The Comeback - Softcover

Marlene Perez lives in Orange County, CA with her husband, two children, and psychotic little cat. She watches way too much TV in between writing. Her other books include Unexpected Development and the forthcoming Dead Is the New Black.

Grade 8 Up—Sophie is one of the most popular girls at Kennedy High, and she's always in the top three of the school's weekly hotness poll. She has the best-looking boyfriend, cool friends, and anticipates getting the lead in the school play. Then a new girl, Angie, takes all of those things, leaving Sophie with a lesser part in the biggest thing that semester: Kennedy's production of The Taming of the Shrew. Now the former it-girl is on the outside looking in, while rumors about her circulate and she plummets in the hotness ratings. Sophie is a shallow, mostly unlikable character whose only goal is to get back her reputation, even at the cost of Monet, a friend who inexplicably endures almost anything while the misguided Sophie learns what is truly important in life. The plot has potential but falls flat. A quick read with little substance.—Julianna M. Helt, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA END