Brynn used to have a great life, full of friends, pottery, and a boyfriend she can't get enough of. But once tragedy strikes, that is all gone. She loses her mother, finds out her boyfriend lies all too well, and discovers that her best friends don't want anything to do with her now. Feeling alone and empty, Brynn tries to pick up the pieces of herself and finds out she might not be as alone as she thought.

SEARCHING FOR BEAUTIFUL by Nyrae Dawn is simply stunning and strong. There are so many things to love about this book, but at the top of my list is diversity. Dawn beautifully and naturally incorporates a main character who is adopted by a family with Italian roots, a Hispanic love interest who has two moms, and much more. It feels as real and truthful as it should.

Another highlight is the excellent character depth of Brynn and her love interest, Christian. Christian helps her find a strength inside her, but it's very clear that he is only a support to that, and she is the one who really taps into her own strong hold. They have a relationship that allows them to help each other, but in a way that makes them stronger as individuals. They have several swoony moments, but seeing them remind each other how to find the courage they have built on their own is wonderful. I also love the nice additions the secondary characters bring from Brynn's new friend, Emery to Christian's mom, Brenda.

As a huge fan of Nyrae Dawn's, SEARCHING FOR BEAUTIFUL does not disappoint in any way. I love her clear voice and the stunning stories she always delivers. For fans of YA contemporary stories, I would highly recommend this book!