When I saw this book by Laura Wiess on Simon & Schuster's newsletter, I had the feeling I'd already heard the author's name and, after a rapid search on Goodreads, I found out I had all her books on my TBR shelf. So how could I possibly miss the chance? 
 Then I started worring that I wouldn't like it or that my expectations were so high that I would inevitably be disappointed, and I put this book on hold until I was in the right mood. 
 A week ago, I picked my kindle up and decided that I didn't care and that I really wanted to find out on my own if Ms Wiess's writing is as good as the reviewers say she is. 
 A couple of days ago, I got my answer: she is. 
 Ordinary Beauty was one of the most beautiful and painful books I've ever read, one that made me cry and smile on different occasions. 
 Ordinary Beauty felt so unmistakably real that I couldn't help but think of all the people who find themselves in Sayre's (or her mother's, or any of the other characters') situation in real life and of the strength it takes them to go on with their life, constantly trying to make it better and always afraid to be deprived of what little happiness they've found along the way. 
 This book was an endless emotional roller coaster and the author's ability with words was at its best through the pages of this novel. I didn't know what to think nor expect, my emotions were so messed up that I felt like throwing up or crying shamelessly all the time. 
 Ordinary Beauty is certainly not a light read, nor an easy one, and it makes you feel so selfish and so damn lucky because of all the things you've always taken for granted and that for a lot of people aren't. It makes you wonder how a mother could possibly act the way Sayre's does, and how a single human being can suffer so much pain and live through it and become such a wonderful person, no matter the scars and the memories he has to bear everyday. 
 Sayre's simple yet powerful feeling, her sad and unfortunate story, her constant need for love were so raw, and real, and definite that they left a mark on me, and I think they will on the other readers as well. 
 I can't give much away, so I'll just say that Sayre's adventures will capture you from the beginning and that her story will be such a wonderful one that you'll have to agree with me when I say that Ordinary Beauty is one of the best contemporary young-adult novel out there. 
 I can only express my gratitude toward Simon & Schuster for giving me the opportunity to read such an amazing book and review it for them.