Glow Up, Lara Bloom by Dee Benson: Review

Glow Up, Lara Bloom

This book is like gold dust for teenage girls growing up, and is something I definitely wish I had at the beginning of my teens. When Lara’s nuisance of a brother, Danny, discovers her off-limits diary, Lara swears to never journal again in the fear he’ll spill all to her old crush Alex. 

Knowing her love for documenting all the big, small and in-between elements of her life, Lara’s friend Anaya suggests an online secret diary for her to pour her heart out to. Despite her having a close-knit friend group, the journal quickly becomes her biggest confidante. As the reader, we get a front-row seat to all Lara’s juiciest gossip while also addressing some serious topics with a light and comedic flair. Lara tackles all sorts of things throughout the novel – dealing with frizzy hair, a flat chest and her clumsiness – in order to fit in and attract the attention of her new crush Caiden. Lara, despite her friend’s advice, comes up with a plan to “glow up ” hoping to catch his eye. 

However, this creates an undue amount of stress for her, as she feels she needs to be perfect every time he’s near (which is difficult as she’s the top goal scorer for her soccer team, especially after an intense, somewhat sweaty game). 

The book tackles a range of insecurities from body image to fear of being unique. It shows the strength of friendship but also acts as a friend to the reader. It shows the importance of being different and embracing it while also offering coping strategies for growing up in the modern world. But the most important thing it demonstrates to young girls is that you are not alone no matter how much you feel like you are.

Amelia Grace, 15