Synopsis:
When 18-year-old, shy, suburban aspiring model Catherine Watson suddenly has it all as the New York fashion world’s new “It” girl, she thinks she has everything she ever dreamed of—or was it right in front of her all along? Leaving her good-girl image behind, “Cat” quickly learns things aren’t always what they seem on the catwalk, and she’s faced with a decision that will change her life forever.
-Written by Nicole Gabor - set to be released Summer 2021!
*I received an early copy of this book from the Author*
“Sometimes, the things that are most worth fighting for are the things you already have.”
Overall: 4.5/5 Stars
Nicole Gabor beautifully composes a coming-of-age story with the backdrop of the NYC modeling world. Being a former fashion model herself, I bet she knows a thing or two about the industry. As readers, we are taken on a journey with Catherine as she navigates what she truly wants as she makes some very tough decisions.
I was immediately drawn to Catherine because I remember being a teenager so vividly. Even though I’m not a six-foot, 120-pound aspiring model, I related to Catherine so much. At 18, she’s in that oh-so-fun stage between high-schooler and adult. After dropping the bomb on her parents that she wanted to move to New York to pursue modeling instead of going to college after graduation, Catherine is thrown into a whirlwind of photo shoots, boy problems, and so many “bi-atches.”
During an evening of partying too hard, she meets Seth, the son of a famous model. He’s a complete sweetheart and seems almost too good to be true. You have to admit he’s swoon-worthy, but Catherine already has a boy-who’s-not-her-boyfriend-but-sometimes-she-kisses at home. Enter a love triangle, one of my all-time favorite tropes! Who will she choose? Who will win her heart? You’ll just have to read and see!
In the midst of too many drinks, uppity models who are hungover half the time, and men that are way too old for her hitting on her, Catherine almost quits. Modeling isn’t what she thought it was! She knew it would be difficult, but not like this. Suddenly though, she’s New York City’s “It” girl; “Catherine” is turned into “Cat” and her face is everywhere. Once she signs her contract, that’s it for her - she’s off to Aruba and Italy for photoshoots and Fashion Week.
Not too long into her career, Cat begins to run into some trouble. She’s forced into a lot of situations that make her uncomfortable with her agent, and when she confides to her roommate with her concerns and asks, “What are we, prostitutes?” she’s greeted with a bitter, “No, we wear better clothes.”
At this point, Cat has to make a choice that will change her life forever. Does she give everything up? Does she give in to “creepy old men” for fame and fortune? Or does she go back home, take classes like a “normal teenager” and always wonder what might have been?
I loved going through Catherine’s journey with her. Her character arc is beautifully written; from the immature teen she is in the beginning to the accomplished woman she is at the end, I was rooting for her the entire time. She goes through a lot of changes in such a short amount of time. She learns a good lesson and truly finds herself along the way.
Trigger warning: Drug/alcohol abuse, ugly side of the modeling industry
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