Author: Susan McBride

Pages: 272

Rating: 4-stars (Loved-It!)

Random Quote: “Are U Your Car? I’m definitely a Mercedes Roadster, sexy and young and ready for anything.”

Laura, Mac, and Ginger have been friends their entire lives and they always knew that they would be Debutante’s together. Now that Debutante season in Houston is under way, the girls are eagerly waiting for their invitations to become Rosebuds. Unfortunately, Jo Lynn has decided to make it her duty to keep Laura from becoming a Rosebud. As the girls deal with the curves that Jo Lynn throws at them, they must also prepare for their begin debut.

As Laura deals with the rumors that are being spread about her and the fact that her mom keeps picking on her about her weight, she also has to deal with boy drama. Mac isn’t really even sure she wants to be a Deb, unfortunately it was her late mother’s dream for her and her new stepmother is obsessed with the idea. Ginger is excited that she gets to wear her grandmother’s vintage gown, unfortunately she may let a college guy ruin her chances of being a Deb. Will the girls make it through Deb season?

This was a really great book and one of the few I’ve ever read that focuses on Debutante season! I HATED Jo Lynn but she definitely added some excitement to the book.  I really love how Susan alternates which character is telling the story, it really helps readers get to know all the characters. I would recommend this one to anyone 16 and older!

This book was sent by the publisher for review purposes. By the Book Reviews was in no way compensated for this review. The views expressed here are strictly those of By the Book Reviews and are not influenced by any outside sources.

Author: Courtney Summers

Pages: 256 pages

Rating: 4-stars (Loved it!)

Random Quote: “”I ruin lives-I get it,” I say. “I don’t need to be told over and over and over. “”

Regina used to be one of the most popular girls in school and part of the “Fearsome Fivesome.” She was feared and revered by all of the students at her high school. Along with the other girls in the clique, she made the lives of many people completely miserable. Unfortunately, her time at the top has come to an end.

After rumors start to circulate about her and her best friends boyfriend, Regina finds herself being “frozen out” of the group. Her old friends are out for revenge and they manage to turn the entire school against her. Regina desperately tries to tell her friends the real story, but no one will believe her. The only person who will even give her the time of day is Michael, a boy who she herself had victimized. Unfortunately, Michael seems to simply enjoy watching her suffer, but will that change?

This book was great from beginning to end. Having read “Cracked up to Be” I assumed that I would love this book as well and I was right! Regina is a great character and I definitely found myself feeling really sorry for her. The way her friends treated her really bugged me and I was even really annoyed with how Michael treated her at first, even though she did deserve it. The book has some great twists in it and was extremely easy to get into. I would definitely recommend it to everyone!

*This book was received before December 1st, 2009. It was sent by the publisher in order to be reviewed. By the Book Reviews was in no way compensated for this review. The views expressed here are strictly those of By the Book Reviews and are not influenced by any outside sources.

Author: Laura Ruby

Pages: 247 pages

Rating: 3-stars (Pretty Good)

Random Quote: “I walk down the hall, feeling the weight of eyes.”

Tola Riley isn’t your ordinary high school junior. Besides her green hair, attitude problems, and obsession with fairy tales, she has recently been accused of having an affair with a teacher. Unfortunately, everyone believes the rumor, even her mother. Making her the victim of something that never even happened, Tola isn’t even given a real chance to tell what happened. To make things worse the teacher accused, Mr. Mymer, has been suspended and everyone is blaming her.

As Tola struggles to deal with all the rumors that are circulating she must also deal with the fact that her grandfather, the one who has always seemed to believe in her, is becoming very ill. Will she be able to stop all the rumors and tell the truth, regardless of the consequences?

This book was the first I have ever read by Laura Ruby and I have to say that I did enjoy it. I really like how she broke up the narrative of the story by including the “opinions” regarding the affair of the other characters in the book. The book was definitely interested and the story was different from anything I’ve read before. I would definitely suggest picking this one up from yourlocal library!