Book Review: The Anti-Prom by Abby McDonald

Title:  The Anti-Prom

Author:  Abby McDonald

Publisher:  Candlewick

Publish Date:  April 12, 2001

Source:  Star Tours

Synopsis (Goodreads):  Three unlikely allies team up for a night of rebellion, romance, and revenge in a high-stakes dramedy from acclaimed young author Abby McDonald.

They’ve spent years at the same high school without speaking a word to one another, but that’s all about to change. Popular Bliss was having the perfect prom until she found her BFF and boyfriend making out in the back of a limo. Bad girl Jolene wouldn’t be caught dead at the prom, yet here she is, trussed up in pink ruffles, risking her reputation for some guy - some guy who is forty minutes late. And shy, studious, über-planner Meg never counted on her date’s standing her up and leaving her idling in the parking lot outside the prom. Get ready for The Anti-Prom, Abby McDonald’s hilarious, heart-tugging tale about three girls and one unforgettable prom night

My thoughts:  I really enjoyed this book!  It was a light, easy and fast read but very entertaining.  It didn't take me long to get into it at all and it kept my attention the whole way through.  I was constantly wondering what these girls were going to get themselves into next.

Bliss is your typical popular, super cute, rich girl.  She is dating one of the most popular boys in school and is surrounded by "friends".  However, she is in for a rude awakening when she finds her supposed best friend making out with her boyfriend in the limo on their prom night.  Seeking revenge, she finds herself asking bad girl, Jolene, for help.

Jolene has her own set of issues.  Her parents are divorced and her father has remarried into money.  He would love to forget he even has an older daughter and Jolene does not deal with this very well.  She has turned into a rebel and bad girl but shows up to prom to soothe things over with her mom.  When her prom date doesn't show, she finds herself being followed around by Bliss and finally agrees to help her get her revenge as long as Bliss helps Jolene with her secret mission.

Then Meg enters the scene.  Meg is quiet and pretty much invisible at school.  Her step-mom arranges a prom date for her with one of her friend's sons but at the last minute he bails on her.  As she is driving away from the prom, she winds up hooking up with Bliss and Jolene and agrees to help them with their plans so she doesn't have to go home to the disappointment of her dad and step-mom.

Thsi book was filled with your typical high school drama.  However I enjoyed watching Bliss realize how petty and cruel her little social group is.  Jolene ends up dealing with her daddy issues and Meg completely emerges from her wall-flower status.  The stunts they pull through the night are fun, exciting and something that I could totally see myself doing at that age (sad, yes but true).  

My favorite characters would have to be Scott and Dante.  They were fun personalities and I was glad to see that neither of them disappeared into the background.  They weren't main characters but were involved in just enough.

This book had some sexual content and swearing.  I would recommend it for 16 years and up just because of the sexual content.  Nothing too major but enough that I wouldn't let my 14 year old read it (if I had a 14 year old)!  

Overall, I thought this book was fun and exciting.  I enjoyed the lighter story and can see girls acting just this way.  It took me straight back to high school and I had fun reading it!