Model Misfit (Geek Girl #2)

Smale, Holly. Model Misfit (Geek Girl #2)
July 21st 2015 by Harper Teen (first published January 1st 2013)
E ARC from Netgalley.com

Harriet, thinking her modeling days are over after her various disasters with designer Yuka is surprised and delighted when her agent, Wilbur, tells her she is to go to Japan to be the face of Yuka's new line. Since her stepmother is expecting, her step-grandmother, Bunty, is supposed to serve as her escort. Since best friend Nat is being sent to a farm in France as punishment for skipping classes in order to buy makeup, Harriet is fine with traveling. She's a bit worried when Bunty dumps her, but when she realizes that her roommates, Japanese Rin and British Polly actually seem to like her, she settles in to enjoy her time, even though ex-boyfriend Nick is around, and apparently dating the gorgeous Polly. In true Harriet style, the photo shoots all seem to end in disaster (squid ink on a one-of-a-kind dress, general mayhem, running late and being unprepared, etc.), and Yuka is ready to dump Harriet. But why are so many things going wrong? The answer comes from a likely but surprising source.
Strengths: The Louise Rennison titles popular in your library? Want something similar but even better written and funnier? Definitely grab these two. The writing is spectacular-- Wilbur's dialog alone is worth the purchase price. And traveling to Japan is never a bad thing.
Weaknesses: Not all readers will appreciate Harriet's full geek capabilities, but I thought they were brill.
What I really think: British humor is sort of like Cadbury chocolate... an acquired taste, but really the best if it's what you are used to. Sigh. Loved this. Loved the turns of phrase. Of course, doesn't hurt that I am treating myself to the entire series of the 1980s Britcom The Two of Us this summer. Which looks perilously like the history of my life...