Customer Reviews

Violet by Design

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Violet has had the time of her life in New York. After being spotted by her now agent Angela Blythe at the Palace Theaters, and then being swept away to NYC (and with a little hesitation from her parents), Violet was able to experience all that goes on in the modeling world. From the runway shows to the crazy designers to having a backstabbing roommate with an eating disorder to her fake, jerk of an ex-boyfriend.

She survived it all and now Violet is back in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, trying to spend as much time away from New York as she can while leaning more towards her friends and family.

Being in the fashion industry is beginning to take a toll on Violet. Sure, she is able to travel to Brazil and even France on short notice, wear all of the designer clothing that's too expensive to even look at, and have all the boys fall for her (even if it's for all the wrong reasons). But Violet just can't see herself as a true model. Her insecurities, including those about her weight, are always present.

The longer she's away the more troubles and problems Violet starts to have, especially when she tries to speak out on some important issues, which doesn't necessarily bode well with her agency. One of the designers in Brazil is showing some interest in Violet, but, for some reason, her heart goes out to her dorky best friend, Roger. Will Violet's escapades in international modeling be the deciding factor in whether she should stay in the modeling world? Or will the limelight shine bright over what she truly wants?

VIOLET BY DESIGN is a strong follow-up to the first novel in the series, Violet on the Runway. Melissa Walker creates a story that acknowledges all the realistic aspects of a world that seems flawless and characters that are intriguing and easy to relate to. A wonderful read, VIOLET BY DESIGN does not disappoint.

Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

I was thrilled with Melissa Walker's new book, I sat down and read the whole thing at once. Melissa has a way of getting to your emotions, and then making you crack up laughing just when you're about to cry. I guess you know you're "into" a book when you find yourself yelling at the characters in your head - as in, "Violet, if you and Roger don't end up together by the end of this book, I am going to scream!" I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

Ah, the life of a jet-setting international model. If you've never thought about modeling or even considered traveling...this book will fire you up! It is such a blast following Violet, and she is such a cool girl who stands up for positive body image and using your brain. Also in this book, Violet gets into more trouble, and gets more attention from the guys...it's a fun-filled, glamorous life--can I be Violet?--and I'm impatient for the third book in this series!!!

I was going to get out of the modeling business for good.

But now I'm having trouble sticking with my decision. After all, if it wasn't for modeling, I might still be the invisible wallflower. Hot guys like Paulo wouldn't be interested in me. And I'd never have seen Brazil or Spain-and now France! On the other hand...

I also wouldn't have to choose between my best friend from home and my agent's shrill demands. Or anguish over my body the way only runway models do. Not to mention all this trouble I'm getting into for speaking out in the press about eating disorders.

Maybe the life of an international model isn't for me. But if I quit for good, I might always wonder...What if?

(Summary from Amazon)

I loved the first book in the series, Violet on the Runway, and this second addition to the series will not let you down. The characters, Violet especially, were just as down-to-earth as they were in the previous book and I could still relate to them, even though they've all changed a bit. The flawless prose keeps you intrigued in the story and you'll probably have a hard time putting it down.

My favorite thing about these books continues to be the raw honesty that Walker uses when describing the events happening behind the curtain of the modeling industry. Many people seem to be under the impression the models live the perfect life but that's not true at all. Melissa Walker only brings truth to that.

If you haven't read the first book in the series, I suggest picking it up, along with this sequel. You won't be disappointed!

Violet By Design is the second in this series. I'm going to try and keep it vague for people that haven't read the first book, Violet On the Runway.

Violet had quit modeling but couldn't resist a trip overseas. She did get into modeling for the travel! So Violet is off on another modeling adventure while her best friends Roger and Julie are off to college. While Violet is in Brazil she meets the young designer, Paulo. She eventually becomes the face of his campaign. They start a romance... that's all I will say on that. Violet's modeling friends, Sam and Veronica are back this time (and Veronica is less evil-yay). I'm not going to say anymore, no spoilers here. I'll just say I'm glad we get to see more of Violet's modeling friends getting along and especially her friend Roger! ;)

Violet thought she was going to leave the modeling world behind, but when she gets a chance to model in Brazil- how can she say no? Her one modeling gig lands her as the face for the new and upcoming designer Paulo, did I mention he is hot! But things in Brazil don't exactly work out as Violet planned and she jets home spending her days eating ice cream and vegging on the couch.

That of course lands Violet in some trouble when she shows up in Spain five pounds heavier. Violet, however, has her own thoughts about models and their weight. And when those thoughts become public it just might ruin her modeling career. Can Violet survive the pressure to be thin and stay true to herself, and for once figure out exactly what it is that she wants before it's too late?

I loved Melissa Walker's debut novel Violet on the Runway and the sequel is just as good or even better. I loved the fact that Walker chooses to shed light on body image and what healthy should be. It's nice to see that such a perfectly portrayed world, has it's flaws. Violet continues to grow and to find herself. I loved seeing most of the characters returning for the second book and I can't wait to read more about them in Violet In Private. They are all intriguing in their own way and very relatable. I was so engrossed in the story I read the book in one setting! Oh, Roger. I must know what happens next!

I saw this had only 4 and 5 star reviews and my 13-year old picked it up. I read through it and just wanted to warn those looking for something for young teens that there is a lot of cursing and talking about sex in this. It seems to be geared for young girls but has at least 20 F*** words. I find it strange that if the transcript of this book were put into a movie the MPAA would immediately flag it as R but because it is in print it is somehow "Young Adult". What are we teaching our young ladies? Not to be ladies mostly.

Review from [...]
*Spoilers for Violet on the Runway (prequel to Violet by Design)*
Title: Violet by Design
Author: Melissa Walker
Grade: A-
Ideal Audience: Girls, 12+
Sequel to: Violet on the Runway

Summary: Although Violet has decided to give up modeling, she can't say no when she's given the chance to model in Brazil (she has always wanted to travel). There, she falls- hard- for Paulo, a Brazilian designer. Hopefully her relationship with Paulo will be better than the one she had with Peter Heller (see review of first book), but for some reason, her best friend Roger doesn't seem that happy about Paulo.

Meanwhile, Violet has gained a few pounds, which is a big no-no for models. When she is asked to lose weight for a show, she complains about it on her MySpace blog. Newspapers pick up on it, and run a few articles that paint Violet in a less-than-fabulous light. Her agent, Angela, is outraged, and Violet once again feels the stress that modeling can put on a person.

Can Violet keep up with her fast-paced life? Or is it finally time for her to slow down?

My thoughts: Melissa Walker continues to impress me with the character of Violet. In Violet by Design, the reader sees a mix of Violet the Model and Normal Violet. Violet the Model is the girl who robotically agrees to anything and everything her agent asks her to do, who wants to spend her time partying with Paulo. Other times, Normal Violet comes out, the girl who yearns for home, who wants to hang out with Julie and Roger.

Fans of Violet on the Runway won't be disappointed with this sequel.

At the end of Violet on the Runway, Violet swears that she's quit the modeling industry. That is until she is offered the opportunity to walk the runway in Brazil. Violet has always wanted to travel and she sees this as her ticket. Deferring college for a semester Violet heads to Brazil while her best friends, Julie and Roger, head of to their respective colleges. While in Brazil Violet meets up with Veronica, and realizes that Veronica is one of the best friends that she has in the industry. When Violet's not catching up with Veronica, she's putting on a spectacular show and designers are all wanting her to walk for them. Then there's Paulo... An up-and-coming designer who is extremely hot, and whom Violet can't help but fall helplessly in love with. She almost feels that she could go all the way with Paulo, that is until she finds him in bed with another woman. Mortified she hops back on a plane to the States and wallows for two weeks, feasting on ice cream and cheeseburgers. Her brother finally convinces her to get her act together and she does. She flies up to New York and hangs out with Roger and his highly annoying girlfriend Chloe. After her outing Violet knows she's ready to go back into the modeling world, and calls up her agent, Angela. When she sees Angela, she wishes she had never called. Angela immediately starts picking Violet apart for putting on 5 pounds. Violet's ashamed of herself, but continues trying to get rid of that blasted ice cream weight. Her dream of traveling comes true again when she is whisked off to Spain. Here she is still pestered about her weight, but when she speaks up she gets into a lot of trouble. Will Violet ever be satisfied with her body? Is her modeling career over?

Wow! This book was just as good as the first one. For me that rarely happens. Violet was as strong as ever in this book and I loved how she stood up for what she believed in. Throughout the story Violet is pressured into losing weight even though she's already skinny. This deals with the whole models are too skinny issue that real world models are facing today. I thought that Melissa Walker did a fantastic job getting the message across that we all need to be comfortable with our bodies and that being skinny definitely has it's negative side. Once again I couldn't put the book down and was riveted by the story. I stayed up until all hours of the night to finish it and it was so worth it! One thing that frustrated me during the whole book is Violet and Roger's relationship. I believe that they are destined to be together. Why, o, why does he have to be with that Chloe girl? Why Melissa Walker did you have to leave us hanging with their whole relationship? So many questions left unanswered

Violet Greenfield has gone from a nobody to an international runway model. After returning home to get away from the modeling business for a while, Angela approaches Violet about modeling in Brazil and Violet jumps at the chance to travel internationally.

Things start out brilliantly until Violet's insecurities once again get the better of her. Violet manages to get all the shows, all the clothes, and all the guys but once again the designers and her agent have to have her perfect and Violet can't handle it.

Weight becomes a greater issue in this book and Violet is unable to keep her weight exactly where the designers and her agent want it. The only way she can think of to vent is to post on her blog. Little does she know that her friends and teenagers are not the only people reading. Her dilemma becomes fodder for the press and Violet gets in deeper than she can handle.

When she is asked to do a campaign promoting better health for teen girls, Violet thinks that it may be the beginning of a new type of modeling world. That is, until she is told that she needs to lose five pounds and keep the weight off for the shoots. It's too late for Violet to back out but she begins to feel like she is betraying herself and all the teenagers that look up to her when she poses for the shoot. And all the while she is losing herself, she finds herself losing her best friend and possibly the love of her life, Roger.

Will Violet's career be able to last through her insecurities and weight issues or will it and she break under the pressure? Will she be able to fix things between her and Roger or did she blow her only chance?

Violet By Design is the followup to Violet On The Runway and is followed by Violet In Private. This second installment in the series is by far the best so far but I have high hopes for Violet In Private.