If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you’ll know that I’m no YouTube Super Fan. In fact I’m quite open in expressing my dislike for agencies such as Gleam. Before Zoella hit 1 million subscribers, I became a fan and even now I watch the odd video here and there. When Zoe announced she was releasing Girl Online I knew that regardless of the fact it was released just for £££££ all around, I was going to buy it. I have been the one on Twitter saying how I feel Gleam exploit the teen generation as they’ll buy anything with a YouTubers name/face on, and I still believe that. But, that wasn’t going to stop me pre ordering the book when Amazon had it for £5… I’m not being exploited, right?
Basically, sh*t hit the fan when it was revealed Zoe hadn’t written the book and had a team of Ghost Writers do it for her. It wasn’t the fact that this was the deal, it was the way in which Gleam and Zoe had very carefully deceived her audience into thinking she had written it ‘with a little help.’ Zoe handled it very well (not) by dropping off the internet for a few day to take a break from her crazy online life.
The book came out, it’s a huge success, it’s broken records blah blah blah, but is it actually any good? We all know that super fans are going to LOVE IT and claim it’s the BEST BOOK EVER regardless of what is inside the cover, she could have released a picture book and it would have shot to the top of the best seller list I’m sure.
I finally started the book on Friday on my commute to work. I spend 2 hours a day on the train to and from Manchester and I finished it on Monday on my way home. I’d say it took 3 and a half hours to complete, which says something, right? If I’m not loving a book I end up on Twitter but I couldn’t put this down. If you love a teen romance, heartbreak and happy ending kind of book, this is the perfect light read. The characters are pretty well thought out, I enjoyed the story line and I am a sucker for a happy ending – new equilibrium and all that.
I think it’s one of the only books I’ve read aimed at the teen market that talks to openly about panic attacks, it shows that telling people helps you deal with it and that people WILL understand. It deals with the usual school life, current issues such as Facebook bullying and a normal relationship between best friends. I particularly loved the message that you can grow out of friends, and if they’re bringing nothing but negativity, you can cut them out of your life. All in all I think it’s a good read and for £5 on Amazon I’d definitely give it a go.
I can’t help but think that if Zoe and the Gleam Machine had been open in the beginning, there would have been nothing but rave reviews. Lets be honest, most celebrity releases are ghost written, it’s the book world these days. You can see bits of Zoe in this book which is nice to see, particularly the focus on anxiety and how to deal with it, and what you could potentially miss out on if you don’t tell someone and ask for help. I don’t think I’m the target market for this book at the age of 21, but if you are after a light read I couldn’t recommend it enough – even I’m surprised I’m giving this a great review!
Have you read this? I’d love to know your thoughts!
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I have to be honest and say this… but did anyone REALLY believe that she had sat down and written this herself? I kind of always thought it was done through a Ghost writer. It’s like when people realise Made in Chelsea is all acting… it seems obvious! 🙂
Josie XOXO
Fashion Mumblr
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I know, most celebs havd ghost writers. But people did believe it because a lot of her viewers are 13 and dont have the knowledge of ghost writing.
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It may seem obvious but it should have been disclosed. She has fans as young as 8 who haven’t got a clue what it is. I think it is very misleading considering the vulnerability of her target market.
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I’ve got the book, but currently reading one of choices from Christmas (The Husbands Secret). But it’ll be my next book to complete.
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Let me know what you think 🙂
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I haven’t bought the book, I’m waiting to stumble across it in a charity shop in a few months but I think good luck to her! My bugbear is a lot of Gleam machines et el not disclosing gifted items and freebies. I just think its common decency to your readership (…well, of any blogger to disclose really!)
Jen xx
http://www.kitsch-n-sync.com
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I agree about the disclosure! I’m sure you’ll find it in a charity shop soon 🙂
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I keep seeing so many similar reviews of this book, I’m still doing my best to hold off and not buy in to the hype. Am I missing much?
Rebecca xxx
http://www.queenbeady.com
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I wouldnt say you are missing much, but if you are in the market for a light read I recommend it 🙂
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Its not a must read, but its an easy, enjoyable read 🙂
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I’ve read this book and I did actually quite enjoy it too! I do agree that it is aimed at younger teens because of her fanbase and therefore some of the language was a bit basic and simple (I’m an English geek so I notice these things!) but it was a good story with a lovely message. Yeah, she should have said right from the start that she didn’t write it but to be honest, it doesn’t really bother me. A book is a book, right?
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I agree! I enjoyed the book for what it was, i saw bits of Zoe in it which was nice. Would have been happier if she disclosed she had help writing it x
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I’ve heard mixed reviews – I’m not their target market so I wouldn’t have bought the book anyway x
Heather | Of Beauty & Nothingness
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I’m not the target market either, but doesnt mean you cant read it. 🙂
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It does and doesn’t bother me. Gleam should have allowed her to be more open about the process and what was going on, who was ‘giving her a little help’ that kind of thing. At the time commenters speculated there was a ghostwriter involved but most considered the ‘help’ to be the likes of assistants and proof readers at the publishing house, not an actual author putting pen to paper for her. That’s what bothers me about it, that and the 24/7 Gleam Machine surging forward, guns blazing, I’m sure there’s such a thing as ‘over-exposure’ and they’re so close to the line, I just hope when/if it all comes falling down (let’s face it, it’ll happen for at least one of them at some point – and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone!) they get the right support, not just kicked to the curb and stepped over for the next rising Tube-star.
I still haven’t read the book, my to-be-read list is already TOO long, but I’ll give it a go eventually!
Sarah 🙂
Saloca in Wonderland
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100% agree with your comment! I think Gleam see pound signs and sign their youtube stars to everything. Sure they agree but im sure they are pushed into things and cant be 100% happy. Will be interesting to see when the youtuber craze is over… X
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I haven’t read the book , I do follow her Blog and Vlogs she did always seem to be open that she was getting help and even introduce the girl on her video. £5 is’nt bad at all 🙂 .
Loved your review and the way you write keeps me reading 🙂 . xox
http://www.rainbowsandunicornsblog.co.uk/
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not surprised AT ALL tht she had ghost writers like she’s so bz and all about that makeup life, it’s not that surprising when you think about it and I think the media handled it really shitty, like who the F cares someone else wrote it? Don’t we have something else to do like hate on Hollywood celebs? Don’t really like Zoella much as it is I find her oh so irritating!
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Maybe i should buy this just to say ive read another book in 2015 🙂
A xx
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Haha yes! 😊
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I couldn’t care less if she wrote it, or ghost writers did or how she handled it to be honest. I don’t bother myself with that crazy fan stuff. I’m not going to read the book cos I know it’s not the sort of book I like, but it’s nice to read a good review. I do know however that people have said “girl meets boy and anxiety goes away” which even Zoe knows doesn’t happen, I know it’s aimed at younger people but maybe it could have been more honest without being too deep? xo
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I agree with your point on the storyline, but i dont think the anxiety goes away necessarily. Although im sure some readers could decode it as that.
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I was expecting to read a negative review but no you enjoyed the book, which is great to know! i assumed it would be too ‘teen’ for my liking but now considering reading it as i enjoy a light read now and then. x
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I loved the book as well. I couldn’t stop reading it, like it has happened to you. You can see my review https://minervasthoughts100.wordpress.com/2015/09/17/girl-online-review/
Thanks! Xx
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