I have read several of Sarah Dessen books, not in order of when she published them, and she has written some of my favorite books. One being This Lullaby, but this book felt kind of flat with me compared to her other books. I just was not as in tune with these characters as I have been with her other books. The romance felt kind of 'oh yeah' in the book. This one of hers was probably more of a bonding of female friends, but I kept thinking about Along for a Ride when I was reading this, and I loved that one of hers. This one was much shorter then her other stories, so that might be why. I love her writing usually, but this book just didn't have the normal sparks. 
 However if you are looking for a story where a girl is trying to become comfortable with her own skin this could work. Who hasn't been in a fat phase of their life, or just feel like they were the ugly duckling in high school? Colie is that character, she goes beyond the typical make over now i'm pretty, but more of finding out through new friends of who she is, and to be happy with it. That concept I do like, we are who we are, why should we have to fit models? 
 "I've always known who I am. I might not work perfectly or be like them, but that's okay. I know I work in my own way." I love the line, it speaks the truth.