Reviews of Don't You Wish and The Best Night of Your Pathetic Life

I'm reading like crazy here on vacation, so I'm pairing up two books for review. In the summer, I love to read fun, page-turning books. Here are two fun summer reads with hidden depths.

Don't You Wish by Roxanne St. Clair

Published by Delacorte Books For Young Readers
On July 10, 2012
Source: Source: e-ARC from NetGalley. 

Review of Don't You Wish by Roxanne St. Clair

Annie Nutter knows she's a complete loser at school. So when Annie's mom reveals that she almost married a fabulously successful and wealthy guy instead of Annie's mad-scientist dad, Annie can't help but wonder what her other life might have been like. Then one of Annie's dad's crazy inventions sends her to the life of glamour and popularity that she almost had, and Annie will have to decide which reality she prefers.

My take: I am obsessed with Freaky Friday. As a kid, I read the book many times. I've seen the old Jodie Foster version of the movie and the newer Lindsay Lohan one. It's a great story! At their best, these sorts of life-swapping stories are both funny and insightful, making you appreciate what you have.  Don't You Wish takes an unpopular girl and shows her what life is like on the inside of the in-crowd. But unlike Freaky Friday, Don't You Wish actually uses quantum physics, the theory of alternate realities, and a very cute physics geek to explain how the whole switching lives thing might actually work. 

The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life by Tara Altebrando

Published by Dutton

On July 5, 2012

Source: ARC traded with another blogger

It's senior year, and Mary and a group of high school friends are about to start the much-anticipated, completely forbidden Oyster Point High Senior Scavenger Hunt. Mary and her team, a group of smart kids not exactly in the in-crowd, are determined to win. Mary's just determined to beat Jake Barbone, who got the spot in the Georgetown freshman class that Mary thought should have been hers. 

Review of The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life by Tara Altebrando

I am also obsessed with scavenger hunts. I've seen every episode of the Amazing Race, and have been designing treasure hunts since I was a kid. Plus, this book is one of those Happened In One Night stories that's just breakneck, crazy, middle of the night fun.  (If you want to read my post about other books that take place in one night, just click here.)

The scavenger hunt plot of this book is great, but the author adds tension and depth by having the hunt take place at the end of senior year, when the characters are both itching to move on and nostalgic about doing so. The plot also weaves in all kinds of things that distract the teams from the hunt: Mary's friend Patrick has a huge crush on her, Mary has her eye on Carson, who's dating Jill, and so on. Mary will have to decide how far she's willing to go to win, including risking friendships and a valuable family heirloom.

If you're looking for enjoyable summer reads, I recommend these two!