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heatherdh's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
I enjoyed this book but didn't get very attached to the characters. I related to some of the struggles of being a mom and appreciated the focus of how moms' relationships are impacted by their kids' relationships. Still, the story didn't really ring true and it was hard to relate to this highly privileged group of people.
maria161985's review
4.0
When I had first read about this book, I thought that it would be worth a read, and I'm glad that I gave it a chance! The book talks about Lydia and her family; her husband Jamie (a lawyer who has just taken on a high-profile criminal case), her daughter Erin (a sixth-grader who is having trouble with her friends), and her son Thomas (a second-grader who loves to play). The book talks mostly about Lydia's close-knit group of friends; Blair, Mimi, and Annalise, and their interactions with one another as a new mother, Mary Paige, and her daughter Faith, are introduced to the school. With Faith's introduction, Erin's world is rocked upside down, as Faith makes accusations against certain individuals, and wants to pull Erin and her friends apart, with the intention of becoming the most popular girl in the sixth-grade. The book touches upon many sensitive subjects, such as harassment, divorce, jealousy, and puberty. I loved how the author talked about each character in such detail, giving us a close look at how difficult (or easy) life can be when being raised in a private school, such as Alden. There were a few surprises in the book which I didn't expect, and will definitely knock your socks off as well!
moriak's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
linesuponapage's review
4.0
What I learned the most from this book is that I am so happy that my friends are this anal about our children or their school. We help at the school, but we don't obsess about it!
I also learned or remember that this is the way girls could be at our schools when i was growing up. There were the Populars and sometimes you could feel left out of activities that you so wanted to go to but may not have had the right hair, the right clothes etc... Until we moved to Ocala I can honestly say that this didn't happen so much at my children's schools. Now, don't get me wrong, there were popular kids and not popular, but on the whole, all the kids got along and had "big" parties so as not to insult anyone!
It intrigued me to think about what would happened to my kids had we sent them to a private school.
I also learned or remember that this is the way girls could be at our schools when i was growing up. There were the Populars and sometimes you could feel left out of activities that you so wanted to go to but may not have had the right hair, the right clothes etc... Until we moved to Ocala I can honestly say that this didn't happen so much at my children's schools. Now, don't get me wrong, there were popular kids and not popular, but on the whole, all the kids got along and had "big" parties so as not to insult anyone!
It intrigued me to think about what would happened to my kids had we sent them to a private school.
sunshineariel's review
5.0
This was a very good read. Well-written, good character development, interesting topic, easily imaginable scenes, strong plot, and a great ending.
sjurban's review
3.0
This is not my usual style of book. It very much falls into the "chick lit" catergory. It is about a group of friends whose daughters are also best friends and just starting middle school. I have a group of friends, whose daughters are the same age as mine, which happens to be middle school aged. I felt that I had to read this book just because of those similarities. This book shows up that parents are just as clique-y as the tweens. What happens to an adult friendship when your children are no longer friends? The moms are too wealthy and self involved for me to relate to, but the story, at it's core, was a good one.
familywithbooks's review
4.0
I didn't think I would enjoy this book as much as I did. I really thought it was going to be difficult to get through, but actually the opposite was true. It was very hard to put down! This book takes a look at the popular girls in school from the eyes of one of their mothers. The school politics has scared me into ever having children!! All in all I enjoyed this one and recommend to all my friends who enjoyed The Ivy Chronicles.
familywithbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't think I would enjoy this book as much as I did. I really thought it was going to be difficult to get through, but actually the opposite was true. It was very hard to put down! This book takes a look at the popular girls in school from the eyes of one of their mothers. The school politics has scared me into ever having children!! All in all I enjoyed this one and recommend to all my friends who enjoyed The Ivy Chronicles.
rudolphia's review against another edition
5.0
An uncommonly excellent book about relationships, both among adults and teenagers. I blew through this in a day. Excellent!
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