattie, this poses a particular difficulty. She's never known her father and sets out to do some detective work and figure out what's in her genes. That is, if she can fit it in around trying to date and generally navigate the social minefield that is being 14.

This diary-style novel tracks a whole year of Hattie's life and I greatly enjoyed getting to know her, her friends and her family. Her writing style is hyperbolic, full of capitals and dramatic statements but she is over-the-top in an endearing and naive way. I grew quite fond of her, and I defy anyone to read this and not be charmed by her.

Characterisation is definitely a strength here, which is no mean feat considering it's entirely presented as a diary so it's heavily filtered through the lens of Hattie's point of view. It takes real skill to present a whole novel this way and to maintain interest, and Rae Earl makes it look easy. I loved Hattie's Gran in particular - she was definitely responsible for some of my embarrassing public laughter.

The plot, with its various strands of family detection, romantic endeavours, social hierarchies and getting through school, is bright and breezy and zips along nicely. Hattie does deal with real-world problems but it's all very light and frothy and non-threatening, with a hearty dose of humour.

Overall, I enjoyed this and would definitely recommend it for its target 11+ audience. My 14 yr old was certainly drawn to it.
Profile Image for Jenni.
403 reviews
July 17, 2013
When I received this book for review I read the blurb and thought it was the sort of book I probably wouldn’t have automatically picked up to read but it sounded like it could be really funny. I therefore didn’t start reading the book with many expectations at all.

To begin with I wasn’t sure whether I was going to get on with the book. It’s written in a diary format which is something I really enjoy, but I was switching rapidly back and forward between finding Hattie entertaining and infuriating. Once I got to grips with her I realised there was no way I was going to stop reading the book, I did care about what happened and I wanted to find out how Hattie’s year went.

The real grit of the book is Hattie’s quest to discover who her biological father is. She has the difficult situation of not knowing who he is yet having a stepfather who has been in her life for almost all of it and who she loves dearly. She has a real sense of conflict because as wonderful as her stepfather is she can’t help wondering about her biological father – the fact her mother is so reluctant to tell her about him only adds to the intrigue and wonder.

Hattie is a lively character, throughout the book I found at times I laughed with her, at times I wanted to give her a hug and at times I wanted to shake her! She’s a 14 year old girl (for most of the book) and I think she’s a pretty accurate representation of this – she’s suitably inward looking and self-invested! Her two friends, Weird Jen and Dimple are highly entertaining, the three of them together make for a great trio.

The real strength of the book for me was in some of the supporting characters. I loved Goose, the boy next door, and Hattie’s grandmother in particular. I felt at times that Hattie’s mother got a bit of a raw deal but this was probably very realistic in the circumstances.

By the end of it I enjoyed this book and was satisfied by the ending. There were a few surprises scattered throughout the book which were pleasing to discover. I think this book will be really popular with its intended audience.
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,254 reviews186 followers
February 22, 2013
Original review can be found at Much Loved Books

When I opened OMG! Is This Actually My Life what caught my attention immediately was the way it has been written. I knew going into it that this book was diary entries I just didn't know what to expect. The entries follow each other, with no chapter breaks, and each entry is defined either by the date or the time of the entry. All entries are written by Hattie about everything that can run through a teenagers mind, not knowing who her father is, the HOT server in Berties, how small her boobs are, the list is endless.

Admittedly this book is aimed at younger readers, a lot younger than myself, and while I wouldn't have picked this up from a shop for myself to read, I did find that it was perfect for a quick read and is a refreshing change to books I have been reading lately.

I managed to get through OMG! Is This Actually My Life quickly. Hattie is an hilarious protagonist that won't fail to make you laugh, I even found myself laughing at her entries a lot through the pages. She goes through real life issues that I am sure we all went though at some point during our younger years and if I was younger I would easily be able to relate to what she writes.

OMG! Is This Actually My Life would be a good addition to any teenagers bookshelf.
Profile Image for Michelle Moloney.
Author 29 books7 followers
February 24, 2013
Review first shared on http://teachermoloneyking.com


Rae Earl has managed to create a world where Harry Potter, best friends, lost dads and boys named Goose prevail. This is a funny, warm book and it even made me LOL, I'm sure the main character would be pound of me, considering all the times she LOL's.

The book is in diary format yet we still get deep and fleshed out supporting characters. Weirdo Jen is a EMO Buddhist and one of Hattie Moore's best friends. She offers counsel and wise support to Hattie. Yes, Hattie does have to google most of the advice, but still, she has a BFF. Dimples is her other BFF, she is Indian and gorgeous. And Hattie isn't that upset about her friends beauty, really, she's not.

It's just a shame that her life has the drama and unwanted attention from the most popular girl in school. We get to know her as MGK and she is a royal pain.

The main conflict in this book is Hattie's search for her real dad. Her gran and Goose and her BFFare there to have fun and offer advice on her search. Despite this being a serious topic we always stay on the fun side.

I loved the ending, it was set up perfectly for the next book, which I cannot wait to read.
Profile Image for Helen Salmon.
3 reviews2 followers
May 8, 2013
Really funny book! It is your typical modern teenage diary full of your typical teenage drama. Hattie and her 2 friends, Dimple and Weirdo Jen form the "Not Fair" group. (Hang on, I'm sure I was a member of that group when I was younger!)
This story is great from start to finish and there is a big twist at the end!

I would recommend anyone read this. Hopefully there will be a sequel coming soon too!
Profile Image for Hannah.
16 reviews5 followers
May 14, 2013
This book is a fun, easy read- especially good for when you're feeling down and need a boost. As you enter the diary of fourteen year old Hattie Moore, you help her uncover her mysterious past, struggle through her difficult present, and watch as her decisions mold her future! Definitely a good read!
Profile Image for tye.
2 reviews
June 26, 2016
I enjoyed this book about following this character ,hottie Moore through her year in this diary she keeps,as readers we get to see her friends,family relationships she has, I really enjoyed reading this book as you will find your self laughing out loud with some of the characters,especially the (gran)
Profile Image for Pinkink.
6 reviews
February 4, 2016
Oh this book was super funny and hilarious! Hattie is one amazing person! Her story is fun, humorous and sometimes tragic. But In the end, all her thoughts get written down in her diary for us to read. The characters are very well grounded, each with their very own personality. I love Goose, since he is Hattie's best friend...and sometimes even more.

Profile Image for Lisa.
47 reviews4 followers
June 13, 2014
I got this book from the library and read it in 2 days! I thought it was really good and funny but I don't think it had a sufficient ending as you never find out what happend with Goose or her dad...
Profile Image for Faith.
69 reviews
February 15, 2014
it was a pretty good book, i think the age is about 11-15 , i loved how it was in diary entries and she did it everyday i read it this year in 2 days. you will enjoy with a cookie and a cup of hot chocolate!

check out my review in full:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INIG1_...
Profile Image for C.W. Reads.
672 reviews3 followers
February 9, 2022
I really didn't like this book. I couldn't connect to the character at all. I only finished this book to find out what the deal with her dad was. I liked Goose in the book, but the main character just got on my nerves.
Profile Image for Christa.
19 reviews4 followers
March 14, 2013
Loved it! Hope there is a follow up book because I wonder if Hattie and Goose will get together for real.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Emily.
9 reviews
July 10, 2014
LOVE.IT.
this book was funny and totally realistic when explaining a teenagers life. loved it.
Profile Image for Clarice.
45 reviews
May 30, 2015
I only read the pre-published version but I think it was a good book for teenage girls. the plot about the unknown dad twists things a bit from all the other books written as teens'journals.
Profile Image for Rachael.
97 reviews3 followers
Read
August 7, 2015
Some things were so funny I had to stop reading I was laughing so much.
I feel very old, wondering if this is how teens speak /act /talk 'these days'.
Profile Image for Anna.
8 reviews6 followers
December 24, 2015
Rae Earl's book OMG! Is This Actually My Life? Hattie Moore's Unbelievable Year? was an okay book for me, it had quite a lot of funny parts that I laughed at.



9 reviews
May 9, 2017
This is a very funny book great if your a teen a struggling to find a book that you like . Hattie is a funny character like her gran and overall I would say this is an absolute must
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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