Cover Image: Not The Type

Not The Type

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Was this review helpful?

This was a really engaging and interesting account of Camilla Thurlow's time with HALO, some of her time in Love Island, but mostly her views on some important political agendas and events which shaped who she chooses to be as a person. And, perhaps, who we might like to be a little more like if we were honest.

I really enjoyed Camilla's discussion around societal pressures, social media and her honest explanation of her own personality traits which are sometimes coping mechanisms for uncomfortable situations. It just brilliantly showcases what it means to be an introvert, a little bit socially awkward and most of all to accept that we are what we are. I came away from the book really liking Camilla.

Highly recommend.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book. I only knew Camilla from Love Island and thought she was a really interesting character on there and not really the sort of person you would imagine on a show like that.
I was very Interested to hear about her background working for the Halo Trust, and found she was such an intelligent, passionate and inspirational woman.
I think I might have liked to hear a little more about her Love Island experience as this is what she is most known for but I think that is just me being a TV junkie!
I think this is a good book for any TV fans to read to see that not all the people who appear on there are Instagram addicted airheads, some of them actually have a lot of substance.

Was this review helpful?

Camilla was one of me favourites on Love Island and I love any sort of memoir so I was keen to read this.
The book is slightly different to hat I was expecting but in a good way. It's not your typical celebrity memoir and there are no childhood tales, its more part memoir,part self help and part factual and in parts its very educational as you get to read about her work with HALO. The book covers a range of issues touching on racism, sexism and mental health and you get to see the celebrity Camilla and the non celebrity Camilla .

All in all a good read.

Many thanks Netgalley

Was this review helpful?

Camilla was one of my favourites on her season of Love Island and I have been rooting for her ever since! It was great to get an insight into her work with the Halo Trust which I had always been curious about. She's clearly a very well educated, warm and lovely woman. I think the editing is a bit messy unfortunately and some parts can drag and skip. A very likeable person though and I hope to see more from her!

Was this review helpful?

This is a really fascinating read and her warmth, intelligence and fragility comes through just like it did when we fell in love with her on Love Island. If you want a warts and all tale about love island (and a certain Prince) then this is probably not the book for you as it’s just a foot note to a fascinating life that Camilla has had all running alongside the fact that her insecurities and anxieties were controlling her life. This book explains her battles as she tried to find a place to fit in and feel content but also give back to society and make a difference in the world. A fascinating read.

Was this review helpful?

This book was reviewed as part of my September Reading Wrap Up on YouTube https://youtu.be/pqwJ03pbVoM

It was also featured in a book haul https://youtu.be/xAktKDEkfIk

Was this review helpful?

Really interesting, measured account of a young woman in some eye-opening, genuinely dicey situations (not Love Island!) refreshing to see it’s not focused on that aspect of things, rather that’s a quirky and incongruous footnote in her life/career. She come across very likeable and level headed (if self deprecating!) too

Was this review helpful?

I, like most people, first found Camilla through Love Island. when watching I found I really admired her and was interested in hearing more about her remarkable career.
Not the Type is a fascinating insight into not only her career but also celebrity culture which makes it more varied and interesting.
My issue with this book is that it's quite a turbulent read in that it jumps about a fair bit and is part memoir, part essays, part self help book which makes for a confusing read.

Was this review helpful?

BOOK REVIEW: Not The Type by Camilla Thurlow

3.5 stars

I have been a fan of Camilla since she was on Love Island and so was excited to see that she was releasing a book that is based around her demining work. I enjoyed alot of this book but sadly felt some aspects let it down.
I really enjoyed learning about Camilla's training and work with The Halo Trust. This was my favourite part of the book as I found it to be incredibly informative, interesting and very well written. Her journey with this organisation had me on the edge of my metaphorical seat. It was gripping and with every sentence I found my admiration for her grow.
The section on Love Island was very small and I didn't mind this as I was more interested in the aspects of her life that we hadn't seen on screen.

I felt the editing was a little confused. After the first demining section, it seemed to skip between personal anecdotes and essay writing on a host of issues including social media, the refugee crisis, mental health issues, sexism and racism. For me, there wasn't a coherent flow and I found it really let down the book.
Camilla is clearly an amazing woman and the more I learnt about her the more in awe I was of her bravery and intelligence.
This is why I was sadly rather upset to read how incredibly self deprecating she is to the point of being constantly negative about herself throughout the book. It made me sad that she felt this way and also a little angry that some of this wasn't edited out. After a while I found it rather depressing and wasn't sure if I could continue. I felt that Camilla needs some help so that she can celebrate how great she is as a person and all the wonderful things she does, rather that to continually put herself down for not doing more.

Overall, I am glad I have read it as learning about her work with #TheHaloTrust was something that will stay with me. I just wish it has been edited better and that the overall tone wasn't so self deprecating.

Please note that I was #gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A call to arms for the Love Island generation, this book gave a fascinating insight not only into Camilla’s life before reality television working with landmines, as well as a critical look at the impact that popular culture is having on the mental health of young people today. If you’re looking for a deep dive into the secrets behind the hit summer show, this isn’t the book for you, but if you’re interested in the other work Camilla has done, you won’t be disappointed. For me, I hoped for a little more on Love Island as it has played such a pivotal role in her life, and would have liked to know more about her day to day life with Jamie in its aftermath, but I understand why that wasn’t included. I felt quite uncomfortable in some of the last chapters about anxiety and mental health, because I wanted Camilla to seek more support, so I was glad to read at the end that she is making those steps, but beyond that thought it was an insightful, well-written read, that goes well beyond the expectations of “another memoir from a reality TV star.” Camilla has so much more to share and that was clear in Not My Type.

Was this review helpful?

I was excited to read this book as I had liked Camilla in Love Island and in her post-show interviews, however I found this book a little lacking in something and found it hard to have an emotional connection when reading it. A lot of the book is about Camilla’s work with Halo and although it was interesting and is a very admirable job, I did find myself reading it more as an information piece on how the organisation works rather than an emotional, personal piece. Possibly just the wrong fit for me and the type of books I like to read.

Was this review helpful?

Camilla is a wonderful human being who has been through many a trial during life. Despite her somewhat self deprecating manner in this novel she has given time back to many a charitable cause. The book editing seemed a little erratic and a lot of the chapters appeared more of a confidence boost and reminder to young women not to pressurise themselves.

Was this review helpful?

Why oh why didn’t this book exist when I was in my early 20’s (now in my late 30’sj

This is not a celebrity memoir of their time on a popular tv show. It is a well written educational book written by a young woman who has done the work some of us only wish we brave enough to and seen things the rest of us are glad we don’t have to.

Camilla talks about her work a Explosive ordnance disposal expert in some of the most difficult areas in the world with really compassion and drive. You can tell just by the way she has written the book she is an old head or young shoulders and is clearly passionate about what she does.

Hailing from Scotland originally, she is definitely not the posh girl, with a rich family that maybe we all preconceived her to be as a result of her accent. She is a strong, quiet, highly educated woman.

She doesn’t just talk about her work, of course she talks about Love Island and despite being a big fan of the show I found myself hurrying through that chapter to get back to ready more about non celebrity Camilla. (Good luck to her and Jamie on the upcoming birth of their baby though,) she talks about her lack of confidence and self esteem and always feeling like the outsider in her late teens and early 20’s.

This book is definitely worth a read, for anyone who feels their own flaws in any way. Camilla discuss how she deals with those moments of self doubt and her flaws and I think if I’d of had this book to read when I felt at my lowest due to bullies etc, then I may of handled things.

Camilla is an Activist, She is also extremely passionate about what she does. Definitely inspirational and a woman I wish I had the courage to be!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for granting my request to read Not The Type. All views and opinions shared here are my own.

I honestly wasn't sure going into this what I was going to think of it and so ended up being very pleasantly surprised. I took to Camilla when watching her on Love Island and so was just intrigued to see what Camilla would write about.

I found Camilla's writing to be very engaging and she covers a range of topics including sexism, racism, the white saviour privilege, and mental health issues. It was so interesting to learn about Camilla's background but also her own experiences with anxiety and OCD. I feel that Camilla managed to balance well her auto-biographical content with facts and news. I will say I found the earliest chapters were the ones I found the most interesting compared to the later chapters on Social Media which, whilst interesting, didn't have as much focus on Camilla and her experiences herself.

I think Camilla manages to acknowledge her experiences well whilst also recognising the privileged background that she comes from; it never came across as patronising and I feel she balanced this well.

Definitely one i'm going to want to add to my shelves!

Was this review helpful?

I found this interesting, particularly about her work with Halo and the landmines.

She’s also very honest about her insecurities and struggles in life and it’s an insightful commentary into life after reality TV.

Thanks to NetGalley for my copy.

Was this review helpful?

Not The Type is an interesting read which gives the reader an insight in to Camilla Thurlow's life. While it does lack the depth and emotional attachment you find in other biographies, it's a read that shows you who Camilla is. It's sure to please her existing fanbase and also gain her new ones.

Was this review helpful?

I really like Camilla and was so excited about this book. I liked learning more about her life pre-love island but was slightly disappointed by the overall book. It felt very detached, I understand that she wants to keep her private life private but I think she could have put more into the book while still doing this. She's a very likeable person and I learned quite a bit, her insights were valuable but I did find myself skipping some pages.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks for the copy of Not My Type, I have finished reading it with more knowledge of gender equality globally, the impact and work that Camilla has done and about the other side of the love Island experience.

I’m a non-fiction fan and love to read more about the person, their background, their loves and hates and the journey they’ve been on so far. This read for me felt more around Camillas work history and lacked the personal side and lacked detail on relationships of friends. Even lacking the emotional side of choosing to go on love island but the logistics of it are all there. It was a personal book in the way that she shares her thoughts and feelings around her previous work, what she saw on the job and her experience of working out in Cambodia.

Was this review helpful?

This is a really interesting memoir. I really liked Camilla on love island, and it was interesting to read about her life so far. It doesn't rely on love island gossip, which I appreciate

Was this review helpful?