Review Detail

Reader reviewed by K. Hager

Bittersweet Sixteen is one of the better "mean girl" type of books that spun off after "Gossip Girl" became so big. Most of the books that followed in GG's reign have not been as well-written and tend to name-drop designers instead of developing characters. In this book we see the "mean girl" characters Sophie and Whitney as well flushed out characters. We see Sophie trying to fit in and caught between using her connections and being over-the-top, to just being a real person to Whitney who has a motehr who never forgets to make her feel inferior or fat. And then there's the main character, Laura, a scholarship student who fits into the fold by default, but gets a rude awakening to find she didn't really fit in at all.

The book starts w/L.a. girl Sophie trying to move in on Laura & Whit's clique. Whitney is resistant wanting to remain top girl, but Laura also has reservations about being dumped as Whit's best friend. then both Sophie & Whitney discover they have the same b'day making the Sweet Sixteen party a challenge until they decide to hold one together. With their parents' money, it's guaranteed to be a success until egos (and a boy) get in the way.

The best part of the book were laura's prof parents who had trouble leavignthe academic world to understand the Park Avenue problems. Also, the relationship thats coming out w/laura & jake. You can see he likes her & not the other girls, but she can't & it's the reason I couldn't put the novel down. I also enjoyed how Laura was able to see Whontey's understated style & how it went w/her personality vs. Sophie's too tight ouftis and show off style.

If you likedthe Gossip Girl books, then give this one a shot. It's much better that a lot of the ones out there and it's a fun read.