Sunny Side Up

Geek Girl #4.5

by Holly Smale (Contributor)

My name is Harriet Manners, and I am a geek.

A brand new summer story from the no. 1 bestselling and award-winning GEEK GIRL series!

Harriet Manners knows many facts.

And she knows everything there is to know about Paris… except what to do when you’re the hottest new model at Fashion Week.

Can Harriet find her je ne sais quoi or will it be sacré bleu! on the runway?

Find out in this hilarious summer special GEEK GIRL novella from the no. 1 bestselling author Holly Smale.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Fiction, Humor, Audiobook, Teen

224 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2016

About the author

Holly is the Number One bestselling, multi-award winning author of the GEEK GIRL series.

She fell in love with writing at five years old, when she realised that books didn't grow on trees like apples. A passion for travel, adventure and wearing no shoes has since led her all over the world: she has visited 27 countries, spent two years working as an English teacher in Japan, volunteered in Nepal, been bartered for in Jamaica and had a number of ear-plugs stolen in Australia, Indonesia and India.

Holly has a BA in English Literature, an MA in Shakespeare, and currently lives in London or at @holsmale.

The GEEK GIRL series has been an internationally bestselling no1. smash-hit. It won the Waterstones Teen Prize of the Year and the Leeds book award, was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the Branford Boase award, and was long-listed for the Carnegie.

Reviews

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so wonderful! I seriously love Harriet and this one was reminiscent of Model Misfit with all the adorable modelling adventures (THREE!)

[Stacey | prettybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is of both Head Over Heels and Sunny Side Up.

Oh, what fun it is to see Harriet Manners again! Every time I pick up a new Geek Girl story, I'm transported to a happy place.

Head Over Heels is the fifth book in the series the perfect mix of modelling and the equally as eventful world of Harriet Manners. Team JINTH (Jasper, India, Nat, Toby and Harriet) have it down: they frequently meet at their favourite coffee shop (and have allocated seats) and have pre-planned sleepovers (Harriet has the schedule written up). Harriet's had a difficult time making close friends up until now and so it was great to see her in this dynamic, even though it's not as easy as she might think. And it was lovely to greet the supporting characters we know so well and love, from Wilber (even if he isn't completely himself lately) and Richard (ever the quirky parent) to Rin (still kawaii) and baby sister Tabitha (and potential future model). I had a brilliant time reading Harriet's fifth adventure – this time set in beautiful, colourful India – and didn't want it to end.

But Sunny Side Up helped fill the spot nicely, with Harriet on a trip to Paris Fashion Week. I read it after Head Over Heels, but it actually takes place before the fifth book (a little tip!). It's a short, sweet and fabulous summer novella, with more stunning outfits and hilarious antics. I also enjoyed the extra short: we get to see the first time Lion Boy meets Harriet, from his point of view. I'm ready for you, book six!

Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review!

I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.

[rachel, x · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I’m being 100% honest, this is definitely my least favourite book of the series so far. I don’t know what it was about this novella but I didn’t automatically click with the writing like I normally do. The facts were laid a little too thickly throughout the story for my tastes. Normally, that’s what appeals to me but this time, I felt that the integration of the facts into the story wasn’t nearly as smooth as it has been. Also, while Harriet is one of my favourite protagonists of all time, there was something about the initial few chapters that took me off guard.

However, that’s me being particularly fussy. The setting and plotline worked wonders as always and I still laughed out loud more times than is socially acceptable… Paris Fashion Week was a fantastic setting for this novella! I loved the catacombs and the outfits and Wilbur. It did miss our secondary characters but it was also nice just to focus on Harriet. I definitely had fun reading this edition to the series and I’m so keen for book six. I don’t know how I’ll survive to its release...

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly Smale strikes again with a perfect novella, set during Paris Fashion Week. We get not one, not two, but THREE modelling adventures for Harriet and I was in Geek Girl heaven.

[Cora Tea Party Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 Words: Absolutely, astoundingly amazing as always.

This special is fantastic. A bite-sized snippet of Geek Girl goodness. And it's bloomin' lovely.

LION BOY <3

Seeing Harriet through Nick's eyes for the first time, tucked in at the end? That was just the best. It was so sweet, so surprising. I had a big goofy smile on my face and TEARS OF JOY in my eyes. Awww, man. It was so sweet.

[Saranya [hiatus] · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this... And I loved Harriet!!!

[TS · Rating 2 out of 5]

2. 5 stars

these books are more or less the same subject matters and same conversations and same mishaps in different settings and it's getting quite tiring to be frank so that's why this is rated lower than the previous ones

[Teodora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun story, filled with Harriet's quirkiness! I loved that we got to see Harriet and Nick's first meet through Nick's eyes!

[shannon✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Just another book in which Harriet makes a lot of mistakes. It’s getting a bit boring at this point, but I really liked Nick’s perspective on their first meeting. It was that little story that made me give this rating.

[Chelsey with a y · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this novella. Harriet is known for messing things up so there was way more times that I thought she would do something wrong but didn’t. I was happy about that. I always feel so bad for her. I also loved the bit at the back where you got to see through Nick’s eyes when he first met Harriet. So cute

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Harriet Manners so much.

[Ella Storey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved the Geek Girl series and am so happy that they are finally making it into a movie!!! This book was stunning, as always.

[Charlotte. F · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is a good sequel to every geek girl book. Harriet gets to paris fashion week and has some strange but exciting experiences. A good book with lots of twists
definitely a Must read for any Geek Girl fan

[Katie (Kitkatscanread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus I love this series!
Even the little novellas like these.
I laugh out loud. Even on the bus.
I smile to myself and people stare at me like I'm stupid.
But I don't care!
It's Geek Girl and everyone should read this whole series!
I loved it.
Recommend all ze books.
Why are you still reading this?
Go read it now! ;)

[Sophia Luo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very unique and it's filled with very interesting facts. I wanted to read this book because my friend said it's a fantastic series. I liked it because it's packed full of information and random facts but it still tells a clear story. Very smartly written. From this book, I learned that there's a 99.9999% chance of surviving a train crash if you sit at the back. I also learned what it's like to be a model and how much makeup they wear, and how stressful their lives actually are. A character that was interesting to me was Kenderall (or Siren). She's very confident and outgoing and I really like her personality. She likes to stand out in the crowd and wear green when everyone else is wearing purple. She doesn't follow cliches and just be's herself. This is a nice short book you could probably read in a day.

[Cristi-Lael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another cute addition to the Harriet Manners story. One thing I really liked about this one is that Harriet didn't spend so much time worrying about who likes her and if she's too awkward. Yes, she still is in her head a lot, but she also shows that she's starting to feel more comfortable in the world of modeling. And, if a reader was really into the world of fashion, I think they would enjoy this novella a bit more than the others because it gives a good insight to what the models experience during Fashion Week in Paris.

[an6ra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, Harriet has managed to do a modelling job without a major f up. Because, honestly, Harriet ruining every single one of her modelling gigs was starting to be very repetitive and boring. So, at least something new happened this time.

[Amy Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harriet takes on Paris Fashion Week in this short and sweet novella. From the purple party on the yacht, to the spooky catacombs, to the catwalk in the swimming pool; Harriet is back modelling and is up to her usual antics 🐰

[Millie Hodgson · Rating 5 out of 5]

All her books are brilliant

[Andrew King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really funny/dramatic/exciting story. Wilbur is still the best character

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you read a book and I makes you feel all fuzzy inside it's great! And I feel that way after reading this.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a review*

I am a complete addict for this series. Harriet is always well intentioned but manages to get into the most hilarious of situations. This story was all about Paris Fashion Week and there were some familiar old faces who reappeared. Harriet also seemed to be just about hanging in there, but on the verge of a breaking point regarding her recent breakup with Nick.

There were points that had me laughing out loud, especially in the Catacombs and i can't wait for the next instalment as they just keep getting better and better.

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice addition to the series

[Adesuwa Grace (Somewhat Reserved) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time, Harriet finds herself a modelling job at Paris Fashion Week and is loaded with facts about France. She is also very anxious when she finds herself there because she's afraid of spotting Nick, after having broken up with him officially in the last book.

Fortunately, this time she continually communicates with her fashion-expert best friend Nat but still manages to mess up at least once!

Once again, we meet Kenderall who is still obnoxiously loud but admirably confident.

"That's a cliché, babe," Kenderall frowns, cheekbones glittering. "Don't be a cliché. Come on, think outside the box. It's like time, power-walks, you know?"

My mouth twitches as a vision of a clock wiggling down the road in trainers with its little hands swinging vigorously pops into my head.

SERIOUSLY, HARRIET?! xD

Harriet has a couple of other obstacles along her way such as ginormous pimples, her clumsiness and her poor French skills.

However, I really liked this novella. It was warm, weird and hilarious. Also, there's a bonus story from Nick's point of view!

And here's another quote from Harriet:

My happy smile gets wider: there's actually something refreshing about a beautiful girl who knows she's beautiful.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh.
Well now I have to go back and read the entire series I guess.
I love Harriet with my entire being. She is funny and ridiculous and full of so much love.
Something I will always love about Holly Smale's writing is that not only does it somehow make random facts about random things fun and interesting, she also makes me love characters so much that when I read this, even though I finished the main series about a year ago, every time an old character came back I was genuinely excited, and I was goddamn excited to be back with Harriet as soon as I started.

Harriet is me. She is, as Wilbur would say, my baby-baby panda. Harriet is awkward and clumsy and loving and anxious. Her anxiety is so well written in every book, and it's so very pleasing to read just 200 ish pages and feel so seen and understood.

Also, as a certified fashion nerd, the descriptions of fashion week (and any other fashion fun in the rest of the series) is dreamy and fun and I can tell well-researched. The descriptions are lush and vivid, the fashion shows and clothes are so creative.

Holly Smale has written one of my favourite characters ever, and I will continue to give her my money just for that lol. This was great.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s too bad this one wasn’t translated into Dutch, because unlike the other in between books in the series, this contained pretty vital information that I missed in Hear over Heels - I kept wondering what I forgot about All That Glitter, but apparently it was this book that I should have read first. Anyway, I liked it a lot: loved the quirkiness of Paris Fashion Week and her escapades while at it, and the bonus chapter from Nick’s point of view was GLORIOUS and added some nice context. Also, for some strange reason it took me THIS LONG to figure out that Harriet is actually autistic. Wow. Now, moving on to Forever Geek!

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pack your bags for Paris. It's fashion week and the haute couture is all over the city. In the catacombs? Check! A party barge in the Seine? Check! A pool party with models in bright tropical prints with wellies and a woodland creature mask covering their head? Check! All these and more as Harriet loses her way time after time, the end result somehow seems to be better than planned -- for some, anyway. Her supermodel Aussie boyfriend Nick may be around the next corner. What will she do if they cross paths? Wilbur is in rare form and we are along for the ride. Sugar cookies!

[Barby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Como amo leer a mi baby Panda Harriet, una lectura facil de las aventuras de esta chica. Que puedo decir, me encantó ver cómo poco a poco ella misma se abre paso y toma responsabilidades mientras crece. Como su pasión y curiosidad aumentan dentro del mundo de la moda, como deja su marca donde pasa. Simplemente, me encanta. Necesitamos más libros como este para que personas jóvenes lean.
Sin contar lo mucho que ame las perspectiva de Nick, fue una sorpresa y me tuvo revoloteando las piernas. Amo como al final del día, Nick es solo otro geek que tuvo un glow up.

[Judit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt a little cheated when I found out it takes place in January because the cover and the title screams SUMMER.
Anyhow, I loved it. Seriously, I can't tell you how much I adored it. Just read it, you'll love it too.
And I can't express how sad I am that it's my last Geek Girl story. I'll definitely reread the entire series in the future because there's never enough of Harriet's geekiness. Holly Smale created something amazing with these books.

[YBx · Rating 5 out of 5]

UGHHHHH!!!! Novellas really irk me though this one wasn’t /that/ short. Just shorter than the other books in this series.
Short and sweet and super cute of course. Wish the ending was a bit longer. Just left me there hanging!!!!!!
Loved the short stint at the end of LBx’s POV of the first time he met the lovely Harriet. Makes me wish they’d been alternating between their POVs this whole time. Hopefully Smale will do more of it in later books!

On to Head Over Heels