The premise of this book sounded really up my street, and super intriguing.
I enjoyed this book. I found it really engrossing, and I liked the kind of mixed media approach to the text. It's very clear that L.C North has taken inspiration from Britney Spears and Caroline Flack.
The book feels incredibly real - we've heard things like this in the news before.
One downside to this book is it felt repetitive at times, it kept repeating things and it didn't drive the plot forward. However, thanks to Norths writing style, it still kept me reading and turning the pages.

I enjoyed reading this book even if it was very bleak.

Melanie Lange, heiress to a hotel chain and creator of both a cosmetics and baby range, has disappeared. Her best friend and ex-husband claim she has been kidnapped and imprisoned by her father, Sir Peter Lange: mulit-millionaire owner of Lange Hotels. Sir Peter says she's been taken to a health facility to recover from a breakdown and suicide attempt. As both #savemelanie and #helppeter trend on Twitter, others say it's all a hoax for the publicity and attention.

Looking back to 15 year old Melanie going against her father's wishes to get media attention and a modelling contract, to the present day documentary. The story is told in a Janice Hallett style through the transcript of a Netflix documentary, Ugly Truth; tweets; emails; an interview between Sir Peter and his ghostwriter; and extracts of Melanie's diary.

A look into the darker side of media - especially tabloids and the paparazzi - and social media when everyone has an opinion and everyone has their own motivations and side of their story to tell. It drew me in and kept me hooked!

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting concept dealing with the impact of fame at a young age and press manipulation. Reminiscent of the Harry and Megan situation. At first I really enjoyed the mixed media aspect, though after a while it started to become a little tedious. Particularly the twitter thread was lacking in its portrayal of what can really go down on that platform. I think an opportunity was missed to really take it to the dark side. Still an entertaining read.

I am always a bit sceptical about books in this format…but wow was I surprised. This is a fantastic read and follows a different few view points. It really does make you think about the role and impact of modern media. Sure to be a hit when released.

An interesting insight into the effects the media and social media can have on the life of well known public figures and celebs.

Melanie has gone missing, is her father involved? The story is told from a number of view points and is an interesting blend of interviews, extracts from a Netflix docuseries, social media, family and friends. The writing style took a little getting used to, but I enjoyed the difference compared to usual fiction reads. Overall, a good, easy read.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. #TheUglyTruth

This is written in the style of a salacious, sensational, gossipy read. What is the truth about Melanie? Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

Very unusual book where the story is told by a plethora of characters and in various ways ie via interviews,newspaper reports,Netflix Documentary commentary,friends and family snippets etc
The story is based around Melanie,daughter of a millionaire businessman Peter but a success herself with her comsetics company,however Melanies life has gone into freefall after the birth of her 2 children and she has ‘disappeared’,gone for months when there is suddenly a disturbing video on YouTube of her saying she is being held against her will by her Father…..the Father insists she is in a ‘facility’ after suffering a breakdown being cared for 24/7….the book then continually makes you think whose side you are on and gives evidence for both sides ( via the ways mentioned above )
Its quite difficult to write a review tbh but it is an intriguing read/idea and I certainly did take a side (wont say who as will let you take your own side when reading ) and it was fascinating to see the same part of this tory told multiple ways with differing explanations
For me this is a book you need to try yourself and see how you get on with it,I found it a quick read as and more and more fascinating as the story progressed

I found this to be a compelling and intriguing read. The story of Melanie, catapulted to fame in her teens, and the effect this has on her and her relationships is told as a series of interviews, tweets, diary entries. What is ‘the truth’, when everyone believes something different, when the stories and viewpoints given contradict each other? The use- and abuse- of social media is a key theme, as is perception-how much do we alter ‘the truth’ to justify an act? How much of what we believe to be true comes directly from what we WANT the truth to be?
The story is not only thought provoking, it was gripping, and I read well into the night to finish it!

This is a superbly written story of Melanie Lange and how she lived her life from a young girl to a married woman with two children in the toxic limelight of the press and social media and a whole heap of misinformation and it makes a fabulous read.
The book is written through emails, interviews, twitter and other outlets which made it completely addictive and absorbing and it felt at times like I was reading a true story so real were all the characters. The premise is a scary one and brings to mind many real celebrities who have had their lives brought to the fore and found the intrusion just impossible to bear and the author dealt with this very well I thought and put so much into a very topical subject.
Sometimes when you start a book you get that feeling that it’s going to be a brilliant read well this was one of those it just captured me and wouldn’t let go I needed to know how it would end and yet I didn’t want it to finish!
So for me a five star read I loved the book and many thanks to LC North for an amazing read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam Press for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Ugly Truth is a phenomenal thriller from start to finish. L.C. North really knows what she's doing. Filled to the brim with twists and a captivating plot, this one is sure to keep readers hooked. The characters are well-developed. The story is incredibly fast-paced. This is one not to be missed! Highly recommended! Be sure to check out The Ugly Truth asap.

I didn't think I would like this book when I first started to read it because of the format, but it grew on me and I really enjoyed it.
Told through twitter feeds, interviews and a Netflix documentary it is the topical story of Melanie, daughter of a hotel tycoon, who is hounded relentlessly by paparazzi and the press after making her name at a young age through modelling and later entrepreneurship. Then she disappears. Her father, Sir Peter Lange, says she is a danger to herself and has been admitted to a private mental health clinic. Her ex-husband, Finn, and best friend, Nell, say she has been kidnapped.
It is a well crafted, compelling read which I predict will be a huge hit in 2023.
Highly recommended!

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Uncomfortable reading in parts as so close to the bone in how the media treats celebrity - Britney Spears in particular.

A quite unique style of narrative brings this modern storyline into the current era. Quite apt in this time of #metoo and the memoir 'Spare'. It details the life of an influencer and how her father tries to protect her from the paparazzi and social media in general. The story is conducted in these media's as well as in the form of a 'ghost writer' for a biography and interviews for a television adaptation of her life. It drew me in from the start.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the advance copy of this book.

An Intriguing Take on Celebrity of Today!😃📸😔🍸🍾💥
A 3.5 Star Read (For Me)
The Ugly Truth

This captured my interest relatively quickly. I found the storyline and characters rather interesting. Unfortunately, as the story progressed, I began to get more and more annoyed with the format of the book. It really removed me from the tale itself, which was so frustrating as I had been thoroughly enjoying it!😔

This brought, of course, Ms Spears case to the forefront of my mind, but also one of our beloved tv presenters, she, to our press and country's shame, came to a tragic end!😭💔 I'd love to believe that this could change people's voracious appetite for gossip and intrusion,but I don't know there's anything that will help anymore.😔

This is an insightful, twisty and gripping read, in its own way. I would definitely recommend everyone reads this book, (I would change its formatting first, though.👍),

(I would like to thank the publisher and netgalley for this advanced copy of the e-book.)

Debbie, 1970, UK

This was surprisingly very good!!! A debut book that keeps you hooked from the first page!

I thoroughly enjoyed the format of the writing in an interview style,,, I thought I knew who was telling the truth then I’d turn the page and doubt myself!!

This is a book which over the last 2-3 pages makes you think and reflect about the world we live in, do you really know the full story and how true is what you read.

I think it sums up what is now a very well known saying “if you can be anything in this world, be kind”

Go and get yourself a copy of this book!

Loved this book. Very interesting in wake of the Britney scandal. Reads really well and was not expecting the ending

When Melanie Lange, former teen model and mother to two young boys says she's taking time out for herself it sounds entirely plausible ... but is it the truth? Her former husband and best friend think not and with the help of Twitter begin a #savemelanie campaign. Netflix cashes in with its own documentary whilst her dad, increasingly absent from his business Lange Hotels, busy telling his own story of life with Melanie to the ghost writer of his biography has his own story to tell. Perhaps not the most original tale but I thought the authors use of different story tellers and different mediums to tell their stories (Twitter, diary entries, interview comments etc) made an interesting change to the usual narrative story. An easy book to read, perfect for summer holidays. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC.

I enjoyed this book. The style worked for me, and although I'd have preferred not to have been left with the ambiguity at the end, I can see why the author chose to do things that way. This is an in depth look at the price of fame - particularly when it comes early - and the effect social media and the tabloid press can have on people. I like this format - presented in the style of a documentary. It really reflected the way the media was complicit in what happened.

The social media genre has gotten so popular these days. This one does it very well. Fast paced and gripping. When Mel disappears from social life people wonder what would take her away from her 2 boys. Is she really taking time out or has she been taken? Told in a modern format this one will keep you engaged.

The Ugly Truth is probably one of the most uniquely books I've read in a while. Not the story as such, but more the format. Told by means of a documentary, media headlines, social media, YouTube videos, diary and a (I want to say) biography. There are no real scene setting chapters you might see in a traditional book. I praise L.C North for the way this book is written, as I said it's different and refreshing. The subject matter is fairly clever too. I saw aspects of the #savebritney movement (For those who followed the Britney Spears story), but also a hint of big A List stars and what they deal with from the media and journalists, plus their businesses (Kylie Cosmetics and Kylie Baby spring to mind). I think if I came away from anything with this book it's that it's made me think. How does not the fame, but the attention (Good and bad) effect someone of that stature? Effect their mental health or their physical health?

This book follows the story of Melanie Lange. I don't really want to tell you more than that, it's about her life from a teenager through fame and how she was perceived. It's about family, businesses, love and children. There is some love in this book, but a lot of hate, jealousy and confusion. Confusion because who was right in their actions? Peter Lange (Melanie's father) or Melanie herself? This book will leave you with on question at the end and I liked that as it leaves it open for the reader to decide. Honestly I'm not sure who I chose at the end, Melanie probably. On a side note can I just say I hated that Peter called Melanie, Mellie. As another Melanie (Mostly a Mel) I'd have had issues with my father too if he called me that!!

This book was EXTREMELY hard to put down as you have to keep reading to find out what has happened to Melanie. I felt for her on so many occasions. Was Nell to be trusted? Did Finn really have her best interested at heart? Was Zara as bad as she sounded? And Peter... Well don't even get me started with him. But when you are told a story from so many points of view you start to see things, make conclusions. Like I said, this book will make you think.

I highly rate this book. It's a good mystery, some general fiction too. It'll appeal to those who have grown up watching those A Listers stars and seeing all the headlines. Having that 'teenage role model' who you wanted to dress like, be like, maybe even be that person. A solid 4 stars, this is probably the hardest book I've had to review as I just don't want to give a thing away.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam Press for this advance readers copy in exchange of an honest review.