What do you think?
Rate this book
The Other Side of Beauty: Embracing God's Vision for Love and True Worth
“Leah Darrow uses her experience in the beauty industry to help the women of our culture see what true beauty looks like.” —Jennifer Fulwiler, host of The Jennifer Fulwiler Show and author of Something Other than God
Do you feel like you’re never good enough? Like you should be living a more Instagram-worthy life? Are you exhausted by the impossible quest for physical beauty but still yearn for the validation of being chosen, valued, and deemed beautiful?
Drawing on her experience on America’s Next Top Model and her work as a fashion model, Leah Darrow exposes the lies we are told about our worth being tied to our appearance and instead invites us to look again at the real meaning of beauty. She shows how we can reclaim true and lasting beauty—the kind that doesn’t depend on self-doubt, exploitation, or comparison—when we reflect God’s glory and embrace our value as he made us to be: strong, brave, and free. Only when we learn to see ourselves as God does can we leave behind our culture’s definitions and demands and find joy in The Other Side of Beauty.
Do you feel like you’re never good enough? Like you should be living a more Instagram-worthy life? Are you exhausted by the impossible quest for physical beauty but still yearn for the validation of being chosen, valued, and deemed beautiful?
Drawing on her experience on America’s Next Top Model and her work as a fashion model, Leah Darrow exposes the lies we are told about our worth being tied to our appearance and instead invites us to look again at the real meaning of beauty. She shows how we can reclaim true and lasting beauty—the kind that doesn’t depend on self-doubt, exploitation, or comparison—when we reflect God’s glory and embrace our value as he made us to be: strong, brave, and free. Only when we learn to see ourselves as God does can we leave behind our culture’s definitions and demands and find joy in The Other Side of Beauty.
224 pages, Paperback
First published November 21, 2017
83 people are currently reading
940 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
February 10, 2019
I truly believe that if every girl read this book, the world would be a very different place. There would be no pressure to be a certain "perfect" way, there would be less teenage depression and comparisons, and true beauty would be embraced.
This book has helped me so much personally. Leah described so accurately, from her experience, the lies that our current culture is feeding every girl. The lies that steals joy and tells them that that will never be good enough unless they have the perfect complexion, figure, and skinniness.
But after exposing these lies, Leah expressing and explains what true beauty is- and how to live it.
A real life-changer.
This book has helped me so much personally. Leah described so accurately, from her experience, the lies that our current culture is feeding every girl. The lies that steals joy and tells them that that will never be good enough unless they have the perfect complexion, figure, and skinniness.
But after exposing these lies, Leah expressing and explains what true beauty is- and how to live it.
A real life-changer.
May 1, 2020
Quite insightful, and inspiring.
July 23, 2018
This book has a very specific demographic, and will not appeal to everyone. That being said, I really enjoyed it. I have heard Leah Darrow speak a few times, and I love her podcast "Do Something Beautiful." Leah often speaks on authentic love and beauty, and how to maintain or go back to your true self if you've lost your way. This memoir really spoke to me, and her experiences are a version of my own. The reminders of Christ's redemption no matter what is so important, and I thought this book was very well done.
June 29, 2024
I think this book had a great message and will be a good read for my future 8th grade students!
November 19, 2017
Leah was a former America’s next model. She found no pleasure in the life she was leading; competing for the prize.
In the book, Leah teaches the real meaning of beauty in a personal relationship with Christ.
I won the Free book from Goodreads First Reads.
In the book, Leah teaches the real meaning of beauty in a personal relationship with Christ.
I won the Free book from Goodreads First Reads.
August 4, 2019
Just finished this book 📚 by America’s Next Top Model contestant, leah darrow . This is a book every young woman as well women of all ages should read. It reminds us to not be caught up in who and what our culture says we are and should be and look like but who Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior says we are. We are His. We were made in His image and our identity is found is no one else.
July 19, 2019
**listened to the audio book**
I wish every woman would read this book. Leah is a clear, assertive writer on this incredibly important topic. As a former America's next top model contestant living the high life in New York City, Leah was incredibly enmeshed in many of the things we idealize as a culture: "beauty," money, and success. She deftly exposes the false versions of love and beauty that have asserted so much control over women in the last 100 years in particular. Her vision of dignity, compassion, and inner strength is incredibly compelling. Of course, this book will resonate the most with Christians, but any woman should seriously consider Leah's radical proclamation of self-worth outside of the beauty industry. A must read (or listen in my case).
I wish every woman would read this book. Leah is a clear, assertive writer on this incredibly important topic. As a former America's next top model contestant living the high life in New York City, Leah was incredibly enmeshed in many of the things we idealize as a culture: "beauty," money, and success. She deftly exposes the false versions of love and beauty that have asserted so much control over women in the last 100 years in particular. Her vision of dignity, compassion, and inner strength is incredibly compelling. Of course, this book will resonate the most with Christians, but any woman should seriously consider Leah's radical proclamation of self-worth outside of the beauty industry. A must read (or listen in my case).
December 30, 2017
Leah spoke to my community back in October, and I really enjoyed her humble nature, anecdotal delivery, and overall message. As such, I asked my dad to get me her book for Christmas and I'm happy to say he delivered. :)
I enjoyed the book itself, which was broken into sections: the world's definition of beauty, the cost of imitation beauty; false love and our pursuit of worth; the truth about [real] beauty; desiring beauty; and then how to become beautiful and share it with others. Obviously, Darrow's message is that there is another side to beauty other than the external. As a former model, she realized while in the think of the external beauty industry that their version of "beautiful" was not God's version. She details much of her experiences throughout the chapters. She offers cultural observations of beauty and how the world perceives what we should be (and makes sure we know it); she then details how we should refocus our paradigm of beauty. She champions living for God's version of beauty, not the world's.
The book offered great explanations, discussed realistic and reasonable advice, and challenges readers to reconsider their own notions of beauty.
My only issue with this book, which is no reflection on Darrow herself necessarily, is the choice to use "Former contestant on America's Next Top Model" as a tag line on the cover of the book and a continual reference throughout multiple chapters. I'm not naive to marketing, and I realize this is a relational point for most readers--"Oh, she was on ANTM, she must really know about the lies of the industry and how false their ideals are [insert continuation here]" and so on and so forth. However, I feel that since her message is entirely about choosing the other side of beauty, there needs to be less focus on where she's been (even as a tagline) and more focus on where she's going.
Again, I know that her background adds validity to her overall point; I just felt--as a reader--that it was distracting. After an initial discussion of it, I do not feel we need to keep referencing it, as her true message is about where she's going (and readers should go) as opposed to where she's been. This opinion is likely my own only, but I feel I want to be genuine and honest.
Overall an honest and humble read. I enjoyed her personal references, discussion of experiences within her path to true beauty, and the encouragement she offers readers for finding (and manifesting) beauty in their own lives.
I enjoyed the book itself, which was broken into sections: the world's definition of beauty, the cost of imitation beauty; false love and our pursuit of worth; the truth about [real] beauty; desiring beauty; and then how to become beautiful and share it with others. Obviously, Darrow's message is that there is another side to beauty other than the external. As a former model, she realized while in the think of the external beauty industry that their version of "beautiful" was not God's version. She details much of her experiences throughout the chapters. She offers cultural observations of beauty and how the world perceives what we should be (and makes sure we know it); she then details how we should refocus our paradigm of beauty. She champions living for God's version of beauty, not the world's.
The book offered great explanations, discussed realistic and reasonable advice, and challenges readers to reconsider their own notions of beauty.
My only issue with this book, which is no reflection on Darrow herself necessarily, is the choice to use "Former contestant on America's Next Top Model" as a tag line on the cover of the book and a continual reference throughout multiple chapters. I'm not naive to marketing, and I realize this is a relational point for most readers--"Oh, she was on ANTM, she must really know about the lies of the industry and how false their ideals are [insert continuation here]" and so on and so forth. However, I feel that since her message is entirely about choosing the other side of beauty, there needs to be less focus on where she's been (even as a tagline) and more focus on where she's going.
Again, I know that her background adds validity to her overall point; I just felt--as a reader--that it was distracting. After an initial discussion of it, I do not feel we need to keep referencing it, as her true message is about where she's going (and readers should go) as opposed to where she's been. This opinion is likely my own only, but I feel I want to be genuine and honest.
Overall an honest and humble read. I enjoyed her personal references, discussion of experiences within her path to true beauty, and the encouragement she offers readers for finding (and manifesting) beauty in their own lives.
November 25, 2017
This book is more about the author's story with a sprinkling of self-help tips. Maybe it's just me, but I would assume it would have a lot more tips and guidance. Maybe I just need more help than this book could offer, lol! The book sounds like it's a written speech which puts me off. The message is great, but I think the delivery could have been a lot better. Overall, I am disappointed because I assumed this book would be a great help.
If you are inspired through stories of a former model, this book would be worth your money. For someone like me, who would rather have a bigger focus on actual steps to take and/or a deeper insight of the theological view of women and beauty, you are better off borrowing this book from a friend for a light read.
If you are inspired through stories of a former model, this book would be worth your money. For someone like me, who would rather have a bigger focus on actual steps to take and/or a deeper insight of the theological view of women and beauty, you are better off borrowing this book from a friend for a light read.
January 2, 2024
Highly recommend for women who struggle to go to Confession. Great anecdotes, examples, and quotes.
May 15, 2019
A friend from church lent this book to me, and I really enjoyed it. Especially on the heels of another unhealthy relationship . . . with someone who was really superficial.
Darrow focuses on how returning to her faith and spirituality transformed her life, for the better. From an America's Next Top Model Contestant to an epiphany that allowed her to just pick up and leave all that "glamour" and possibilities of money and fame behind to rediscover a life with worth and joy. I think this was just the right time for me to read this book, as I too have been spending more time away from my faith than embracing it. I was furiously taking down notes while reading, so that when I return it I can still hold onto some of its wisdom.
Most of it is typical of self-help style books, but the difference from the mainstream ones is the idea that it's not all about you, but it's about the world and your place in it. Which is not to say woman are confined, but that society as a whole does take advantage of women and men especially seem to treat us as commodities, especially in a world of online dating when hundreds of women are at your fingertips and you need only swipe for a new one. UGH. It really is a good message to be teaching that we deserve more and that there should be no pressure for sex in a truly reciprocal relationship . . . or at least that it shouldn't be founded on that, nor a requirement of love from the other person.
I just really enjoyed it and felt that it really scratched an itch I didn't know I had in the self-worth department. It's a good message, and I would recommend to all women in my life. Plus, some of the studies about the perception women have about physical beauty and the amounts we spend on it collectively was very startling.
Darrow focuses on how returning to her faith and spirituality transformed her life, for the better. From an America's Next Top Model Contestant to an epiphany that allowed her to just pick up and leave all that "glamour" and possibilities of money and fame behind to rediscover a life with worth and joy. I think this was just the right time for me to read this book, as I too have been spending more time away from my faith than embracing it. I was furiously taking down notes while reading, so that when I return it I can still hold onto some of its wisdom.
Most of it is typical of self-help style books, but the difference from the mainstream ones is the idea that it's not all about you, but it's about the world and your place in it. Which is not to say woman are confined, but that society as a whole does take advantage of women and men especially seem to treat us as commodities, especially in a world of online dating when hundreds of women are at your fingertips and you need only swipe for a new one. UGH. It really is a good message to be teaching that we deserve more and that there should be no pressure for sex in a truly reciprocal relationship . . . or at least that it shouldn't be founded on that, nor a requirement of love from the other person.
I just really enjoyed it and felt that it really scratched an itch I didn't know I had in the self-worth department. It's a good message, and I would recommend to all women in my life. Plus, some of the studies about the perception women have about physical beauty and the amounts we spend on it collectively was very startling.
July 29, 2020
10/5.
Es el libro que cualquier mujer en el mundo debería leer, les dará un giro totalmente a su vida, y a su visión sobre ellas mismas y la belleza. En especial a las adolescentes, este debería ser un must, porque nos ahorraríamos tantas heridas, tantas confusiones, si nos enseñaran sobre lo que viene en este libro.
Leah Darrow nos cuenta a través de su testimonio, su encuentro con Dios, con el verdadero valor y la belleza, como nuestro aspecto físico es la mínima parte que cuenta al hablar de belleza, somos bellos porque Dios ama y nos da nuestro valor por ser sus hijos.
También nos cuenta un poco sobre 'imitating beauty' y como nos manipula, nos crea heridas e ideas falsas, nos aleja de Dios, del amor verdadero, de la verdad y de nosotras mismas, de nuestra esencia.
Nos da algunos tips, sobre como podemos ver esa belleza que ya tenemos, como dejar esa vida de imitating beauty atrás para empezar a vivir la verdadera belleza, para dejarnos amar por Dios, y amar a los demás de la misma manera. Como mujeres debemos ser las principales ambassadors de belleza, y el libro cierra con Leah animándonos a vivir una vida de belleza, y de comunión con Cristo, así seremos felices y haremos lo que estamos llamados a hacer.
Personalmente, este libro me dio una mirada diferente, y me hizo entender muchas cosas, reflexionar, meditar y sobre todo querer vivir el amor y la belleza para la que Dios me creo, sanar esas heridas, y hacer de este mundo un lugar lleno de amor y belleza con la mi propia.
¡NO DUDES NI UN SEGUNDO EN LEER ESTE LIBRO!
Es el libro que cualquier mujer en el mundo debería leer, les dará un giro totalmente a su vida, y a su visión sobre ellas mismas y la belleza. En especial a las adolescentes, este debería ser un must, porque nos ahorraríamos tantas heridas, tantas confusiones, si nos enseñaran sobre lo que viene en este libro.
Leah Darrow nos cuenta a través de su testimonio, su encuentro con Dios, con el verdadero valor y la belleza, como nuestro aspecto físico es la mínima parte que cuenta al hablar de belleza, somos bellos porque Dios ama y nos da nuestro valor por ser sus hijos.
También nos cuenta un poco sobre 'imitating beauty' y como nos manipula, nos crea heridas e ideas falsas, nos aleja de Dios, del amor verdadero, de la verdad y de nosotras mismas, de nuestra esencia.
Nos da algunos tips, sobre como podemos ver esa belleza que ya tenemos, como dejar esa vida de imitating beauty atrás para empezar a vivir la verdadera belleza, para dejarnos amar por Dios, y amar a los demás de la misma manera. Como mujeres debemos ser las principales ambassadors de belleza, y el libro cierra con Leah animándonos a vivir una vida de belleza, y de comunión con Cristo, así seremos felices y haremos lo que estamos llamados a hacer.
Personalmente, este libro me dio una mirada diferente, y me hizo entender muchas cosas, reflexionar, meditar y sobre todo querer vivir el amor y la belleza para la que Dios me creo, sanar esas heridas, y hacer de este mundo un lugar lleno de amor y belleza con la mi propia.
¡NO DUDES NI UN SEGUNDO EN LEER ESTE LIBRO!
January 30, 2018
The author, a contest on America's Next Top Model, tells her story of pain and redemption. She is honest and real about her past and emotions that led her to the point of rock bottom. While at the bottom she learned about the other side of beauty, the beauty from within. She embraced God's ideal for her and has written this book to encourage others to see themselves as God sees them and not as the world sees them.
The book was interesting since the author wove so many stories, most of them personal, into the dialogue. I found several places to be slow or redundant. But since this wasn't really a topic that I felt resonated with me, at first, I had a hard time getting in to the book. But once I was about half way through, it picked up and I really felt her speaking to me. I had the book laying on my coffee table and a friend picked it up and read the first couple of chapters. She said the book really spoke to her and asked to borrow it when I was finished. So I know the book will speak to people who are dealing with body image issues. Overall, I think the book is perfect for someone with low self-esteem, those who view outward beauty as the most important thing, or those who are struggling with body image issues.
I received a copy of this book from. All thoughts expressed are my own.
The book was interesting since the author wove so many stories, most of them personal, into the dialogue. I found several places to be slow or redundant. But since this wasn't really a topic that I felt resonated with me, at first, I had a hard time getting in to the book. But once I was about half way through, it picked up and I really felt her speaking to me. I had the book laying on my coffee table and a friend picked it up and read the first couple of chapters. She said the book really spoke to her and asked to borrow it when I was finished. So I know the book will speak to people who are dealing with body image issues. Overall, I think the book is perfect for someone with low self-esteem, those who view outward beauty as the most important thing, or those who are struggling with body image issues.
I received a copy of this book from. All thoughts expressed are my own.
January 12, 2020
Es un libro que hace un reflexión sobre la belleza, la industria de la moda y la forma en que las mujeres son vistas como objetos y un target de la mercadotecnia. Todo ello desde la experiencia de Leah, que revela como se dio cuenta que tenía una visión equivocada sobre la belleza y sobre si misma.
Incluye diversos estudios y cifras preocupantes acerca de los gastos de una mujer en cosméticos y moda, de la falta de autoestima y los estándares de belleza que al final nadie puede cumplir.
Es interesante para reflexionar, aprender y modificar algunos hábitos incluso. Creo que le falto profundizar y quizá es un punto en contra que este escrito desde el lado católico, pero al final de cuentas desde el título se advierte sobre ello.
Incluye diversos estudios y cifras preocupantes acerca de los gastos de una mujer en cosméticos y moda, de la falta de autoestima y los estándares de belleza que al final nadie puede cumplir.
Es interesante para reflexionar, aprender y modificar algunos hábitos incluso. Creo que le falto profundizar y quizá es un punto en contra que este escrito desde el lado católico, pero al final de cuentas desde el título se advierte sobre ello.
July 6, 2019
This book was beautifully written. It is filled with Truth and was a great reminder to focus on God’s eternal beauty and not the temporary/false beauty of this world. With the constant bombardment of beauty/fashion ads, it’s so easy to keep getting sucked back into the lie that beauty is for sale. One part in particular brought me to tears and gave me an opportunity to reflect on my worth and value in God’s eyes. I highly recommend to all women and their daughters.
October 2, 2022
I read this in basically 24 hours. This was beyond relate able. How women are targeted with beauty products and to care about outer beauty and how women and girls are being over sexualized. Every part of this book I related to. Especially learning the beauty that comes from the inner part of yourself that God created and helping others. This hit home with the vanity and pride that God pulled me out of and healed me.
March 2, 2018
Every women should read this book! Buy one and give it to your sisters, girlfriends, daughters, etc.....it was truly inspiring and eye opening. I had to stop a few times and by few I mean a lot, to reread what I just read because I wanted to savor every word. I would def recommend to all my women family and friends. A great read to pass on to your loved ones for sure!
July 26, 2023
I don't understand how this book doesn't have 5 stars... period. It was THE BEST book for young adults, especially women or even Christians of all age especially women. It was soooo well written and eye opening. I listened to it with my daughter and I'm so very grateful it was written.
August 16, 2024
The Other Side of Beauty was a surprisingly good read. I don't think I knew anything about the author going in to the book, so it was interesting to get to know her story. I enjoyed how transparent she was about the modeling industry and her life. She had a drastic change in direction and I liked hearing her wake-up moment. The discussion on modesty and true beauty were great. All in all, a great read and the audio version was a very easy listen.
May 14, 2018
I really appreciate Leah's honesty and powerful testimony of God's grace. It was also really interesting to hear about the pressures she experienced as a female in the fashion world.
September 29, 2019
I really liked the author's perspective and how well she tied everything together. It inspired me to focus on my inward beauty and to reflect Christ in what I say, think, and do.
March 5, 2019
Amazing.
November 19, 2023
Written for women in western society to realize the ugly lies we believe and discover what our true identity and happiness really is.
It takes a little while to get into the heart of her story, but Leah’s personal, unfiltered life experiences and conversion story are what made this book SO powerful.
It takes a little while to get into the heart of her story, but Leah’s personal, unfiltered life experiences and conversion story are what made this book SO powerful.
November 25, 2019
Leah Darrow is awesome! Two parts of this book made me cry. There's also a part that made me fired up about how commercialized WOMEN have become! Quit objectifying and using women to sell things, and quit telling women they're not good enough to sell more things to them!
January 18, 2018
There was nothing really earth shattering in this book. That being said, I really enjoyed it. I remembering watching the season of America's Next Top Model with Leah on it. What I really appreciate about the book is that she consistently shows how the decisions she was making were leading her father and father away from Christ. She draws beautiful parallels with the Prodigal Son. I think this would be an excellent book to read and discuss with a teenage daughter.
January 5, 2018
Listened to the on Audible, read by the author - and it was wonderful! Leah has shared her story with such honesty and many times it brought me to tears! Our society has a very distorted and one-dimensional definition of beauty - one that the beauty industry exploits. But Leah points us to True Beauty and shares many practical ways to bring this into our daily lives. A must-read for all women.
January 3, 2018
Such a personal book that really does get to the heart of the beauty industry, and redefines the way we think about beauty
December 30, 2017
This book was an amazing story about Leah Darrow's path from modeling & the lures of modern society to finding her value in a God centered world. For young women comparing themselves with models & celebrities, it brings a whopping dose of reality & tips. I would highly recommend it!
December 31, 2017
Great book
December 28, 2017
So, so good! I’ll be revisiting often to remind myself of the important lessons I learned.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews