Gorgeous

by Rachel Vail

Book Overview

She's looking good . . . but Allison Avery can't believe it. Growing up with beautiful, blond sisters, Allison has always been the dark-haired, "interesting-looking" Avery. So when the devil shows up... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B007YTSVH4
• ISBN13: 9780060890483
• Release Date: April 2010
• Publisher: Harperteen
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.3" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 and higher

Customer Reviews

Trying To Stand Out Among Her Outstanding Sisters

This was the first Rachel Vail book I've read, but certainly not the last. Yes, I read these books out of order, but it turns out I doesn't matter. Allison Avery feels like she's a loser compared to her sisters, and when new girl Roxie Green offers her the chance to hang out, she feels like she can start over. By selling her cell phone to the devil (who's pretty hot in this novel) and changing her name to Alison, she becomes model material. But it's not so simple. Allison isn't just another shallow girl wanting to be popular and beautiful. She's trying to figure out what friendship means, along the way discarding some of her old friends in favor of new ones. Meanwhile, her home life is rocked when her mom loses her job. She had once thought teen magazines were trashy, but now, she's not so sure. Allison has to figure out just how far she'll go to live up to the titular gorgeous, and pushes her parents', sisters' and friends' buttons to prove that she's worthy. What truly impressed me about Vail is that while there's definitely a lesson here, it's not just "beauty is only skin deep" or some other cliché. The devil isn't just evil, but smart in his way, alluring, and Allison has a tough choice to make. Roxie quotes Golda Meir to her ("Don't be humble; you're not that great.") in a line that many adults could also take to heart. I've since gone on and read Lucky, but Gorgeous I think is the stronger of the two. Highly recommended. Vail makes Allison relatable and realistic, especially in her feeling like her parents aren't impressed with her and won't be until she reaches a certain level of achievement.

fun chicklit with depth

You don't have to have read the first book in this Avery sister trilogy to follow along with Gorgeous. Each book can be read alone, as each tells one of the sisters' stories. This one follows Allison who feels like the ugly unlucky one in her family. Things start to change for her when she trades her cell phone to the devil in exchange for being gorgeous. Suddenly, old friends are jealous and boys start to notice her. However, things get out of hand when devil starts taking over her phone and she pays the price for being gorgeous.

I know this person

I loved Rachel Vail's book Lucky so much that I ordered Gorgeous as soon as it came out. It is even better. Every girl I know wants to be at least cute and being gorgeous seems like it would be a dream come true. Who wouldn't give up a cell phone to be gorgeous? Hello! Everyone I know. But after you read this book, you have to think twice. There's a price to pay. I think of Allison very every time I look in the mirror and wish I was better looking. Is the wish worth it? Read the book and see for yourself. AH

Being tempted to make that deal

I ordered this book as soon as I saw it was available because I loved Lucky so much. I couldn't wait to read about the family from another sister's point of view. I finished Gorgeous this weekend an it is even better because some of the things it talks about are important in my own life. I am growing up in a house with a Mom who considers herself some sort of feminist so we don't have conversations about who is pretty. She thinks that is silly. But it isn't silly because everyone my age notices which girls are attractive and maybe that is not a good thing but that's the way it is. When I started reading Gorgeous I really related to Allison because I think I would be tempted to make the same deal, just to be the pretty one and know that I am. Now that I am finished I realize that being gorgeous isn't that great either. I liked the way this worked out for Allison. I almost feel as if this book was written about me and I learned a lot about myself. I am looking forward to Rachel Vail's next book.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

As the middle sister, Allison feels neglected. She's not beautiful or lucky like her other sisters; she's merely interesting. With all the family drama - something's up with her mom and her job - Allison feels left out. Allison's best friend is also getting on her nerves. When she hangs out with Roxie Green one day; she just might discover that fun is missing from her life. She also might have made a bargain with the devil in exchange for people thinking she's gorgeous. When Allison and Roxie skip school to get a modeling gig, things start to change. All of a sudden Allison has a new best friend and the interest of her crush. Could all this really be happening to her? GORGEOUS is the simultaneous sequel to LUCKY, the story from Phoebe's perspective - the youngest sister. This is another fun, exciting read from Rachel Vail. Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel