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16 Isn't Always Sweet
From best friend to frenemy to flat-out enemy
For her Sweet 16, Jordan Wright gets rid of the frizzy hair, the conservative clothes, and finally likes the hip new girl smiling in the mirror. So when she hears about an open casting call for the hottest rapper's new video, she has the confidence to go for it. She and her best friend, Adrienne, try out with hundreds of hopefuls, but only Jordan makes it. Adrienne seems fine with it. But when Jordan starts getting some serious attention, Adrienne turns into a hater. And after Jordan has an innocent in-the-hall conversation with Adrienne's ex-boyfriend—they dated for one week, like four years ago!—Adrienne plots to ruin Jordan's life by spreading rumors, writing stuff on the bathroom walls and telling Jordan she'd be better off dead. Suddenly Jordan's popularity is fading. Forget sweet sixteen. She soon discovers that what she needs most is to find the strength to be herself.
For her Sweet 16, Jordan Wright gets rid of the frizzy hair, the conservative clothes, and finally likes the hip new girl smiling in the mirror. So when she hears about an open casting call for the hottest rapper's new video, she has the confidence to go for it. She and her best friend, Adrienne, try out with hundreds of hopefuls, but only Jordan makes it. Adrienne seems fine with it. But when Jordan starts getting some serious attention, Adrienne turns into a hater. And after Jordan has an innocent in-the-hall conversation with Adrienne's ex-boyfriend—they dated for one week, like four years ago!—Adrienne plots to ruin Jordan's life by spreading rumors, writing stuff on the bathroom walls and telling Jordan she'd be better off dead. Suddenly Jordan's popularity is fading. Forget sweet sixteen. She soon discovers that what she needs most is to find the strength to be herself.
256 pages, Paperback
Published February 19, 2008
28 people are currently reading
776 people want to read
About the author
Cassandra Carter
6 books69 followersCassandra Charisse Carter was born on Tuesday, February 21, 1989 in Reading,
Pennsylvania. She is the only child of Susan L. Green and Randall C. Carter, and the product of a single-parent home. She is best known for her young adult novels, "Fast Life"(July 2007) and "16 Isn't Always Sweet" (March 2008).
From the time she was a young girl, Cassandra exhibited a passion for writing. Her talent was first noticed in the elaborate illustrated stories she wrote for her mother, but was also praised in school by both her teachers and her peers. At the age of 9, Cassander and her mother moved to Ann Arbor, MI where she continued to learn different ways to express herself on paper. While studying various writing styles over the years, she's preserved an engaging, original voice that the generation of today can relate to.
Cassandra was 14 when she created the concept for "Fast Life". Inspired by a dream, she completed the fictional work the following summer when she was only 15 years old. With the encouragement of her family and help from a literary agent, she signed a contract with Kimani Tru, an imprint of Harlequin Inc. two years later. An honors graduate from Huron High School with a 3.5 GPA, Cassandra received her diploma just one month before welcoming the release of her first published title.
Ms. Carter currently resides in Ypsilanti, MI where she's been busy promoting both books. She is also currently hard at work on her third novel.
Pennsylvania. She is the only child of Susan L. Green and Randall C. Carter, and the product of a single-parent home. She is best known for her young adult novels, "Fast Life"(July 2007) and "16 Isn't Always Sweet" (March 2008).
From the time she was a young girl, Cassandra exhibited a passion for writing. Her talent was first noticed in the elaborate illustrated stories she wrote for her mother, but was also praised in school by both her teachers and her peers. At the age of 9, Cassander and her mother moved to Ann Arbor, MI where she continued to learn different ways to express herself on paper. While studying various writing styles over the years, she's preserved an engaging, original voice that the generation of today can relate to.
Cassandra was 14 when she created the concept for "Fast Life". Inspired by a dream, she completed the fictional work the following summer when she was only 15 years old. With the encouragement of her family and help from a literary agent, she signed a contract with Kimani Tru, an imprint of Harlequin Inc. two years later. An honors graduate from Huron High School with a 3.5 GPA, Cassandra received her diploma just one month before welcoming the release of her first published title.
Ms. Carter currently resides in Ypsilanti, MI where she's been busy promoting both books. She is also currently hard at work on her third novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 11, 2010
In the book 16 Isn't Always Sweet Jordan who turned 16 is no longer a ugly duckling and is getting all the attention. But her friend Adrienne won't stand for it especially since the one giving Jordan is Adriennes ex boyfriend of like a day. From then on Adrienne goes from being Jordans best friend to being her worst enemy, and while Jordans life is horrible Adrienne is sucking it up enjoying it with her noew 'friends'.
I think this is a text to world. I say it's a text to world becuase alot of people get back stabbed. The way Jordan was hurt was horrible peole hated her for rumors it's like regualr school drama of people who are fake and are jealous.
I gave the book five stars because i read it so much I practically memorized the book. I just loved it so much the book was all bent out of shape and old looking. It had alot of drama but it gave Jordan a lesson she learned who her real friends are and it showed her that even through all the bad things going on there's still hope and it shows what goes around comes around it gave Adrienne just the karma she deserved.
I think this is a text to world. I say it's a text to world becuase alot of people get back stabbed. The way Jordan was hurt was horrible peole hated her for rumors it's like regualr school drama of people who are fake and are jealous.
I gave the book five stars because i read it so much I practically memorized the book. I just loved it so much the book was all bent out of shape and old looking. It had alot of drama but it gave Jordan a lesson she learned who her real friends are and it showed her that even through all the bad things going on there's still hope and it shows what goes around comes around it gave Adrienne just the karma she deserved.
Want to read
October 23, 2008For her Sweet 16, Jordan Wright gets rid of the frizzy hair, the conservative clothes, and finally likes the hip new girl smiling in the mirror. So when she hears about an open casting call for the hottest rapper's new video, she has the confidence to go for it. She and her best friend, Adrienne, try out with hundreds of hopefuls, but only Jordan makes it. Adrienne seems fine with it. But when Jordan starts getting some serious attention, Adrienne turns into a hater. And after Jordan has an innocent in-the-hall conversation with Adrienne's ex-boyfriend—they dated for one week, like four years ago!—Adrienne plots to ruin Jordan's life by spreading rumors, writing stuff on the bathroom walls and telling Jordan she'd be better off dead. Suddenly Jordan's popularity is fading. Forget sweet sixteen. She soon discovers that what she needs most is to find the strength to be herself.
July 25, 2016
Mrs. Carter! Excellent job! Jordan chose to Co troll her 16 years of age, not 16 to control her. With a jealous trick, her ex-best friend on her back, she has to find ways to ignore and shake her off hard. Having trust issues with her parents, Jordan finds plenty of ways to seek trust proving her responsibilities. With her new sweet heart Warren who accepts her for who she is, anyone can tell that their relationship will go a very long way. Jordan broke the rules of being in a video but she paid with the rumors that have evolved around the school. But what goes around comes around right? Karma got the best beating, weave-ripping, and punching out of Adrienne, Jordan's ex-best friend. Good for her. This book is recommended to any girls who just want to get wild all because of a number that marks the one year added to their age.
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March 18, 2016It's crazy how you can go from "Little miss popular" to the girl everybody in the school hates. It's also sad how the person you'd think would stick around for a very long time is the main reason the school hates you. Jordan and Adrienne had been best friends for a very long time. They both dancers and tried out for a dance video. Adrienne was the one who encouraged Jordan to do it when her parents said NO. She said it was her 16th year and she should do something fun. Adrienne didn't make it on the team. All Jordan wanted was Adrienne supported and Adrienne apparently wasn't the friend Jordan thought she was.
November 10, 2013
This is about a girl named Jordan, who finally turned 16 and she hates her life. Jordan gets into a conflict between her and her "Bestfriend" because a boy chose Jordan over her. Jordan's "Bestfriend" begins spreading rumors about her. Jordan feels betrayed and very hurt by this. she asks her mom what she should do and her mother tells her to just leave it alone. to find out what Jordan does you'll just have to read the book to get the full experience. I think this is a great book for teens to read.
September 9, 2009
The book showed an idealistic view of what urban teen girlsgo through. Trying to save theirselves till marriage and being constantly pressure by the media to become someone they are not. In high school, I have gonw through similar situations that the main character, Jordan, has encountered. I highly thank the aithor and the Kimani Tru series for forwarding the issues of what black teens witness in society in a fictitious format.
February 10, 2011
So far I have read this & am already read the first chapter. It is about a girl named Jordan who gets really dressed up for her party. In the back, It says that her bestfriend hated on her because they tried out for a music video & only Jordan got it. Her Best friend spreads rumors just to ruin her life.
January 14, 2024
illlllllllllloooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee this book girl watch who your friends are and don't let a boy be the issue of why yall are no longer friends because if she doesn't want 2 be friends any more then yall were never friends from the start.
December 21, 2011
I didn't like the random point of view shifts. The book follows Jordan, but we'll jump out her head for a convenient few paragraphs every now and again. Also, I thought there was a lot of redundancy in the writing.
The story itself was ok.
The story itself was ok.
October 11, 2009
I Loved This Book I Read Like 2 Times/
November 11, 2009
LUV THIS BOOK
January 26, 2010
Good book!
July 9, 2012
I remember when I read this book in middle school, now I'm a junior wow how time flies. This book was good tho I dont remember everything that happen tho .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2012
the book is a good book so far i love the book
November 7, 2012
Great read!
November 21, 2013
This book was amazingly good! It took me probably 2 days to read it and I couldn't put it down! I would totally recommend it to a lot of people !!
Read
December 21, 2014i thought this book was good when i first read it. it shows the struggle of a teenage life.
June 9, 2009
this book was amazing. I really think that the characters in this book can adapt to me.
October 29, 2009
this book so GREat.i love how the young gurl pushed to show who she really was.
March 10, 2025
16 Isn’t Always Sweet (Updated)
As the book opens, Jordan is celebrating her 16th birthday at the community center. She sneaks away to the bathroom for a moment and then admires herself in the mirror. Her glasses are gone, her braces are gone, and she’s wearing a brand-new Baby Phat denim dress and wedge sandals. (I hope this outfit came with a fur coat because it’s January 1st). She finds out her girl Adriene is in there because she has a hang-over from the night before. After, she’s good, they go back to the party to open Jordan’s presents.
A week, later they’re at the mall spending Jordan’s birthday money and gift cards. Adriene is talking about Warren (a guy she went out with once and broke up with four months ago but thinks she’s in love with) when a guy (Frankie) interrupts them and hands them a flier to audition for one of the models in Jaiden Brown’s video. Jordan is a fanatic of the popular rapper. When she tells her parents about it, her father immediately says no. He’s not hearing her being a video hoe (hoochie as he puts it). Adriene tells her she’s going. Jordan thinks about how long she’ll be punished but decides it’ll be worth it.
Jordan eats a nasty concoction of Ritz crackers, tuna fish, chicken broth, and old pickle juice to make herself gag to convince her parents she’s sick so she can stay home. Since, there isn’t enough time to question her excuse that it was “something she ate at the mall” it works. Adriene goes to the shoot looking like Beyonce in the “Crazy In Love” video (shorts, heels, a strapless shirt nothing underneath) but she doesn’t get picked and Jordan does. She plays it off by acting like she’s happy for her tho.
Jordan’s parents catch Adriene coming from the house and lit into Jordan but she’s able to play it off. At school, Michelle speaks to her (a girl that cut her off freshman year in high school because of her looks) and she finds out Adriene told her and her clique (Farrah and Kenya) about the shoot. Jordan warns Adriene about them but she just blows it off like whatever and calls her a hater.
The shot makes Jordan a little uncomfortable. (She has to wear a red metallic bikini). But she’s come this far. During shooting, she sees a guy staring at her that later she learns name is Lorenzo. He introduces her to Jaiden after shooting wraps. Then he invites her to a wrap party at a hotel where he promises she can get some one-on-one time with his cousin. It doesn’t take long for Jordan to see that he offered to take her there, get her whatever she wanted to eat, and try to get her drunk so he could have a sexual encounter with her. So, she tells him to make her another drink and when his back is turned, she slips out.
Jordan gets in after two and gets grounded for a month. They get distracted (by her brother) and they don’t find out where she went. Everyone but Jordan’s seen the video the next day. Again, she gets spoke to by Michelle and gets the attention of Maurice Owens (the quarterback of the varsity football team). Jordan and Adriene cut first period and check out the video and Jordan is amazed at the transformation. She’s gone from NOT to HOT!
She stays after school to make up a French test and runs into Warren. They get to talking about French, and the team, and the video shot. He invites her to check out his next game but she says she’s grounded. Before he has to get back to practice, he gives her a quick embrace. Unfortunately, Adrienne sees this (Jordan is supposed to be riding home with her). She tries to flirt with Warren but he just blows her off. We find out she gave him oral and after that he changed his number but she found out his new number. Jordan is embarrassed for her that she just doesn’t seem to see he’s not feeling her.
Adrienne gets on Jordan about what was up with that and Jordan says nothing. They get into an argument over it. Adrienne accusing her of it looking like she was all up on him. Jordan says she’s not interested in him and if she thinks she is then she doesn’t know what to tell her. They freeze each other out on the way to Jordan’s. When Adrienne makes it home, she’s already scheming her next move.
The next day, on the way to find Adriene, Maurice sticks out his foot and trips Jordan. When she finally finds Adriene, she’s with Michelle, Farrah, and Kenya. Adriene immediately lets her know they can’t be cool no more. Adriene says she heard she called “her girls” bitches and says she ain’t the ish because she did a video. Did she not think she’d get checked? And did she forget she used to be ugly? The only thing she says are pretty on her is her eyes. Then she says that’s why Maurice says between her legs smells foul. As everyone laughs, Jordan feels a panic attack coming on and runs.
Olivia (her mother) later tells her (hearing her in the bathroom crying) that sometimes people change. Maybe it was for the best. She says maybe it’s best to just leave her alone and not feed into her drama. She can make new friends. Better friends who’ll appreciate her. Just don’t settle for less. She says don’t worry about Adriene because karma will catch up with her. People might talk about you and they won’t always like you, but you just have to let that roll off you and keep it moving. Her mother tells her she’s beautiful and Jordan feels better after the talk.
On Valentine’s Day, not only does Jordan feel alone (after watching Adriene get roses at school) but her parents find out the video. Her dad even comes close to hitting her with his belt. And she knows she’s messed up the relationship with her mother and it might never get fixed. Adriene spreads rumors that Jordan gave Lorenzo head and a girl named Eva asks her technique. She also put on the bathroom wall JORDAN IS A HO. Jordan’s has enough and finds Adriene in the locker room in the shower. She pushes her against the wall and confronts her.
Adriene denies telling her and says it’s not her fault her business is out there. Jordan threatens that next time she sees her in the streets it’s on. Adriene just dismisses this and says she’s gotta be somewhere. They cancel their friendship and Jordan says she wishes her the best and she hopes her fat ass is on the way to class for once. Before leaving, Adriene asks to do her a favor. If she does she’ll leave her alone. She tells her to kill her fkn self.
Jordan sits in a luke warm bathtub with a disposable razor next to her. But then she tosses it and thinks how she’s been drowning in depression and wants to save herself. During a fire drill, when she sees Warren talking to Jordan, Adriene realizes that it’s not Jordan that likes Warren. It’s Warren that’s into Jordan. Her girls give her some ish about handling it but Adriene says she’s got this and storms off. Meanwhile, Jordan kinda pulls away from Warren and doesn’t offer anything when he offers her an ear. She instead switches the subject to him.
He tells her a North Carolina scout is coming to his game and he invites her to it. He also asks her to the Spring Dance. He tells her the only reason he messed with Adriene was because she wouldn’t leave him alone and he definitely didn’t send her the roses on Valentine’s Day. Jordan says she’ll ask her parents about the game and the dance. Warren charms her parents over a Sunday dinner and it ends with a game of one on one with a challenge not to tell what Warren say when her mom shared naked baby pictures. Jordan knows she’s fallen for Warren when she sees the bond between him and her little brother Tariq (when Warren lets him join them). That night, Warren tells her he couldn’t sleep. He’s been thinking of her and can’t wait to see her tomorrow.
After the game, Jordan’s mom says Warren can bring her home and gives her a midnight curfew. Warren makes a stop by his house to shower -and amazingly he does just that-. He leaves Jordan downstairs and she gets noisy and checks out his room. After that they get something to eat. Jordan seems to have some doubts but he tells her that he’s trying to get to know her and if he just wanted to hit, he had the perfect opportunity. When he drops her off, he leans in to kiss her (after asking if he can call her the next day) and she jumps out the car and goes in the house (practically running).
Farrah, Michelle, and Kenya are over Adriene’s obsessing over Warren and Jordan and tell her to get a life. Adriene is going to the Spring Fling with Maurice but he can’t hold a candle to her feelings for Warren. Adriene called herself getting even with Jordan when she saw how Maurice had looked at Jordan. So, she snatched him up when his girlfriend broke up with him. Only she slept with him right away. He quickly showed he wasn’t interested in a relationship with her and tried to say they should keep things on the DL and be secret lovers. So, she insisted her take her to the Spring Fling.
Michelle tells Adriene to watch her locker and she and the others just leave her there. Adriene sees Jordan giving Warren a jacket and thinks she’s tricking on him. But is shocked when he gives it back to her. Then realizes he’s staking his claim and can’t understand how the two people she once loved went on to find love and happiness without *her*. So, she goes over to them and tries to get Warren to ignore Jordan. Then she tries to jump Jordan but Warren holds her back. Embarrassed she ends up walking away.
After school, Warren gives Jordan a ride home and they end up going to a carnival. Warren wins Jordan a stuffed Tweety bird and they ride all the rides more than once. When it’s time to leave (her dad told her to be back by 8:30) she convinces Warren to ride the Ferris Wheel and finds out he’s scared of heights. On the ferris wheel Jordan gets her first kiss. Back at Warren’s (during a heavy make out session), Jordan stops Warren and tells him she’s a virgin and doesn’t know when she’ll be ready. Jordan says down the line she doesn’t want to give in only for him to get bored. She doesn’t want to end up regretting it.
Warren tells her it’s cool. They can go slow. He doesn’t want her to have regrets either if he should be the first. And he assures her she’s the only one he’s checking for. Before going to the Spring Fling, Jordan’s dad tells them to go to the dance and ONLY the dance. Don’t go somewhere before, in between, or after without calling to ask for permission. I’d never heard of this and noted it. Jordan wears a turquoise tank top, wedges, and shorts (not a dress).
During, “Until the End of Time” Warren makes their relationship official by declaring them to be boyfriend and girlfriend. Jordan says maybe they should take their time getting to know each other. The other day they might have went a little too dar. Warren convinces her to go to this after party his friend Anthony and his sister Alicia are throwing. Jordan gets thirsty after back-to-back dancing to fast songs so she looks for something to drink, but they’re all out of anything except beer. So she drinks a cup and then someone bumps into her and some spills on her shorts.
Meanwhile, Adriene has showed up and is drunk. She’s been ditched by Maurice (who got back with his ex girlfriend and took her to the dance). Now she’s been ditched by Michella, Farrah, and Kendra who asked for a recommendation to a hotel. Only they didn’t invite her. The cops bust the party up and kids flee. Jordan tries to run but Adrienne pushes her so she can get away and Jordan falls. The cops catch her, arrest her, and call her parents.
Her parents say they’re tired and maybe the best thing to do is send her to her grandmother. They tell her they can’t have her being a bad influence on her brother (whose only six). She tries to tell her parents it was Adriene’s fault, but they aren’t trying to hear that excuse. She tells Warren that the last day of school when she sees Adriene it’s on. He makes her promise not to and she does but we know that I won’t maybe means I’m just saying this to you so you’ll let up. On the last day of school, Jordan looks for Adriene and finds out that Sandra and her friend (Maurice’s girlfriend) have gotten to her first because Adriene wouldn’t stop calling Maurice and talking ish about Sandra. Often sometimes she’d be right there when she was doing it. Jordan finds her bleeding, with cake all over her, and looking torn up (weave coming out). She doesn’t feel sorry.
Basically, she tells her she came to fight her but it looks like she already got hers. Adriene tries to tell her she changed after the video and that she never would have thought she’d “do that to her.” But Jordan says she did it to herself and she’s tired of trying to explain and apologize. She takes some of the icing on her face, licks it, and comments a little too sweet.
My Thoughts:
Jordan was such a strong character! What I could connect with about her is when I was about her age, I went through having someone in my life that I thought was a friend but due to nothing that made sense to me (and no explanation) they turned on me. At least, Jordan knew slightly why Adriene turned on her (as dumb a reason as it was). I was completely clueless. Years, later I *did* get some kind of explanation but it wasn’t from the person it *should* have come from (the person who did it). Even tho Jordan made some mistakes, in the end I thought the way she handled Adriene showed maturity. She had the perfect opportunity to kick Adriene’s two-faced behind but it was almost like she said “You’re not even worth it.” Then, I’ll be the first to tell you I’m not the one for teen, YA, or adult romance novels but there was just something about Warren and Jordan’s relationship that made me think about to those teenage years when things were like that. I think it was the jacket scene that made me reminisce like yeah, I remember that (with fondness).
Adriene *did* make me mad and while she *did* get hers in the end (Michelle and her crew dropped her, Maurice dropped her, and Warren got with the only real friend she had that she dropped), I just kind of wanted someone to get her in private and be like hey. I need to tell you something. Don’t get offended but…. You can’t 1) sleep with guys quick or they’ll lose interest and any respect they had for you 2), that goes TRIPLE for having oral sex with them and 3) you need to stop running after guys that didn’t really want you in the first place. And you’ll know when they want you because THEY will be the one’s chasing YOU! Not the other way around. She just NEVER seemed to learn this and probably never will -until years later and she’s still by herself and one day when she’s grown it’ll just hit her like a ton of bricks-. Let me tell you its NOT A GOOD FEELING!
Warren constantly impressed me but the one thing I didn’t like was. Males tend to have this thing they do. Even tho he really didn’t want to be bothered with Adriene, he gave her the impression in the beginning that he was a little interested then instead of telling her the truth that he just wasn’t feeling her (and yes I know that sounds cold) he just tried to avoid her and hope she got the hint. Well, sometimes people *don’t* get the hint and you just have to tell them straight up. In some cases they STILL don’t (sadly). If he wasn’t feeling her he never should have went out with her probably “trying to be nice”. Better to give someone no impression at all than a false one and get their hopes up.
Most of what I saw that Jordan did was just bad judgement over all. Being in a rap video? Ok so sneaking out and disobeying your parents isn’t good but I’d have to really see this video. I can kinda imagine it in my head. In my head it’s kinda like the “How You Do That There” or “Rump Shaka” video (a bunch of women on a boat (or a beach) in skimpy bikini’s dancing) I’m even surprised the camera was on her long enough to be recognized. I can see Jordan’s dad’s POV maybe as a man you don’t want your daughter gyrating in bikini on a rap video but I can also see it as just a 16-year-old doing something a little out there to see a favorite celebrity. I personally think it was kind of bold to even audition. I wondered would I even be mad if my 16-year-old came to me and told me she wanted to do this.
The after party was definitely a bad judgment call. Getting in a car with a 21-year-old you don’t know is BAD all around! What if he would have taken Jordan somewhere else? What if he’d tried to come on to her when he got her in the car? This fool probably wasn’t even related to Jaiden. But I give Jordan all credit for using her head and getting out of there the way she did.
She didn’t have sex with Warren TWICE. She showed A LOT more strength in that department than I probably would have at that age. She know she didn’t want to be like Adriene and give it up too soon because he’d drop her. VERY SMART! With the after party, maybe she should have listened to her parents but thinking as a 16-year-old girl with a new love in her life, I can see where you might ignore that to spend more time with your new man. Beer has just never appealed to me. I think my dad gave me a sip one time when I was a kid and after that I never wanted another taste of that stuff. Again, she made a bad decision and who only has beer at a party and no sodas? I really don’t see either how she thought she could get back in the house without them noticing the smell on her. I use to date a guy that smoked HEAVILY and I was always so paranoid that when I got home the smell would be on me so I quickly ripped my clothes off. But not getting out of there was definitely Adriene’s fault.
Rating: 10
This is truly a high school kind of story complete with aww moments and oh ish no she didn't moments. I felt the message loud and clear. In life (adult and high school) there are going to be people like Adrienne that will disrespect you and hurt you and make you feel BAD and tear you down but sometimes in the end you have to rise above and be the bigger person and not let them get the best of you because sometimes they have more issues going on with them than you know. And they will get theirs in the end.
As the book opens, Jordan is celebrating her 16th birthday at the community center. She sneaks away to the bathroom for a moment and then admires herself in the mirror. Her glasses are gone, her braces are gone, and she’s wearing a brand-new Baby Phat denim dress and wedge sandals. (I hope this outfit came with a fur coat because it’s January 1st). She finds out her girl Adriene is in there because she has a hang-over from the night before. After, she’s good, they go back to the party to open Jordan’s presents.
A week, later they’re at the mall spending Jordan’s birthday money and gift cards. Adriene is talking about Warren (a guy she went out with once and broke up with four months ago but thinks she’s in love with) when a guy (Frankie) interrupts them and hands them a flier to audition for one of the models in Jaiden Brown’s video. Jordan is a fanatic of the popular rapper. When she tells her parents about it, her father immediately says no. He’s not hearing her being a video hoe (hoochie as he puts it). Adriene tells her she’s going. Jordan thinks about how long she’ll be punished but decides it’ll be worth it.
Jordan eats a nasty concoction of Ritz crackers, tuna fish, chicken broth, and old pickle juice to make herself gag to convince her parents she’s sick so she can stay home. Since, there isn’t enough time to question her excuse that it was “something she ate at the mall” it works. Adriene goes to the shoot looking like Beyonce in the “Crazy In Love” video (shorts, heels, a strapless shirt nothing underneath) but she doesn’t get picked and Jordan does. She plays it off by acting like she’s happy for her tho.
Jordan’s parents catch Adriene coming from the house and lit into Jordan but she’s able to play it off. At school, Michelle speaks to her (a girl that cut her off freshman year in high school because of her looks) and she finds out Adriene told her and her clique (Farrah and Kenya) about the shoot. Jordan warns Adriene about them but she just blows it off like whatever and calls her a hater.
The shot makes Jordan a little uncomfortable. (She has to wear a red metallic bikini). But she’s come this far. During shooting, she sees a guy staring at her that later she learns name is Lorenzo. He introduces her to Jaiden after shooting wraps. Then he invites her to a wrap party at a hotel where he promises she can get some one-on-one time with his cousin. It doesn’t take long for Jordan to see that he offered to take her there, get her whatever she wanted to eat, and try to get her drunk so he could have a sexual encounter with her. So, she tells him to make her another drink and when his back is turned, she slips out.
Jordan gets in after two and gets grounded for a month. They get distracted (by her brother) and they don’t find out where she went. Everyone but Jordan’s seen the video the next day. Again, she gets spoke to by Michelle and gets the attention of Maurice Owens (the quarterback of the varsity football team). Jordan and Adriene cut first period and check out the video and Jordan is amazed at the transformation. She’s gone from NOT to HOT!
She stays after school to make up a French test and runs into Warren. They get to talking about French, and the team, and the video shot. He invites her to check out his next game but she says she’s grounded. Before he has to get back to practice, he gives her a quick embrace. Unfortunately, Adrienne sees this (Jordan is supposed to be riding home with her). She tries to flirt with Warren but he just blows her off. We find out she gave him oral and after that he changed his number but she found out his new number. Jordan is embarrassed for her that she just doesn’t seem to see he’s not feeling her.
Adrienne gets on Jordan about what was up with that and Jordan says nothing. They get into an argument over it. Adrienne accusing her of it looking like she was all up on him. Jordan says she’s not interested in him and if she thinks she is then she doesn’t know what to tell her. They freeze each other out on the way to Jordan’s. When Adrienne makes it home, she’s already scheming her next move.
The next day, on the way to find Adriene, Maurice sticks out his foot and trips Jordan. When she finally finds Adriene, she’s with Michelle, Farrah, and Kenya. Adriene immediately lets her know they can’t be cool no more. Adriene says she heard she called “her girls” bitches and says she ain’t the ish because she did a video. Did she not think she’d get checked? And did she forget she used to be ugly? The only thing she says are pretty on her is her eyes. Then she says that’s why Maurice says between her legs smells foul. As everyone laughs, Jordan feels a panic attack coming on and runs.
Olivia (her mother) later tells her (hearing her in the bathroom crying) that sometimes people change. Maybe it was for the best. She says maybe it’s best to just leave her alone and not feed into her drama. She can make new friends. Better friends who’ll appreciate her. Just don’t settle for less. She says don’t worry about Adriene because karma will catch up with her. People might talk about you and they won’t always like you, but you just have to let that roll off you and keep it moving. Her mother tells her she’s beautiful and Jordan feels better after the talk.
On Valentine’s Day, not only does Jordan feel alone (after watching Adriene get roses at school) but her parents find out the video. Her dad even comes close to hitting her with his belt. And she knows she’s messed up the relationship with her mother and it might never get fixed. Adriene spreads rumors that Jordan gave Lorenzo head and a girl named Eva asks her technique. She also put on the bathroom wall JORDAN IS A HO. Jordan’s has enough and finds Adriene in the locker room in the shower. She pushes her against the wall and confronts her.
Adriene denies telling her and says it’s not her fault her business is out there. Jordan threatens that next time she sees her in the streets it’s on. Adriene just dismisses this and says she’s gotta be somewhere. They cancel their friendship and Jordan says she wishes her the best and she hopes her fat ass is on the way to class for once. Before leaving, Adriene asks to do her a favor. If she does she’ll leave her alone. She tells her to kill her fkn self.
Jordan sits in a luke warm bathtub with a disposable razor next to her. But then she tosses it and thinks how she’s been drowning in depression and wants to save herself. During a fire drill, when she sees Warren talking to Jordan, Adriene realizes that it’s not Jordan that likes Warren. It’s Warren that’s into Jordan. Her girls give her some ish about handling it but Adriene says she’s got this and storms off. Meanwhile, Jordan kinda pulls away from Warren and doesn’t offer anything when he offers her an ear. She instead switches the subject to him.
He tells her a North Carolina scout is coming to his game and he invites her to it. He also asks her to the Spring Dance. He tells her the only reason he messed with Adriene was because she wouldn’t leave him alone and he definitely didn’t send her the roses on Valentine’s Day. Jordan says she’ll ask her parents about the game and the dance. Warren charms her parents over a Sunday dinner and it ends with a game of one on one with a challenge not to tell what Warren say when her mom shared naked baby pictures. Jordan knows she’s fallen for Warren when she sees the bond between him and her little brother Tariq (when Warren lets him join them). That night, Warren tells her he couldn’t sleep. He’s been thinking of her and can’t wait to see her tomorrow.
After the game, Jordan’s mom says Warren can bring her home and gives her a midnight curfew. Warren makes a stop by his house to shower -and amazingly he does just that-. He leaves Jordan downstairs and she gets noisy and checks out his room. After that they get something to eat. Jordan seems to have some doubts but he tells her that he’s trying to get to know her and if he just wanted to hit, he had the perfect opportunity. When he drops her off, he leans in to kiss her (after asking if he can call her the next day) and she jumps out the car and goes in the house (practically running).
Farrah, Michelle, and Kenya are over Adriene’s obsessing over Warren and Jordan and tell her to get a life. Adriene is going to the Spring Fling with Maurice but he can’t hold a candle to her feelings for Warren. Adriene called herself getting even with Jordan when she saw how Maurice had looked at Jordan. So, she snatched him up when his girlfriend broke up with him. Only she slept with him right away. He quickly showed he wasn’t interested in a relationship with her and tried to say they should keep things on the DL and be secret lovers. So, she insisted her take her to the Spring Fling.
Michelle tells Adriene to watch her locker and she and the others just leave her there. Adriene sees Jordan giving Warren a jacket and thinks she’s tricking on him. But is shocked when he gives it back to her. Then realizes he’s staking his claim and can’t understand how the two people she once loved went on to find love and happiness without *her*. So, she goes over to them and tries to get Warren to ignore Jordan. Then she tries to jump Jordan but Warren holds her back. Embarrassed she ends up walking away.
After school, Warren gives Jordan a ride home and they end up going to a carnival. Warren wins Jordan a stuffed Tweety bird and they ride all the rides more than once. When it’s time to leave (her dad told her to be back by 8:30) she convinces Warren to ride the Ferris Wheel and finds out he’s scared of heights. On the ferris wheel Jordan gets her first kiss. Back at Warren’s (during a heavy make out session), Jordan stops Warren and tells him she’s a virgin and doesn’t know when she’ll be ready. Jordan says down the line she doesn’t want to give in only for him to get bored. She doesn’t want to end up regretting it.
Warren tells her it’s cool. They can go slow. He doesn’t want her to have regrets either if he should be the first. And he assures her she’s the only one he’s checking for. Before going to the Spring Fling, Jordan’s dad tells them to go to the dance and ONLY the dance. Don’t go somewhere before, in between, or after without calling to ask for permission. I’d never heard of this and noted it. Jordan wears a turquoise tank top, wedges, and shorts (not a dress).
During, “Until the End of Time” Warren makes their relationship official by declaring them to be boyfriend and girlfriend. Jordan says maybe they should take their time getting to know each other. The other day they might have went a little too dar. Warren convinces her to go to this after party his friend Anthony and his sister Alicia are throwing. Jordan gets thirsty after back-to-back dancing to fast songs so she looks for something to drink, but they’re all out of anything except beer. So she drinks a cup and then someone bumps into her and some spills on her shorts.
Meanwhile, Adriene has showed up and is drunk. She’s been ditched by Maurice (who got back with his ex girlfriend and took her to the dance). Now she’s been ditched by Michella, Farrah, and Kendra who asked for a recommendation to a hotel. Only they didn’t invite her. The cops bust the party up and kids flee. Jordan tries to run but Adrienne pushes her so she can get away and Jordan falls. The cops catch her, arrest her, and call her parents.
Her parents say they’re tired and maybe the best thing to do is send her to her grandmother. They tell her they can’t have her being a bad influence on her brother (whose only six). She tries to tell her parents it was Adriene’s fault, but they aren’t trying to hear that excuse. She tells Warren that the last day of school when she sees Adriene it’s on. He makes her promise not to and she does but we know that I won’t maybe means I’m just saying this to you so you’ll let up. On the last day of school, Jordan looks for Adriene and finds out that Sandra and her friend (Maurice’s girlfriend) have gotten to her first because Adriene wouldn’t stop calling Maurice and talking ish about Sandra. Often sometimes she’d be right there when she was doing it. Jordan finds her bleeding, with cake all over her, and looking torn up (weave coming out). She doesn’t feel sorry.
Basically, she tells her she came to fight her but it looks like she already got hers. Adriene tries to tell her she changed after the video and that she never would have thought she’d “do that to her.” But Jordan says she did it to herself and she’s tired of trying to explain and apologize. She takes some of the icing on her face, licks it, and comments a little too sweet.
My Thoughts:
Jordan was such a strong character! What I could connect with about her is when I was about her age, I went through having someone in my life that I thought was a friend but due to nothing that made sense to me (and no explanation) they turned on me. At least, Jordan knew slightly why Adriene turned on her (as dumb a reason as it was). I was completely clueless. Years, later I *did* get some kind of explanation but it wasn’t from the person it *should* have come from (the person who did it). Even tho Jordan made some mistakes, in the end I thought the way she handled Adriene showed maturity. She had the perfect opportunity to kick Adriene’s two-faced behind but it was almost like she said “You’re not even worth it.” Then, I’ll be the first to tell you I’m not the one for teen, YA, or adult romance novels but there was just something about Warren and Jordan’s relationship that made me think about to those teenage years when things were like that. I think it was the jacket scene that made me reminisce like yeah, I remember that (with fondness).
Adriene *did* make me mad and while she *did* get hers in the end (Michelle and her crew dropped her, Maurice dropped her, and Warren got with the only real friend she had that she dropped), I just kind of wanted someone to get her in private and be like hey. I need to tell you something. Don’t get offended but…. You can’t 1) sleep with guys quick or they’ll lose interest and any respect they had for you 2), that goes TRIPLE for having oral sex with them and 3) you need to stop running after guys that didn’t really want you in the first place. And you’ll know when they want you because THEY will be the one’s chasing YOU! Not the other way around. She just NEVER seemed to learn this and probably never will -until years later and she’s still by herself and one day when she’s grown it’ll just hit her like a ton of bricks-. Let me tell you its NOT A GOOD FEELING!
Warren constantly impressed me but the one thing I didn’t like was. Males tend to have this thing they do. Even tho he really didn’t want to be bothered with Adriene, he gave her the impression in the beginning that he was a little interested then instead of telling her the truth that he just wasn’t feeling her (and yes I know that sounds cold) he just tried to avoid her and hope she got the hint. Well, sometimes people *don’t* get the hint and you just have to tell them straight up. In some cases they STILL don’t (sadly). If he wasn’t feeling her he never should have went out with her probably “trying to be nice”. Better to give someone no impression at all than a false one and get their hopes up.
Most of what I saw that Jordan did was just bad judgement over all. Being in a rap video? Ok so sneaking out and disobeying your parents isn’t good but I’d have to really see this video. I can kinda imagine it in my head. In my head it’s kinda like the “How You Do That There” or “Rump Shaka” video (a bunch of women on a boat (or a beach) in skimpy bikini’s dancing) I’m even surprised the camera was on her long enough to be recognized. I can see Jordan’s dad’s POV maybe as a man you don’t want your daughter gyrating in bikini on a rap video but I can also see it as just a 16-year-old doing something a little out there to see a favorite celebrity. I personally think it was kind of bold to even audition. I wondered would I even be mad if my 16-year-old came to me and told me she wanted to do this.
The after party was definitely a bad judgment call. Getting in a car with a 21-year-old you don’t know is BAD all around! What if he would have taken Jordan somewhere else? What if he’d tried to come on to her when he got her in the car? This fool probably wasn’t even related to Jaiden. But I give Jordan all credit for using her head and getting out of there the way she did.
She didn’t have sex with Warren TWICE. She showed A LOT more strength in that department than I probably would have at that age. She know she didn’t want to be like Adriene and give it up too soon because he’d drop her. VERY SMART! With the after party, maybe she should have listened to her parents but thinking as a 16-year-old girl with a new love in her life, I can see where you might ignore that to spend more time with your new man. Beer has just never appealed to me. I think my dad gave me a sip one time when I was a kid and after that I never wanted another taste of that stuff. Again, she made a bad decision and who only has beer at a party and no sodas? I really don’t see either how she thought she could get back in the house without them noticing the smell on her. I use to date a guy that smoked HEAVILY and I was always so paranoid that when I got home the smell would be on me so I quickly ripped my clothes off. But not getting out of there was definitely Adriene’s fault.
Rating: 10
This is truly a high school kind of story complete with aww moments and oh ish no she didn't moments. I felt the message loud and clear. In life (adult and high school) there are going to be people like Adrienne that will disrespect you and hurt you and make you feel BAD and tear you down but sometimes in the end you have to rise above and be the bigger person and not let them get the best of you because sometimes they have more issues going on with them than you know. And they will get theirs in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 17, 2018This is about a girl who just turned 16 and cant stand her life. She has a best friend but she found her with her best friends man. So now her best friends is doubting her. She's really mad because friends are supposed to Come first But her "best friend" decided to Believe someone else. She doesn't know what to do, she decides to ask her mom. Her mom tells her is best to leave her alone and that's what she does. I think this is very crazy because how her best friend decides to believe someone else and turns her back on her and is very selfish.
March 8, 2024
i loved this book
It taught so many lessons on friendship, lying , boyfriends , trust and relationships with your parents . I would recommend this book to any teenager .
It taught so many lessons on friendship, lying , boyfriends , trust and relationships with your parents . I would recommend this book to any teenager .
October 15, 2019
out of 10 points, if i had to rate this book on how good it was, id give it a 9. teenagers can all relate to the book and i think thats why i like it so much . its because like it wasnt too much but it also wasnt like a kid book so i personally loved it.
February 12, 2017
I still want a sequel to this.
I miss reading urban fiction. This was one of my faves. So cutee
I miss reading urban fiction. This was one of my faves. So cutee
August 29, 2010
This is one of my favorite books and I have read it like 5 times. When i first picked it up i couldnt put it down and i had to read it twice for sure. Jordan has just turned sixteen and has lost the frizzy hair and the glasses and the lame clothes.When she hears about her favorite rapper having a casting for his hot new video her and her bestfriend Adrianna tries out. But only she is excepted. She knew she would be happy for her and she said she was. But with the her bumpig into Adrianna's Ex boyfriend Warren who she dated like for a week like freaking 4 years ago she starts throwing her shade3. And Things about her sleeping with the director and being a hoe gets writte on bathroom walls. Jordan is popularity is starting to drop. She then realizes that she has to be her self to make it. And only with Warren by her side.
June 6, 2011
This book was outstanding. It is about the ups and downs of being a teenager specifically a sixteen year old girl. Jordan is sixteen and feels like becoming independent and is ready for some change , she stops covering herself up and tries out for a once in a lifetime chance of becoming a co-star in a music video with her favorite rapper. She gets the role but in the process she loses her bestfriend which could be very tragic to a teenage girl because a bestfriend is like a girl's diary and is like a sister to them. The only one who is there for her is her bestfriend's ex-boy friend he is the prince that rescues her from all this drama. This book teaches teenagers how sometimes you can get carried away in life and to be more cautious and aware of what can happen.
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February 1, 2010This is about a girl who Just turned 16 and cant stand her life. She has a Bestfriend But she found Her with her Bestfriends Man. so Now her Bestfriends Is Doubting her. Shes Really Mad because Friends are sopose to Come first But her "Bestfriend" decided to Believe someone Else. She Doesnt know what to do, she decides to ask Her Mom. her Mom tells her is best to leave her alone And Thats what She Does. i think this is Very Crazy Because How her Bestfriend Decides to Believe someone else And turns Her Back on her. Thats not cool And Very Selfish.
March 29, 2010
Its about a girl named Jordan Wright who is having friend problems with her friend, all because Jordan and some other friends wanted to be in a music video after her parents said not too. Jordan got into the music video and her friend didn't. But as Jordan friend saw Jordan hugging her ex-boyfriend, she started saying hurtful things about her that stares messing up her life.
August 5, 2012
16 isn't always sweet was an okay read. It kept me interested but some parts pissed me off. At times the author would have obvious spelling mistakes or confuse the reader on who was talking.I loved her relationship with her boyfriend and hated her ex best friend Adrienne.
I could really relate to the main character because sometimes I just want to grow up so fast.
I could really relate to the main character because sometimes I just want to grow up so fast.
June 7, 2011
This book was actually pretty good. I found Jordan annoying since she was a weak girl, and she didn't really listen. Ugh! I felt a little/i> bad for that other mean girl (I think her name is Adrienne.) since her birthday wasn't great): but overall, it was a good read.
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