Charlotte Gorman loves her job as an elementary school librarian, and is content to experience life through the pages of her books. Which couldn’t be more opposite from her identical twin sister. Ginny, an Instagram-famous beauty pageant contestant, has been chasing a crown since she was old enough to enunciate the words world peace, and she’s not giving up until she gets the title of Miss American Treasure. And Ginny’s refusing to do it alone this time.
She drags Charlotte to the pageant as a good luck charm, but the winning plan quickly goes awry when Ginny has a terrible, face-altering allergic reaction the night before the pageant, and Charlotte suddenly finds herself in a switcheroo the twins haven’t successfully pulled off in decades.
Woefully unprepared for the glittery world of hair extensions, false eyelashes, and push-up bras, Charlotte is mortified at every unstable step in her sky-high stilettos. But as she discovers there’s more to her fellow contestants than just wanting a sparkly crown, Charlotte realizes she has a whole new motivation for winning.
Release Date: Dec 4, 2018
Heat Level: Warm
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Imprint: Gallery Books
Price: $7.99
Charlotte Gorman is the quintessential geek who loves her books and her solitude. Her weekend in Orlando is supposed to be her down time but her twin sister has different plans. From Ginny wanting Charlotte to walk her dog or just be there for her every beck and call, this weekend goes in a total opposite direction.
The readers are placed dab smack in the middle of Charlotte’s thoughts. She is quirky and funny. She is kind but she is so insecure. She measures herself up to Ginny at every turn. When the chance to play a beauty Queen for Ginny presents itself, Charlotte, surprisingly doesn’t turn down the idea. Instead, she steps up to the challenge to see if she can be the twin that everyone looks at.
I loved Charlotte. I was rooting for her. I have to admit that when I read the blurb initially, I didn’t think there was a romance so I was surprised when Charlotte started to connect with Gray. He is not all that he presents himself to be. He gets her jokes. He understands her love of literature and appreciates it. She is his Hermoine (read the book!) and I got worried that the romance was overshadowing the overall message.
The author does a nice job of bringing the focus back on Charlotte. She learns that she is more than just a twin. She stands up for herself as an individual and having people take notice of her for a change. The dialogue is real and the inside of the pageant world was interesting.
This story has all the structure of being predictable, formulaic and cheesy as some chick lits but it works. The ending has a bit of a surprise. The characters step out of their normal mold and show the development that the author has framed. Overall, I enjoyed every moment of it.
~ Samantha
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sounds delightful