The Debs: Love, Lies, and Texas Dips
by: Susan McBride
Published by: Delacorte Press
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Reviewed by Julie Failla Earhart
When readers last saw The Debs, they had been handed their invitations to join the Glass Slipper Club, Houston’s most prestigious high society club. The Glass Slipper Club only invites ten girls, who are dubbed Rosebuds. It ain’t easy getting an invitation. The season lasts all academic year, culminating with the annual Rosebud Ball.
In Susan McBride’s sequel, The Debs: Loves, Lies, and Texas Dips, the protagonists–Laura, Mac, and Ginger and their arch nemesis, Jo Lynn–have all received an invitation. School has recently resumed and the girls are eager and anxious.
For the overweight Laura, the invitation is a dream come true. She vows to get in shape and enlists the help of Jo Lynn’s boy toy, Dillion. Laura has a few tricks up her sleeve that doesn’t allow Dillion the opportunity to even think “no,” much less say it.
The studious Mac isn’t sure about this whole debutante thing, but she’s a legacy, thanks to her late mother. Her mother wanted her to be a Rosebud; Mac will do what it takes to honor her memory.
Ginger is more interested in saving the world than debuting, but when her grandmother offers to have her portrait painted by the grandson of the artist who painted hers, well, he’s awfully cute. Cute enough to turn Ginger’s head.
Jo Lynn hates Laura’s not-so-skinny physique. When she discovers Laura’s cell phone number in Dillion’s cell phone, there will be hell to pay. No one messes to Jo-L’s boy toy. No one. Especially that pig Laura.
Jo Lynn takes the gloves off in this satire of high society. I’d forgotten how mean high school girls could be. In McBride’s best book yet (after five Dropout Debutante Mysteries and two police procedurals), The Debs: Loves, Lies, and Texas Dips gives insight into the twenty-first-century teenager, warts and all.
After devouring this wonderfully novel, I’m rethinking about attending my ___th high school reunion. I wasn’t crazy about those people back then, why should I want to hang with them now.
Armchair Interviews says: The author captures the difficulties of growing up.
Author’s Web site: http://www.SusanMcBride.com
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