Review: THE LOOK by Sophia Bennett

Title: The Look

Author: Sophia Bennett

Publication date: March 1, 2013

Publisher: Chicken House

Source: an ARC e-galley for an honest review via NetGalley and its publisher

When Ted is spotted by a model agency, she can’t believe it. At the same time her gorgeous sister, Ava, is diagnosed with cancer. With her world turned upside down, Ted has a lot of growing up to do, some of it in five-inch platforms. Can she be a supermodel and a super sister? Or will she have to choose between fame and family?

Review:

Ted is the opposite of beautiful. She has caterpillar eyebrows, frizzy hair, and is at an awkwardly tall height. Her older sister, Ava, on the other hand, is gorgeous. While in a park [], a model scout comes up to Ted and offers her his card. Thinking it as a scam, they quickly go home and try to not think about it.

However, two things happen. Ava discovers she has cancer and Ted is suddenly caught up in the fashion world.

This second cover was actually the one I saw first and the one on NetGalley's e-galley. Along with the synopsis, this cover didn't prepare me for what was in the book. By reading the synopsis and looking at this second cover, I thought I already knew what was going to happen. What I thought was that there would be tension between the "rightful model" sister and the actual modeling sister. I thought Ted would be glam and caught in a whirlwind while Ava would be jealous and sick. 

My thoughts on how this story would be like was different from what really happened. Ava was supporting and was the first one to find out. Ava actually nagged and pushed Ted to do it. Ava was Ted's backbone. 

I did like the story and the characters along with picturing their lovely British accents in my head. I don't exactly know why, but I love hearing about the modeling world. After reading Airhead by Meg Cabot, I was sucked even further. The Look was interesting in the way that I learned more about it, however it didn't go too deep. 

You see, it took a while for Ted to actually start the beginning process of it. When she finally did, the modeling was spotty. She went to go-sees and had failures until one day, she was a run in with someone and she's magically turned into a big hit. 

Personally, I was expecting more of the model world. She had an actual, high-stakes modeling job, but when you read the book...well, all I can say is that you'll see how it ends. I wish I could say more about her choices in the ending and you will probably guess how it turns out way before it happens, but I'm not pro-spoilers. 

While covers are almost never hand-in-hand with the descriptions in the book (at least that's how it always happens for me), this one disappointed me by not correlating either. On the left is a fierce girl with straight, short, and blonde hair. Ted obsessively talks about her "warrior" Xena face, but she definitely doesn't look like that. Even after her first makeover, Ted still has frizzy hair, it's just not as bad. I picture her as Mia in the movie version on The Princess Diaries.

So while some people think it's minor, I love my book covers. I like to stare at them and when they don't go well with the actual characters, it causes conflict in my brain. 

Another thing I had a problem with was Nick. I had no attraction towards him and couldn't care less if he went to go die under a rock. Apparently, he was supposed to be super sexy and mysterious mixed with edgy and rebellious. 

He showed a few appearances and when he did, I was ready for him to leave. His attitude towards Ted and modeling and later Ava? That basically made it final that I did not like him. I finished The Look in bed and do you know what I thought of as I went to sleep? Nick. Not in a dreamy way, but in a way that everyone knew to not place Nick anywhere near me. I mentally ranted at him in my head that I knew if he was real, I would be tackling him. 

Then the romance in Ava's life was sweet, but later confusing. And Ted's best friend and Cally? Don't even get me started. She uses the whole "She's always just wanted to be your friend and is now jealous of you." line that I abhor. Honey, Cally has been a jerk and a snob, also incredibly stupid for getting a tattoo in honor of the immature Dean. Why the author felt the need to suddenly tie up anything with Cally and Dean and make them all buddies for life, I have no clue.

While I had problems with the issues stated above, this was a good novel. I really grew to like Ted and Ava as well as their world. I cared for Ava's health and Ted's new life, even though her insecurity was wearing thin on my nerves. 

Verdict: A cute book with a great sister relationship, but a few issues with the other characters.

Will YOU read this? 

**Note: I accidentally said "Silas" when I really meant Nick. My fault on that and I edited it out. I did a horrible blogging thing by waiting to review this and the names from different books kept slipping up in my head. My mistake...so it's a good thing everyone makes them :)