Review Detail

When her fashion-plate mom (a former model) and her high-powered dad (a successful lawyer) move her from New York to Southern California, Rio is sure its going to be tough. Shes leaving behind her good friends to be shoved pell-mell into a fancy private school where everyone seems perfect and together. Where everyone seems like the kind of people her mother would really love for Rio to be friends with.

Even though her mother is a beautiful society gal, Rio has never aspired to be more than an art geek. Shes used to baggy clothes and hiding behind her camera. But with her mothers encouragement, she makes friends with Kristi, the beautiful, rich, cheerleader that runs the school.

Things seem perfect for a while well, perfect, if you dont mind Kristi telling you who to hang out with and what to wear. But then Rio becomes too successful. Shes getting dates when Kristi isnt. Things start to spin out of control for Rio between keeping up appearances, pressure from the boys (including a sizzling hot senior), and the various vices that Kristi has introduced her to: drugs, drinking, and hooking up.

Rio finds out that looking perfect and feeling perfect are two very different things. Will she be able to cross Kristi and live to tell the tale? Will she be true to herself or give in to the popular crowd? Will she tell her mother that all the pressure shes under is just too much?

While the plot might sound outwardly a bit like a Gossip Girls novel, theres more of a heart in this story. Readers will really root for Rio even when shes making some bad decisions and will pull for her when the going gets tough. Realistic scenes and sharp dialog make this book a real winner. Recommended for ages 14 and up.