Beautiful Girl: A Novel - Softcover

In turns heart-stopping and heartbreaking, but ultimately hopeful, "Beautiful Girl" is the powerful story of one girl's search for what each of us wants: to be seen, to be known, and to be loved for who we truly are.
--Erin McCahan, author of "Love and Other Foreign Words"
Philips writes with conviction, heart, and honesty. Her words slip off the page and into your soul, reminding you that everyone is fighting an inner battle that most people know nothing about.
--Jessica Stevens, author of "Within Reach"
Fleur Philips has written a poignant coming-of-age story of a young woman who sheds her masks and finds true love and her truer self. Romantic and compelling, "Beautiful Girl" reaffirms our ideals of the redemptive power of love.
--Leonard Chang, author of "Triplines""

This beautifully written book has strong characters women everywhere will relate to, and a huge twist that will leave you in disbelief. A fantastic coming-of-age story!
Kristen Hunt, author of "The Blonde Eskimo"
Fleur Philip's " Beautiful Girl" gorgeously illustrates that beauty definitely isn't skin deep. Add to that a powerful first love and some meaningful self discovery, and this book will find it's way from the beach with you to a soft spot in your heart.
Jessica Hickam, author of "The Revealed"
In turns heart-stopping and heartbreaking, but ultimately hopeful, "Beautiful Girl" is the powerful story of one girl's search for what each of us wants: to be seen, to be known, and to be loved for who we truly are.
Erin McCahan, author of "Love and Other Foreign Words"
Philips writes with conviction, heart, and honesty. Her words slip off the page and into your soul, reminding you that everyone is fighting an inner battle that most people know nothing about.
Jessica Stevens, author of "Within Reach"
Fleur Philips has written a poignant coming-of-age story of a young woman who sheds her masks and finds true love and her truer self. Romantic and compelling, "Beautiful Girl" reaffirms our ideals of the redemptive power of love.
Leonard Chang, author of "Triplines""

Seventeen-year-old Melanie Kennicut is beautiful. Her entire life revolves around this beauty because her overly controlling mother has been dragging her to casting calls and auditions since she was four years old. According to Joanne Kennicut, Melanie was born to follow in her footsteps. But Melanie never wanted this life. When a freak car accident leaves her with facial lacerations that will require plastic surgery, she can't help but wonder if this is the answer to her prayers. For the first time in her life, she has a chance to live like a normal teenagerat least for a little whileaway from the photo shoots and movie sets that have dominated her entire existence. But after Melanie allows her best friend to come to the house to see her, Joanne decides to hide her daughter in Montana for the remainder of the summer. There, Melanie won't be seen by anyone they know, and her face will heal in time for the scheduled surgery in late August. Joanne’s plan backfires, however, when Melanie meets Sam, a Native American boy hired by the home's owner to tend to the property. Sam is nothing like the Hollywood boys Melanie knowshe¹s poor, his father's a drunk who possesses a bizarre gift inherited from a Kootenai Shaman, and his only brother disappeared into the mountains after the death of their mother eight years before. What transpires over a mere 36 hours after Sam and Melanie meet changes both of their lives in ways they never thought possible.