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    The Children's Book Review

    She’s the Worst, by Lauren Spieller | Book Review

    Denise MealyBy Denise Mealy3 Mins Read Books with Girl Characters Novels for Kids and Teens Teens: Young Adults
    Book She's the Worst
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    The Children’s Book Review | September 3, 2019

    Shes the Worst Buy the BookShe’s the Worst

    Written by Lauren Spieller

    Age Range: 14 and up

    Hardcover: 288 pages

    Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Reader

    ISBN:978-1-5344-3658-9

    What to expect: Contemporary YA, Sisters, Friendship

    From the author of 2018’s YOUR DESTINATION IS ON THE LEFT, SHE’S THE WORST is the clever sister-drama you’ve been waiting for.

    Think you know your sister? Think again.

    April and Jenn know that they have each other figured out down to the last sip of their favorite coffee drinks. April is completely over older sister Jenn who’s too in to her looks, her boyfriend, her job at their parent’s antique shop, and overall, herself. And Jenn’s pretty sure little sister April is a slacker jock who doesn’t care at all about their family or her responsibilities. So when April sees that Jenn is sad about staying home for college, it’s a surprise to everyone (including herself) when she asks Jenn to take a romp through their childhood and visit all their old favorite places to cheer her up. It’s a big bet – Jenn and April can’t seem to be around one another for more than a few minutes without arguing.

    While exploring Los Angeles, everything seems to be going better than expected. Maybe each sister isn’t as bad as the other realized! Well, until Jenn lets something slip that could tear their already arguing and unhappy parents apart. Can April ever understand what’s really going on with her sister? Will Jenn finally let April in on the biggest heartache of her life? Or will the day – and their family – end in catastrophe?

    Told in alternating points of view, this fun romp through Los Angeles peels away the mystery one sunny moment at a time. Jenn and April play off of each other cleverly, and author Lauren Spieller matches their different predicaments for strength of feeling. In each girl’s eyes, they are the wounded one (and we as readers believe each of them). It’s difficult to see someone else’s life and not assume it’s easier or better, and this book takes that concept and splits it wide open. Not everything is as it seems. Each sister is fighting her own battle with their clueless parents (Can we rename this book, YOUR PARENTS ARE THE WORST?) and doesn’t realize what the other is going through. This one will hit close to home for many teens, and without any hint of preachiness or judgement. And it doesn’t hurt that the cover is pretty great, too.

    With pitch-perfect dialog, a beautiful and fleshed-out Los Angeles background and completely likable protagonists, this is a surefire hit. Highly recommended.

    Buy the Book

    Buy on AmazonBuy on AudibleText, logoapplebooks-icon

    You may also enjoy: Your Destination Is on the Left

    About the Author

    Lauren Spieller Author Headshot
    Lauren Spieller<br />Photo credit Dave Cross Photography

    Lauren Spieller is an author and literary agent who lives in New York City with her husband. When she isn’t writing, she can be found drinking lattes, pining for every dog she sees, or visiting her native California. She is the author of Your Destination Is on the Left and She’s the Worst.

    Read our exclusive interview: Lauren Spieller Discusses She’s the Worst

    To learn more, visit LaurenSpieller.com and follow her on Twitter at @LaurenSpieller.

    She’s the Worst, written by Lauren Spieller, was reviewed by Denise Mealy. Discover more books like She’s the Worst by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Books With Secrets, Los Angeles, Siblings, Sisters, and Young Adult Fiction.

    What to Read Next:

    1. Lauren Spieller Discusses She’s the Worst
    2. The Window, by Amelia Brunskill | Speed Interview
    3. Politics Are All Over YA Literature – and It’s Never Been More Important
    4. Our Wayward Fate, by Gloria Chao | Book Review

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Books with Secrets Lauren Spieller Los Angeles Siblings Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Sisters Young Adult Fiction
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    Denise Mealy
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    Denise Mealy is a former web content provider who stays at home to change diapers and write books. Her days are filled with Word documents, books and sloppy kisses (from dogs and baby alike). She likes to read, cook, dance, travel and forward pictures of spam sculptures to friends. If she could have dinner with any author, dead or alive, it would be a toss up between J.K. Rowling and Jane Austen. They would probably eat pasta. Yes, definitely pasta. For more information, visit: www.dccmealy.com You can also find her on Twitter: @dccmealy

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