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For many of us, everyday life is a blur of work and errands and appointments and chores. There isn’t a whole lot of glamour in the day-to-day monotony. So, from time to time, it’s nice to get caught up in a fairy tale—the story of an average Jane who does unexpected things—like author Teri Wilson’s The Accidental Beauty Queen.
The story follows librarian Charlotte Gorman as her vacation to Orlando takes an unexpected turn. She’s staying with her identical but much more glamorous twin, Ginny, who’s competing in the Miss American Treasure beauty pageant. But when Ginny has an allergic reaction to some room service food, Charlotte’s plans to spend the week engrossed in Harry Potter theme park adventures are put on hold after her sister convinces her to fill in for her during the preliminary rounds. And suddenly the “ugly sister” finds herself in a world of spray tans and hair extensions and pageant princesses.
The Accidental Beauty Queen tells a fun-filled story about breaking down stereotypes and discovering your true identity. After her sister convinces her to fill her platform stilettos for a few days, Charlotte is forced to trade ponytails and Jane Austen t-shirts and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for blowouts and facials and swimsuit competitions. She’s definitely a fish out of water—and her struggle to fit in causes some amusing mishaps.
Still, this isn’t just the story of an average girl dealing with the backstabbing and drama that you might expect from a bunch of pageant girls. Charlotte quickly discovers that the room is filled with smart young women who become more like family than the competition. They share their triumphs and their failures. They laugh together and cheer each other on. And, surprisingly, there isn’t a single mean girl in the bunch.
There is, however, a handsome (and smart…and kind…and fabulously wealthy) pageant judge who seems interested in Charlotte even before she looks like Ginny. And the possibility of something more between them adds drama and romance—and a hint of danger—to the story.
Really, though, Charlotte’s greatest challenges come from within. Most of the conflict is with herself—with her prejudices and her insecurities and her deepest secrets. And as she learns to see others—and herself—as they really are, it might inspire readers to change their perspective, too.
If you’re in need of a literary escape, The Accidental Beauty Queen is a great pick for your next read. It’s entertaining, it’s romantic, and it’s an uplifting way to end another day of meetings and laundry and grocery shopping.
Listen to the review on Shelf Discovery:
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