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Tears of a Clown
Some girls wear makeup to enhance their natural beauty. Some wear it to make themselves look sexy, mature, in the hopes to attract the attention of a paramour. Darcy wears hers as a mask, a deterrent, a tribute of sorts to the musical group who got her through her parent’s messy divorce. When she’s uprooted from her hometown in Detroit and plopped down into rural Georgia, the townsfolk don’t know whether she’s an escapee from the circus or a devil worshiping antichrist looking to kill their pets and corrupt their children. Much to her surprise, Darcy finds herself in the middle of a bizarre love triangle; the preppy good looking popular boy that all parents would love on one side and the bad boy heartthrob that would have fathers sitting on their porch with a shotgun and mothers buying chastity belts on the other. Not surprisingly, Darcy also finds herself the object of cruel jokes, bullying and pies in the face. While she’s trying to stand up for what she believes in and exact revenge on those who treat her and her friends badly, she also has to decide between the two guys vying for her attention. Will one of them really be able to see beyond the makeup and love her for her? Or will she end up just being a pawn in a long standing rivalry between the boys?
- GenresYoung Adult
298 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
M.B. Mulhall
6 books135 followersMB Mulhall is a published author who typically has way too much on her plate. In between making vlogs and writing books, she tests her patience and pays the bills by helping to manage a home for developmentally disabled adults. She has a BA in Comparative Literature and Languages from Hofstra University as well as an Elementary Education degree from Georgian Court University.
She’s a crafter, a pet parent to a dog and two hedgehogs, a wife, a Jersey girl, a Whovian, and a lover of ink. Her next novel, Driven, is due out in March ’17 with Harmony Ink Press. You can find her all over social media posting pics of books, pets, and food porn.
She’s a crafter, a pet parent to a dog and two hedgehogs, a wife, a Jersey girl, a Whovian, and a lover of ink. Her next novel, Driven, is due out in March ’17 with Harmony Ink Press. You can find her all over social media posting pics of books, pets, and food porn.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 19, 2012
First, I'd like to say I received a copy of this from the author for an honest review.
Usually, I am not a big fan of love triangles. They drive me nuts. The girl always seems to be leading the two boys around and never deciding on one. Oh, I love them both and can't stand to not have either in my life. Infuriating. That said, MB did an excellent job of making a love triangle that did not make me want to strangle Darcy. She was truly conflicted over which boy she liked: Chaz or Judd. Both had their redeeming qualities that attracted her. Both also made her wonder if she was just a passing fancy. A new novelty that would lose their interest after awhile. In most YA you can figure out who the girl is going to pick in the end. She favors one boy and it shows. I wasn't sure who Darcy would end up with at first. She didn't seem to favor Judd or Chaz.
The cast of characters was well rounded. The animosity between Darcy and her sister was very realistic. They bickered and snapped at each other, wanted nothing to do with the other. But even then, Darcy still jumped to protect her sister, at times refusing to tell the truth and getting into more trouble as a result. Chaz was just a dream. He seemed to be the all American boy and a loyal friend. His persistance in Darcy was cute and her reaction to him was amusing. Judd is the bad boy and MB did a great job of making him one without making him annoying. But my favorite character of all was Judd's sister, Jazz. Jazz just rocked. She had hilarious lines and helped keep the story light and funny. But she also provided seriousness when the story called.
While this story is humorous, it's also about bullying. Darcy is bullied for wearing the ICP make up, but she never lets it get her down. She hits back with snark just as hard and refuses to change for anyone but herself. Her final revenge on her bullies was well deserved... if a bit heavy w/ toilet humor.
Usually, I am not a big fan of love triangles. They drive me nuts. The girl always seems to be leading the two boys around and never deciding on one. Oh, I love them both and can't stand to not have either in my life. Infuriating. That said, MB did an excellent job of making a love triangle that did not make me want to strangle Darcy. She was truly conflicted over which boy she liked: Chaz or Judd. Both had their redeeming qualities that attracted her. Both also made her wonder if she was just a passing fancy. A new novelty that would lose their interest after awhile. In most YA you can figure out who the girl is going to pick in the end. She favors one boy and it shows. I wasn't sure who Darcy would end up with at first. She didn't seem to favor Judd or Chaz.
The cast of characters was well rounded. The animosity between Darcy and her sister was very realistic. They bickered and snapped at each other, wanted nothing to do with the other. But even then, Darcy still jumped to protect her sister, at times refusing to tell the truth and getting into more trouble as a result. Chaz was just a dream. He seemed to be the all American boy and a loyal friend. His persistance in Darcy was cute and her reaction to him was amusing. Judd is the bad boy and MB did a great job of making him one without making him annoying. But my favorite character of all was Judd's sister, Jazz. Jazz just rocked. She had hilarious lines and helped keep the story light and funny. But she also provided seriousness when the story called.
While this story is humorous, it's also about bullying. Darcy is bullied for wearing the ICP make up, but she never lets it get her down. She hits back with snark just as hard and refuses to change for anyone but herself. Her final revenge on her bullies was well deserved... if a bit heavy w/ toilet humor.
November 24, 2012
This book took me by surprise. It was fun, smart, and vaguely reminiscent of the classic, Pride and Prejudice--with a few hilarious modern-day twists thrown in for fun, of course! I felt like I knew these characters. I wanted to strangle the rah-rahs and hang out with Jazz. Tonsil hockey with Judd wouldn't be the worst thing ever, either ;-)
If you're looking for a fun YA read that's familiar enough to feel like real life, but different enough to keep you turning those pages, give "Tears of a Clown" a try. MB Mulhall can sure turn a phrase (must have been Darby's snarky influence there)!
If you're looking for a fun YA read that's familiar enough to feel like real life, but different enough to keep you turning those pages, give "Tears of a Clown" a try. MB Mulhall can sure turn a phrase (must have been Darby's snarky influence there)!
April 11, 2012
Really fun book. A high school girl moves to a small town in Georgia with her newly-married father. She happens to be someone who paints her face like a clown in homage to her favorite band. She's an outsider from the big city and has no way of fitting in and mostly doesn't want to. But on her first day of school she meets two boys, Chaz and Judd, one the preppy guy the other the bad boy. Both are well-known and they both appear attracted to the new girl, Darcy. Even though she suffers bullying and attacks from the cheerleaders and other people, Darcy navigates her way through high school with her new friend, Jasmine, and they all get up to some shenanigans that will make you laugh.
I read this book in a day and a half and enjoyed it immensely. I went from Team Chaz to Team Judd and back again before settling on my final choice. I also liked the bit of revenge incorporated in the book.
The only warning I would have is that younger YA readers should avoid this due to one pretty steamy sex scene between Darcy and someone else. Not telling!
In the end, you'll be rooting for Darcy and her Riders & laughing along with them.
I read this book in a day and a half and enjoyed it immensely. I went from Team Chaz to Team Judd and back again before settling on my final choice. I also liked the bit of revenge incorporated in the book.
The only warning I would have is that younger YA readers should avoid this due to one pretty steamy sex scene between Darcy and someone else. Not telling!
In the end, you'll be rooting for Darcy and her Riders & laughing along with them.
November 3, 2012
This book is one that I am incredibly glad that I read. It was truly entertaining and interesting and one that I was simply truly invested in. I loved the characters and felt a small sadness when I realised I had finished the book and no longer had them around for company. I felt that the serious topics brought about in this book were all handled well, even with the humour that was spaced throughout the story. It is a read that I would easily recommend to other readers who love a good contemporary YA story, especially one that is light but heavy all at the same time. It is a story that will stay with me for a long time and one that I can imagine reading time and time again. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
To read a longer, more detailed review of this book, feel free to head over to my blog post, here
To read a longer, more detailed review of this book, feel free to head over to my blog post, here
March 6, 2012
A amazing and hilarious story. One wouldn't think that a Juggalette named Darcy would be highly relatable to, but MB has the gift of making all the characters believable, likeable, and has quite the streak of humor woven throughout. Read MB, not Twilight!
-From MB's #1 fan
-From MB's #1 fan
December 14, 2013
Serious, funny, highs and lows. Great story! Loved it!
March 6, 2012
One of my favorite things I've written. I don't know if it's really as funny as I think, but it sure as hell cracks me up! :D
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews