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Never Mind My Thigh Gap
"One ordinary girl, one extraordinary moment" There are three things everyone notices about Alice. 1. Her super-hot rugby boyfriend. 2. Her sophisticated, totally gorgeous best friend. 3. Her very noticeable 38-inch long legs.
Alice is tall - just under six feet to be exact - but her self-esteem couldn't be smaller. When her relationship starts wavering, Alice's perfectly beautiful best friend somehow convinces her to join a modelling competition, "for a confidence boost." But Alice is just a normal girl; she loves ice cream too much, has an unhealthy addiction to American TV and lusts after the elusive thigh gap. She can't even walk in heels, let alone in a bikini, but she finds herself joining Runway Models anyway.
The finale is only a few months away.
Will Alice catwalk her way to self-confidence or fail, proving everyone right? People can surprise you.
Alice is tall - just under six feet to be exact - but her self-esteem couldn't be smaller. When her relationship starts wavering, Alice's perfectly beautiful best friend somehow convinces her to join a modelling competition, "for a confidence boost." But Alice is just a normal girl; she loves ice cream too much, has an unhealthy addiction to American TV and lusts after the elusive thigh gap. She can't even walk in heels, let alone in a bikini, but she finds herself joining Runway Models anyway.
The finale is only a few months away.
Will Alice catwalk her way to self-confidence or fail, proving everyone right? People can surprise you.
- GenresYoung AdultContemporary
198 pages, Paperback
Published January 21, 2016
18 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Newton
3 books26 followersSarah Newton has shared her innovative wisdom with millions who have tuned into her TV and Radio shows, followed her writing and listened to her unconventional talks. She has been described as a catalyst, daring all she meets to break out from social norms and follow their own path. She can often be found wearing a superhero cape, talking about ‘The Hunger Games’ and using the metaphor of story to get her message across.
Star of ITV’s “My Teen’s A Nightmare, I’m Moving Out”, Author of “Help! My Teenager is an Alien – the everyday situation guide for parents”, Teen Tamer on “Teenagers from Hell”.
Co-Author of up-coming tween novel "Never Mind my Thigh Gap" , written with her daughter.
Star of ITV’s “My Teen’s A Nightmare, I’m Moving Out”, Author of “Help! My Teenager is an Alien – the everyday situation guide for parents”, Teen Tamer on “Teenagers from Hell”.
Co-Author of up-coming tween novel "Never Mind my Thigh Gap" , written with her daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 27, 2016
This book starts in September, as school is starting. Alice's current obsession is getting the perfect thigh gap and she's reading an article in a magazine on it. (She clues us in at the beginning of each chapter as to what her current obsession is and that is the focus of each chapter.) Her boyfriend, Julian, a hot rugby player, insists she doesn't need it. The other characters we meet are Sam, a boy who enjoys annoying her; Isabelle, her best friend who is beautiful but too short to be a model; Oscar, the new boy in school who has "potential" according to Isabelle; Maddie, who is goth and used to be friends with Alice; and James, a rugby player and Julian's best friend.
After an argument with Julian, which leaves Alice feeling insecure about her looks, her best friend Isabelle encourages her to enter a modeling competition. Alice didn't want to, but after more words with Julian, she decides to give it a shot. As she continues down this path, she makes new friends, learns who her true friends are, and gains a lot more confidence in herself.
I liked the growth in Alice as the book progressed. The majority of the story is told from her POV but about halfway through, we get the POV of some of the other characters. That seemed odd to me at first, but worked to help move the story along and helped us understand where the characters were coming from. At the beginning, she was coasting along and by the end, she's much more in charge of her life and stands up for herself more. I also liked the way her relationships with other characters developed and some of them turned out to be very different from what they first appeared to be.
I like some teenage drama now and then and this was a quick, fun book to read! This is based on a true story. This book is a good reminder that even skinny girls and women suffer with body issues and it highlights what is actually important!
Content: A few swear words and a couple of instances of sexual innuendo.
I received a copy of this book for an honest review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
After an argument with Julian, which leaves Alice feeling insecure about her looks, her best friend Isabelle encourages her to enter a modeling competition. Alice didn't want to, but after more words with Julian, she decides to give it a shot. As she continues down this path, she makes new friends, learns who her true friends are, and gains a lot more confidence in herself.
I liked the growth in Alice as the book progressed. The majority of the story is told from her POV but about halfway through, we get the POV of some of the other characters. That seemed odd to me at first, but worked to help move the story along and helped us understand where the characters were coming from. At the beginning, she was coasting along and by the end, she's much more in charge of her life and stands up for herself more. I also liked the way her relationships with other characters developed and some of them turned out to be very different from what they first appeared to be.
I like some teenage drama now and then and this was a quick, fun book to read! This is based on a true story. This book is a good reminder that even skinny girls and women suffer with body issues and it highlights what is actually important!
Content: A few swear words and a couple of instances of sexual innuendo.
I received a copy of this book for an honest review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
June 22, 2016
A true Disney experience
First of all a huge thanks to Shannon A. Thompsonand the author and her team for providing me with a copy of the book to read and review
As cute as its title, the book truly gives you a Disney movie effect. Everything goes happy at the end. You feel good and then a short message about family, friendship and lot of other stuffs are inculcated into you once you read the book. Hence a true Disney fashion book
Never mind my thigh gap is definitely headed in a good direction, towards pointing out the importance of standing up for oneself and self discovery and the way the book achieves is commendable . The book does not outright preach you about being confident or need to develop one but through its journey makes us learn this in a subtle form
The book is cute and there is no word in my opinion that could define it more aptly. It is light, sweet and cute. Kind of sugary but in a nicer way.
Anybody who is looking for a quick yet light and sweet read, this is the book for you. Completely entertaining and feel good type book. worth refreshing and lightening your mood.
First of all a huge thanks to Shannon A. Thompsonand the author and her team for providing me with a copy of the book to read and review
As cute as its title, the book truly gives you a Disney movie effect. Everything goes happy at the end. You feel good and then a short message about family, friendship and lot of other stuffs are inculcated into you once you read the book. Hence a true Disney fashion book
Never mind my thigh gap is definitely headed in a good direction, towards pointing out the importance of standing up for oneself and self discovery and the way the book achieves is commendable . The book does not outright preach you about being confident or need to develop one but through its journey makes us learn this in a subtle form
The book is cute and there is no word in my opinion that could define it more aptly. It is light, sweet and cute. Kind of sugary but in a nicer way.
Anybody who is looking for a quick yet light and sweet read, this is the book for you. Completely entertaining and feel good type book. worth refreshing and lightening your mood.
June 19, 2016
Alice is a pretty sweet girl who has some self-esteem issues, but that’s only because she has a bitchy friend and an awful boyfriend. Her friend wanted her to do this catwalk show thing and the only reason she did it was because her boyfriend didn’t want her to. He was rude and didn’t help her with her self-esteem. He was always tearing her down and making fun of her for wanting to do things because they were things she “wouldn’t normally do...
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Aubrey Joy
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Aubrey Joy
March 19, 2016
Never Mind My Thigh Gap takes readers on one girl’s journey to conquer her negative body image.Body image is such a prevalent issue that is commonly discussed among women and is constantly a hot topic in the media so I was curious to see what angle this story would take on this issue.
Though the first couple of chapters I wondered if the narrator, Alice, would be able to overcome her obstacles. Alice is an relatable character to most girls around that her age since most girls can relate to the fact that they have dealt with some varying degree of insecurity about their body image at some point in their life. She is a bit naive, seems very unsure about most of the decisions she makes, and when Alice looks in the mirror she’s always unhappy with her reflection. On top of that her “best friend”, Isabelle, and her boyfriend Julian are both toxic forces in her life. They’re not very supportive and they always emotionally blackmail her which ends up making her feel even worse about herself.
Throughout the competition Alice is able to tale a deeper look at herself inside and out. The competition serves as an obstacle and a self-journey to overcome her body image insecurities, but it allows her to also look at all of people she calls her friends. Do they really have her best interests at heart or do they have other motives? By looking within herself Alice matures in a more confident young woman.
Though Alice is our main narrator sometimes the readers are quickly shifted into another character’s perspective without any kind of notice. The other perspectives are a bit brief and I think the reader could have benefited from having it put into a separate, but longer chapter or a smoother transition.
Overall I thought that some of the writing for this book was a bit cheesy, but I loved the positive message of self love that it promoted. Everyone may have fears that keep you from trying something new. No matter what the naysayers might tell you, always love yourself and do what makes YOU happy.
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Though the first couple of chapters I wondered if the narrator, Alice, would be able to overcome her obstacles. Alice is an relatable character to most girls around that her age since most girls can relate to the fact that they have dealt with some varying degree of insecurity about their body image at some point in their life. She is a bit naive, seems very unsure about most of the decisions she makes, and when Alice looks in the mirror she’s always unhappy with her reflection. On top of that her “best friend”, Isabelle, and her boyfriend Julian are both toxic forces in her life. They’re not very supportive and they always emotionally blackmail her which ends up making her feel even worse about herself.
Throughout the competition Alice is able to tale a deeper look at herself inside and out. The competition serves as an obstacle and a self-journey to overcome her body image insecurities, but it allows her to also look at all of people she calls her friends. Do they really have her best interests at heart or do they have other motives? By looking within herself Alice matures in a more confident young woman.
Though Alice is our main narrator sometimes the readers are quickly shifted into another character’s perspective without any kind of notice. The other perspectives are a bit brief and I think the reader could have benefited from having it put into a separate, but longer chapter or a smoother transition.
Overall I thought that some of the writing for this book was a bit cheesy, but I loved the positive message of self love that it promoted. Everyone may have fears that keep you from trying something new. No matter what the naysayers might tell you, always love yourself and do what makes YOU happy.
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 2, 2016
Not all is sugar and roses, but this story manages to take a theme almost all teenage girls can relate to, place it in a very realistic situation with all the mobbing and pain, and still keep a lovely attitude which never lets the tale grow too depressing.
Alice is seventeen, not the most popular girl in school but has basically everything a girl could want at that age: friends, a boyfriend and fashion magazines. This isn't a character who carries much baggage, but she does have the normal self-doubt issues. But even here, this isn't a completely over-powering thing, simply the level most girls have--isn't happy with self, would like to improve, but not really so much that she does...nor does she dwell on it completely. This makes the character extremely realistic, not over the top and easy to sympathize without all the pity and sadness.
The plot is rather simple and doesn't hit huge extremes, but still, it pulls in and keeps up a nice pace. There's quite a bit of character depth, as the reader gets to know Alice very well. Although most of the story is told from Alice's point of view, the other characters, even the a few more side ones, get a chapter or two solely for themselves. The author does a super job weaving these different views together just at the right time and with just the right twist.
There are several unexpected moments, things which make one cheer, and others which lure a growl. Teenagers can be cruel, and this book shows that. Still, there's always a sun waiting on the other side. Alice's aim for a model competition is more than most girls can shoot for (and this is the one thing which might make it a little off for some readers as they will realize that Alice obviously has no 'flaws'), but it's still entertaining and a great message that will hit home.
Summed up, this is a book teenage girls will enjoy. It's a an engaging read around high school drama, and draws in until the very last page.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Alice is seventeen, not the most popular girl in school but has basically everything a girl could want at that age: friends, a boyfriend and fashion magazines. This isn't a character who carries much baggage, but she does have the normal self-doubt issues. But even here, this isn't a completely over-powering thing, simply the level most girls have--isn't happy with self, would like to improve, but not really so much that she does...nor does she dwell on it completely. This makes the character extremely realistic, not over the top and easy to sympathize without all the pity and sadness.
The plot is rather simple and doesn't hit huge extremes, but still, it pulls in and keeps up a nice pace. There's quite a bit of character depth, as the reader gets to know Alice very well. Although most of the story is told from Alice's point of view, the other characters, even the a few more side ones, get a chapter or two solely for themselves. The author does a super job weaving these different views together just at the right time and with just the right twist.
There are several unexpected moments, things which make one cheer, and others which lure a growl. Teenagers can be cruel, and this book shows that. Still, there's always a sun waiting on the other side. Alice's aim for a model competition is more than most girls can shoot for (and this is the one thing which might make it a little off for some readers as they will realize that Alice obviously has no 'flaws'), but it's still entertaining and a great message that will hit home.
Summed up, this is a book teenage girls will enjoy. It's a an engaging read around high school drama, and draws in until the very last page.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2016
It's not often I read books that cling more to reality than any where else. So it was nice to be able to delve into something a bit different for a change. Bronte Huskinson and Sarah Newton's YA novel was that change, and a breath of fresh air at that.
What makes Never Mind My Thigh Gap such a compelling read is the characters. Too often there are characters in YA novels that seem a little over the top. Alice and co are your typical teenagers, who worry about normal stuff for people their age... well, maybe not so much Alice who has a modeling competition to worry about. These sweet and genuine characters are what drive the story forward. Many can relate to them with incredible ease.
Elsewhere, you don't even have to know the technical jargon of the modeling industry to understand what exactly is going on, which again allows the targeted audience of young adults to really connect with the proceedings.
Where this novel falls down is its length. In many places, most specifically towards the end, there seems to be big time jumps between journal entries, the format of which this novel is written in. This makes it feel a little disjointed in places and makes you want more detail about what happened in between. This detail could also bulk up the overall length as well as continue to add spice and character to the plot. That aside, it does flow well where it does go into more detail.
The story also has a beautiful message that everyone of that age should acknowledge: you should love yourself as you are. More to the point that message is clear from the word go and not hidden in plain sight or behind crazy plot lines. This shows an easy story-telling manner from the authors who clearly have put a lot of effort into it.
A compelling story with a lovely underlying message, Never Mind My Thigh Gap is a good insight into the minds of young adults, with Huskingson and Newton delivering a subtly powerful story that gets to the crux of the matter.
What makes Never Mind My Thigh Gap such a compelling read is the characters. Too often there are characters in YA novels that seem a little over the top. Alice and co are your typical teenagers, who worry about normal stuff for people their age... well, maybe not so much Alice who has a modeling competition to worry about. These sweet and genuine characters are what drive the story forward. Many can relate to them with incredible ease.
Elsewhere, you don't even have to know the technical jargon of the modeling industry to understand what exactly is going on, which again allows the targeted audience of young adults to really connect with the proceedings.
Where this novel falls down is its length. In many places, most specifically towards the end, there seems to be big time jumps between journal entries, the format of which this novel is written in. This makes it feel a little disjointed in places and makes you want more detail about what happened in between. This detail could also bulk up the overall length as well as continue to add spice and character to the plot. That aside, it does flow well where it does go into more detail.
The story also has a beautiful message that everyone of that age should acknowledge: you should love yourself as you are. More to the point that message is clear from the word go and not hidden in plain sight or behind crazy plot lines. This shows an easy story-telling manner from the authors who clearly have put a lot of effort into it.
A compelling story with a lovely underlying message, Never Mind My Thigh Gap is a good insight into the minds of young adults, with Huskingson and Newton delivering a subtly powerful story that gets to the crux of the matter.
June 30, 2016
I had no idea what to expect going into this book, but I must say I was pleasantly surprised by this. There's a good message to the story, and I love the friendships that were crafted between the characters. It's a book that made me feel good while I was reading it.
Alice is a teenage girl that has issues with her appearance - like every other teenager out there. The story starts off with her wanting to achieve the perfect thigh gap. After a fight with her boyfriend, Julian her best friend encourages to enter a modeling competition. The story follows the struggles of Alice's journey to loving herself and not letting a boy control her life. It shows the ups and downs of being in high school, like backstabbing friends and the finding your who your real friends are.
I enjoyed Alice's character. I would say I felt like her, but I've never been tall enough to model, not that I would if I was tall enough. I like that she pushed herself to do this even though there were people that were not supportive of it. It was a true 'you go girl' moment that I appreciated. Maddie, my God I loved that gothic girl. She had the perfect amount of sass that this story needed. At first, I thought Isabelle was going to be a good character that I was going to like but I would rather not discuss her.
Some things were a little predictable. Like Oscar, of course, he was going after Alice. Hello, she was a beautiful model that didn't act like it. Since I hated Julian, I was all for this plus I liked Oscar. I just wish there was more of him in the story, but I take what I can get. I am glad that the story didn't focus too much on Isabelle and Julian.
I liked the whole where are they know thing, at the end. It gave me closure for each character. The ending, in general, was fantastic. It just gave me this happy, warm and fuzzy feeling that refused to go away.
Alice is a teenage girl that has issues with her appearance - like every other teenager out there. The story starts off with her wanting to achieve the perfect thigh gap. After a fight with her boyfriend, Julian her best friend encourages to enter a modeling competition. The story follows the struggles of Alice's journey to loving herself and not letting a boy control her life. It shows the ups and downs of being in high school, like backstabbing friends and the finding your who your real friends are.
I enjoyed Alice's character. I would say I felt like her, but I've never been tall enough to model, not that I would if I was tall enough. I like that she pushed herself to do this even though there were people that were not supportive of it. It was a true 'you go girl' moment that I appreciated. Maddie, my God I loved that gothic girl. She had the perfect amount of sass that this story needed. At first, I thought Isabelle was going to be a good character that I was going to like but I would rather not discuss her.
Some things were a little predictable. Like Oscar, of course, he was going after Alice. Hello, she was a beautiful model that didn't act like it. Since I hated Julian, I was all for this plus I liked Oscar. I just wish there was more of him in the story, but I take what I can get. I am glad that the story didn't focus too much on Isabelle and Julian.
I liked the whole where are they know thing, at the end. It gave me closure for each character. The ending, in general, was fantastic. It just gave me this happy, warm and fuzzy feeling that refused to go away.
February 18, 2016
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*This book was provided by the author or publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
My Review: Sometimes a book can surprise you. This kind of book usually isn’t my thing. I like my teen angst and drama with a side of supernatural- fantasy- death and destruction. It’s also told in first person present which I can’t stand but once I began reading it was hard to stop because I wanted to see Alice succeed. I wanted her to realize she was more than she thought she was.
Alice is charming once you get to know her. I have never been in Alice’s shoes regarding appearance (she doesn’t think she’s as pretty as her friend) but I think we can all relate to her in one way or another. We all have things we are self conscious about. We all have issues that we need to overcome. I enjoyed watching Alice become empowered and take control of her destiny. And when she tells Oscar (you’re going to love him) to stop acting like his talent is nothing, I knew for sure she was changing.
I liked Alice’s mom. Early on in the book her mom tells tells her that she can’t let a boy control her and that she needs to do what makes her happy. I liked that she flat out said it. She didn’t give it a soft sell. She was direct and honest. I think it’s hard to be that direct and honest with another adult, I can’t imagine what it’s like to give advice to a child.
This book is for anyone who wants to be something more than they are. This is a beautiful story about proving that you can believe in yourself and the transformation that takes place once you do. Don’t allow the title to make you think this book is about thigh gaps. It’s about a great deal more.
*This book was provided by the author or publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
My Review: Sometimes a book can surprise you. This kind of book usually isn’t my thing. I like my teen angst and drama with a side of supernatural- fantasy- death and destruction. It’s also told in first person present which I can’t stand but once I began reading it was hard to stop because I wanted to see Alice succeed. I wanted her to realize she was more than she thought she was.
Alice is charming once you get to know her. I have never been in Alice’s shoes regarding appearance (she doesn’t think she’s as pretty as her friend) but I think we can all relate to her in one way or another. We all have things we are self conscious about. We all have issues that we need to overcome. I enjoyed watching Alice become empowered and take control of her destiny. And when she tells Oscar (you’re going to love him) to stop acting like his talent is nothing, I knew for sure she was changing.
I liked Alice’s mom. Early on in the book her mom tells tells her that she can’t let a boy control her and that she needs to do what makes her happy. I liked that she flat out said it. She didn’t give it a soft sell. She was direct and honest. I think it’s hard to be that direct and honest with another adult, I can’t imagine what it’s like to give advice to a child.
This book is for anyone who wants to be something more than they are. This is a beautiful story about proving that you can believe in yourself and the transformation that takes place once you do. Don’t allow the title to make you think this book is about thigh gaps. It’s about a great deal more.
April 16, 2016
First off, going into this book, I kind of had this clear image about how this book was going to go: Shy, quiet girl finds confidence and is now too cool for her douchy boyfriend and dumps him. But gets conceited along the way and finally understands the meaning of being true to yourself. Well, the story did NOT go like that. It kept a very pleasant tome throughout. It was exactly like a Sophie Kinsella! Very fun, refreshing, minimum drama and intensity, and a clear, satisfying resolution.
This is about a girl who is quite, not so confident about her body. But then, ironically gets pulled into participating in a modeling competition by her best friend. Since things are rough between her and her boyfriend, she joins the competition to get herself a distraction. But this like modeling thing changes so may other things for her. You have to read the book to know more.
This is about a girl who is quite, not so confident about her body. But then, ironically gets pulled into participating in a modeling competition by her best friend. Since things are rough between her and her boyfriend, she joins the competition to get herself a distraction. But this like modeling thing changes so may other things for her. You have to read the book to know more.
March 30, 2016
Never Mind My Thigh Gap is a decent read. It keeps its readers interested and intrigued and it carries a good message for the audience its directed to. Even if it doesn’t quite deliver on more detailed competition portion, it does do a good job at highlighting teenage high school struggles with friends and self-confidence and loyalties.
Full Review: https://klling.wordpress.com/2016/03/...
Full Review: https://klling.wordpress.com/2016/03/...
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews