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Girl in the Mirror
Charlotte Godowski was used to horrified stares: she'd learned to accept her facial deformity. Until one cruel incident compels her to have surgery that changes her life. Now Charlotte Godfrey, she is beautiful beyond compare. In Hollywood, her rise is meteoric. Suddenly, she has everything she could want: love, acceptance, and a future. But she can trust no one with her secret. Then fate forces Charlotte to deal with the truth . . .
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
747 people are currently reading
1551 people want to read
About the author
Mary Alice Monroe
72 books5,492 followersMary Alice Monroe is the New York Times bestselling author of 30 books, including her new novel, Where the Rivers Merge, the first book in a duology and her historical debut.
Monroe has also published children’s books which complement the environmental themes she is known for in her adult novels. Monroe’s middle grade series, written with Angela May, The Islanders, debuted #2 on the New York Times Best Sellers List in 2021. The second book in the series, Search for Treasure, debuted #3 on the New York Times Best Sellers List. And the third book in the series, Shipwrecked, is available in stores now.
Nearly eight million copies of her books have been published worldwide.
Mary Alice has earned numerous accolades and awards including induction into the South Carolina Academy of Authors’ Hall of Fame; South Carolina Center for the Book Award for Writing; the South Carolina Award for Literary Excellence; the SW Florida Author of Distinction Award; the RT Lifetime Achievement Award; the International Book Award for Green Fiction; the Henry Bergh Award for Children’s Fiction; and her novel A Lowcountry Christmas won the prestigious Southern Prize for Fiction.
Mary Alice is also the co-founder of the popular weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
The Beach House is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, starring Andie McDowell. Several of her novels are optioned for film.
Mary Alice has championed the fragility of the earth’s wild habitat. The coastal southern landscape in particular is a strong and important focus of many of her novels. For her writing, Monroe immerses herself in academic research, works with wildlife experts, and does hands-on volunteering with animals. She then uses the knowledge and experiences to craft captivating stories that identify important parallels between nature and human nature. Sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, monarch butterflies, shorebirds are among the species she has worked with and woven into her novels.
Mary Alice is also an active conservationist and serves on several boards including the South Carolina Aquarium board emeritus, the Pat Conroy Literary Center Honorary Board, and the Leatherback Trust, which she received the Leatherback Trust Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. She is especially proud to be a state-certified volunteer with the Island Turtle Team for more than twenty years.
Mary Alice splits her time between her home on the South Carolina coast and her home in the North Carolina mountains. When she’s not writing a novel, she is with her family or busy working with wildlife somewhere in the world.
Monroe has also published children’s books which complement the environmental themes she is known for in her adult novels. Monroe’s middle grade series, written with Angela May, The Islanders, debuted #2 on the New York Times Best Sellers List in 2021. The second book in the series, Search for Treasure, debuted #3 on the New York Times Best Sellers List. And the third book in the series, Shipwrecked, is available in stores now.
Nearly eight million copies of her books have been published worldwide.
Mary Alice has earned numerous accolades and awards including induction into the South Carolina Academy of Authors’ Hall of Fame; South Carolina Center for the Book Award for Writing; the South Carolina Award for Literary Excellence; the SW Florida Author of Distinction Award; the RT Lifetime Achievement Award; the International Book Award for Green Fiction; the Henry Bergh Award for Children’s Fiction; and her novel A Lowcountry Christmas won the prestigious Southern Prize for Fiction.
Mary Alice is also the co-founder of the popular weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
The Beach House is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, starring Andie McDowell. Several of her novels are optioned for film.
Mary Alice has championed the fragility of the earth’s wild habitat. The coastal southern landscape in particular is a strong and important focus of many of her novels. For her writing, Monroe immerses herself in academic research, works with wildlife experts, and does hands-on volunteering with animals. She then uses the knowledge and experiences to craft captivating stories that identify important parallels between nature and human nature. Sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, monarch butterflies, shorebirds are among the species she has worked with and woven into her novels.
Mary Alice is also an active conservationist and serves on several boards including the South Carolina Aquarium board emeritus, the Pat Conroy Literary Center Honorary Board, and the Leatherback Trust, which she received the Leatherback Trust Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. She is especially proud to be a state-certified volunteer with the Island Turtle Team for more than twenty years.
Mary Alice splits her time between her home on the South Carolina coast and her home in the North Carolina mountains. When she’s not writing a novel, she is with her family or busy working with wildlife somewhere in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
March 23, 2013
I picked this book up from a selection a friend donated to raise money for animal welfare here in Egypt. It is not really my kind of book, but I thought I would give it a go. It turned out to be a book that mirrored my own feelings of myself at the point of reading it. A troubled soul trying to make sense of herself, trying to accept the way she looks and appears to others even though she doesn't connect with the person people think she is.
I have hit age 35 and although I know I have achieved a lot, it is the post children, 5 years from 40, feeling like I am 25 at most that is doing my head in. I think I have loads of energy, until I come to do energetic things. I think I can spring up from the beanbag as graceful and effortless as I used to, but again I can't. I know 40 is not old, but it is not 25. I have always had issues about the way I look and although I do not have a facial disfigurement such as Charlotte, the trials and tribulations that she goes through, I can relate to on some level, as any woman (maybe men too) can.
We live in a very shallow world, where the way you look and dress is used to either build you up or knock you down. This world has been depicted beautifully by Ms Monroe. She has captured the inner turmoils of accepting yourself and your choices in life, no matter what they cost you, including those closest to you. Are you willing to hide yourself away or face the world? Are you willing to accept the way you are or risk losing everything you have worked for? This is the choice Charlotte has to make.
Even if you are happy with the way you look, you could very easily use this story to analyse another area of your life you are unhappy with. Ask yourself the same questions Charlotte asks herself. You could place yourself in Michael Mondragon's position. Is he willing to stop running from his past and accept his choices? Are you?
A powerful novel in the most surprising of ways. If you are looking for a quick read with a big impact, then read it. It took me 3 evenings to read, but I am a fast reader. Take it on holiday with you, or hide away in your pyjamas over the weekend with it. Either way, it's a good read, especially for those that can see beyond the superficial ;)
I have hit age 35 and although I know I have achieved a lot, it is the post children, 5 years from 40, feeling like I am 25 at most that is doing my head in. I think I have loads of energy, until I come to do energetic things. I think I can spring up from the beanbag as graceful and effortless as I used to, but again I can't. I know 40 is not old, but it is not 25. I have always had issues about the way I look and although I do not have a facial disfigurement such as Charlotte, the trials and tribulations that she goes through, I can relate to on some level, as any woman (maybe men too) can.
We live in a very shallow world, where the way you look and dress is used to either build you up or knock you down. This world has been depicted beautifully by Ms Monroe. She has captured the inner turmoils of accepting yourself and your choices in life, no matter what they cost you, including those closest to you. Are you willing to hide yourself away or face the world? Are you willing to accept the way you are or risk losing everything you have worked for? This is the choice Charlotte has to make.
Even if you are happy with the way you look, you could very easily use this story to analyse another area of your life you are unhappy with. Ask yourself the same questions Charlotte asks herself. You could place yourself in Michael Mondragon's position. Is he willing to stop running from his past and accept his choices? Are you?
A powerful novel in the most surprising of ways. If you are looking for a quick read with a big impact, then read it. It took me 3 evenings to read, but I am a fast reader. Take it on holiday with you, or hide away in your pyjamas over the weekend with it. Either way, it's a good read, especially for those that can see beyond the superficial ;)
November 20, 2008
"Girl in the Mirror" is one of those Jackie Collins-lite books; a mixture of Lifetime movies, soap operas and Jacqueline Susanne. I occasionally have an urge for such type a book and I have to say that this was an entertaining one! The story was rather engaging, the characters were just about as good as they could be for this type of book (I don't mean that disparagingly in any way), and it was an easy, breezy read. Yes, a lot of it is implausible and the surprises really aren't, but it's pure fun and fluff! :)
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
June 26, 2011
A little bit far-fetched, but a good read none the less! It was one of those books that I couldn't put down. I enjoy all of Mary Alice Monroe's books. I admire the way that she creates characters that feel very real to the reader. I believe that Girl in the Mirror is one of her earlier novels. Like I said, the story line was a little bit far fetched. The circumstances and coincidences seemed a little unlikely, but that's the joy of fiction!It was a nice easy read. All in all, a nice love story!
March 10, 2010
This is essentially a romance novel, but with much more depth and a great twist on the stagnant female. Examines conceptions of beauty and what a woman is willing to risk to gain and maintain hers. Not as crazy about His side of the story, but the Heroine's was enough to keep me completely enthralled.
October 9, 2016
Very good book as most every one of Monroe's are. I was a little slow getting into this one, but it got progressively more interesting as I progressed until about 3/4 of the way through when I couldn't put it down. Characters were pretty accurately portrayed and I found the description of the older Mexican customs interesting and accurate.
March 13, 2019
One of Monroe's Best!
The style in which this book was written made for a very interesting journey. The near end of the book is presented first, and then the reader is transported back to fill in the gaps. At times gut-wrenching, the story twisted and turned unexpectedly. I've read many of Mary Alice Monroe's books, and this is by far my favorite.
The style in which this book was written made for a very interesting journey. The near end of the book is presented first, and then the reader is transported back to fill in the gaps. At times gut-wrenching, the story twisted and turned unexpectedly. I've read many of Mary Alice Monroe's books, and this is by far my favorite.
July 1, 2015
Interesting and heartbroken story of a woman born with a physical abnormality. Parts of the book was slow and therefore could not give it a great rating
July 23, 2017
Not the typical beach read by MAM, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story. There were some twists in there, which is always a delight.
July 25, 2017
Another good read
A compelling story line about how beauty comes from within. No matter what you do to change yourself on the outside, the real you still remains inside.
A compelling story line about how beauty comes from within. No matter what you do to change yourself on the outside, the real you still remains inside.
January 3, 2018
A good story with great characters and a message that will resonate with readers. Is beauty skin deep, or does it come from within? Do the eyes of love see only the surface, or do they see the heart?
May 15, 2020
It got better as it progressed. I'm glad I read one of her more recent books first. I think this is one of her earlier books.
January 16, 2024
I rated this only 3 stars and was a bit disappointed in the book. I have read a lot by this author and enjoyed them. This book was harder for me as I didn’t much like the main protagonist or the leading male character. Olivia was just too caught up in her looks and the lies, and I have never been a fan of books set in the world of movie characters. Michael was just a bit too machismo for me. I really disliked the character of Freddie, which I am sure the author portrayed well. A couple of the minor characters, Bobby and Melanie, I found fairly likable. I believe the author did well in portraying the characters and the story itself was compelling.
September 1, 2017
This was a bit more romance-centered than most of the books I read, but it was more a general fiction novel than "just" a romance novel. I found a lot of the story to be a bit predictable, but not so bad that I wasn't at all interested in it. There was enough to keep me interested as a reader, but not enough that I thought it was a wonderfully original book. Fine for a simple, relaxing type of read.
December 9, 2023
I liked the book, a lot. The first part of the first chapter didn’t make sense, and I almost put the book down as “did not finish.” However, I really like Mary Alice Monroe, so I picked it up again…and I’m glad I did! I enjoyed the story, and I enjoyed the ending. I did have to go back and reread the first part after I finished the book. I think it would have been better to keep that chapter where it chronologically belonged.
July 12, 2017
Different From Her Other Books
I liked this book, but the Outer Banks are such a character in the other books I've read by this author, I guess I missed that local. The storyline felt more like a fairytale than real life, but it was still enjoyable able to read, if a bit predictable.
I liked this book, but the Outer Banks are such a character in the other books I've read by this author, I guess I missed that local. The storyline felt more like a fairytale than real life, but it was still enjoyable able to read, if a bit predictable.
September 9, 2019
Heartwarming
Mary Alice Monroe's multi-layered tale of deception, redemption, and the deep bonds of familiar love touch a resoundingly profound chord with the reader. Each chapter, uncovering a new facet of the well developed characterizations and the blending of cultures, leaves the reader hungry for more.
Mary Alice Monroe's multi-layered tale of deception, redemption, and the deep bonds of familiar love touch a resoundingly profound chord with the reader. Each chapter, uncovering a new facet of the well developed characterizations and the blending of cultures, leaves the reader hungry for more.
May 27, 2021
This was a romance I read many years back and it was referred to me by my sister. For what it was/is, it's not too bad of a romance book. It's sort of like a reverse beauty and the beast type thing, but the characters I liked and was able to tolerate. I thought their romance was sweet. I would read this book again—I actually have a hard copy.
August 24, 2021
Beauty is only skin deep!
This was a beautiful story about a beautiful girl inside who was fortunate enough to be made beautiful on the outside only to discover that love is the true basis of anyone being beautiful. I loved the twist at the end with the discovery of Charlotte's father but the book kept me going to reach the end and it was well worth the read.
This was a beautiful story about a beautiful girl inside who was fortunate enough to be made beautiful on the outside only to discover that love is the true basis of anyone being beautiful. I loved the twist at the end with the discovery of Charlotte's father but the book kept me going to reach the end and it was well worth the read.
March 20, 2022
Problems with Kindle version
This was a great story, but it was a difficult read using the Kindle app. The editing was all off, so conversations had to be sorted out. As in - who is saying this? One example - three different lines all in quotes - which line is tied to which character?
As I said, great story, but not as easy a read as it should have been.
This was a great story, but it was a difficult read using the Kindle app. The editing was all off, so conversations had to be sorted out. As in - who is saying this? One example - three different lines all in quotes - which line is tied to which character?
As I said, great story, but not as easy a read as it should have been.
May 26, 2022
Another Captivating Read
Monroe captures the power relationships have over us in our thoughts, our choices, and our perceptions of ourselves. From a monstrous childhood to a Cinderella story and back again, the protagonist, Charlotte, meets the conflicts of life as she searches for real love.
Monroe captures the power relationships have over us in our thoughts, our choices, and our perceptions of ourselves. From a monstrous childhood to a Cinderella story and back again, the protagonist, Charlotte, meets the conflicts of life as she searches for real love.
July 29, 2017
Great book!
Having read books by this author, I knew ahead that this would be another great book by Mary Alice Monroe. Her characters are real and you really feel their thoughts and dreams.
Having read books by this author, I knew ahead that this would be another great book by Mary Alice Monroe. Her characters are real and you really feel their thoughts and dreams.
July 29, 2017
Interesting subject matter - how much emphasis is on beauty and the role it plays in our lives. Even though it was somewhat light, it made me think & I love that. Enjoyed the twists ... as always with MAM. Definitely recommend
August 24, 2019
This was different than most of this author's books but it was compelling and I read it all yesterday. Was somewhat surprised by the ending of the book but it was a good ending. I would recommend this book as good reading.
May 18, 2020
Interesting. Heartwarming. A coming of age tale of a young woman with a physical deformity - her struggles before and after plastic surgery. A strong message that it is who your are on the inside that truly matters - not the external appearance.
November 30, 2021
Born with a facial deformity, Charlotte decides to go ahead with facial reconstruction. Her beauty leads to leading roles she is almost instantly famous...until it all starts to go wrong. A love story with twists and turns!
August 31, 2024
Beautifully heartwarming and wrenching at the same time.
I loved this story as I loved all of MAM books. Heartwarming is an understatement. I can't wait for more of her books to come out.
I loved this story as I loved all of MAM books. Heartwarming is an understatement. I can't wait for more of her books to come out.
July 25, 2017
Couldn't get into the characters so wasn't particularly interested in what happened.
August 8, 2017
Excellent!
September 19, 2017
Mary Alice Monroe is one of my favorite authors. I was disappointed in this story, however.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews