North of Beautiful

North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley

Book Description:
Terra's body is very nearly perfect, except for the port-wine birthmark on her left cheek, which several surgeries have failed to remove. It is the teen's final semester of high school and she looks forward to college where she can study art and escape from her bullying, verbally abusive father. Over the Christmas holidays, Terra and her mother get into a car accident and meet Jacob, a Goth Chinese boy with a cleft lip, and his adoptive mother. The women immediately strike up a supportive friendship, while Terra and Jacob grow close. When Terra's brother, who lives in Shanghai, sends her and her mother tickets to visit, and Jacob's mother wants to try to track down Jacob's birth mother, they decide to travel together. But what about Erik, Terra's enamored but slightly clueless boyfriend? Headley's ambitious novel is written in a beautifully crafted style that flows seamlessly. The characters travel to China, where Jacob, Terra, and their mothers begin to confront their insecurities. Terra and Jacob are flawed, complex, and memorable characters. The message that true beauty and strength come from within is dominant, but this is also a moving and satisfying story in its own right.

My Thoughts:  I really enjoyed this book. Another break from the usually fantasy or sci-fi that I enjoy, this book was quite refreshing. I adored the characters and seeing their development over such hard trials life had thrown at them. It was a real feel good book watching the characters overcome things while seeing the relationship with others come to life. It's a pretty quick read with a sweet plot that I would definitely recommend!