Release: April 4th, 2011
Pages: 240 (paperback)
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Graphia
Source: Author/Publisher
Summary:
At Penford High School, Britney Taylor is queen bee. She dates whomever she likes, rules over her inner circle of friends like Genghis Khan, and can ruin anyone's life as easily as snapping her perfectly manicured fingers. Just ask the unfortunate few who have crossed her.
For April Bowers, Britney is also the answer to her prayers. With zero friends and nothing close to a boyfriend, April is so unpopular, kids don't know she exists. That is, until Britney notices her. One lunch spent at Britney's table, and April is basking in the glow of popularity.
But Britney's friendship comes with a price tag.
How much is April willing to pay?
Review: With a determined, believable protagonist, plenty of not-so-nice girls and an amusing storyline, The Lipstick Laws is fun, flirty, and surprisingly full of heart.
April Bowers is more than just a social outcast/serial bra stuffer/teenage frizzy haired girl -- she's a realistic teen going through her sophomore year in high school. Her character transforms steadily, both good and bad at times. Even when she's busy being BFF's with Britney, she isn't totally ignoring some of her "friends" faults. Her sense of humor kept me giggling between the turning pages, and there are definitely quite a few laugh out loud moments that surprised me.
I loved the actual "Lipstick Laws" because they were very amusing (you think high school is hard? Try going through high school while following the Lipstick Laws - now that's difficult). Although it's the Lipstick Lawbreaker's that steal the show, with their antics and schemes! A group of teens bent on serving up some revenge? Even I can't resist that kind of storyline. ;)
Highlights: Holder wrote her debut novel so that it has a lot of heart. It's just one of those stories that's endearing and fun to read. Her protagonist April is so believable too, she's full of insecurities and yet still tugging at every ounce of confidence she has when she needs to fake it. And Britney, that girl may be fierce and very in charge of her clique, but she's definitely not perfect.
A quick, light story that's full of wicked fun vengeance against the mean girls and subtle humor - what could be better?
Lowlights: The story didn't pick up the pace until around 4 or 5 chapters in, so it dragged for a little while here and there. I kind of wanted to shake some sense into April a few times too, but it's obvious these moments of her personality were just a part of her coming-of-age process (it's just frustrating though, it made her less likable at times).
Rating: 
Note: This is one of those stories that would appeal more to the younger set of YA readers, but I still found it enjoyable :)
*This review is a part of The Lipstick Laws tour, hosted by The Teen {Book} Scene. For a full schedule of the tour, check here.
Great review! Glad this book surprised you in a good way and was better than you expected. I love when that happens! :)
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I saw this book on Amazon a while back and the cover turned me off of it. (Not that it's a bad cover, it just looks like something very urban/contemporary and I'm more of a paranormal fantasy girl.) But, this is a great review. I might give it a shot... I do love stories w/ heart and well drawn characters! Thanks for the heads up. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've seen this book around, but have never read up on it. It sounds really intersting! I will have to check it out. Great review!
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun :)
ReplyDeletehmm..I couldn't get to chapter 4, glad to know it got better. Maybe I'll have to give it another shot. Great review though :)
ReplyDeleteReally cool! :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this- it was a fun, light read! Nice review :)
ReplyDeleteYay! I can't wait to read this one!
ReplyDeleteThis book reminds me of movies like Mean Girls and Clueless-- did you find it to be similar to these?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I found your link on YA Addict's Comment Exchange Program and was pleasantly surprised to find another book blogger named "Lea!!" Haha, it is not often I come across my own name, spelled exactly the same way.
Nice to meet you, and I am now a follower :)
If you get a chance, check out my book blog LC's Adventures in Libraryland @ http://lcsadventuresinlibraryland.blogspot.com/
I thought this was a fun read! Though April sometimes drove me crazy, I still liked her. I think Holder's narrative voice is extremely funny! I definitely think this book is for a younger set, too, but older teens would it enjoy it for a fun read. Fab review!
ReplyDeleteI keep hearing great things about this one too. I have a hard time reading about character like that..It usually takes me twice as long to get through a book.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the wanting to shake some sense into April. Sometimes I just didn't know what she was thinking doing the things she did.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! Book has very interesting story and the cover is amazing!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! Another book to add to my every growing TBR pile!!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read this!
ReplyDeleteFantastic review!
ReplyDeleteVivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
Your review is really helpful.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds interesting. I love the cover.
I think the characters in books like this is kinda less likable at times, but usually likable in the end. Kinda annoying at times D:
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book and was looking forward to more from Amy. It's a shame, she seemed to have vanished around 2012. Maybe she'll be back one day?
ReplyDeleteUnder The Mountain