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Not-Quite-Supermodel
Not-Quite-Supermodel follows Alex Emmerson’s quest for stardom. Alex is painfully awkward, exquisitely unfashionable, and she’s never fit in anywhere. When a smooth-talking model scout discovers her slicing fish at a Canadian Safeway, she offers Alex the chance at a career she never knew she wanted.
Armed with a suitcase full of neuroses, Alex sets off to reinvent herself in the Big Apple. Buyer beware: it’s a runway to hell but perdition does have its perks.
Take a peek behind the glamour and follow Alex’s laugh-out-loud exploits as she attempts to navigate New York’s high-adrenaline fashion scene. This self-deprecating narrative is a realistic portrayal of a model in the making.
Modeling may not be Alex’s biggest challenge. She must reconcile her inner self with a world of retouched perfection—what really matters, who she truly is, and where she fits in. Her ‘only in New York� misadventures with an outrageous cast and crew lead her to the one thing, the coolest thing she could ever hope for...Herself.
Not-Quite-Supermodel is a salacious, yet relatable coming of age story that captures how it feels to be young and on your own in New York City, with its limitless possibilities, dramatic highs and lows, and the sense of victory that comes from relentless perseverance.
Armed with a suitcase full of neuroses, Alex sets off to reinvent herself in the Big Apple. Buyer beware: it’s a runway to hell but perdition does have its perks.
Take a peek behind the glamour and follow Alex’s laugh-out-loud exploits as she attempts to navigate New York’s high-adrenaline fashion scene. This self-deprecating narrative is a realistic portrayal of a model in the making.
Modeling may not be Alex’s biggest challenge. She must reconcile her inner self with a world of retouched perfection—what really matters, who she truly is, and where she fits in. Her ‘only in New York� misadventures with an outrageous cast and crew lead her to the one thing, the coolest thing she could ever hope for...Herself.
Not-Quite-Supermodel is a salacious, yet relatable coming of age story that captures how it feels to be young and on your own in New York City, with its limitless possibilities, dramatic highs and lows, and the sense of victory that comes from relentless perseverance.
- GenresRomance
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2019
3 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Tong
2Ìýbooks4ÌýfollowersMeet Kathy Tong, Author and (not-quite-super-) Model.
Kathy was discovered at age the ripe old age of 20 behind the seafood counter at Canada Safeway. That’s right, she was slicing fish. And, studying at Simon Fraser University -- but she walked away from all that to take a stab at a modeling career.
By all shapes and standards she was way too old to start modeling, and, at 5�8, kind of short. However, one Marie Claire cover and 28 years later (much older and no taller), she is still doing it, with some big campaigns under her belt�
Some of which you might even have noticed.
Her high-profile client list includes De Beers, Tommy Bahama, Barneys, Oil of Olay, Schwarzkopf, Max Factor, and Clairol. As the face on the latter’s hair color box, you may’ve found her smiling back at you from the shelves of your local beauty department. Or, if you play video games, you’ll find her pointing her gun at you as the face of Mona Sax in Max Payne 2, which earned her worldwide acclaim and lots of fan art. Anyone want a Mona Sax hand puppet?
She was the spokesmodel for Neutrogena in North America, and faked French and German well enough to land the gig across the pond in France and Germany. She played Kathryn Fitzgerald on ABC’s One Life to Live, and boasts several blink-and-you’ll-miss-it roles in blockbuster films.
Kathy just finished up her juicy first novel. How semi-autobiographical is it? She’ll never tell.
Of her career, she says this: “It isn’t exactly playing out in the Hollywood fashion I had envisioned but the Lifetime made-for-TV version is still promising.�
She has no plans to go back to slicing fish…yet.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 13, 2019
Kathy Tong's debut, Not-Quite Supermodel, follows the story of the awkward Alex Emmerson's ascent from a job slicing fish at a Safeway grocery store to a model in New York City's high stakes fashion scene. On the premise alone, I was hoping this to be a bit like The Devil Wears Prada. It mostly delivered.
This is an extremely quick and easy read. Despite being 386 pages long, the majority of the content of the book is short dialogue and two-sentence long paragraphs. This translates as being a lot of white space on each page. The dialogue is short and snappy, but doesn't always flow very well. This would be my main criticism - the flow just felt very off. However, as a fun quick read over the holiday break, this may not be a deal-breaker. Alex comes off as an extremely like-able character, however, with her awkward and often self-deprecating demeanor. I caught myself grinning several times while reading this.
Definitely a fun read, but don't expect it to be thought-provoking. Pack this one for the plane ride to see your family, just be careful - your imagination might go wild about what the other plane passengers are up to while you read this.
Thank you for Kathy Tong and Booksirens for allowing me to access an advance review copy for free. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
This is an extremely quick and easy read. Despite being 386 pages long, the majority of the content of the book is short dialogue and two-sentence long paragraphs. This translates as being a lot of white space on each page. The dialogue is short and snappy, but doesn't always flow very well. This would be my main criticism - the flow just felt very off. However, as a fun quick read over the holiday break, this may not be a deal-breaker. Alex comes off as an extremely like-able character, however, with her awkward and often self-deprecating demeanor. I caught myself grinning several times while reading this.
Definitely a fun read, but don't expect it to be thought-provoking. Pack this one for the plane ride to see your family, just be careful - your imagination might go wild about what the other plane passengers are up to while you read this.
Thank you for Kathy Tong and Booksirens for allowing me to access an advance review copy for free. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
April 6, 2020
I have received this book from BookSiren in exchange for an honest review.
Not-Quite-Supermodel was a cute book to dive into. You will meet Alex, who is just an average ordinary girl. Yet, she goes to NYC to become a model and doesn't have a great time there. Nope, she is in endless embarrassing moments from start to finish.
Now I really liked Alex, she was just very cute and quirky. She had flaws and was daring and adventurous enough to start a whole new career in a new environment. So, yeah.. she was a mini bad ass in her own way.
I feel like I definitely needed this book because it made me laugh so many times. It also gave me side characters that I could like, dislike, love, and even hate. No, I wont name any. This also kind of reminded me the devil wears prada.. but I'm pretty sure that I liked this book a lot more than that one.
Overall, I'm happy that I had this book to dive into.
Not-Quite-Supermodel was a cute book to dive into. You will meet Alex, who is just an average ordinary girl. Yet, she goes to NYC to become a model and doesn't have a great time there. Nope, she is in endless embarrassing moments from start to finish.
Now I really liked Alex, she was just very cute and quirky. She had flaws and was daring and adventurous enough to start a whole new career in a new environment. So, yeah.. she was a mini bad ass in her own way.
I feel like I definitely needed this book because it made me laugh so many times. It also gave me side characters that I could like, dislike, love, and even hate. No, I wont name any. This also kind of reminded me the devil wears prada.. but I'm pretty sure that I liked this book a lot more than that one.
Overall, I'm happy that I had this book to dive into.
October 26, 2019
Alex is just an ordinary girl with some quirkish behaviors. She goes to NYC to become a model and one embarrassing thing after another happens to her and she starts to believe that maybe modeling isn't the thing for her. This story was so fun and entertaining to read!
It was so easy to like Alex, the main character of this book. She's your typical everyday gal. She has flaws, quirks, and isn't a model. That doesn't stop her from trying to start a career in a new country and NYC of all places!!! Alex was easy to relate to and empathize with as her story unfolded. There is a cast of supporting characters for readers to love and hate right along with Alex.
I enjoyed the author's way of telling the story. She made me feel as if I were there right beside Alex experiencing the model life with her. The ups and downs are portrayed in a way that is totally realistic. The story is told at a pace that keeps it interesting and kept my interest.
This book has that Devil Wears Prada feel to it so if you like that book or movie you are sure to love Not-Quite-Supermodel. Just be prepared for some laughs and tears!! Happy reading!!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.
It was so easy to like Alex, the main character of this book. She's your typical everyday gal. She has flaws, quirks, and isn't a model. That doesn't stop her from trying to start a career in a new country and NYC of all places!!! Alex was easy to relate to and empathize with as her story unfolded. There is a cast of supporting characters for readers to love and hate right along with Alex.
I enjoyed the author's way of telling the story. She made me feel as if I were there right beside Alex experiencing the model life with her. The ups and downs are portrayed in a way that is totally realistic. The story is told at a pace that keeps it interesting and kept my interest.
This book has that Devil Wears Prada feel to it so if you like that book or movie you are sure to love Not-Quite-Supermodel. Just be prepared for some laughs and tears!! Happy reading!!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.
November 8, 2019
I received a free copy of this book from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
On seeing the cover and reading the book synopsis I thought it would be right up my street. I did find the book very funny and the main character Alex is very funny. She is picked up gutting fish in a supermarket by a Model agent talent scout and flown out to New York to start what she hopes will be a budding career. Being too fat, not quite tall enough, hair that is more fluffy than straight it isn't going to be plain selling.
Whilst I found the book very funny, the writing style isn't for me. I found the book quite hard to follow in places as Alex thought pattern is put straight on to the paper. All in all a good book.
On seeing the cover and reading the book synopsis I thought it would be right up my street. I did find the book very funny and the main character Alex is very funny. She is picked up gutting fish in a supermarket by a Model agent talent scout and flown out to New York to start what she hopes will be a budding career. Being too fat, not quite tall enough, hair that is more fluffy than straight it isn't going to be plain selling.
Whilst I found the book very funny, the writing style isn't for me. I found the book quite hard to follow in places as Alex thought pattern is put straight on to the paper. All in all a good book.
November 18, 2019
Thanks to Voracious Readers Only and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I started out really liking this book. I enjoyed the quirkiness of the heroine and her adventures being new to NYC and the modeling world. That part of the book really worked for me. However, buy the end of the book I was just kind of over it. I was tired of her plumbing phobia, I felt no connection to Dante and the pace just really slowed down.
So, overall, the book was uneven for me, but I'm glad I read it.
I started out really liking this book. I enjoyed the quirkiness of the heroine and her adventures being new to NYC and the modeling world. That part of the book really worked for me. However, buy the end of the book I was just kind of over it. I was tired of her plumbing phobia, I felt no connection to Dante and the pace just really slowed down.
So, overall, the book was uneven for me, but I'm glad I read it.
November 19, 2019
Complimentary copy of this book was received through Voracious Readers Only
I quite enjoyed this easy to read romp set in New York. Not quite sure what Alex's motivation was but she hits New York in order to work as a model but her innate awkwardness and crippling anxiety and phobias make it an amusing tale.
I quite enjoyed this easy to read romp set in New York. Not quite sure what Alex's motivation was but she hits New York in order to work as a model but her innate awkwardness and crippling anxiety and phobias make it an amusing tale.
February 6, 2020
Meet Alex Emmerson, a cute lady from nowhere with her perky 34As whose job was slicing fish at Safeway grocery and now is leaving to New York to become a supermodel. Alex was found by a modelling agency and she was so unsure at first. She also was not ready with NY crowd and of course- the cruel world of fashion. She will remind one a little bit of Anne Hathaway in the Devil Wears Prada thing in different contexts.
This Kathy Tong's debut to me is an easy read. The dialogue is witty and short and I often find myself smiling and giggling. Alex is defo a lovable character. My only concerns of the novel is the transition of the flow that often does not go smoothly. It is okay tho---it's just that I had a great feeling reading the book; I was into the story and suddenly...puff...!!! I was lost and the climax was off because of the flows.
Despite of the minor thing, the book is a fun read tho. It is a good book to read during the long flight or a relaxing holiday. Thank you, Kathy Tong and BookSirens for the ARC.ÌýI received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review:
March 7, 2020
Not quite a supermodel was a fun, lite, read that fits the bill as a “feel good story�. In it we meet Alex Emmerson and follow her sometimes unbelievable path from fish market counter girl to walking the runway as a fashion model.
The book is written in short easy to follow chapters. It’s not a. In depth account of the behind the scenes world of fashion but a story of how an ordinary girl can defy the odds and be “that girl�. There are the usual hang ups and obstacles that threaten to derail Alex’s plans and you will have to see for yourself how those things pan out.
Overall, I think Not Quite a Supermodel was an enjoyable read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book is written in short easy to follow chapters. It’s not a. In depth account of the behind the scenes world of fashion but a story of how an ordinary girl can defy the odds and be “that girl�. There are the usual hang ups and obstacles that threaten to derail Alex’s plans and you will have to see for yourself how those things pan out.
Overall, I think Not Quite a Supermodel was an enjoyable read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 6, 2019
I received a complimentary copy of this book from For Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
Not-Quite-Supermodel is perfect beach-reading chick lit. I was engaged with the story from the beginning, when I met Alex working at the Safeway and dreaming of bigger things. She was a realistic character in the following ways:
-Her Awkwardness. Alex is never glamorous and there are various parts of the book that highlight this in comical ways.
-Her Realness. Alex was like the girl next door. She was naive, like I would expect a new model to be, especially one who did not grow up in that world.
-Her Encounters. There are snarky girls and helpful girls sprinkled throughout the book. Alex doubts herself with her new relationships, just like anyone would do.
So, why four stars instead of five. After a while the plumbaphobia started to irritate me. I got it; Alex hates using the facilities anywhere except her own house. I felt that this was a major part of the novel that detracted from my enjoyment of it.
Not-Quite-Supermodel is perfect beach-reading chick lit. I was engaged with the story from the beginning, when I met Alex working at the Safeway and dreaming of bigger things. She was a realistic character in the following ways:
-Her Awkwardness. Alex is never glamorous and there are various parts of the book that highlight this in comical ways.
-Her Realness. Alex was like the girl next door. She was naive, like I would expect a new model to be, especially one who did not grow up in that world.
-Her Encounters. There are snarky girls and helpful girls sprinkled throughout the book. Alex doubts herself with her new relationships, just like anyone would do.
So, why four stars instead of five. After a while the plumbaphobia started to irritate me. I got it; Alex hates using the facilities anywhere except her own house. I felt that this was a major part of the novel that detracted from my enjoyment of it.
November 8, 2019
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. A good YA book as it explores a young woman going to NYC to try to be a supermodel. She did the most embarrassing things that was captured on social media. Which would be humiliating to anyone, but she soon realizes with help of friends people are going to laugh at you and tear you down no matter what you do or don’t. We all need to own our stuff and be thankful for ourselves even if it means you aren’t supermodel material.
November 3, 2019
Meet Alex, girl wonder from Canada, found by a modeling agency while working behind the fish counter at Safeway. In no time she is headed to NYC to begin her modeling career. Alex was not prepared for the world she was stepping into, and who knows if NY was ready for the likes of Alex, but there is no stopping this whirling dervish - except the bathroom at the apartment she is staying at, the supermarket down the street where things are stocked in no discernibly clear way, and the business of modeling. Other than that... and a few other things... she is good to go. Well, maybe not in the beginning, but it doesn't take long before you will fall in love with this quirky, honest, adorable character. No spoilers in this review... but I promise you, you will love this book. I certainly did. Couldn't put it down.
November 18, 2019
Whilst there is a lot to love about this book there is also a lot to, if not actively hate then certainly to, dislike intensely.
Firstly there is the severe lack of proofreading; there are double words, words missed out entirely and some very peculiar sentence constructions. This does become an issue as they are peppered liberally throughout the novel and start to take on a life of their own and therefore overpower the story.
Then you have the storyline repetitions to hammer a point home. I can just about cope with the constant references to wanting to eat Oreos or wanting to stop smoking - after all if you are on a constant diet of low calorie ready meals you are going to want your favourite high fat, high calorie snack and if you are a smoker the "I should give up" thought crosses your mind several times in a 24 hour period. What did start to irritate were the constant references to her issues surrounding bathrooms, at times it felt like this was a good 75% of Alex's character. I'm also not convinced that her showering solution would actually work - have you ever got cling film wet?, it isn't pretty.
Fortunately the good stuff manages to overpower the bad and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent buried in my eReader. Alex is actually fairly normal, sure she has her quirks but don't we all, when she gets the chance to try a different life she screws her courage in both hands and gives it a go. It doesn't exactly run smoothly for her but in a way that feels completely logical and grounded in normality. From a poisonous booker at her agency to a complete inability to pose she certainly has her work cut out getting booked.
Throw in a cast of peculiar support characters and there is definitely scope for humour. Fortunately, we do get plenty of fun moments, not laugh out loud funny but certainly smirk worthy. From Keisha on the check out at the local store with her full on abrasive New York attitude through to the wannabes populating the staff at "the" bar/restaurant to be seen in. The only thing that felt forced was how easily Alex slips in to friendship groups, the older you get the harder it is and the character doesn't come across as the type who would easily make close friendships as they involve revealing parts of yourself you don't like. However, make friends she does and quite a lot of them, strangely she only has one friend she is in touch with from back home throughout the entire book.
The story was fun and vibrant and is a glorious romp. If you want to just be entertained then this one does that in spades.
THIS IS AN HONEST REVIEW OF A FREE COPY OF THE BOOK RECEIVED VIA BOOK SIRENS.
Firstly there is the severe lack of proofreading; there are double words, words missed out entirely and some very peculiar sentence constructions. This does become an issue as they are peppered liberally throughout the novel and start to take on a life of their own and therefore overpower the story.
Then you have the storyline repetitions to hammer a point home. I can just about cope with the constant references to wanting to eat Oreos or wanting to stop smoking - after all if you are on a constant diet of low calorie ready meals you are going to want your favourite high fat, high calorie snack and if you are a smoker the "I should give up" thought crosses your mind several times in a 24 hour period. What did start to irritate were the constant references to her issues surrounding bathrooms, at times it felt like this was a good 75% of Alex's character. I'm also not convinced that her showering solution would actually work - have you ever got cling film wet?, it isn't pretty.
Fortunately the good stuff manages to overpower the bad and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent buried in my eReader. Alex is actually fairly normal, sure she has her quirks but don't we all, when she gets the chance to try a different life she screws her courage in both hands and gives it a go. It doesn't exactly run smoothly for her but in a way that feels completely logical and grounded in normality. From a poisonous booker at her agency to a complete inability to pose she certainly has her work cut out getting booked.
Throw in a cast of peculiar support characters and there is definitely scope for humour. Fortunately, we do get plenty of fun moments, not laugh out loud funny but certainly smirk worthy. From Keisha on the check out at the local store with her full on abrasive New York attitude through to the wannabes populating the staff at "the" bar/restaurant to be seen in. The only thing that felt forced was how easily Alex slips in to friendship groups, the older you get the harder it is and the character doesn't come across as the type who would easily make close friendships as they involve revealing parts of yourself you don't like. However, make friends she does and quite a lot of them, strangely she only has one friend she is in touch with from back home throughout the entire book.
The story was fun and vibrant and is a glorious romp. If you want to just be entertained then this one does that in spades.
THIS IS AN HONEST REVIEW OF A FREE COPY OF THE BOOK RECEIVED VIA BOOK SIRENS.
January 11, 2020
I received an advance review copy for free from a BooKSirens and I’m leaving this review voluntarily
This was a feel good novel. I loved how quirky and relatable Alex was. Loved the friendship she had with all her friends...
If you’re looking for a book that doesn’t require too much and willing to to look pass some draggy bits then you’ll like this book
This was a feel good novel. I loved how quirky and relatable Alex was. Loved the friendship she had with all her friends...
If you’re looking for a book that doesn’t require too much and willing to to look pass some draggy bits then you’ll like this book
November 22, 2019
I quite enjoyed this book. The character was quite refreshing and seemed very relatable with all her quirks. The friends seemed like a real hoot. This book is definitely worth reading.
March 19, 2020
Alex Emerson is a quirky nobody in her hometown. She spends her day slicing fish for her job at Safeway. She is discovered there by a model scout and leaves Canada to brave NYC and become a model. The story follows her hilarious, and almost always humiliating escapades and experiences in the world of modeling and NYC.
It’s a light and easy read, and not super long either.
Some parts were focused on a little to much, which made it drag a bit, and the romance between Alex and Dante felt a little flat, and boring. Overall, I enjoyed most of it.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It’s a light and easy read, and not super long either.
Some parts were focused on a little to much, which made it drag a bit, and the romance between Alex and Dante felt a little flat, and boring. Overall, I enjoyed most of it.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 12, 2021
I received a free copy of this book via voracious readers only, I Really enjoyed the realness of the book, it wasn't your stereotypical supermodel that is perfect all the time, it's what you would expect to happen to a normal person who takes a job as a supermodel, some amazing highs and some low moments in the characters life, I would certainly recommend giving it a read! X
March 7, 2020
Not quite a supermodel was a fun, lite, read that fits the bill as a “feel good story�. In it we meet Alex Emmerson and follow her sometimes unbelievable path from fish market counter girl to walking the runway as a fashion model.
The book is written in short easy to follow chapters. It’s not a. In depth account of the behind the scenes world of fashion but a story of how an ordinary girl can defy the odds and be “that girl�. There are the usual hang ups and obstacles that threaten to derail Alex’s plans and you will have to see for yourself how those things pan out.
Overall, I think Not Quite a Supermodel was an enjoyable read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book is written in short easy to follow chapters. It’s not a. In depth account of the behind the scenes world of fashion but a story of how an ordinary girl can defy the odds and be “that girl�. There are the usual hang ups and obstacles that threaten to derail Alex’s plans and you will have to see for yourself how those things pan out.
Overall, I think Not Quite a Supermodel was an enjoyable read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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