Cover Image: The Accidental Beauty Queen

The Accidental Beauty Queen

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Member Reviews

I gave this book a quick try, and ultimately decided to DNF -- my tastes have changed since I requested this. Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book!

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Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

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This book was not for me. I did not particularly like it and ended up DNFing it thus won't be able to provide a detailed review.

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With thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to review this book.

The accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson is a funny, (which had me laughing out loud at some bits) lovely book.

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I wanted to like it but just felt meh. Things felt predictable & I didn't care about the characters.

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Laugh out loud, engaging, full of references and definitely cutesy I had such a good time reading this. Even though, at times, especially in the beginning I though I was reading a young adult book but really that was because of my unconscious stereotyping. *winces*

Special thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for this review copy. I had a blast reading this.

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A fun, enjoyable, easy, contemporary read. Not something I would usually pick up but it was a feel good escape!

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I really liked reading this book. It was just what i wanted this time around. Lovely and heartwarming story. I really liked the relationship development. It was fun and cute story to read.

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It's sweet, it's saccharine and it really doesn't take much effort in reading it. What else would you expect from the creator of some classic Hallmark movies? Books like this are supposed to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, so it's no use judging them on their literary merit. The story follows a pair of twin sisters, one of whom is beauty queen and the other, a children's librarian with a penchant for Harry Potter. When the beauty queen has an allergic reaction just days before she's due to perform in a Florida pageant, she convinces her bookish twin to take her place and compete. Did I mention the other twin hates pageants? It's sweet and fun, but nothing out of the blue. A quick read for fans of Sophie Kinsella or the Hallmark Channel.

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A book-lover's Miss Congeniality. With added Darcy.

5 stars for the fluffy enjoyment of a romantic fantasy, this is not serious literature and is self-referential and ironic, but manages to hold onto a strong and centred lead, with some moments of female bonding and collaboration.

A woman after my own heart, a fellow school librarian, Charlotte takes up her sister's offer of a hotel room and holiday, enjoying the chance to 'nerd-out' at Harry Potter World. But her sister Ginny is wanting her sister to cheer her on as she competes in the Miss American Treasure competition, and later, as she suffers the ill-effects of an allergic reaction, needs Charlotte to use her unique talent as her identical twin to help her stay in the pageant she cares so much about...

Miss Congeniality is heavily referenced, the world of the pageant mocked but also elements of it (the camaraderie between contestants and stereotype-busting skills and abilities of the women: "accomplished, inspiring women") paid homage to. Alongside this, book lovers will enjoy the many references to Harry Potter and works of literature as our librarian/pageant contestant gives her own idiosyncratic insight into the world of the beauty queen.

Charlotte, I instantly connected with (we have similar book taste, as well as occupation!), and liked her quick wit, her references, her love for the sister she can't fathom and desperately tries not to feel jealous of:
"My sister has always been the pretty one. The Jane Bennet to my Elizabeth, the Meg March to my Jo."

The story progresses as you might expect, with the makeover, the tripping over heels and minor mishaps and triumphs in the pageant, and yes, even a romantic situation developing with a rather lovely Darcy-a-like.

I really connected with Charlotte's love interest, it felt like he cropped up fairly regularly and remained somewhat enigmatic for half the story, then getting a little more to say for himself, he wasn't completely one-dimensional and had some backstory. Refreshing change. And a dual computer and English degree?! Dream man!

Ginny gets to show her own core too, not just a pretty face, but a motivated and smart one in her way, and again, shows there's reasons for what she does with her life. And she and Charlotte get to show how important sisters can be.

The pageant scenes are very entertaining, the romantic story quite lovely (and a little steamy!) actually, and Charlotte's development an irresistible arc with the intrigue, secrets, fumbling and soul-searching. As well as book references.

As I said at the start, you know you are getting something potentially 'fluffy', but the book is more than that, there's a lot of heart, family issues, feminist questions and humour here that takes it over and above many similar sounding titles.

I loved the similarity to the Sandra Bullock film, and the identical-twin (such a staple of many eighties soap operas!) plot device. Well thought-through, and a wonderfully enjoyable read.

With thanks to Netgalley for the sample reading copy.

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Light, gentle entertainment perfect for giving your brain a relax after a busy day.

This book follows a tried and trusted formula, but that's why chick lit romances are successful - we know what we're getting and we like it. All we demand is that the storyline be original and the writing decent, both of which is delivered here.

No surprises, just as we like it!

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I was actually pretty blown away by Teri Wilson's writing!

The story is told by Charlotte, the nerdy twin, who takes her sister's place in a beauty pageant after an unfortunate mishap. This actually makes for a very interesting point of view since we get the perspective of a person used to knowing about pageants, but not being an actual part of it until now. Sure, there are some occasions where the importance of looks is mentioned, but the author also challenges this. Loved it!

Then we have Charlotte's unique voice. Like I said, she's the nerdy twin. A librarian who lives for books, loves books, breathes books and has a whole lot of shirts with literary quotes on them. You could safely say she stole my heart right from the start.

That's not even mentioning the growth she accomplishes as a character! I really admired her and the way she started seeing things differently, opening up to a world she always ignored, started accepting truths about herself and her past. All this combined made for a beautiful evolution of both her character and the relationship with her twin sister!
There's a very clear focus on their relationship throughout the entire story. They have a past, there are secrets between the twin sisters and those are waiting to make an appearance. It adds so much to this story and makes it more than "just a love story".

The other character I truly loved? Well, the love interest of course! He uses literary quotes quite a few times and, as Charlotte, I just felt my heartbeat speed up. Not even ashamed of it.

The only thing I wish was a bit different, is the evolution in their initial attraction towards one another. It's there, and you can feel it.. But I wish it would've had more obvious progression instead of jumping from one thing to the next? Could be me looking back at my reading experience though, since it didn't really bother me at the time of reading!

This simply was the perfect read at the perfect time for me - which made me enjoy it so, so much! Although it isn't a new favorite, it definitely brightened my day and gave me exactly what I was craving. I loved all the literary quotes, the romantic aspect and the relationship between the twins!

Definitely going to check out more work of this author - that's for sure.

4,5 / 5!

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The accidental beauty queen is a fantastic, funny, warm story of love, personal growth, self discovery & family. If you need a light, enjoyable read that will give you a warm fuzzy feeling then you've found it! I will be checking out what else Teri Wilson has written as I suspect she will be joining my list of favourite romance authors. If you like Sariah Wilson, JB Lynn, Camila Chafer you will enjoy this.

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A book that is full of fun. It will certainly make you laugh. This book is great as it focus’ on positive body image.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Littlebrownbookgroupuk for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest unbiased review

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An entertaining and enjoyable read. I liked this sweet book, an easy and fast read.
The style of writing is very good, the characters well developed and likeable.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley for this ARC

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I normally always read really gritty and dark crime thriller novels so I sometimes need a little feel good moment in my life.

This book was fantastic. It is clean and funny and just makes you feel good about reading it. Lots of fun to read and enjoy!

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This was a good, clean read. I enjoyed The Accidental Beauty Queen. Charlotte was a fun, quirky character and I liked how the relationship between her and Grey developed. I wish there had been a little bit more at the end when the characters finally got together but, overall, it was a good read.

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I really enjoyed this book. A story about beauty pagents, twins, swapped identity , a cute dog and a bit of romance. Would be happy to read more from this author. Wonder what happens to the twin who didn't get the guy?

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A sweet, entertaining contemporary novel, with pretty predictable plot points, yet enjoyable and humorous.

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