The Squad: Perfect Cover

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Reader reviewed by ReggieWrites

This book was a TEN on the twists and turns scale. The ending was so
unexpected. I thought I knew what was going to happen but I was wrong.



I couldn't help but notice it's kind of similar to The Specialists Series.
In both books, each person on the team has a special skill. And it's
kind of ironic how both series are in the perspective of a computer
whiz.



I loved the characterization of Toby. She's sassy, sarcastic, and
smart. But the zero to hero thing is a little unrealistic. In reality,
someone like Toby can't be an insignificant nobody (no offense) one day and become an ultra-popular cheerleader the next day. It was a little

Reader reviewed by MelodyJM

Toby Klein is the last person you would ever imagine in a cheeleading squad, in fact she'd rather cut off her hand than come within 5 feet of a pom-pom. In fact, the only reason she went to try-out was because it was a get-out-of-detention-free pass. That and the mysterious invitation in her locker written in code. So you'd think it would be odd she would join the squad, right? It turns out The Squad is actually a bunch of teenage CIA Operatives, and, honestly who in thier right mind would think shallow bubble-gum-blowing CHEERLEADERS would work for the government in highly dangerous missions. It's the Perfect Cover. Now, why would Toby, an outsider at her own school be picked to join the squad? Well she's one of the best hacker's ever, having hacked into the pentagon at age 13. Also she happens to have a blackbelt, and is understandablty good at hand-to-hand combat. So now she gotta look cute, while saving lives. Think she can hack it?

What I loved most about this book is Toby's ironic sense-of-humor, and her tough girl attitude. You practically had to force to wear glitter. It's fun to see things from her perspective especially with her sarcastic wit covering every page. It's also intersting to read about her decoding the cryptic. This book didn't particularly keep me on the-edge-of-my-seat, turning pages, but it was definately good, and for certain worth a read. With an ending specifically designed to make you want more, The Squad is Jennifer Lynn Barnes's best book yet!

Reader reviewed by Kristin

This book is like Ally Carter's I'd Tell You I Love You meets Bring It On. Seriously, how can any book like that go wrong?

It doesn't, that's for sure.

I loved it therefore I could not put it down. I loved Toby because her personality is totally awesome, and she's incredibly headstrong and tough. She's the exact opposite of a cheerleader!

Anyway, I was instantly intrigued by the plot, the characters, and the fact that cheerleaders were spies! The more I thought about it, the better the idea of the cheerleader cover seemed to be. Wow, the characters are so wide-ranging and real. Almost every character with lines are very round and real! I could definitely see people I knew in the characters. The plot was intense and was rather confusing.

All I can say is that this is a book to pick up because the writing, plot, characters, etc. are superb!

Reader reviewed by Julie M. Prince

No one could laugh more uproariously at the thought of cheerleader super-spies than meexcept maybe Toby Klein.

Toby is a sophomore at Bayport High, one of the most affluent schools imaginable. In a place where designer backpacks are out of style the minute theyre spotted in the hallways, there are only ten girls popular enough to be a blip worth noticing on the Bayport radar. The Varsity Cheerleading Squad. Since there are only eight team members remaining after graduation, recruitment has begun.

Enter combat-boot-wearing, butt-kicking Toby Kleinno relation to Calvinand you have &cheerleader material?

Before a mysterious,coded note finds its way into her locker, Toby has no idea how to apply make-up, much less the importance of blending it. No way would she ever consider joining the Bod-Squad. But, lured by the promise of all the high-tech gadgetry her hacker heart desires and an appreciation of her black belt and de-coding talents, Toby finds herself on the same team as a girl named Bubbles.

Ive read and enjoyed the work of Jennifer Lynn Barnes before (GOLDEN, TATTOO, PLATINUM), so I was well aware of her talent for humorous writing. However, I was like, totally blind-sided by the level of comedy this woman can produce.

I found it impossible to make fun of the silly undercover cheerleader references when the protagonist beat me to it at every turn:

&a voice filled the room&Hello, girls, the voice said. I had an incredible urge to respond with Good morning, Charlie,&.

Instead, I relaxed into the atmosphere Barnes so brilliantly created and laughed right along with Toby as she mastered the bullet-proof bra and the taser iPod.

So, sit back, relax, and get ready to laugh. Luckily, you wont have to wait long for more cheerleading spy humor, since the first sequel in the series, THE SQUAD: Killer Spirit, has already hit stores.

Reader reviewed by Rin


Hacker Toby Klein hates cheerleaders. They're dizty, annoying and really have nothing in common with her.

Until she gets recruited to a secret meeting. Via notes stuffed into her locker. And then she's even PICKED for the squad. Toby can't believe she now knows a girl called "Bubbles."

Shocking?

Then it turns out that, despite her lack of short skirts, Toby just might fit in with the Squad. Because in reality...the cheerleading is just a coverup. They're actually spies!

After a "phase 6" makeover, Toby's ready to take on the bad guys. Are they ready for her?

Jennifer Lynn Barnes' PERFECT COVER, is a great Her characters are hilarious and understandable and you can't help but root for Toby along the way! This book was terrific, and one of my new favorites. Pick this up, along with it's sequel KILLER SPIRIT

5/5

Reader reviewed by Mia

Toby Klein would rather eat dead squirrels than become a cheerleader. But that is exactly what happens when she finds a series of notes written in CODE by CHEERLEADERS.

Witty, sarcastic and kick-butt Toby Klein hits a super ironic joy-ride when she joins THE SQUAD.

Have to say I would have never picked up a book with a pink cover (gag me) if A: I hadn't gotten it as a gift. B: I hadn't flipped to a page where there were some extremely funny comments by Toby.

I think no matter if you're a skirt wearer or bad attituder you'll love it...

Reader reviewed by the book muncher

Despite popular opinion as a new member of one of those girls, Toby Klein is not related to the fashion designer who she shares her last name with. She's just your ordinary teenage spy.

To make her cover complete, she has to undergo a Phase 6 Makeover to make her look like one of those girls. Thanks to a background in martial arts, she doesnt need any training in the physical fighting area, but she does need to learn how to cheer because she is, after all, a cheerleader. So even though Toby has her doubts about becoming one of those girls, she cant help but feel thrilled to be hacking and sneaking and all else that spies do.

I found The Squad series to be a fun and refreshing read. First of all, I love the spy aspect and especially its combination with cheerleading. Tobys character is easy to relate to, besides the hacking part of course. Many times, I found myself agreeing with all the cheerleading and other stereotypes going around her head. Plus, Toby is witty and hilarious. Shes what any reader is looking for in a main character.

The first book in The Squad series was amazing, I have to say. I cannot wait to read the second book and highly recommend everyone check this book out, especially fans of Ally Carter's Gallagher Girl series.

Reader reviewed by Jocelyn

I dont know that I would have picked up THE SQUAD, a book about a cheerleading squad who are also secret agents, had I not already loved what Ive read by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (TATTOO and GOLDEN). However, that said, Im glad I did read this fun book!

Toby Klein is so not a cheerleading type of girl. Toby wears combat boots. Toby has a black belt and beats up football players. In her opinion, cheerleaders are a bunch of morons jumping around in short skirts.

So Tobys as surprised as anyone when shes picked to join the varsity cheer squad, aka the God Squad. Of course, then she finds out that she actually fits the profile a lot better than people think. Because Bayports cheerleaders arent just cheerleaderstheyre secret agent cheerleaders.

Yes, you read that right. Secret agent cheerleaders. Behind the glitter and the highlights, there is a crack team of undercover cheerleaders, working for the CIA. And Toby, being a black belt as well as an accomplished hacker, might actually be a pretty good secret agent. Shes not so sure about the cheerleading part, but Toby Klein has never been one to back down from a challenge, and shes not about to start now.

THE SQUAD is a quick, very fun read that will leave readers waiting impatiently for the series next installment, THE SQUAD: KILLER SPIRIT (updated: coming out the same day as book one, so no impatient waiting!). Jennifer Lynn Barnes once again shows herself to be a talented author in this book, though I didnt really love Toby at first. I was still quite engaged into the story, but it was more about the fast-paced, action-packed plot than Toby or any of the other characters. The characters grew more real as the book went on, but they didnt seem very interesting (or likeable) at first.

THE SQUAD is a fun-filled, funny, light read perfect for relaxing after a stressful day at school (now that many of us are now back to the routine of sitting in classrooms all day). This is one that readers will loveeven those of us who are, like Toby, so not cheerleader types.