Aloha Self-Esteem?

by Alicia Emamdee

Jennifer Gonzalez, a shy and quiet girl of almost 16, desperately wants to visit her cousin, Sara, in Hawaii for the summer. The only way her Mom will allow her to go is if she improves her grades. Her worst subject is Psychology and the topic for her term paper, which counts for half of her grade, is due in only a few days, and having no idea what to base her paper on, Jen falls into a deep state of complete and utter panic.
It’s not until she hears her little sister talking about being too fat that she comes up with the brilliant idea to write her paper on self-esteem and ways to improve it. As Jen delves into her research, she discovers why so many teen girls suffer with low self-esteem and finds techniques to help increase it. Despite the pressures society places on women and teenage girls to look perfect, Jen realizes that she needs a boost of self-esteem as well, and takes us on her own journey of self-confidence and self-discovery.
Experiencing many obstacles along the way, Jen keeps bumping into her guy crush but is extremely shy and hesitant to attempt any kind of interaction with him. Her hopes of ever falling in love fall to the wayside as she struggles with her insecurities. Will Jen improve her grades enough to be allowed to visit her cousin in Hawaii? Will she overcome her shyness and gain self-confidence? What about her guy crush? Will she ever be confident enough to talk to him? Will she ever fall in love?
The reader gets a personal look at Jen and her best friends as they attempt to step outside of their comfort zones and discover the tools for gaining high self-esteem. Original in its presentation, this charming and quirky story of self-confidence, self-discovery, friendship and love will leave the reader feeling empowered, inspired and motivated.

ebook

First published March 10, 2014

About the author

Alicia Emamdee is the creator of For She Is Beautiful, LLC, a website dedicated to motivating and empowering women, teen girls and girls of all ages. She has an M.S. in Mental Health Counseling and has eight years experience working with children and adolescents. As a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, she worked as a Child and Family Therapist at a mental health agency in South Florida. Due to an illness called fibromyalgia, however, she was forced to stop working in the counseling field but is finally living out her dream of writing inspirational and motivational books with her first young adult novel on self-esteem for teen girls called "Aloha Self-Esteem?" She is currently working on her second book in the self-esteem series for women in their 30s and 40s.

Reviews

[A. Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book for young adults! Inspirational and motivational and just all around adorable! I would highly recommend it for all young ladies out there -- we could all use a good boost of self-esteem, right?

I felt myself cheering for the main character (Jen) from start to finish, and I was impressed by what she managed to accomplish for herself.

I came across a few things in the story that I would have written differently -- but this is actually a compliment and not a complaint. This story actually made me wish that I had written it! My biggest "problem" with the story (and it's not that big of a problem, I think) was that I felt like the ending and resolution to the story was a little dragged out. It could have been sped up a bit, with more focus on the conflict and problems leading up to the solution. But that's just me.

And then my random thought for the day as I was reading this book:
If gaining self-esteem is all about accepting yourself just the way you are, why was everyone so proud of Jen for changing from her shy self to a more out-going girl? What's wrong with being shy? Why can't you be shy AND have high self-esteem? Okay, I guess it only makes sense in my head... sorry about that off topic ramble in what is supposed to be a nice review.

Anyway, well done Alicia! I hope to read more from you in the future!

[Rudy Blunce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. Alicia has a very endearing voice as a teen trying to do the right thing. I think young people can take a lot out of this story and I am recommending it to the young adults that I know. Keep writing Alicia!