Poser by Sue Wyshynski

"After today, I'd speak up. Be totally honest. Even if it was the most awkward, embarrassing thing ever. Unless, of course, it was some life-or-death situation."

My Rating: 10/10

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Publication: June 2010
ISBN: 978-0-8027-2094-8
Page Count: 278 Pages
Ages: Young Adult (12 and up)

MY (new!) RATING: 10/10

Poser is fun from the beginning and all the way to the end! Wyshynski definitely grab any reader who would read past the first page! Definitely a beach-read and a good book to reread for surfers and non surfers!!! :D

Sue Wyshynski's Poser Official Website

In High School, teenagers tries hard to fit in. In Poser, Tallulah Jones' first day was great she had the right clothes (Roxy head to toe). Her one (and biggest) mistake, though, was that she told a lie just to fit in. Jenna is the most popular girl in Tallulah's new high school and Jenna surfs.

Tallulah did surfed once...but it ended up very badly.

But the thing is, Tallulah told Jenna that she surfed. Through the hurricane waves. Now she's Hurricane Girl and the whole school knows it. Plus, she has to prove it--she has to surf with Jenna. Everyone's going to be there.

Tallulah decided to come clean...but can she?

Jenna was glad she finally has a surfer friend that's a girl. What will Tallulah do?

Well...she tries to explain to Jenna at times. But then there's Corey--Jenna's brother who's really hot and he's the guy who lent Tallulah his short surfboard. Unfortunately, Jenna broke his surfboard, her chance to be with him, her rising popularity and also her friendship with Jenna.

Hurricane Girl becomes Poser in no time.

Sue Wyshynski's debut novel is definitely fresh and funny. If you enjoy Elizabeth Scott, Sarah Dessen or Meg Cabot's novels, you'll definitely be captured in reading Poser. Despite Tallulah's desire to make friends, Wyshynski had created a fresh personality in the bookstore's shelves.

What I love about this book: I fell for the cover and when Bloomsbury USA sent me a copy, I knew I was going to love it--I read it in 2 and a half hours! It was very funny from beginning to end. In some parts readers will just be confused (unless, of course, they surfed) but since Wyshynski created Tallulah as a girl who only pretends, we as the readers get the explanations, too. I read something different (because I have no clue about surfing except the part that it's done in the beach, with a board and a surfer wears the wetsuit...) and I learned from it. Readers can definitely relate to Tallulah Jones because everybody needs somebody and Tallulah only wants her friend. In Poser, Wyshynski also describe how cruel high school can be, which can be pretty funny sometimes.

What I dislike about this book: In the beginning, when Tallulah wanted to come clean, her mind conflict stopped there. I think Poser would be even better if Tallulah's conflict was displayed throughout the novel--although it's well shown in her actions and words, I think a bit more of the mind-conflict wouldn't hurt... ;)

Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

"Vitamins had ruined my life."

My Rating: 8/10

Kate Brown's only best friend, Anna turned pretty over the summer. Before, they were both unpopular and knew how to have fun with just the two of them. That was before.
After the summer that Anna escaped her unpopularity, Kate became the single wallflower who's pretty much clueless.

What's worse is that Kate's father who had a decent job to be able to support the family, had just quit the job. He just came to his office one day and everything on his desk cracked, except a bottle of Perfect You vitamins. Hence started the man's career to sell vitamins.

Seriously.

There's Will (who's not helping either) who always flirts with Kate. Kate's sure that she's just his latest conquest, though. The guy flirts with everyone and although Kate acts like she doesn't care, she actually fantasizes kissing Will.

Ha. So much for acting uninterested...

Best friend gone, helping vitamins-maniac dad and boy problem. Hmm...


Elizabeth Scott's description:

"Kate Brown's life has gone downhill fast. Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and acts like Kate's invisible.

And then there's Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, who Kate pretends she can't stand even though she can't stop thinking about him. And when Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him even though she knows she's just his latest conquest.

Kate figures the only way things will ever stop hurting is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn't realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen--but only if she lets them."

Elizabeth Scott's website and her book listings.