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The Squad #1
The Squad: Perfect Cover
Not yet published
Expected 3 Mar 26Bayport High operates like any other high school - jocks at the top, outsiders at the bottom, and everyone else in between. Enter Toby Klein, a sophomore computer hacker who doesn't play well with others. She has zero school spirit, a black belt in karate, and what her guidance counselor calls an "attitude problem." She's the last person you’d expect to be invited to join the varsity cheerleading squad.
But things are different at Bayport.
Bayport's varsity cheer squad is made up of the hottest of the hot. But this A-list is dangerous in more ways than one. The Squad is actually a cover for the most highly trained group of underage government operatives the United States has ever assembled. Athletically, they're unmatchable, though they make it all look easy on the field. Mentally, they're exceptional - but with one flash of their gorgeous smiles, you'll completely forget that. Socially, they're gifted, so they can command and manipulate any situation. And above all, they have the perfect cover, because, beyond herkies and highlights, no one expects anything from a cheerleader.
Toby Klein might not seem like the most likely recruit, but she’s never been one to turn down a challenge. If she can hand the makeover, Bayport High may just have found its newest cheerleader.
Pretty, popular, armed, and extremely dangerous - meet THE SQUAD.
But things are different at Bayport.
Bayport's varsity cheer squad is made up of the hottest of the hot. But this A-list is dangerous in more ways than one. The Squad is actually a cover for the most highly trained group of underage government operatives the United States has ever assembled. Athletically, they're unmatchable, though they make it all look easy on the field. Mentally, they're exceptional - but with one flash of their gorgeous smiles, you'll completely forget that. Socially, they're gifted, so they can command and manipulate any situation. And above all, they have the perfect cover, because, beyond herkies and highlights, no one expects anything from a cheerleader.
Toby Klein might not seem like the most likely recruit, but she’s never been one to turn down a challenge. If she can hand the makeover, Bayport High may just have found its newest cheerleader.
Pretty, popular, armed, and extremely dangerous - meet THE SQUAD.
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 2008
212 people are currently reading
19183 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Lynn Barnes
46 books54.5k followersJennifer Lynn Barnes (who mostly goes by Jen) was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has been, in turn, a competitive cheerleader, a volleyball player, a dancer, a debutante, a primate cognition researcher, a teen model, a comic book geek, and a lemur aficionado. She's been writing for as long as she can remember, finished her first full book (which she now refers to as a "practice book" and which none of you will ever see) when she was still in high school, and then wrote Golden the summer after her freshman year in college, when she was nineteen.
Jen graduated high school in 2002, and from Yale University with a degree in cognitive science (the study of the brain and thought) in May of 2006. She'll be spending the 2006-2007 school year abroad, doing autism research at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
Jen graduated high school in 2002, and from Yale University with a degree in cognitive science (the study of the brain and thought) in May of 2006. She'll be spending the 2006-2007 school year abroad, doing autism research at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 491 reviews
January 23, 2013
OH MY GOD.
I've just found out I almost died today.
From Wikipedia:
Death from laughter refers to a rare instance of death, usually resulting from cardiac arrest or asphyxiation, caused by a fit of laughter. Instances of death by laughter have been recorded from Ancient Greece to the modern day. The first recorded use of the alternative term fatal hilarity is from 1956.
Death may result from several pathologies that deviate from benign laughter. Infarction of the pons and medulla oblongata in the brain may cause pathological laughter.
Laughter can cause atonia and collapse ("gelastic syncope"), which in turn can cause trauma. See also laughter-induced syncope, cataplexy, and Bezold-Jarisch reflex. Gelastic seizures can be due to focal lesions to the hypothalamus. Depending upon the size of the lesion, the emotional lability may be a sign of an acute condition, and not itself the cause of the fatality. Gelastic syncope has also been associated with the cerebellum.
See?
This book tried to kill me.
October 30, 2015
In the course of this book, the heroine hated on/mocked/sneered at (constantly!) cheerleaders, pretty girls, cheerleaders, pop music, cheerleaders, Britney Spears, cheerleaders, Christina Aguilera, cheerleaders, make-up, cheerleaders, sequins, cheerleaders, the color pink, cheerleaders, happy people, cheerleaders, hot boys, cheerleaders, dating, cheerleaders, jocks, cheerleaders, looking good, cheerleaders, fashion sense, cheerleaders.... you get the message.
Stupidest book ever. And not even because of the underage CIA-spies/cheerleaders thing.
Stupidest book ever. And not even because of the underage CIA-spies/cheerleaders thing.
October 2, 2011
Perhaps I would have liked this book more if I hadn't read the Gallagher Girls series (Ally Carter.)
Similar idea - high school girls training to be secret agents. Except that in this book, it's all about perfection. Perfect hair, perfect accessories, perfect make up, perfect wardrobe. Complete makeovers and everything pink. Pulling off missions by flaunting their bodies and flirting. Cheerleaders are untouchable - head of the social hierarchy, vice principal obeying their every whim, homework completed for them. Neat concept but I didn't like the approach.
Oh, and Noah? The book would have gotten another star if I hadn't been forced to put up with him.
Similar idea - high school girls training to be secret agents. Except that in this book, it's all about perfection. Perfect hair, perfect accessories, perfect make up, perfect wardrobe. Complete makeovers and everything pink. Pulling off missions by flaunting their bodies and flirting. Cheerleaders are untouchable - head of the social hierarchy, vice principal obeying their every whim, homework completed for them. Neat concept but I didn't like the approach.
Oh, and Noah? The book would have gotten another star if I hadn't been forced to put up with him.
Want to read
August 31, 2025she can’t write anything new 😭 (this is js a new cover from one of her oldest works)
Want to read
December 30, 2025long ass title😭
August 15, 2015
Rating: 3/5
Toby Klein never expected that one little invitation to join varsity cheerleading squad would change her life completely. But as she soon finds out these cheerleaders are not your typical girls. They are undercover government operatives. Toby can't turn down the opportunity to join them and soon she finds herself with a makeover and doing things she never though she would, like breaking into the enemy's office and falling for a guy.
This was a really fast-paced and fun read. It was everything you can expect from the blurb. It got 3 star just because I feel like it is aimed for younger readers. But otherwise it was a great way to spend my time while walking my dog. The audio narrator did a pretty good job, considering there were so many girls she had to portrait.
It has been quite a long time since I listened to this one so I don't remember any more comments I had in mind. But if you are into spies and high school drama you might want to give this a try.
Toby Klein never expected that one little invitation to join varsity cheerleading squad would change her life completely. But as she soon finds out these cheerleaders are not your typical girls. They are undercover government operatives. Toby can't turn down the opportunity to join them and soon she finds herself with a makeover and doing things she never though she would, like breaking into the enemy's office and falling for a guy.
This was a really fast-paced and fun read. It was everything you can expect from the blurb. It got 3 star just because I feel like it is aimed for younger readers. But otherwise it was a great way to spend my time while walking my dog. The audio narrator did a pretty good job, considering there were so many girls she had to portrait.
It has been quite a long time since I listened to this one so I don't remember any more comments I had in mind. But if you are into spies and high school drama you might want to give this a try.
May 8, 2016
Actual rating: 4.5
Not all books need to be poetic works with deep meaning. Sometimes what you need is light and fun and trashy.
Not all books need to be poetic works with deep meaning. Sometimes what you need is light and fun and trashy.
Want to read
August 5, 2025FINALLY A BOOK THAT ISN'T THE INHERITANCE GAMES RELATED???? IM SO SAT
January 17, 2016
Ok, let me start this review of by saying that I actually really love some of JLB’s work - The Fixer and the Naturals series - which is why I decided to read as many of her books as possible. I was really excited for this series because the premise sounds great. I mean cheerleaders as government spies? Sign me up!
Sadly, I was disappointed.
Don't get me wrong, there were a few things that I liked.
Some of the characters (especially Lucy, Zee and Tara) were cool and their base sounded amazing, but that’s sadly about it.
There were just a lot of things that irked me about this book. The biggest issue I had was with the main character Toby. She was just so judgmental of the other girls and just felt like she though that she was better than any of the cheerleaders. Mainly because she wasn't one of *those* girls that wear *tons* of make up and have only like 3 braincells since they always smile and cheer etc. No, Toby isn’t that kind of girl. She is *better* because she can be violent, wears combat boots and doesn’t think of the cheerleaders as gods (etc.). Plus she doesn’t have any real experience with boys. She is such a special snowflake. /rant over
I have big issues with shaming of any kind and so I really hated that portion of the book. I could have dealt with it if it was executed better. It would have been such a great possibility for character development, but in my opinion that opportunity wasn’t really used. I think that that’s what the author really wanted to do, but it just didn’t ring true in my opinion. It just feels like Toby still mostly looks down on the others and I don't feel like she has changed much.
Those are just some of the things that annoyed me. (Also what was up with Toby's brother? And the whole dating thing was just ugh.)
All in all, I'd give it a 1.5 to 2 stars. Not really sure at this point. Definitely won't reread this ever.
Sadly, I was disappointed.
Don't get me wrong, there were a few things that I liked.
Some of the characters (especially Lucy, Zee and Tara) were cool and their base sounded amazing, but that’s sadly about it.
There were just a lot of things that irked me about this book. The biggest issue I had was with the main character Toby. She was just so judgmental of the other girls and just felt like she though that she was better than any of the cheerleaders. Mainly because she wasn't one of *those* girls that wear *tons* of make up and have only like 3 braincells since they always smile and cheer etc. No, Toby isn’t that kind of girl. She is *better* because she can be violent, wears combat boots and doesn’t think of the cheerleaders as gods (etc.). Plus she doesn’t have any real experience with boys. She is such a special snowflake. /rant over
I have big issues with shaming of any kind and so I really hated that portion of the book. I could have dealt with it if it was executed better. It would have been such a great possibility for character development, but in my opinion that opportunity wasn’t really used. I think that that’s what the author really wanted to do, but it just didn’t ring true in my opinion. It just feels like Toby still mostly looks down on the others and I don't feel like she has changed much.
Those are just some of the things that annoyed me. (Also what was up with Toby's brother? And the whole dating thing was just ugh.)
All in all, I'd give it a 1.5 to 2 stars. Not really sure at this point. Definitely won't reread this ever.
February 9, 2022
The mc stole my bf.
Rtc
_______________________________________
@25%
Let the romance begin 🔥🔥 because Jack Peyton is smoking hot. But i have a feeling that he might be the villain. And the mc doesn't like him anyway. So I'm not sure what romance I'm cheering for, maybe jake's and mine? Yes, that's what I'm cheering for. I mean, I've fallen for fictional hot villains/antiheroes more than once, one of them should fall for me as well.
Rtc
_______________________________________
@25%
Let the romance begin 🔥🔥 because Jack Peyton is smoking hot. But i have a feeling that he might be the villain. And the mc doesn't like him anyway. So I'm not sure what romance I'm cheering for, maybe jake's and mine? Yes, that's what I'm cheering for. I mean, I've fallen for fictional hot villains/antiheroes more than once, one of them should fall for me as well.
June 11, 2021
Cheerleaders that are actually undercover government operatives? Yes! Yes! Yes!
I love Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Let’s get that out of the way. Unfortunately this book really let me down. But I’m not going to be too harsh since this is from 2008 so JLB has improved so much.
The general plot of the book is great, but the MC is not it. Toby is not like the other girls. Oh, no. She’s smarter than all the cheerleaders and she’s superior because she doesn’t wear makeup or like pink or glitter. She likes karate and combat boots and being violent. And not only is she soooo *speshul* but she also just has to hate and mock the cheerleaders.
It's ok to not want to be a cheerleader. But it's not ok to shame anyone for what they like to do, or how they look, or to automatically asume they all fit into the stereotype society has given them.
It was sooo annoying and her brother is extremely creepy. I was hoping for some character development but Toby is just the same judgmental brat she was at the beginning.
Since there’s only one more book in this series, I will be reading it and let’s hope it’s better.
I love Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Let’s get that out of the way. Unfortunately this book really let me down. But I’m not going to be too harsh since this is from 2008 so JLB has improved so much.
The general plot of the book is great, but the MC is not it. Toby is not like the other girls. Oh, no. She’s smarter than all the cheerleaders and she’s superior because she doesn’t wear makeup or like pink or glitter. She likes karate and combat boots and being violent. And not only is she soooo *speshul* but she also just has to hate and mock the cheerleaders.
It's ok to not want to be a cheerleader. But it's not ok to shame anyone for what they like to do, or how they look, or to automatically asume they all fit into the stereotype society has given them.
It was sooo annoying and her brother is extremely creepy. I was hoping for some character development but Toby is just the same judgmental brat she was at the beginning.
Since there’s only one more book in this series, I will be reading it and let’s hope it’s better.
November 5, 2012
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
Toby hates cheerleaders. She could care less about the God Squad, the most popular girls in school.
Then she finds two coded messages in her locker inviting her to try out for the squad. At first she thinks these messages are a joke, but then curiosity gets the better of her.
The first meeting is just an introduction to the squad, without practicing. At 5:30 the next morning, she attends her first practice. Toby is not a morning person -- her snark and wit come out full force at the thought of actually joining the squad.
There's more to this bunch of cheerleaders than meets the eye and Toby is about to find out the uniqueness of the squad.
PERFECT COVER, the first in THE SQUAD series, takes everything you think you know about cheerleaders and turns it upside down. Jennifer Lynn Barnes creates a new series full of surprises, wit, and a heroine who fights her destiny.
Toby hates cheerleaders. She could care less about the God Squad, the most popular girls in school.
Then she finds two coded messages in her locker inviting her to try out for the squad. At first she thinks these messages are a joke, but then curiosity gets the better of her.
The first meeting is just an introduction to the squad, without practicing. At 5:30 the next morning, she attends her first practice. Toby is not a morning person -- her snark and wit come out full force at the thought of actually joining the squad.
There's more to this bunch of cheerleaders than meets the eye and Toby is about to find out the uniqueness of the squad.
PERFECT COVER, the first in THE SQUAD series, takes everything you think you know about cheerleaders and turns it upside down. Jennifer Lynn Barnes creates a new series full of surprises, wit, and a heroine who fights her destiny.
August 14, 2016
I AM OFFICIALLY IN LOVE WITH JLB! ♥
I'm in daze of re-reading a bunch of books I previously enjoyed, and after going through the many JLB books I've already read, I decided to get on this series -- and it. Was. Awesome!
Basically, at Toby's school, the cheerleaders rule with their perky happiness and sociable intuitiveness, being called the "God Squad" for a reason -- which is why Toby is so surprised when she gets an invite to join. In code. Multiple codes, actually which the hacker in her automatically figures out with intrigue.
And as it turns out? Those perky blonde cheerleaders who seem completely brainless and shallow? They're operatives in a top secret program that trains cheerleaders to undergo undercover missions -- because really, who would suspect the cheerleaders who jump and cheer and sell delicious-yet-awfully-named cookies?
Yup. Cheerleader spies.
It was laugh-out-loud funny and kiss-my-ass epic! Toby -- our amazing third-degree black-belt computer hacker with sarcasm -- was so cynical and anti-cheerleader that her constant inner horror about all she had to do as a new member of the "God Squad" left me constantly giggling! We're used to reading about girls who want to be popular or at least enjoy it, but this isn't Toby at all. She may be tiny, but she's snarky, she's a computer genius, and she threatens football players on a regular basis for beating up her flirtatious younger brother.
I want her to be my new best friend.
There's a small budding romance going on between her and Jack, which is super-funny to watch because she's a threat prodigy but a flirt fail -- as in, she kicks more than she bats her eyelashes. Which I guess works because it manages to turn Jack on, but I digress. Jack and Toby, no matter what she tries to argue = ♥
JLB always has the most brilliant ideas that are ten million shades of original -- such as Tattoo and The Naturals -- and this is no exception. Her research about everything spy-related was flawless. Her terminology was spot on. I wouldn't be surprised if JLB was a secret spy because she really knows her stuff.
My only complaint is that I always wish -- in all her books -- that she goes personal with the characters and the story. Sure, I had fun with all the reactions and interactions and personalities and etcetera, but when her stories constitute as really good, they good be FAN-FLIPPING-TASTIC with a little better execution.
Other than that? I will always, always be looking out for anything JLB writes. Always. And you should too :)
I'm in daze of re-reading a bunch of books I previously enjoyed, and after going through the many JLB books I've already read, I decided to get on this series -- and it. Was. Awesome!
Basically, at Toby's school, the cheerleaders rule with their perky happiness and sociable intuitiveness, being called the "God Squad" for a reason -- which is why Toby is so surprised when she gets an invite to join. In code. Multiple codes, actually which the hacker in her automatically figures out with intrigue.
And as it turns out? Those perky blonde cheerleaders who seem completely brainless and shallow? They're operatives in a top secret program that trains cheerleaders to undergo undercover missions -- because really, who would suspect the cheerleaders who jump and cheer and sell delicious-yet-awfully-named cookies?
Yup. Cheerleader spies.
It was laugh-out-loud funny and kiss-my-ass epic! Toby -- our amazing third-degree black-belt computer hacker with sarcasm -- was so cynical and anti-cheerleader that her constant inner horror about all she had to do as a new member of the "God Squad" left me constantly giggling! We're used to reading about girls who want to be popular or at least enjoy it, but this isn't Toby at all. She may be tiny, but she's snarky, she's a computer genius, and she threatens football players on a regular basis for beating up her flirtatious younger brother.
I want her to be my new best friend.
There's a small budding romance going on between her and Jack, which is super-funny to watch because she's a threat prodigy but a flirt fail -- as in, she kicks more than she bats her eyelashes. Which I guess works because it manages to turn Jack on, but I digress. Jack and Toby, no matter what she tries to argue = ♥
JLB always has the most brilliant ideas that are ten million shades of original -- such as Tattoo and The Naturals -- and this is no exception. Her research about everything spy-related was flawless. Her terminology was spot on. I wouldn't be surprised if JLB was a secret spy because she really knows her stuff.
My only complaint is that I always wish -- in all her books -- that she goes personal with the characters and the story. Sure, I had fun with all the reactions and interactions and personalities and etcetera, but when her stories constitute as really good, they good be FAN-FLIPPING-TASTIC with a little better execution.
Other than that? I will always, always be looking out for anything JLB writes. Always. And you should too :)
December 23, 2008
If you'd told me at the beginning of sophomore year that I was going to end up a government operative, I would have thought you were crazy, but if you'd told me I was destined to become a cheerleader, I would have had you committed, no questions asked. At that point in time, there were three things in life that I knew for certain: 1)I was a girl who'd never met a site she couldn't hack or a code she couldn't break, 2) I had a roundhouse that could put a grown man in the hospital, and 3) I would without question chop off my own hands before I'd come within five feet of a pom-pom.
I loved this one. I just loved it. We clicked right from the start. The premise? Practically perfect, an unlikely girl, Toby Klein, is invited to try out for the cheerleading squad. Her invitation? It contains a code, and that's not the only suspicious thing going on. Yet before she knows quite how and why it's happening...Toby Klein is...in fact...a cheerleader. True, she's not your typical cheerleader. None of the girls on the squad are...which is why they make perfect undercover agents for the government!
I don't want to reveal too much. But I do want you to know that this one is pure fun, and thoroughly satisfying. I know I can't guarantee that YOU will love it as much as I did. Reading is too subjective to make promises like that. But I do encourage you to pick this one up and give it a try. It's a paperback original--and it's worth every penny of the $7.
© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
November 30, 2025
4.5⭐
THIS IS AMAZINGGG
THIS IS AMAZINGGG
November 15, 2015
"Tasers and bulletproof push-up bras. In practically the same sentence. So wrong. So, so wrong."
Between this book and The Naturals series, it's safe to say Jennifer Lynn Barnes has a little obsession with teenagers working for CIA/FBI (but The Naturals is waaaay better, just sayin').
Toby Klein is a sophomore student who doesn't fit in with anyone else. She's her own persona and doesn't follow highschool "rules". Until she's invited to join the Cheerleader team... a group of people that Toby hates. She then finds out that the Cheerladers are actually undercover CIA agents helping protect the USA from terrorism, bomb attacks and more. It's up to Toby wether or not join the team or live her life as an outsider.
I really liked Toby at the beginning. She was witty, funny and didn't take anything way to seriously. She seemed to think for herself and stand up for what she believed. But then, she met The Squad and long gone was the Toby I liked, replaced by a I'll-do-whatever-these-strangers-tell-me Toby. Yeah, not a fan.
This book was full of clichés, like Toby liking the type of guy she used to dislike. And then the group of "cheerleaders" was any typical group of girls in any YA book: there a "bitch" one, a "nice" one, a "quiet" one, a "pretty" one, etc. Whatever happened to originality?! There's also a "profiler" (kuddos to Cassie and Dean, I'm guessing?).
I gave this book 2 stars because I felt a bit old for this type of story. If I were fifteen-years-old, I'd have loved this book.
Not the best Jennifer Lynn Barnes book, but not the worst. The Naturals is so good, tho. And makes more sense. (Cheerleaders working for the CIA, REALLY?!).
Between this book and The Naturals series, it's safe to say Jennifer Lynn Barnes has a little obsession with teenagers working for CIA/FBI (but The Naturals is waaaay better, just sayin').
Toby Klein is a sophomore student who doesn't fit in with anyone else. She's her own persona and doesn't follow highschool "rules". Until she's invited to join the Cheerleader team... a group of people that Toby hates. She then finds out that the Cheerladers are actually undercover CIA agents helping protect the USA from terrorism, bomb attacks and more. It's up to Toby wether or not join the team or live her life as an outsider.
I really liked Toby at the beginning. She was witty, funny and didn't take anything way to seriously. She seemed to think for herself and stand up for what she believed. But then, she met The Squad and long gone was the Toby I liked, replaced by a I'll-do-whatever-these-strangers-tell-me Toby. Yeah, not a fan.
This book was full of clichés, like Toby liking the type of guy she used to dislike. And then the group of "cheerleaders" was any typical group of girls in any YA book: there a "bitch" one, a "nice" one, a "quiet" one, a "pretty" one, etc. Whatever happened to originality?! There's also a "profiler" (kuddos to Cassie and Dean, I'm guessing?).
I gave this book 2 stars because I felt a bit old for this type of story. If I were fifteen-years-old, I'd have loved this book.
Not the best Jennifer Lynn Barnes book, but not the worst. The Naturals is so good, tho. And makes more sense. (Cheerleaders working for the CIA, REALLY?!).
September 17, 2015
Американская школа, группа поддержки – на самом деле секретное шпионское подразделение (ну кто заподозрит пустоголовых блондинок?) – и девочка-гик, завербованная махать помпонами и спасать мир.
Чуть абсурдно, местами забавно, в стиле «Детей шпионов», «Особо опасна» и прочего, легкое чтиво под настроение.
Мне не зашло.
Чуть абсурдно, местами забавно, в стиле «Детей шпионов», «Особо опасна» и прочего, легкое чтиво под настроение.
Мне не зашло.
September 5, 2016
I was really disappointed with this book. I practically had to force myself to finish reading, just because I hate leaving books unfinished.
The biggest problem I had with this book was the main character Toby.
She was constantly complaining throughout the novel; like yes, we get it you're sooooo special because you aren't a cheerleader and you're constantly acting salty about anything and everything girly. The premise of the novel and the idea was good, and I thought the idea of having a spy service within a high school would be fun, and make a quick, lighthearted read, however Toby absolutely ruined it. Every paragraph, Toby was complaining about some aspect of being a cheerleader or becoming one of 'those girls'. She thought she was just so much better than everyone else because she didn't wear makeup, and didn't like pop music. I was hoping she'd be a lot more of a badass computer hacker than she actually was- she came off as bratty, self righteous and judgmental.
Some of the other characters were cool (I liked Lucy and Tara), but I didn't really love any of them (and Toby's brother was lowkey creepy). None of them really developed throughout the book, especially Toby who was just as judgmental at the end as she was at the start.
From the start, I knew I didn't like Toby as a character, but hoped that the plot itself would make up for her lack of interesting qualities. Suffice to say, I was wrong. The plot wasn't exciting at all, and there wasn't really any key moment which had me on the edge of my seat. I thought there was something that the novel would build up to, a big event that would have some lasting impact, but it just kind of happened and there wasn't any real building of suspense.
I will not be reading the sequel to this, as I don't want to have to suffer through another book full of Toby's complaining. I guess if you can stand to read that sort of character, and want something easy and not at all meaningful to read then this book is for you. If you like an engaging plot, interesting characters and a buildup of suspense, then I would steer clear.
The biggest problem I had with this book was the main character Toby.
She was constantly complaining throughout the novel; like yes, we get it you're sooooo special because you aren't a cheerleader and you're constantly acting salty about anything and everything girly. The premise of the novel and the idea was good, and I thought the idea of having a spy service within a high school would be fun, and make a quick, lighthearted read, however Toby absolutely ruined it. Every paragraph, Toby was complaining about some aspect of being a cheerleader or becoming one of 'those girls'. She thought she was just so much better than everyone else because she didn't wear makeup, and didn't like pop music. I was hoping she'd be a lot more of a badass computer hacker than she actually was- she came off as bratty, self righteous and judgmental.
Some of the other characters were cool (I liked Lucy and Tara), but I didn't really love any of them (and Toby's brother was lowkey creepy). None of them really developed throughout the book, especially Toby who was just as judgmental at the end as she was at the start.
From the start, I knew I didn't like Toby as a character, but hoped that the plot itself would make up for her lack of interesting qualities. Suffice to say, I was wrong. The plot wasn't exciting at all, and there wasn't really any key moment which had me on the edge of my seat. I thought there was something that the novel would build up to, a big event that would have some lasting impact, but it just kind of happened and there wasn't any real building of suspense.
I will not be reading the sequel to this, as I don't want to have to suffer through another book full of Toby's complaining. I guess if you can stand to read that sort of character, and want something easy and not at all meaningful to read then this book is for you. If you like an engaging plot, interesting characters and a buildup of suspense, then I would steer clear.
September 29, 2014
I really tried with this one. I kept thinking, if I just got through a few more cliches, stereotypes, horrendous world building, repetitive snark, and self-righteous brats, a kick ass plot would make up for it. I was wrong.
And Toby, I kept hoping for the badass computer geek I was promised, but all I got was this bratty brat face who thought she was the shit because...
a) she didn't know her bra size
b) she was almost ubiquitously disliked
c) she's never worn makeup
d) she finds happiness and being nice overrated
e) she beats up anyone who even breathes wrong
f) she ACCIDENTALLY hacked the Pentagon (and they just let her be without even worrying about her being a potential terrorist... yeah fucking right)
g) she hated everything about her gender except for the spy cover it provided
Despite all her crazy self-righteousness, I thought the mystical character growth fairy would poof her into a better person, but I was wrong.
And, I was under the impression thar book climaxes in an action book were supposed to be exciting and suspenseful, but I was wrong.
And then I was excited for the feminism that I would find in the idea of cheerleader spies, but, you guessed it I was wrong. Instead of feminism, all I got was the message that caring about your appearance makes you a brat and that the perfect girl was someone who looked like perfection, but didn't want to look nice and complained about looking like a girl every second of the fucking day.
So, thank you, Perfect Cover for proving any and all hopes I had for you COMPLETELY WRONG.
And Toby, I kept hoping for the badass computer geek I was promised, but all I got was this bratty brat face who thought she was the shit because...
a) she didn't know her bra size
b) she was almost ubiquitously disliked
c) she's never worn makeup
d) she finds happiness and being nice overrated
e) she beats up anyone who even breathes wrong
f) she ACCIDENTALLY hacked the Pentagon (and they just let her be without even worrying about her being a potential terrorist... yeah fucking right)
g) she hated everything about her gender except for the spy cover it provided
Despite all her crazy self-righteousness, I thought the mystical character growth fairy would poof her into a better person, but I was wrong.
And, I was under the impression thar book climaxes in an action book were supposed to be exciting and suspenseful, but I was wrong.
And then I was excited for the feminism that I would find in the idea of cheerleader spies, but, you guessed it I was wrong. Instead of feminism, all I got was the message that caring about your appearance makes you a brat and that the perfect girl was someone who looked like perfection, but didn't want to look nice and complained about looking like a girl every second of the fucking day.
So, thank you, Perfect Cover for proving any and all hopes I had for you COMPLETELY WRONG.
March 18, 2022
toby mentions chloe's need for speed, but i too found myself speeding (through this book, not through the roads). a mere three hours ago i had no idea what i was going into, and now it's almost three am and i have been left mindblown. reading this felt like a complete fever dream in an insanely good way, especially since i pegged this as a wattpad typa thang (heh) but it's jennifer lynn barnes so!!!! and i'm pretty sure still i'm in the midst of processing, because those last few chapters were PHEW i am still reeling. never have i ever been gladder to find out that a book was part of a series, because it means i'll get more of the god squad and i can't wait brb you betcha i'll be downloading the squad, #2 as soon as i awake in a couple more hours. LITERALLY SO MUCH GIRL POWER, I FEEL LIKE HOW I FELT WHEN BARBIE SPY SQUAD CAME OUT I CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF THIS EVEERRRRR i love how it embraces the stereotypes and simultaneously bends them, along with the perfect mix of mystery hints and thriller? an absolute immediate fave; this has made me feel so many things and laugh so very hard it should honestly be illegal. maybe it's just me in my post-book adrenaline-slash-serotonin-high, but 23948324/5 stars; do pick this up if you're in for some fun and want to Feel Things !!!!!
also i am HUH495845SDJ (A HOT MESS) over the way jack and toby (EV) were left UHMSFGHFDGBHDFGDFGH i am so invested i literally cannot get over them i NEED them now but also i have to stop reading reviews for book 2 because i swear there are jacktoby snippets and i am So Not Ready for them AAAAIFUW4H59845SNSUFHDSUA ALSO I LVOE THE GIRLS BEST GIRLSQUAD FRIENDGROUP EVER ????
also i am HUH495845SDJ (A HOT MESS) over the way jack and toby (EV) were left UHMSFGHFDGBHDFGDFGH i am so invested i literally cannot get over them i NEED them now but also i have to stop reading reviews for book 2 because i swear there are jacktoby snippets and i am So Not Ready for them AAAAIFUW4H59845SNSUFHDSUA ALSO I LVOE THE GIRLS BEST GIRLSQUAD FRIENDGROUP EVER ????
October 1, 2022
This is the fifth time I have read this book.
I kid you not.
It is that good.
If I were to be honest, though, I read this book that many times mostly because it's a quick, easy read.
It has lots of laughs and it's relatively simple.
All right! On to explaining!
•-•-Characters-•-•
Toby
Toby is the main character, a sophomore in high school. I love her wit, and she's so fierce. I mean, she has a black belt!!
Personal space, I thought, I'd like you to meet Nauseatingly Reminiscent Mom. NRM, this is my personal space. Please stop violating it.
She is the anti-cheerleader, so imagine her surprise when she gets invited to become a cheerleader!
It turns out the cheerleaders are actually secret spies, so Toby joins.
In the end, she discovers that cheerleaders aren't as dumb as she thought they were.
"It doesn't matter if you just broke up with your boyfriend or if you're fighting with someone else on your squad or if you're cheering on a sprained ankle. When you perform, you smile. You're loud, you're proud, you're in charge, and you're on top of the world. Your team is the best. You're the best, and while you're cheering, that's all that matters."
Noah
Noah is Toby's little brother, and I love him. He's a freshman and fancies himself as a lady's man. Obviously not many people agree with that! He is so adorkable, though!
I think Toby is such a nice big sister, the way she cares about him. Their relationship is so cute!
I wished that I'd told him no, but of all the girls on the planet, I was the only one who was a sucker for Noah's hopeful face.
The Cheerleaders
There are nine of them (not including Toby) and it'll be exhausting to explain them all. All of them specialize in a certain skill(Toby is a hacker), and of course all of them are super-cheerleader-y. A few did stick out for me, though.
Lucy
I am pretty sure Lucy likes Noah, it's pretty obvious!! Lucy and Noah are just so much alike!
Lucy is just so happy-go-lucky, like Noah. Noah is more so, though.
"But it's like he doesn't even have to try. I mean, he almost got thumped at lunch, and he was grinning like crazy."
Lucy is just so, so sweet, and it helps thats she's a weapons specialist! It's the type of irony so popular in YA these days.🙃
Bubbles
I just adore Bubbles.
1. She is hilarious.
"Was that a happy beep?"
2. HER NAME IS BUBBLES.
3. HER NAME IS BUBBLES.
4. HER NAME IS BUBBLES.
Jack
De luv interest! He and Toby's banter just made my day.
He was funny, hot, charming, ect.
He and Toby's relationship starter was a huge cliche: Toby had to seduce him cuz he's the bad guy's son.
Yeah-huh. Love it anyway!!
I LOVE HOW HE CALLS TOBY EV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anyway, if you're looking for a way to spend your time and have a bit of fun, read this book!
Lady Glitter Sparkles🌺
I kid you not.
It is that good.
If I were to be honest, though, I read this book that many times mostly because it's a quick, easy read.
It has lots of laughs and it's relatively simple.
All right! On to explaining!
•-•-Characters-•-•
Toby
Toby is the main character, a sophomore in high school. I love her wit, and she's so fierce. I mean, she has a black belt!!
Personal space, I thought, I'd like you to meet Nauseatingly Reminiscent Mom. NRM, this is my personal space. Please stop violating it.
She is the anti-cheerleader, so imagine her surprise when she gets invited to become a cheerleader!
It turns out the cheerleaders are actually secret spies, so Toby joins.
In the end, she discovers that cheerleaders aren't as dumb as she thought they were.
"It doesn't matter if you just broke up with your boyfriend or if you're fighting with someone else on your squad or if you're cheering on a sprained ankle. When you perform, you smile. You're loud, you're proud, you're in charge, and you're on top of the world. Your team is the best. You're the best, and while you're cheering, that's all that matters."
Noah
Noah is Toby's little brother, and I love him. He's a freshman and fancies himself as a lady's man. Obviously not many people agree with that! He is so adorkable, though!
I think Toby is such a nice big sister, the way she cares about him. Their relationship is so cute!
I wished that I'd told him no, but of all the girls on the planet, I was the only one who was a sucker for Noah's hopeful face.
The Cheerleaders
There are nine of them (not including Toby) and it'll be exhausting to explain them all. All of them specialize in a certain skill(Toby is a hacker), and of course all of them are super-cheerleader-y. A few did stick out for me, though.
Lucy
I am pretty sure Lucy likes Noah, it's pretty obvious!! Lucy and Noah are just so much alike!
Lucy is just so happy-go-lucky, like Noah. Noah is more so, though.
"But it's like he doesn't even have to try. I mean, he almost got thumped at lunch, and he was grinning like crazy."
Lucy is just so, so sweet, and it helps thats she's a weapons specialist! It's the type of irony so popular in YA these days.🙃
Bubbles
I just adore Bubbles.
1. She is hilarious.
"Was that a happy beep?"
2. HER NAME IS BUBBLES.
3. HER NAME IS BUBBLES.
4. HER NAME IS BUBBLES.
Jack
De luv interest! He and Toby's banter just made my day.
He was funny, hot, charming, ect.
He and Toby's relationship starter was a huge cliche: Toby had to seduce him cuz he's the bad guy's son.
Yeah-huh. Love it anyway!!
I LOVE HOW HE CALLS TOBY EV.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anyway, if you're looking for a way to spend your time and have a bit of fun, read this book!
Lady Glitter Sparkles🌺
April 24, 2011
Honestly the main character sounds like a total bitch. I'm only 15 pages in and she seems really irritating. She acts like she's better than all the cheerleaders, and yet she goes to all those meetings and practices. She calls them bimbo's with out really knowing them.
January 20, 2019
I love all things girly, so the idea of cheerleaders who are actually undercover agents? Sign me up.
I could definitely tell that this book was released about 10 years ago, the technological references were very dated, but cool nonetheless. This book brought me back to middle/high school days when I would’ve absolutely loved this book, back when it was originally released.
That being said, this wasn’t my favorite Jennifer Lynn Barnes book, which is so heartbreaking for me to write. I thought that the gadgets (as obsolete as they’d be now) were cool and imaginative. My problem lies within the storyline... to me it was just “meh.” I found that everything that has been planned as part of the operation had happened according to plan. Which, for me isn’t fun to read. I want excitement, twists, scandal. I want to be blown away by all things drama and espionage. I wanted to love this book so much... but it fell short and the ending left me dying for a twist or something dramatic to happen. I wanted shots to be fired or a bomb to go off... anything but how it actually ended. With everyone happy and a small teaser for more “excitement” in the next book. If anything, all it did was turn me off from reading the sequel.
I could definitely tell that this book was released about 10 years ago, the technological references were very dated, but cool nonetheless. This book brought me back to middle/high school days when I would’ve absolutely loved this book, back when it was originally released.
That being said, this wasn’t my favorite Jennifer Lynn Barnes book, which is so heartbreaking for me to write. I thought that the gadgets (as obsolete as they’d be now) were cool and imaginative. My problem lies within the storyline... to me it was just “meh.” I found that everything that has been planned as part of the operation had happened according to plan. Which, for me isn’t fun to read. I want excitement, twists, scandal. I want to be blown away by all things drama and espionage. I wanted to love this book so much... but it fell short and the ending left me dying for a twist or something dramatic to happen. I wanted shots to be fired or a bomb to go off... anything but how it actually ended. With everyone happy and a small teaser for more “excitement” in the next book. If anything, all it did was turn me off from reading the sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2024
Dnf @ 5%
JLB only knows how to write the exact same characters
They’re all super smart in ways honestly no normal person would be without being sent to university at like 12 or something. They’re all not like other girls. They’re all assholes to pretty girls and normies.
I feel like JLB has some unresolved bullying trauma from school and hasn’t learnt to write another character archetype. I gave this a shot because while I hated Naturals and Inheritance Games, I love teen spies and I thought cheerleader teen spies would be like DEBS or Charlie’s angels. Nevermind, she’s a bitch and I hate this character.
Omg I’m so much better than everyone else that I constantly bully people too and then complain about bullies. Kindly fuck right off.
I am never picking up another book by this author. It’s over.
Bye 👋🏻
JLB only knows how to write the exact same characters
They’re all super smart in ways honestly no normal person would be without being sent to university at like 12 or something. They’re all not like other girls. They’re all assholes to pretty girls and normies.
I feel like JLB has some unresolved bullying trauma from school and hasn’t learnt to write another character archetype. I gave this a shot because while I hated Naturals and Inheritance Games, I love teen spies and I thought cheerleader teen spies would be like DEBS or Charlie’s angels. Nevermind, she’s a bitch and I hate this character.
Omg I’m so much better than everyone else that I constantly bully people too and then complain about bullies. Kindly fuck right off.
I am never picking up another book by this author. It’s over.
Bye 👋🏻
June 15, 2013
I did not know what to expect from this series but I have read the 1st 2 books of Jennifer Lynn Barnes "Raised by Wolves" series and really loved them.
This series is about cheerleaders who are also government operatives. This peeked my interest. I am not a girly girl and hated the cheerleaders of my high school but that helped me relate to the main character Toby in this series.
Toby is quick witted, stubborn, tough, and all around tom boy. Toby's plan in life to this point (Sophomore year) was to stay under the radar and perfect her little brother Noah from getting beat up. Instead of flying under the radar she is tapped for the cheerleader squad. Intrigued to know what the hell the note to come to cheerleader tryouts is all about Toby goes.
Toby is excepted on the squad due to her expert hacking abilities and is told that the cheerleaders are undercover government agents. Toby can not believe this information until her first test and mission take place. She finds herself with a rush from HACKING into the secured systems and protective of her squad mates (even though she does not like them).
Toby's loyalty to the squad and herself are tested. She is doomed to wear sparkles and heels but fights to keep her freedom of "combat boots" attire and attitude.
Toby's first mission includes Jack whom she does not like but finds herself thinking about more and more throughout the date/mission. Will she fall for Jack and how will the other 2 cheerleaders who dated Jack before react to her feelings for him if she does?
I am onto the 2nd book of this series "The Squad: Killer Spirit"
Happy reading.
This series is about cheerleaders who are also government operatives. This peeked my interest. I am not a girly girl and hated the cheerleaders of my high school but that helped me relate to the main character Toby in this series.
Toby is quick witted, stubborn, tough, and all around tom boy. Toby's plan in life to this point (Sophomore year) was to stay under the radar and perfect her little brother Noah from getting beat up. Instead of flying under the radar she is tapped for the cheerleader squad. Intrigued to know what the hell the note to come to cheerleader tryouts is all about Toby goes.
Toby is excepted on the squad due to her expert hacking abilities and is told that the cheerleaders are undercover government agents. Toby can not believe this information until her first test and mission take place. She finds herself with a rush from HACKING into the secured systems and protective of her squad mates (even though she does not like them).
Toby's loyalty to the squad and herself are tested. She is doomed to wear sparkles and heels but fights to keep her freedom of "combat boots" attire and attitude.
Toby's first mission includes Jack whom she does not like but finds herself thinking about more and more throughout the date/mission. Will she fall for Jack and how will the other 2 cheerleaders who dated Jack before react to her feelings for him if she does?
I am onto the 2nd book of this series "The Squad: Killer Spirit"
Happy reading.
Want to read
September 19, 2025Did anyone come here from the new cover editions as well? No? Just me then! 🫤
August 6, 2014
I liked The Squad and I guess I have to -begrudgingly- agree with the people out there saying it was shallow, because it was (a little but it was obvious by the summary that is was going to be at least a little shallow.
But whatever, I though it was good!
I liked the different look on cheerleaders; I mean, think about it.. when was the last time you read a YA book when the cheerleader wasn't the evil-(ahem)-witch? I personally can't remember.
So yeah, this was a nice refreshing book that really proves to you why you don't judge people by appearances.. I mean who knows? Maybe that ir-headed girl in your English Lit class is actually an undercover operative? Just something to think about..
Over & Out, T xx
But whatever, I though it was good!
I liked the different look on cheerleaders; I mean, think about it.. when was the last time you read a YA book when the cheerleader wasn't the evil-(ahem)-witch? I personally can't remember.
So yeah, this was a nice refreshing book that really proves to you why you don't judge people by appearances.. I mean who knows? Maybe that ir-headed girl in your English Lit class is actually an undercover operative? Just something to think about..
Over & Out, T xx
Read
March 20, 2017I was surprised by how hilarious I thought this book was. Very witty and sarcastic, but usually not overtly so. I'm not sure how that will translate into the second book (if I'll get tired of the voice), but it worked well here.
Toby's attitude and voice literally made me laugh out loud more than once. It's not as "young" as some other spy novels like the Gallagher Girls series (more references to bullet-proof bras, butt photocopying, some swearing, etc.) so I probably won't be giving it to my niece for a few years yet, but it's pretty tame in most respects, at least compared to a lot of the YA books on the market.
Toby's attitude and voice literally made me laugh out loud more than once. It's not as "young" as some other spy novels like the Gallagher Girls series (more references to bullet-proof bras, butt photocopying, some swearing, etc.) so I probably won't be giving it to my niece for a few years yet, but it's pretty tame in most respects, at least compared to a lot of the YA books on the market.
June 20, 2014
"Cheerleaders and secret agents have more in common than you might think."
If you want to read a book about a group of kick ass high school girls that are secret spies as well as beautiful cheerleaders that can keep their clothes, nails and hair perfect after a mission then this is your book.
February 3, 2023
The best and shortest summary I can give for my review for this book is: It was cute.
Despite my 3 stars, I have mostly positive things to say about it. It was fun, it had nice quick chapters which made it an easy and fabulously bite-sized read, and I'm a fan of the ease and snark of JLB's writing, especially prominent and more finely honed in her newer series (Inheritance Games, The Fixer, Debutantes), it reminds me of Kelley Armstrong's, if a bit younger oriented, which is where my more neutral rating comes in. I have almost nothing against this book at all, but I think the much younger me of ten+ years ago who had been obsessed with spies and anagrams and the idea of being a teen secret agent would have LOVED this a lot more than current me does. I mean, I was getting major Totally Spies vibes from the whole thing, complete with the 90s/early 2000s Buffy-esque California girl speak, the secret hatches in the school, the makeup compact gadgets, the sparkly flip phones, the iPod tasers, the necklace cameras and invisible ink and sequined tank tops and pink glitter gel pens, and etc, etc, like this book was published in 2008 and it feels soooo 2008 in a way that's almost sickeningly nostalgic. Had I read this in that year or anywhere between the ages of 8 and say 13-14, I would have lost my mind, but as it stands right now, it all felt a little silly, dated and over the top, requiring quite a stretch of suspension of disbelief in a way better suited to/that I'm more likely to give to cartoons (like Totally Spies) or a Family/Disney or YTV channel style TV show rather than a novel.
There was also a little bit of a disconnect between the whole cheerleaders as spies premise and the actual spy mission we got, one rooted in the totally bizarre realm of high school drama and pop music and bubble gum bombs and high tech hair dryers, and the other rooted in the rather lackluster and unmatching in tone law firm/terrorist/generic intel/security hack plot. If the mission felt more cohesive with the premise and level of silly shenanigans we got, like say how Totally Spies are fighting mimes and spa gurus and the like, maybe it would have clicked more? Or vice versa, if there was less cartoony gadgets and 2008 hijinx and more grounding to the premise? I don't know, it just felt off. Also, the one major thing that sets it apart from Totally Spies in a way I'm not a fan of is how the Totally Spies girls enjoyed the girly California girl lifestyle, while also happening to be spies who kick ass, and it wasn't ever made out to be a bad or shallow thing, same with say Buffy the Vampire Slayer enjoying wearing cute outfits or cheerleading or dating. But the main character in this book, Toby, has a massive not like other girls complex and holier than thou attitude so full of herself that it becomes unpleasant to read at times, especially since even as she learns their secrets and gets to know her fellow cheerleaders, her thoughts on them don't really change and she tends to come off as the most shallow of them all.
Anyway, in the book itself, they compare themselves to "Charlie's Angels meets James Bond meets Bring it On." And that's honestly pretty apt. Throw in a little bit of Clueless and maybe a little bit of Ocean's 11 in the vibes they gave off when introducing the squad, twins and all, and then maybe a touch of Mean Girls, (also maybe a touch of sugar, spice, everything nice and whoops, chemical x) then stir it all in the pot, and uh yeah, there you have it. But seriously, if Jennifer Lynn Barnes was not inspired by Totally Spies in even the slightest bit to write this, then I'll eat my hat, no, no, I'll eat my 2003 Hilary Duff CD.
So yeah, like I said at the beginning. Cute, silly, quirky, 2000's kid nostalgic, the book equivalent of bright pink cotton candy, sweet and fluffy, though not entirely filled with much substance. Definitely for the lower age range of the YA spectrum, but 2008 me? I think she would have given 5 stars. 2013-2014 me having read and loved Alex Rider, which handled the teen spy dynamic with fun gadgets and over the top plot balance a little better? Well, jury's still out. But 2022 me unfortunately has to come in with 3 stars (affectionate), which is nothing to sneeze at!
I did like this better than the first Naturals book.
Last thought though: Bubbles? Really? Powerpuff girls, much?
Despite my 3 stars, I have mostly positive things to say about it. It was fun, it had nice quick chapters which made it an easy and fabulously bite-sized read, and I'm a fan of the ease and snark of JLB's writing, especially prominent and more finely honed in her newer series (Inheritance Games, The Fixer, Debutantes), it reminds me of Kelley Armstrong's, if a bit younger oriented, which is where my more neutral rating comes in. I have almost nothing against this book at all, but I think the much younger me of ten+ years ago who had been obsessed with spies and anagrams and the idea of being a teen secret agent would have LOVED this a lot more than current me does. I mean, I was getting major Totally Spies vibes from the whole thing, complete with the 90s/early 2000s Buffy-esque California girl speak, the secret hatches in the school, the makeup compact gadgets, the sparkly flip phones, the iPod tasers, the necklace cameras and invisible ink and sequined tank tops and pink glitter gel pens, and etc, etc, like this book was published in 2008 and it feels soooo 2008 in a way that's almost sickeningly nostalgic. Had I read this in that year or anywhere between the ages of 8 and say 13-14, I would have lost my mind, but as it stands right now, it all felt a little silly, dated and over the top, requiring quite a stretch of suspension of disbelief in a way better suited to/that I'm more likely to give to cartoons (like Totally Spies) or a Family/Disney or YTV channel style TV show rather than a novel.
There was also a little bit of a disconnect between the whole cheerleaders as spies premise and the actual spy mission we got, one rooted in the totally bizarre realm of high school drama and pop music and bubble gum bombs and high tech hair dryers, and the other rooted in the rather lackluster and unmatching in tone law firm/terrorist/generic intel/security hack plot. If the mission felt more cohesive with the premise and level of silly shenanigans we got, like say how Totally Spies are fighting mimes and spa gurus and the like, maybe it would have clicked more? Or vice versa, if there was less cartoony gadgets and 2008 hijinx and more grounding to the premise? I don't know, it just felt off. Also, the one major thing that sets it apart from Totally Spies in a way I'm not a fan of is how the Totally Spies girls enjoyed the girly California girl lifestyle, while also happening to be spies who kick ass, and it wasn't ever made out to be a bad or shallow thing, same with say Buffy the Vampire Slayer enjoying wearing cute outfits or cheerleading or dating. But the main character in this book, Toby, has a massive not like other girls complex and holier than thou attitude so full of herself that it becomes unpleasant to read at times, especially since even as she learns their secrets and gets to know her fellow cheerleaders, her thoughts on them don't really change and she tends to come off as the most shallow of them all.
Anyway, in the book itself, they compare themselves to "Charlie's Angels meets James Bond meets Bring it On." And that's honestly pretty apt. Throw in a little bit of Clueless and maybe a little bit of Ocean's 11 in the vibes they gave off when introducing the squad, twins and all, and then maybe a touch of Mean Girls, (also maybe a touch of sugar, spice, everything nice and whoops, chemical x) then stir it all in the pot, and uh yeah, there you have it. But seriously, if Jennifer Lynn Barnes was not inspired by Totally Spies in even the slightest bit to write this, then I'll eat my hat, no, no, I'll eat my 2003 Hilary Duff CD.
So yeah, like I said at the beginning. Cute, silly, quirky, 2000's kid nostalgic, the book equivalent of bright pink cotton candy, sweet and fluffy, though not entirely filled with much substance. Definitely for the lower age range of the YA spectrum, but 2008 me? I think she would have given 5 stars. 2013-2014 me having read and loved Alex Rider, which handled the teen spy dynamic with fun gadgets and over the top plot balance a little better? Well, jury's still out. But 2022 me unfortunately has to come in with 3 stars (affectionate), which is nothing to sneeze at!
I did like this better than the first Naturals book.
Last thought though: Bubbles? Really? Powerpuff girls, much?
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