Committed to Beauty

by Ify Okonta

Constantly belittled as a child, ugly duckling Ella Obeta’s dream is to one day become a beauty queen- especially after she falls in love with Meya, the boy who defended her from a bully years ago, but who doesn’t even remember her.

In her second year in university, her childhood dream becomes a reality when she wins a modelling contract. She excitedly moves abroad to start her modelling career, but when a disturbing incidence occurs barely a month after she arrives, she becomes disillusioned. Consequently, she plunges into a hedonistic lifestyle all the while navigating runway shows and fashion campaigns around the world. However, after a devastating personal loss, as well as heart-wrenching news from back home, she quits and returns to Nigeria. There, she focuses on winning Meya’s love, but her efforts seem futile.

Spanning three decades and four continents, Committed to Beauty is one girl’s painful search for love, acceptance, and beauty….in all the wrong places.

Genres: Fiction

374 pages, ebook

Published July 12, 2017

About the author

Ify Okonta’s debut novel, Lilac dreams, was inspired by different memorable boarding school stories told by friends and relatives, as well as her own experiences. Scarlet Path, her second novel, speaks of how God works in the lives of his children using love (His and that of others) to bring about his will. Committed to Beauty, her third novel, was inspired by a desire to encourage any woman who has ever struggled or is struggling with her appearance or identity. She also enjoys writing songs and sees fiction as a tool to spread God's love and grace.

Reviews

[B Whitaker,]

I don't normally review this type of romance (sweet, clean), but I am sooooo glad that I took a chance on this one. Maybe it was the fact that I, too experienced the cruel, bullying behavior of the mean girls from my past and the hurtful things that people seem to do or say unwittingly.

The main character, Ella, fantasizes about her knight in shining armor, Meya and wants nothing more then to be "beautiful" for him. The locality where this story takes place is unimportant as it has a universal message that all boys and girls should be required to read before graduating from high school in this country.

I will not post spoilers especially for this book, because everyone from 5-105 should read this story just as I did without preconceived notions about what "beauty" really is. Ms. Okonta was an unknown author to me before I read this book, but after finishing it, she has now jumped to my "Top Ten List" of authors from which to watch for new works.

I received an advanced reader copy(ARC) of this book and voluntarily left posted review.

[Tequel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have been a 4-5 star book...however, it was Soooooo over written and such a long read!

[Tee Wai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A coming of age tale of a girl with aspirations that are constantly thwarted by a shallow world.

Read more here: https://teewaibiblichor.wordpress.com/

[Bun Head · Rating 5 out of 5]

*THIS BOOK WAS GIVEN TO ME FOR FREE IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW*

I decided to take this opportunity to review the book because Christian romance is not a genre I would normally read. I really wasn't sure what to expect but I must say I enjoyed this book. It actually touched me. I didn't expect to relate to the main character Ella so much. Ella was a young lady that was shunned because of her looks. She was not deemed as worthy of friendship or much of any positive attention because she was the "ugly duckling". Ella experienced hurt, anger, and betrayal at a very young age. Those things gave Ella a not so positive out look on life. She becomes infatuated with Meya, one of her brother's friends, after he stands up for her. That infatuation turns into something more and Ella wants nothing more than for Meya to love her. After a chance meeting with a model recruiter, Ella enters a competition that will change her life for ever. The once ugly duckling becomes the IT girl! Even with all her success, Ella is still that broken girl from Lagos. Her brother insists she finds God and so she does. She still has to deal with everyday life and her past issues but with God on her side she champions through! I liked that this book shines light on how cruel people can be and the affect it has on a person's esteem of self. It conveys a message that we must embrace and love ourselves as we are and it also shows us how God is a forgiving God and that he is always with us through the good and bad. I would highly recommend this book and I think it would also be a good book for young teen girls as well. I'm 35 and I could relate to Ella and her self esteem issues. By the end of the book it really had me feeling like if Ella came out the victor so can I! In this day and age with so much bullying going on many young ladies could probably use that feeling of hope as well!

[Laila Viking · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. This book surprised me a lot. There are characters that are so cruel and it was difficult to read about them. The main characters goes from being the ugly duckling to the swan. This story is not one for me. It was a bit overdramatic but also real life related. All the cruelness was to overwhelming and could have been taken a gear down and thereby made it a better read.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Ella who lives in Nigeria. Because of her looks she was bullied and not accepted so she became consumed with beauty. A modeling contest changes her life. She becomes the sensation. This details her crush on her brother's friend and her turn to God. This is a well written book that is heartwarming to read. I received an advance copy and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Jiovani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read

This book definitely kept me on my toes. It was a page turner, it was something that I think everyone could relate to. I got frustrated with Ella and Meya at one point but im glad that they finally got it together. Ella's story was a good one on acceptance, love and finding yourself. A must read

[A.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully written story about a girl who can't catch a break in love or in life. It follows her throughout her life, starting from a young girl and we get to see how she develops as a woman during her life of sadness, depression and betrayal. I don't generally read this type of book (it gets quite religious half way through) but I still very much enjoyed it.

[Kimberly Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It

Thank you for letting God use you while writing This book. I realize that nothing will happen unless you love yourself. It doesn't matter how other's look at you, but you looking at you through the eyes of Jesus. He created is all different and unique. Thank you

[Kenyatta Bourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

I really enjoyed reading this book. I was immersed from beginning to end, wondering who would end up together. I’m satisfied with the ending, and was rooting for Ella all along.

[Susanna Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down

This book was amazing. A surprising Nigerian love story that I literally read all night. There was so much suspense and so many surprises. I truly enjoyed it and look forward to reading from this author.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tedious

I saw where this was going. I felt like it was drawn out. I honestly read it just to finish it. I am not a fan.

[Authoress Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

From the first chapter to the last i enjoyed this book i can’t wait for the next one by this author! Keep up the good work!

[L D Brent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost Campy

Relatively predictable with convenient plot lines. The use of Nigerian 'slang' or colloquial expressions without explanation or translation hindered the good read