Review: A Girl Like You by Maria Geraci

Title: A Girl Like You
Author: Maria Geraci
Publication Date: August 7, 2012

From Goodreads:

What if you found out you were the ugly friend?

Emma Frazier is smart, hardworking, and loves her job as a journalist for a Florida lifestyle magazine. Emma knows she’s no great beauty, but she’s pretty certain she has a shot with her handsome new boss, Ben Gallagher—until Emma overhears a mutual acquaintance refer to her as the “ugly friend.” In an effort to reclaim her battered self-esteem, Emma decides to impress Ben at work by promising an exclusive interview with NASCAR legend, Trip Monroe.

Emma and Trip went to high school together and although it’s been fourteen years since they’ve spoken, Emma is certain she can score an interview with the elusive super star. But connecting with Trip turns out to be harder than Emma imagined. Her quest for the interview leads her back to her tiny hometown of Catfish Cove, where old secrets and a new romantic interest shake up Emma’s views on life and teach her that maybe the key to finding true love is as simple as accepting yourself for the person you were always meant to be.

My Thoughts:

Every once in a while, a book comes along that completely surprises you. While you know it is probably going to be a good read, it turns out to be so much more. The last time this happened to me was last year when I read Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman, I don't get surprised easily. But A Girl Like You totally caught me off guard.

Emma Frazier is smart, funny and has that self-deprecating humor that I find in myself. Even though she is not "big" by normal standards (size 10/12 is average, as in healthy), she still feels out of shape next to her beautiful, size two friends. She knows she isn't as stunning as them, but when she over hears one call her "the ugly friend", the little ounce of remaining self esteem goes out the window. I remember having a conversation with someone a year or so ago, and they said to me "When I was the fat funny one..." which really made me angry. Yes, I am a big girl. But does that make me any less important or diminish my worth? Of course not. I kept thinking about this when reading Emma's story. I liked her right away, and some part of me felt like I actually knew this girl. We had a lot in common: low self esteem, big dreams and we both use humor as a self defense mechanism. I know her kind, I am her kind.

Emma has a serious crush on her new boss, Ben, and sometimes she thinks she might actually have a chance with him. But that is another one of Emma's traits, she over-analyzes everything. She can't help but look at things from every possible angle, never satisfied to just let it be what it is. This is what causes her to try and impress Ben with the exclusive interview with her old high school classmate, Trip Monroe. Only getting that interview is a lot harder than she realized it would be. This leads her back to her home town of Catfish Cover, Florida where she runs into her old high school crush. Nick Alfonso is that boy. You know the one. The one so dreamy and out of your league that you spend weeks, months, and sometimes even years pining for. Nick is recently divorced from his high school sweetheart and he and Emma immediately click. She can't believe that she is finally getting her chance after all of these years and is still holding onto one horribly embarrassing memory of their first dance. When it comes out that Emma is now in a relationship, people start to see her in a new way. Or maybe it is Emma that is finally starting to see things the way they have been all along.

Emma is not the only lovable character in this story though. She is surrounded by well developed, in depth friends and coworkers that keep you on laughing. Especially Richard, Emma's somewhat of a pervert coworker who loves to taunt Emma and keep her day full of sexual innuendos.

Besides the fantastic characters, the author's writing style really just dragged me straight into the story from the first page. You don't feel like you are reading a book. It feels more like you are hanging out with this girl (Emma) that you just recently met and she is telling you all about her life. You just want her to keep going and tell you everything because her story is not only funny, but she has an exceptional way of sharing it with you. This makes A Girl Like You a breeze to read through and I'll admit that I was pretty bummed that it had to end. Once again I was left wishing that I knew these people in real life and could somehow make my way into their group.

Overall, A Girl Like You is a remarkable read. Emma Frazier is a genuine heroine with nothing but warmth, charm and one hell of a sense of humor. I recommend A Girl Like You to everyone, no matter what your choice of genre is. Whether you are a long time fan of Chick Lit or you are just in the mood for something fun and quick paced.

I also recommend this book to any girl who has ever felt out of place, uncomfortable in her own skin, or who had an undying love for that one boy who just never noticed that you existed. I know I've been there. Get your hands on a copy of this book ASAP and follow Emma along as she gets her second chance with that one boy, ultimately getting a second chance with herself as well.


For more about Maria Geraci or A Girl Like You, visit her website here.

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*I received a copy of this book for free in exchange of my honest review. This did not influence my opinion in any way and all views and opinions expressed are 100% my own.