Review: Geek Girl by Holly Smale



"My name is Harriet Manners and I am a Geek"

Harriet Manners is a Geek. She knows a cat has 32 muscles in each ear, a "jiffy" lasts 1/100th of a second, and the average person laughs 15 times per day. She knows that bats always turn left when exciting a cave and that peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite. But, she can't understand why she has the work Geek drawn in red marker pen on the outside pocket of her school satchel or why everybody at school hates her. So, when she is spotted by a top-fashion agent she grabs the chance to reinvent herself, to be part of her own metamorphosis. Even if it means stealing her best friend's dream, incurring the wrath of her arch enemy Alexa or repeatedly humiliating herself in front of the impossibly handsome Lion Boy who she met under an table.Even if it means lying to the people she loves. Venturing from one couture disaster to the next with the help of her overly enthusiastic father and her stalker Toby, Harriet begins to realise that the world of fashion doesn't seem to like her anymore than the real world did.

As her old life starts to fall apart, will Harriet be able to transform herself before she ruins everything?

Geek Girl was a book about going through your own 'metamorphosis' when you know a lot about everything but yourself. Told through the eyes of fifteen year-old Harriet Manners who, as she admits herself, is a Geek. Harriet is a completely relatable teenage that you will love to follow just like her very own stalker Toby. Throughout the book she struggles with friendship, trust and being who she really is, just like every teenager feels. With ups and downs, along with awkward moments and embarrassing habits Harriet is a realistic character you will enjoy every minute with. But, this was not your average coming-of-age novel. It was full of humour, handing you a book that is full of laugh out loud moments. Harriet herself is honest, smart but also full of personality. A character that I loved and was constantly hoping things would go right for. When you pick up this book you can't read a whole chapter without at least laughing once and anybody who has read it will put money on that.

Holly Smale creates a highly entertaining read that you won't want to end. The characters in this novel are one's you want to be able to constantly read about. Along with funny and witty moments, I also learnt a lot from this novel. Harriet is always sharing interesting facts throughout the book that you will remember and want to share with whoever will listen. It was a fun, fab read that also had interesting and quirky personalities that filled the pages alongside Harriet. The writing(and book itself) was full of character, emotion and humour. Every part of the novel had twists in the plot-each turning Harriet's life upside down. There were also thrilling moments or one's that were so sweet they would make you sigh.

This novel also gives you an insight into the world of fashion. A really competitive industry with young girls going up against eachother, full of jealousy and hatred. One of a dreaded, high end fashion designer. Or a place full of over-the-top, fashion-obsessed, advisors. And a gorgeous colleague nicknamed Lion Boy.

You will take a lot away from this novel, and I personally found myself having a lot more confidence when I put it down. Geek Girl was a book that will make you proud to be a Geek-or like what your own interests are. It was funny, entertaining, interesting and emotional and when it finally comes to an end you will miss the characters you'd shared the journey with. A book I loved! For ages 11+ ****

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