Violet on the Runway is the story of a completely ordinary girl’s rise to stardom in the modeling world. For any girl who has ever dreamed of walking on the catwalk in New York Fashion Week, Melissa Walker delivers a must-read story that gives readers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the allure and secrets of modeling. As a former editor for magazines such as ElleGirl and Seventeen, Walker has plenty of experience working with models, which gives her story much-needed credibility. With so many model stereotypes and celebrity rumors, Violet on the Runway serves as a very believable story of what to expect when you're suddenly thrust in the spotlight.

Before meeting Angela and her oversize Chanel sunglasses, Violet had never considered modeling. She’s tall and skinny, but in an awkward way, and she’s never thought of herself as beautiful. But Angela insists on flying Violet and her mother out to New York City and giving Violet a modeling contract with Tryst. Angela gushes over Violet’s fresh, innocent look, and pampers her with designer clothing and luxurious spa treatments. With agents, photographers, and designers all believing that Violet is the next big thing in the fashion world, Violet begins to believe in herself too. Maybe a country bumpkin from North Carolina really can conquer the fashion world!

It’s a hard decision, but Violet decides to forgo her last semester of high school to live in New York City with the other Tryst models and jumpstart her career. Why spend any more time being a wallflower at school when she can be rocking the runway and appearing on magazine covers in NYC?

Violet is now living with Veronica Trask, the “it” girl of the fashion world and headline model at Tryst. Veronica, and some of the other models are stereotypically catty, doing anything to get themselves ahead. Sometimes Violet finds herself missing her friends at home, since she doesn’t seem to have any real friends here. The models she lives with have all of the designer clothes they can dream of, and attend all the hippest parties at the most exclusive clubs in New York. But when Violet looks into their eyes, she sees a lingering sadness, even when they’re laughing and having a drink at a VIP table in Bungalow 8. Violet is determined to not become like them. She absolutely will not develop a drug habit or an eating disorder.

Even as she does her best to stay healthy and grounded, Violet is in over her head. The publicity, the gossip, the playboys, the backstabbing. Violet is getting so involved in this superficial world that it’s hard for her to step away and breathe. In the end, Violet must decide if the high profile modeling life is really for her. Is the glitz and glamour of modeling worth all of the stress and pressure that comes with it?

Walker’s story of a dream come true puts a healthy dose of reality into catwalk fantasies. She is candid and honest in her portrayal of models and of the expectations that come with modeling. Violet on the Runway is a must read for any preteen or teenage girl who has ever considered a modeling career. For anyone who has modeling aspirations, Violet on the Runway is an alluring look at the side of modeling you never knew existed. And for anyone who wonders what really goes on behind those celebrity snapshots in gossip columns, this book is for you too!

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