Review: Pretenders

 * First in a new series that comes out in October*

Each year, five freshman are picked as the most outstanding of their year. They spent all year writing in journals - journals that no one would ever read. Now, the day before sophomore year, one of the five leaks their journals.

The anonymous person simply wants to the school to realize that they're all just a bunch of fakes - that they tried to hard, that they didn't portray themselves in a truthful manner, that they weren't the best five people in the class.

Their journals go out in an email to the entire class - who can read then and judge them.

My Thoughts: When I started reading this, I didn't realize it was the first in a series, so as I neared the end of the book, I kept expecting things to wrap up and they didn't. I really liked this book - lots of drama and humor. I loved the set up of the book - with each character having their own style of journal and their unique handwriting. I liked the mix of characters, guys and girls - used to be homeschooled kids learning the public school ways. As much as I liked the story, I did forget that the journals had been leaked - I think it would have been cool to see flashbacks and the present day in the same book. All in all, a fast read that leaves me wanting more.

Cover Thoughts: The cover just changed from this

While I like this older cover better, guys might pick up the red cover and thus have more appeal to teens.

Source: From the publisher 

Reviews: Tale of Two Pretties

Warning **** SPOILERS from the previous novels ****

With Massie's family news, the clique reels from shock. The New Year is bringing all sorts of surprises. Massie's broke, Alicia's psychic mentions she could be upgrading to an Alpha, Dylan's family has a new reality show and she's sworn to secrecy, Kristen won a spot on an elite soccer squad which means she's giving up all her free time, and Claire's family bought a house and she's moving out of the Block estate.

Each of the Pretty Committee member holds on tight to her secret. No one wants the group to change. Little by little the secrets spill forth. Could this be the end of an era or will their ah-mazing luck keep them together again?

My Thoughts: I'm sad the Clique has ended, but I love the ending. I also love Lisi Harrison's letter to her readers explaining the reasons for the ending and dedicating this book to them. A fun flirty series featuring mean girls, fashion, boys, crushes, frenemies, friendships, and being true to yourself. I loved the differences between Claire and Massie and the ending between them.

Cover Thoughts: Cute - as always

Source: My library

Review: My Little Phony (with some spoilers)

Massie and Claire are at war after Massie required the Pretty Committee to ditch their crushes and upgrade. Claire refused to give up Cam. Instead, she found a couple ninth grade girls to replace Massie and her ridiculous demands.

She's never felt more free or more like herself since her family moved to town. She's so tired of not being her true self, yet whenever she sees Massie and the other girls, she finds herself a little wistful for the old days. She's not sure she wants to go to war with Massie but after Massie starts the war, there's no way she's backing down.

Massie can't believe Claire and her new friends. She almost has too much going on her world to worry about Claire, like lip kissing an older boy and family drama. Still, she can't let Claire off for ditching the group. When she's done with Claire, there won't be any more friendship with ninth graders or anyone else.

Will the two girls ever declare a truce or will they fight til someone backs down?


My Thoughts: I really like this series.

The Covers: Love them

The Title: Awesome titles throughout the series.

Fact for Gossip Points: The next book The Tale of Two Pretties is the last book in the series - it comes out in February of next year.

Up Next: I'm super excited to read Monster High - It looks Ah-mazing!

Review: These Boots are Made for Stalking

With Massie crushing on a ninth grade boy, she's decided that the Pretty Committee must all upgrade as well. Dylan, Kristen, and Alicia can't wait to fall for someone new, but there's no way Claire is giving up Cam. If only she could make Massie understand. She sets out determined to change her alphas mind.

Meanwhile, Massie's still trying to understand ninth grade rules and how to approach Landon. When she realizes that he's hanging out with other girls, her suspicions force the committee into stalking the school, crashing a fundraiser party, and spying in windows. Has the Pretty Committee gone too far?

Will they be caught stalking and downgraded faster that you can say LBR? Will Massie give Claire some slack given the recent turmoil of the PC or will Claire be forced to choose between Cam and the upgraded crush plus the PC?

My Thoughts: Like Claire sticking up for herself as the PC is back together once again and attempting to move higher on the social ladder. Massie is still clueless, but fun to watch. I adore these books because they're catty and full of fashion, crushes, and friendship drama.

Cover: Cute

Source: My Library

Review: Charmed and Dangerous

In the days before the Pretty Committee, life wasn't good for it's members but one New Year's Eve everything came together:

Massie Block was stuck in a clique whose leader had no interest in her ideas and she was getting mighty tired of being shot down all the time. Massie knew she's make a great alpha, if only someone gave her the chance. At a rocking party, she meets with a psychic who mentions, "When all five pieces are together, you will reach your full potential as a leader." All she has to do is wait for it to happen.

Alicia can't wait to dance in front of millions at the biggest New Year's Eve party, but she might not get the chance. First her co-dancer becomes ill. Second she might be able to convince someone to take her place, but will it mean giving up something she truly loves? Will the spotlight be hers to claim or will she go down in shame?

Dylan isn't interested in being part of the New Year's Eve show, but on her mother's orders gets ready. First she meets this girl who tells Dylan her outfit is all wrong. Then she meets these two cute boys who teach her how to burp. But then when it's her turn on TV, something goes drastically wrong. Can she save face?

Kristen's stuck co-babysitting with her horrific cousin. She can't seem to do anything right or anything right at all. She's tired of spending all her time studying. Yes, she goes to school on a scholarship but that doesn't mean she doesn't deserve to have fun. When the parents come home early, she has one chance to make her dreams come true.

Meanwhile in Orlando...

Claire's having a sleepover with her best friends when they hear a radio contest. To her good fortune, she wins a limo ride to a party and to be kissed by rock stars. She can't wait for her first kiss, but first she and her friends have to sneak past her babysitter and into the limo.

My Thoughts: I really liked seeing how the Clique came together and each girl in her life before the Pretty Committee. I adored the charm aspect.

The Cover: Adorable , but I think I would have liked to see them previous to the Pretty Committee and not as they are now.

The Source: my Library

Boys R Us

Massie and the Pretty Committee are on the outs: Alicia wanted to take over the cheerleaders, Dylan and Kirsten stole her crushes, and Claire just wants to be Switzerland - as in never choosing sides. Alicia forms her own group, with her as the alpha and makes it all about her girls and their crushes. They call themselves Soul M8s. With the boys moving back to their old but wickedly improved school, the girls can't help but be miserable without them. Luckily Alicia has a few events planned. Can her events top Massie's previous events? And will Massie take this new group lying down, or does the premiere alpha have something huge up her sleeve that will guarantee her statues once and for all?


This is the 11th in the deliciously addicting Clique series. I love the covers the titles of these books - although I don't really understand the title of this book in relation to the story - except that the girls are all about the boys. Maybe I just answered my own question... I quite enjoy the fighting in this book - it shows another layer to the girls. Looking forward to the next and of course the spin-off series

ps. i loathe you

Just in case you're anxious for this one, check out the first chapter here.
Has anyone seen the movie yet?
I'm curious about it...