"This entertaining page-turner sees an aspiring teen actress struggle with impossible standards before writing her own script"
August 2020 Book of the Month
Hot on the heels of Happy Girl Lucky comes this second book in Holly Smale’s The Valentines series – a wildly entertaining tale in which aspiring actress Faith seems to have it all, before realising she needs to shirk off the shackles of impossible standards and speak from her own script.
Stunning and wealthy, with a mega-famous musician boyfriend – what more could a girl want? And coming from a line of talented actresses, Faith’s future as a major movie star is laid out before her like a red carpet. In her grandmother’s words, “You are a Valentine, darling…The entire world has been handed to you on a plate. All you have to do is not screw it up.”
But, despite Faith’s privilege, not screwing up is an impossible task when - also in her grandmother’s words, “there is no intermission, Faith. For us, the curtains are always up.” Constantly in the public eye, everything Faith says or does is scrutinised, often wilfully misinterpreted and, when the truth isn’t juicy enough, the press invents their own. Desperate to keep everyone happy, Faith always says what’s she’s supposed to, but that backfires too: “The Daily Mail has once more referred to you as aloof and an Ice Queen. Darling, if you were a man, that would be a way of saying enigmatic. As a woman, it just means nightmare. You must try to come across as warmer. But not so warm that you look desperate, obviously.” Quite simply, Faith can’t win. What’s more, her auditions aren’t going well either, and it’s not long before everything starts to unravel.
Faith’s journey really is an additive rollercoaster – she’s someone to root for, and all the characters are fabulously formed. Readers will truly love “I’ll-do-and-say-and-eat-what-I-want, when-I-want” Scarlett who offers Faith a life-changing sisterly hand. With the novel’s exposure of double standards - and impossible standards - seamlessly thread through the pacey plot, this is feminist fiction at its most thoughtful, thrilling and funny.
Find out more as Holly Smale talks to us about her fabulous new trilogy!
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Faith Valentine seems to have a perfect life, but what she wants a life away from her intimidating family expectations. Join Faith on an adventure to show her real self.
I liked Holly Smale’s series 'Geek Girl', but this book is exceeds my expectations. The topic of the book was about Faith fighting to become her real self. This book was captivating - it hooked me from start to end and I could not put it down. This brilliant book is must-read for children aged 11-15. This book covered a collection of different matters affecting many young people in today’s world, not just children of celebrities or rich people. There are many important messages in this book including “There is more to perfection than meets the eye” which is relevant as many people see unrealistic lifestyles on social media platforms.
While some work hard for fame, others are born into it, whether they like it or not, like the Valentine children.... Read Full Review
Absolutely loved this book!
Faith Valentine is a sixteen year old girl whose whole family are actors. They are very rich and very powerful. Her grandmother has won lots of Oscars and gives her lessons every Wednesday morning on how to behave like a Valentine. She has social media pages that she is told what to put on. She is told what to wear, how to speak, how to sit, how to do everything really. Her parents are in the middle of a divorce, but the world doesn’t know yet. Her mum has had a nervous breakdown and just hides in her room. Faith has to look after everyone, making sure things run smoothly.
I really really loved this book. It is broken into short chapters so it’s really easy to read.... Read Full Review
‘Far From Perfect’ is a wonderful book about Faith who has a seemingly perfect life. “She is a Valentine, life is handed to her on a plate and all she has to do is not screw it up” is what her grandma says. Is this really the case? Will Faith, a successful and famous actor, find her true self?
‘Far From Perfect’ is a wonderful book about Faith who has a seemingly perfect life. “She is a Valentine, life is handed to her on a plate and all she has to do is not screw it up” is what her grandma says. The Valentines are a famous show business family and Faith has started young in the family trade. Even with a famous musical boyfriend, a large house and a brilliant life Faith is still not happy. She is trying to find her true self. Faith meets Scarlett, a fellow actor who took her part in a movie. Scarlett gives her sister-like advice that is transformational. When Faith takes part in an acting group she finds out everything people know about her is a lie. With the pressure her family gives her Faith just has to explode.... Read Full Review
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