I really wanted to like this book but I struggled with how it’s written. It’s very social media/ twitter comment based .which I get it and probably works but maybe more for the younger generation.
So Unfortunately it just didn’t hold my attention like I hoped .

The Ugly Truth was everything I hoped it would be. From the blurb, I imagined it to be like some of the documentary series I've binge watched and it was exactly that... told in a script style manner, we learn from several sources their opinion on why Melanie Lange is missing. Many of the characters don't know if Melanie is being looked after for her mental health or being imprisoned by her father. It's a clever style of writing that keeps you gripped and I could see it being a Netflix documentary. Recommend for any one who loves a real life documentary with unexpected twists!

I didn't connect with the style of writing in this book. I think it would appeal to a much more younger audience. It is very much written in the style of social networking/netflix box set. In fact the story is about a netflix documentary about a rich girl that goes missing and the campaign to find out the truth. There were some good twists, however. To be honest I was probably a bit old for this book but I am sure the younger generations will absolutely love it.

The writing style of this book is unusual in that it's told in the form of Netflix documentary transcripts, tweets and YouTube videos which tell the story of the disappearance of Melanie Lange. Melanie is the daughter of the extremely rich Peter Lange who owns a hotel chain. When she was 15 she became a successful model quite by chance but soon fell from grace. She later founded a successful cosmetic company, got married and had two children but her life seemed to be spiralling out of control when she was constantly photographed supposedly misbehaving with her friend Nell. She lost custody of her sons and then suddenly disappeared.. Nobody heard anything about her for months and rumours were rife on social media as to her whereabouts. Then suddenly she posted videos on YouTube saying she was being kept prisoner by her father. For his part her father is adamant that Melanie is bring kept safe for her own wellbeing as he thinks she may be contemplating suicide.

So there's a choice between believing Melanie or Peter. I must admit I was on the side of Melanie but whether this was a good choice readers will have to decide for themselves!

Have you ever wondered what a Celebrity or a person in the public eye’s life really about? Is it the same that it is portrayed about them in the media? Or is there something more to it than that? The Ugly truth answers these questions showing both sides of the story.
Melissa Lange ex-model and part owner of Lange Cosmetics has disappeared. Apparently, she has been held against her will by her father Peter Lange a wealthy hotelier. But her video post of herself, are they a publicity stunt to get more followers and build her business or is it the truth and her father is keeping her prisoner and she needs help to escape.
Thank you, Random House Transworld, for a copy of The Ugly truth. This is a cleverly, unique storyline, which is written in texts, emails and tweets regarding the life of Melissa Lange on how she first became famous to present day. This is such addictive read that I couldn’t stop reading. This is so relevant and realistic in today’s society and really open your eyes to what ‘celebrities’ have to go through on a daily basis. I thought this book is a brilliant read and reckon it will be a big hit once it is published. 5 stars from me.

I would struggle to be able to review this book due to issues with the file/download. The issues stopped the flow of the book. The issues are:
- Missing words in the middle of sentences
- Stop/start sentences on different lines
- No clear definition of chapters.

I’m not sure if it was a file/download issue but there were lots of gaps and stops/starts which really ruined the flow. I would love the chance to read a better version as the description of the book appeals to me. I would be more than happy to re-read the book with a better file or as a physical book as the book topic and genre are of interest to me. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

This wa susch an interesting premise and I absolutely loved it. A fantastic read that left me not knowing what to believe. Fast paced and unprecitable, I loved it.

Melanie Lange has disappeared.

Her father, Sir Peter Lange, says she is a danger to herself and has been admitted to a private mental health clinic.

Her ex-husband, Finn, and best friend, Nell, say she has been kidnapped.

The media will say whichever gets them the most views.

But whose side are you on?
#SaveMelanie
#HelpPeter

The Ugly Truth is a shocking and addictive thriller about fame, power and the truth behind the headlines.

Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Uk Transworld Publishers
I just reviewed The Ugly Truth by L.C. North. #TheUglyTruth #NetGalley

Daughter of a multi-millionaire owner of a hotel chain, Peter Lange, Melanie after a time as a model becomes a highly successful businesswoman. She has always been chased by the paparazzi and journalists, especially during her younger drunken partying days. She is now married to Fynn and has 2 children. She goes missing and people start wondering why especially her best friend Nell, suspicion falls on her father, who is accused of keeping her a prisoner when videos of her start being broadcast on her YouTube channel. This is written in the manner of a T.V documentary programme, with "Talking Heads" with interviews with journalists, paparazzi, friends, ex-husband, extracts from Facebook posts and comments including Trolling messages. An unusual format for a book but a good read.

I loved the clever way that L.C. North wrote this book in a report style with interviews from the different characters. It tells the story of Melanie who rises to fame as a model and entrepreneur. We find out that all isn't rosy in Melanie's life. I enjoyed the book very much but did feel that towards the end it dragged on a little. That said, I did finish the book.

Thank you to NetGalley for this copy. This is a really good book, kept me entertained throughout and I would thoroughly recommend to all.

A thriller that started with a hiss, bang and a roar, but lost momentum for me.

Told through transcripts of interviews, Netflix documentary, twitter and YouTube videos, The Ugly Truth felt like a very contemporary story of Melanie Lange, a British It girl, entrepreneur and daughter of a powerful business mogul. When Melanie isn’t seen for months #savemelanie starts trending.

Unfortunately the initial suspense wasn’t sustained or built upon, and so the thriller aspect of the novel fell away through the middle. I also found that the delivery of the message of the book was a bit heavy handed.

With that said, I imagine this will have its fans and would make a good book club read, I could even see it being picked up by Netflix #meta

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is written completely different to what I normal read and it took me a while to get into because of it, I was confused most of the way through but I did enjoy the concept of the storyline.
I don't have much to say on this book other than it was better than I expected and had some good twists in it.
Thank you to Netgalley/L. C North for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Ugly Truth is so incredibly good!
If you have been following the circus surrounding Britney Spears and the way all her power to make choices was taken away, this will ring a bell for you!


Well written and thoroughly enjoyable

An addictive, pacy and at times uncomfortably raw social commentary on celebrity culture and our vulture-like obsession with true crimes and mining stories from peoples’ real life for its entertainment value.
I really liked the innovative writing style and using different mediums such a Netflix documentary interviews/voice-overs, Twitter threads and articles. The style reminded me of Daisy Jones, but here it used to depict a more darker reality of celebrity life. I also liked the nuance and how one incident could be depicted in different lights depending on the person telling the story.
In a nutshell the novel follows the disappearance of Melanie. Her father says she’s mentally unwell and is in a facility. But then videos surface with Melanie claiming to be imprisoned. Who’s telling the truth?
This was a good, topical read drawing on the #freeBritney story. Thoroughly enjoyed this one. I won’t call this a suspense read though. I felt like the thriller aspect wasn’t that fully realised and there weren’t really any twists. Nonetheless I did really enjoy like this and was hooked through and through.

A sad story in many ways, with events played out seamlessly over many years.. Although there is a seeming lack of hope throughout the plot you do feel a greater empathy by the end for those whose lives are played out in the public eye.

I was gripped by this book from the start. I loved the writing style and the different perspectives. It’s unique, engaging and memorable. I’d definitely recommend it and thought it was a great read.

The Ugly Truth was a clever, fast paced story about social media and the impact it can have on someone’s mental health. Throw in some suspense, a father who will do anything (ANYTHING) to protect his child or business and you’ve got the ugly truth!

Very different how the story was told through reports, documentary clips and different characters perspectives but very clever, thought provoking and kept my attention.

Overall a good, different read.

Thank you NetGalley and Random house UK for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book.

From the first couple of sentences I was hooked on this book. It was a real page Turner which left me with annoying questions at the end - probably the whole point to drive us crazy.

Melanie's video comes online. 'I'm being held prisoner by my dad. Help.'

But is Melanie imprisoned or does she need help? That is the main question.

The story is told through social media and in the form of a Netflix documentary.

Brilliant twisty thriller that had me hooked from the get go. I was guessing throughout and loved the way it threw me and made me doubt what I was thinking! loved it.