Damaged Beauty by Margaret Gardiner is a raw and moving story that centers around the tumultuous life of Josaphina Brinkley, better known as Joey. The story follows Joey's quick ascent to supermodel status and her battle to face the challenges of celebrity, love, and self-identity. It is set in 1980s New York and the stunning but brutal Côte d'Azur. From her romantic but toxic relationship with her husband Giovanni to the devastating aftermath of emotional and psychological abuse that led to her placement in a facility called The House of Rest, Joey's narrative is told with distinctive intensity. As she rebuilds her life, Joey struggles with the conflict between her public perception of a glamorous star and her inner feelings of weakness and loss. Gardiner captures the glamour of high fashion while revealing the dark reality behind the flashing cameras—betrayal, deceit, and a desperate search for connection.
The novel's strength lies in its compelling characters and emotional depth. Due to Joey's extreme relatability and profound flaws, her story appeals to anyone who has been rejected or struggled to define their value. The plot is well-paced, balancing intense emotion and quick-paced action. Margaret Gardiner's writing is cinematic, capturing the highs and lows. Themes of resilience, individuality, and social hardship weave together seamlessly, as the characters—real and diverse—draw readers into the complexities of their lives. The authenticity of Joey's struggles makes this book an unforgettable read. Damaged Beauty is perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven stories and moving examinations of human resiliency. 5 Stars.
—Zahid Sheikh for Readers' Favorite
See what's behind the glitz and the glamour of model Joey Superstar's world in a character driven story of self-realisation.
Joey Brinkly seems to have it all—beauty, wealth and fame as a superstar model in 1980s America. But her marriage disintegrates and leads her to have a stint in rehab before getting out and trying to get back to her old life without falling into bad habits. A troubled childhood and traumatic secret leads Joey to be self-destructive, but can she come to terms with her past, find peace in her future and become who she was destined to be.
Although Joey is in her twenties her story has almost a coming of age feel to it. As she faces her past and how it impacts her actions in order to learn and grow we see the beginning of a character arc that should hopefully lead Joey to a more healthier path in her life and career. While taking place in the glitz and glam of LA, with references to premiers and parties, this is mainly a character driven story. I liked that the focus remains on the characters. Although the narrative is mainly told by Joey we are also given some insight into the perspectives of the other characters she comes into contact with, this helps to round out the reader's view of the world and our main character. In all this is a character focused story of a life outside of the blinding light of the spotlight with a vulnerable main character that you can't help but feel for even as she's being self destructive.
—Charlotte Walker, Charlotte.Walker@lovereading
