For fans of BBC Three's Clean Eating's Dirty Secrets and The Cost of Cute , an honest and fun insight into tackling the problems that all young people face.
From struggling with an eating disorder and body image issues to flashing Harry Potter (yes, that really did happen), Grace Victory has experienced it all.
Here, in No Filter , Grace shares her inspirational story of growing up in a troubled household, battling with depression and finally overcoming it all by learning to love herself just as she is. After years of self-loathing and self-destructive behaviour, she hit an all-time low but thanks to therapy, good friends and an award-winning blog, she has rebuilt herself to become a TV presenter and an inspirational role model for young people. Thanks to her bravery, instinctive honesty and ability to break down taboos, Grace is now able to speak openly about her personal battles and she regularly offers guidance to her legion of fans.
Brimming with hilarious anecdotes and no-nonsense advice, the Internet's Big Sister tells you everything you need to know about accepting yourself and fighting back, in style.
Grace Victory is not one for hiding. Since starting her YouTube channel ‘The Ugly Face of Beauty’ in 2011 she has discussed everything, from beauty and fashion, to sex and relationships, to mental health issues and body positivity – there is nothing she won’t talk about. But her autobiography ‘No Filter’ lays the girl boss herself completely bare – unhidden, exposed, and most definitely unfiltered.
Her story is not one that is easy to read. Not in the way that it is ill-written and not worth the time to read, but in the way that you would not believe what she has suffered from. She admits in the very first chapter how Eastender-esque her life is, admitting that it is similar to one extended episode of Jeremey Kyle. But her intention wasn’t to write this book for attention or to gain sympathy from her readers. Just like with her YouTube channel and blog, her aim is to inspire and help. To let people in similar situations, know that they are not alone and that things can improve. Because although there is little chance that people have gone through EVERYTHING that she has, there will be at least one thing that everyone has.
In this book Grace best known as the internet's big sister tells all about her life from hard beginnings with trauma and a turbulent relationship with her dad and family to healing and finding hope and happiness growing up.
She talks openly about her passion for body positivity, dance, breaking taboos, self care and how that has helped her along with making valuable friendships in her later years most recent.
It was a read that is encouraging for everyone reading to take hope from that despite your circumstances you can create a better life for yourself and everything that happens doesn't have to break you but help make you and build you up.
I’m not one to buy into the “YouTube hype”. I watch YouTube and have a few favorites which I like watching whilst I’m having a relaxing bubble bath – Grace being one of them – but I don’t really do the whole “YouTube book / merch” thing… If you get me. But when I heard Grace was bringing a book out and what it was going to entail, my interest was instantly piqued. I never thought I’d be excited over a YouTuber’s book but I really admire Grace as a person, as a role model for younger girls, as a businesswoman and creator so I really wanted to see more of what she was “all about“. I don’t look at Grace and watch Grace’s videos thinking she’s a celebrity, I feel like I’m watching a friend so I felt exactly the same reading this book.
No Filter is a bit of two worlds: Grace’s world and mine. She talks about things that have happened in her life and is very, very open and honest about all of them. Which I massively respect and appreciate because I do have to question to validity of some YouTuber’s sometimes. And she also provides helpful information, phone numbers, advice and tips for everything from domestic abuse and rape to things you should definitely be doing to feel better on your period. Although it’s very much Grace’s story and life, she somehow manages to make you feel a part of it, helps you relate (if you can) and gives you guidance (if you need it). And if you don’t, it doesn’t really matter because it’s an easy book to read and also a book you’ll learn something from.
I saw Grace’s documentary, “Clean Eating’s Dirty Secrets” and whilst I loved it, it was shocking. Truly shocking. So I loved the chapter where she goes into more detail about the documentary and the tainted view of food a lot of us have which is hindered by these damaging and quite frankly, ridiculous, “movements and diets” which do not benefit us. I’ve had a fair few issues with disordered eating in the past and I suppose I still do, deep down, which could quite easily rear their ugly head whenever they want. So although it was a shame to read about Grace’s eating issues throughout her life, that was one area where I could understand and relate more so than others.
Grace doesn’t make this book all about her, despite it being her own story and I loved that. I was interested, of course, to hear about Grace’s life thus far, what she’s had to go through and how she got out the other side and it truly is motivating and inspiring. I don’t know whether it was the affect of the book or the universe but personally, I’ve been working so much harder at my blog during the week I was reading this… So maybe it does hold some sort of magic! But I loved how she connected to the reader and made them very much a part of the story as well. All Grace’s advice was spot on, not pushy or damaging (you know what I mean) and the phone numbers, helplines and websites were a brilliant thing to have scattered among the chapters for a reader who might not have any idea of what else to do.
So… It’s safe to say, I really enjoyed No Filter. For my first YouTuber book experience, it was a pretty good one but honestly, it would probably stop there at Grace’s because I think she’s one of the more real, honest and relate-able YouTuber’s out there. If you’re wondering about No Filter I’d say, just read it. It’s obvious that Grace put her entire heart and soul into this book. It wasn’t for the money. Or the recognition. Or fame. Or whatever. That’s very apparent. This book has done nothing but made me admire Grace as a woman even more. Girl power.
Autobiographies aren't really my thing, but I've followed Grace for a while, and loved so much of her content, so I decided to give this a go.
'No Filter' is something that you can tell Grace but every ounce of herself into. It reads like a long letter a friend might write. So many issues that young people face are discussed in a responsible way, with a whole lot of different resources recommended to those in need of them.
I would definitely recommend this to teen girls, especially those going through a bit of a rough patch!
You managed to everything I feel into one book. It's allowed me to see the importance I actually have and not to just settle for anything and to top it off its just an honest and sometimes hilarious version of what a lot of people go through.
I think I would've liked this far more if the language wasn't SO colloquial, I mean fair enough having parts of it chattier but I found the regular use of 'lol' really grating - no one really says that nowadays anyway! But that being said, what's being said is useful, relevant and important.
Grace Victory is an amazing woman and one of my biggest role models and inspirations, so of course I had to read her autobiography when it came out! Her story is so moving and her personality is so cosy and relatable that I enjoyed every page. In terms of literary reading however the book was very simplistic and at times points were very laboured which is why I've opted to give only 3 stars to it. I think this is a one time only read as the meanings are quite surface level but I still enjoyed it and feel closer to such a wonderful person having learnt so much more about her life, struggles and how she overcame them.
After watching Grace's YouTube channel for years I was so happy to find she was releasing a book. Watching her grow so much and become such a 'big sister' to so many, including myself, helping me with plus size fashion advice to more recently looking into and broadcasting mental health as an issue that shouldn't be taboo! This book is an even more deeper look into her life and she doesn't skip out on any details! This is a really hard hitting book that left me in tears one minute and laughing the next but it's definitely a book that should be read more! Absolutely brilliant!👏
This book is an emotional rollercoaster but an amazing read. Grace is a brave and inspirational lady who deserves all the luck and success. This book is definitely worth a purchase and will help you too with body image and self esteem
DNF. Writing was extremely poor, along with typos and grammatical mistakes, I couldn’t finish it unfortunately. I bought the book as I was/am a fan of Grace and followed her journey over the years. I don’t like giving harsh reviews, but unfortunately I had to be honest with this one.