A Broken Kind of Beautiful

A review by Spencer

by Katie Ganshert

"And why did she feel as if she'd lived a thousand lifetimes when she'd barely lived one? ~A Broken Kind of Beautiful

Twenty-five-year-old Ivy Clark is an extraordinarily beautiful woman, but in the fashion industry, with no contract, she’s considered washed up. She searches to find importance in the world by getting that ‘big break’ and strives for validation in unsavory men. Ivy is a stunning girl, who feels like a reject with a broken soul.

Like Scarlett, in Gone With the Wind, Ivy Clark isn’t a very likable person. She’s self-absorbed and shields her inner emotions with her outward beauty. I tried to like her, wanted to like her, and I did—more than halfway through the story—and that’s what makes this book pretty remarkable. Katie Ganshert’s smooth prose and captivating storytelling kept me rapt.

I’m not sure if I’ve ever read a book where the main character has made such a transformation without being unrealistic. The author shows the character growth in a practical, slow-moving progression that made me gradually like Ivy. I began to empathize with her and silently urged her, over and over, to do the right thing. Although often frustrated with her, I saw it as a good thing, making her actions unpredictable, yet understandable.

Feeling unloved, unwanted, and unwarranted is hitting rock bottom. Witnessing her climb of self-discovery and self-worth was gripping. Ivy Clark’s personal, worldly, and spiritual journey is a moving and compelling read.

There are only two cons of the story.

1. I couldn’t fully visualize the characters. Especially Ivy. Though she has long, dark hair, and is beautiful, tall and thin, I never got a true ‘feel’ of her appearance.

2. I wasn’t overly fond of the quick wrap-up in the epilogue. I feel the story already had a satisfying ending without it.

Publisher: WaterBrook Press

Page Count: 320

Purchase Link: Amazon

Book Rating: 

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Disclosure of Material Connection in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: BloggingForBooks has provided me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.