What do you think?
Rate this book
Game, Set, Match... Dylan? Dylan and her TV-host mom are off to Hawaii's Aloha Tennis Open. While Merri-Lee interviews tennis's wild child Svetlana "Tennis the Menace" Slootskyia, Dylan lets the tropical sun melt away the memory of getting dumped by two guys at the end of seventh grade. But between avocado mud masks and poolside naps, she falls in love with a preppy, tennis- obsessed hawtie. Dylan soon realizes the only way to score a date with him is to master the game. Can she convince moody Svetlana to spill the secrets of her tennis success, or will she end up oh-for-three in summer love?
117 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2008
59 people are currently reading
1927 people want to read
About the author
Lisi Harrison
95 books2,843 followersLisi Harrison is the author of the #1 New York Times best-selling series "The Clique", "Alphas", "Monster High," Pretenders," and her first adult novel: "The Dirty Book Club" out 10.10.17. Lisi was born in Toronto, Canada, and lived in NYC for 15 years while she worked at MTV. She now lives in Laguna Beach, CA and is a member or her own Dirty Book Club.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
October 23, 2021
My housemate Andy has been weeding books at the school library and brought this reject home. We are very sick and sitting on the couch head to foot reading the clique books and trying not to laugh because laughing causes hacking coughs. I believe anyone who read the Clique books as a tween may be entitled to financial compensation for brain damage incurred. These books are so fucking funny to read as an adult but truly horrific for a 12 year old. I don't think I read this one as a kid, I remember the Alicia summer one and the Claire one. I wonder if these books were funded by eating disorder clinics as a psyop to get more kids to need treatment. They are soooooo awful oh my god. The best(worst) line is when Svetlana smashes Dylan's oatmeal raisin cookie with her tennis racket, and Dylan is so hungry she considers sucking up the crumbs off the ground like a vacuum. The running gag throughout is that she is a size 6. The list goes on of how horrid the messaging is regarding weight and consumption and the fact that the whole plot revolves around faking a personality to get a very shallow boy to like you. toward the end Dylan tries to act like a "Dove Soap User" and embrace her flaws. I love that she can only comprehend a self-love message mediated through branding. Overall these are veryyyyyy mentally damaging but also so fucking hilarious and mean that I cannot deny I was laughing my ass off the entire time at how extreme it was. Not for children these should only ever be read by adults who already read them as kids so they can unpack the ways in which these books damaged their self image
February 23, 2024
Dylan goes to Hawaii and blackmails an international tennis star into giving her tennis lessons so she can impress her new crush. Hijinx ensue, but Dylan ultimately prevails. This series is the only time I love to see rich people win.
May 30, 2025
Dylan (The Clique Summer Collection) Updated
Dylan is going to Hawaii with her mother, Merri-Lee. Merri-Lee has scored an interview with Sveltlanna Slottskiya “Tennis the Menace” whose just completed anger management after a series of violent incidents. One that involved smashing a tennis ball in a ball girl’s teeth after a lost match. Dylan plans to make the next 3-weeks all about loving herself.
Dylan is disappointed to find their first stop boutique is full of nothing but athletic wear and in all white (which is the official color of the Aloha Open-a tennis tournament-) so everyone wears it. Dylan starts to wish she’d spend the summer with Massie in the Hamptons because she seriously doubts there will be anyone there to have fun with. Dylan doesn’t really do white on white or athletic for that matter but is encouraged by Merri-Lee to try on a dress Svetlanna wore on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
She and her backside are complimented by a Zack Efron look alike. Merri Lee introduces him as John Thomas Daley. His father owns the resort. He says she can call him J.T. Dylan instantly gives up her previous goal of only crush on boys that crush on her summer. But what seems to have his attention is Merri-Lee’s interview with Sveltlanna. He invites them both to a welcome dinner for the Open’s VIPS that night but Merri-Lee says they were planning on it (offended that he didn’t already asumme they were going). Then she rushes off to take a call.
J.T compliments her shoes and asks if she’s into tennis and in seconds Dylan is the biggest tennis lover there ever was. He pays for the dress she was trying on and they stroll out of the boutique together. He says he’ll have more dresses sent up to her room. Then he says he’ll see her tonight. Dylan and J.T hang out at the dinner. I’ll spare you the conversation and just tell you he’s one dimensional and turns everything into something about tennis. He asks her out to a match. Sveltlanna makes her appearance and Dylan realizes that J.T wasn’t saying she was hot. He was saying the dress Sveltlanna wore was hot-because she wore it-.
Merri-Lee worries about the interview. Dylan worries about studying Sveltlanna (which to her is more important). Sveltlanna gives an Emmy winning interview about how sorry she is and how the incident made her change (and Zen and meditation, but when Dylan comes up to her after and questions about how she gets her braid so tight, she twists her wrist hard and tells her interviews over. She tells Dylan she’s just a loser fan and a stalker and she doesn’t have permission to touch her. She then head butts her. Dylan throws her Altoid can at her but hits her cat. Then she runs off.
Dylan finds Sveltlanna and says they need to talk, but Sveltlanna pinches her ankle and asks is she back for more. Dylan tells her she’s insane and she can’t believe she almost fooled everybody with her transformation act. She says she did fool everyone thanks to her mom and no one will believe her. Dylan holds up her phone. Before she knocked the phone out of her hand, Dylan recorded the exchange and Dylan threatens to show it to Nike (whose endorsing her) and to the Daily Grind. Sveltlanna goes crazy and starts throwing candles and Dylan records it all. Dylan makes a deal with her to teach everything she knows about tennis. Sveltlanna asks why and then when Dylan tells her she says pathetic and Dylan says no more pathetic than giving up her life for a sport. She makes her agree to give her lessons until J.T likes her back.
Dylan gets her hair done by Sveltlanna stylist and gets the same braid she has. Then Sveltlanna make Dylan sit in the extreme heat. (It makes the muscles limber and she has to learn to suffer she says). The tennis star wants to volley but Dylan says if there’s no mirror what’s the point. Svetlanna says it’s a wsate of time and Dylan makes the mistake of letting her know that she wants the way J.T looks at her. Dylan changes the subject to outfits. Sveltlanna gets ger designer (Winsome) to make anything she wants. After Dylan sends Svetlanna to fetch her a drink, she finds out that Svetlanna doesn’t take compliments to well and shows her the scar she got on her eyebrow to prove it. She also finds out she’s the first “friend” she’s ever had on tour.
(From the book these are descriptions of some of the outfits and shoes Winsome makes for Dylan). a pair of lavender heart–covered platform sneakers named Forty-Love. The second pair was pewter mesh covered with metallic-red letters that spelled out MARVIL-OUS. A third pair was light green satin with a brown leather toe. Winsome had named them Mint Chocolate Chip. For every shoe there was a matching outfit. A light lavender V-neck striped hooded dress. A red romper with tiny gray pinstripes. A green argyle vest with a tartan mini, intended to be worn over brown boy shorts Little Dylan-esque touches took each piece from adorable to utterly enviable: gray socks with peacock feathers instead of pom-poms, colorful satin headbands-turned-sweat-wickers, silver M FOR MARVIL-OUS hair pins, and a ruby red Swarovski tennis bracelet made to match her new, sparkling, custom-made red rhinestone racket! There was even a box of metallic gold tennis balls monogrammed with Dylan’s initials in green. Dylan wishes her mother were there to see how important she is.
When she sees J. T he asks does she want to volley but she says she’s playing with Svetlanna. He acts like he’s star struck with the fact that they’re friends and asks can he watch. Dylan says she’s feeling a little sensitive today about her server. But he says he understands and checks that they’re still on for the match. And then he says do you think you could wear something more white (embarrassing Dylan and ruing her fantasy of asking for her number). Then she rushes off to her lesson with Svetlanna who goes over the basics (the equipment) and then the more advanced (the game). Dylan hits one ball and gets hurt.
At the match, Dylan finds out they aren’t allowed to talk “when the ball is in play” and it’s always in play. Plus, J.T’s is WAY more into the game than her. He never takes his eyes off it. So, Dylan finds herself watching Brady and seeing why J.T can’t keep his eyes off him. Dylan tries to yell out for Brady but J.T grabs her arm so hard it makes her shoulder sting. J.T looks at her in confusion and says he thought she was a fan. He lost the point, but she says if he was a fan he’d cheer for him regardless (leaving him to think) Sveltlanna shows up (minus the braid in Dylan’s straight style). She makes a flirty move for J.T’s benefit.
Dylan messes up a term “back-handler” and J.T says it’s like she’s into tennis but she doesn’t really know anything about it. She says she’ll show him how into it she is when he watches her play Sveltlanna later this week. Svetlanna says one if she agrees she’ll delete the video. Two she’ll have to train and three no compliments EVER. Svetlanna trains her HAAAAARD! By the end of it she’s sweating, crying, and puking.
Sveltlanna tells Dylan this story. (From the book). Back in Russia, when I was six-year-old, Mom-Coach would pull me off cot at four in morning so we could claim public court before anyone else. This court had no room behind baseline, so if I swung wide I’d smash wall and break flesh. Then blood from my knuckles would freeze from cold. But Mom-Coach made me stick with it. It was our way out.” Basically she calls Dylan a punk and tells her. “ Opposite of easy is when Mom-Coach would chase me on Vespa, making me run ten miles every day in bitter cold along Neva River. I ate nothing but hard-boiled eggs and bread for eleven years. Friends, school, boy crushes, colorful clothes—I never had time.”
She says “Every time I wanted to quit, I’d imagine winning and having money so family could move to America, get heated home, and train in real facility. It was only way that pudgy little six-year-old was going to make it to Wimbledon.” She says she and Dylan are not so different. She tells why she lost Wimbledon because a fan yelled out she rocked and Dylan understands why she doesn’t like compliments. Now Dylan is looking at her different. She was just seeing the glamorous side of her life. She’s just as messed up as everyone else. She explains that they both have things they want and work hard to get them. Dylan says she’ll never be able to beat her. Svetlanna says then they’ll call it off, but Dylan says nope. They’ll call off nothing.
The game goes perfectly and Sveltlanna is doing a good job of pretending to lose. But then Svetlanna says she’s in the mood for a bagel and Dylan loses concentration and a ball slams across the court. The serves start to get harder and more aggressive. Dylan goes for her phone but it’s not there. J.T asks “Looking for this.” She takes the phone and sees that all the files are GONE! J.T accuses her of lying to him but Dylan comes back with you hurt me. J.T says she blackmailed a tennis star and that’s unforgiveable. Svylania says “bagel” is a term that means loser stays at love. Ok maybe that makes sense to someone who follows tennis. She and J.T walk off together.
Dylan knows pretending to be someone you’re not will never make you happy. After Dylan hears from two woman how all the ball girls have gone on strike, she volunteers for the Women’s Final. It gets her on the court so she can get her revenge. Dylan keeps throwing out compliments until Svetlanna loses it and starts throwing balls at her. J.T tries to stop her (more worried about the game) and she smacks him in the face with the racket and gives him a nose bleed. Svetlanna has to be carried off the court by security. She throws one last ball but Dylan catches it and the crowd starts chanting “Ballgirl! Ballgirl! Ball girl!” Merri-Lee- turns the camera on her daughter and the fans start to toss flowers, teddy bears, and phone numbers. When it dies down there’s one boy still chanting (Brady Erickson). During an interview with Merri-Lee he asks “the real star” of the match to go to the celebration with him.
Mom-Coach at the end of the book gives this confidentiality contract to Dylan and she signs it. For Dylan Marvil: Svetlana Slootskyia is sorry for damage caused to you (by her). She is going back to treatment facility to work on anger. When she returns to sport she will emerge with new name and hair color to signify fresh start. Ilana Bravya Slootskyia will be of brown hair with much patience and kindness. And she would like your help. This means no mention of the “episodes” you recorded (twisting wrist and smashing votives). No interviews to talk about how she bashed you with tennis balls. No bad words about her at all. If you do this, we will give you first dibs on all free clothing and merchandise she gets from sponsors for the next ten years. And American Boris when we locate him
*I have to give Dylan credit because if some celebrity you didn't know when approached were nasty to you and actually physically struck out at you, the natural response probably would have been to shove them back if they head-butted you. And then a real fight would have broken out. Most people wouldn't have stood for that I don't care who it was. Dylan just walks away. She does get back at her, but she doesn't resort to striking her back.
*It is NEVER a good idea to try to pretend to be someone you're not to get with someone. Firstly, sooner or later they'll find out. Secondly, with people that really want you, they'll accept it if your interest don't align. But then Dylan is already so much of a follower that I'm really not surprised that instead of being herself she tries to imitate Svetlana. But the irony is, she says she's ready to step up and have her own shine instead of being in someone else's shadow. Hmm. By being the replica of a celebrity? Ok.
*Winsome's customized outfits and matching shoes sound so very cute!
*Since WHEN is a six 6 jumbo? Dylan's weight obsession and absurdity are so ridiculous it's annoying! See this is how it starts. Young girls reading these book are going to get in their heads that size six is HUGE and will probably starve themselves and become anorexic trying to be a four or a two because those are the "acceptable" sizes. I'm actually surprised that like in GG they didn't turn Dylan into a Blair and have her be anorexic.
*Even faking it takes hard work I guess is the lesson.
*I do tho feel kind of sorry for Dylan because what Svetlana is doing reminds me of a similar experience I went through going out for cheerleading and how some people will abuse their authority. Svetlana just seems like she's using Dylan to get even with her for what she started in the first place. I'm really not liking this character AT ALL.
*But I think I admire Dylan's persistence. Especially in reading Svetlana's Way. Massie always just gets stuff dumped in her lap. She barely works and things just fall in her lap. Even though I think we ALL know Jylan is never gonna be a thing, Dylan is putting in some REAL work to get this guy. I respect how far she's willing to go even in faking it to pull this off in a sport she could care less about. Dylan might just be my favorite Clique member but we'll see. She's never stood out to me before in any of the books.
RATING: 6 There were things I liked and disliked about this book. Let's start with the likes. Overall, I liked Dylan's determination and preservation in the way she goes after the guy she wants and puts everything into it. I don't like that she tried to be something she wasn't because even if she'd won the match against Svetlana how long did she think this act of hers was gonna hold up? Masks always get separated after a while. Trust me, I know! I liked though that in the end the very means Svetlana used to "help her" and try to use to stab her in the back, ended up making her play herself. I was thinking GAME OVER! MATCH! 0 in Svetlana's favor. But I don't like how the book ended with Dylan's payback not being enough to carry the story. And after all that, the lesson is if you lose one guy's love the next day one just magically pops up to ask you out (rolls eyes). Getting a guy, in the end, doesn't always equal victory. But what can I say? This is the Clique series and reality isn't its strong point. Just like in the way it also gave girls the impression that being a six is unspeakable. There are some messed up messages in this book, yet I liked Dylan's story more than Massie's. Tho it was predictable in some parts. I knew Svetlana couldn't be trusted even after her little sob story and I knew that JT was going to drop Dylan for Svetlana. JT sounded boring to me anyway and one dimensional. He wasn't even worth ONE tear.
Dylan is going to Hawaii with her mother, Merri-Lee. Merri-Lee has scored an interview with Sveltlanna Slottskiya “Tennis the Menace” whose just completed anger management after a series of violent incidents. One that involved smashing a tennis ball in a ball girl’s teeth after a lost match. Dylan plans to make the next 3-weeks all about loving herself.
Dylan is disappointed to find their first stop boutique is full of nothing but athletic wear and in all white (which is the official color of the Aloha Open-a tennis tournament-) so everyone wears it. Dylan starts to wish she’d spend the summer with Massie in the Hamptons because she seriously doubts there will be anyone there to have fun with. Dylan doesn’t really do white on white or athletic for that matter but is encouraged by Merri-Lee to try on a dress Svetlanna wore on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
She and her backside are complimented by a Zack Efron look alike. Merri Lee introduces him as John Thomas Daley. His father owns the resort. He says she can call him J.T. Dylan instantly gives up her previous goal of only crush on boys that crush on her summer. But what seems to have his attention is Merri-Lee’s interview with Sveltlanna. He invites them both to a welcome dinner for the Open’s VIPS that night but Merri-Lee says they were planning on it (offended that he didn’t already asumme they were going). Then she rushes off to take a call.
J.T compliments her shoes and asks if she’s into tennis and in seconds Dylan is the biggest tennis lover there ever was. He pays for the dress she was trying on and they stroll out of the boutique together. He says he’ll have more dresses sent up to her room. Then he says he’ll see her tonight. Dylan and J.T hang out at the dinner. I’ll spare you the conversation and just tell you he’s one dimensional and turns everything into something about tennis. He asks her out to a match. Sveltlanna makes her appearance and Dylan realizes that J.T wasn’t saying she was hot. He was saying the dress Sveltlanna wore was hot-because she wore it-.
Merri-Lee worries about the interview. Dylan worries about studying Sveltlanna (which to her is more important). Sveltlanna gives an Emmy winning interview about how sorry she is and how the incident made her change (and Zen and meditation, but when Dylan comes up to her after and questions about how she gets her braid so tight, she twists her wrist hard and tells her interviews over. She tells Dylan she’s just a loser fan and a stalker and she doesn’t have permission to touch her. She then head butts her. Dylan throws her Altoid can at her but hits her cat. Then she runs off.
Dylan finds Sveltlanna and says they need to talk, but Sveltlanna pinches her ankle and asks is she back for more. Dylan tells her she’s insane and she can’t believe she almost fooled everybody with her transformation act. She says she did fool everyone thanks to her mom and no one will believe her. Dylan holds up her phone. Before she knocked the phone out of her hand, Dylan recorded the exchange and Dylan threatens to show it to Nike (whose endorsing her) and to the Daily Grind. Sveltlanna goes crazy and starts throwing candles and Dylan records it all. Dylan makes a deal with her to teach everything she knows about tennis. Sveltlanna asks why and then when Dylan tells her she says pathetic and Dylan says no more pathetic than giving up her life for a sport. She makes her agree to give her lessons until J.T likes her back.
Dylan gets her hair done by Sveltlanna stylist and gets the same braid she has. Then Sveltlanna make Dylan sit in the extreme heat. (It makes the muscles limber and she has to learn to suffer she says). The tennis star wants to volley but Dylan says if there’s no mirror what’s the point. Svetlanna says it’s a wsate of time and Dylan makes the mistake of letting her know that she wants the way J.T looks at her. Dylan changes the subject to outfits. Sveltlanna gets ger designer (Winsome) to make anything she wants. After Dylan sends Svetlanna to fetch her a drink, she finds out that Svetlanna doesn’t take compliments to well and shows her the scar she got on her eyebrow to prove it. She also finds out she’s the first “friend” she’s ever had on tour.
(From the book these are descriptions of some of the outfits and shoes Winsome makes for Dylan). a pair of lavender heart–covered platform sneakers named Forty-Love. The second pair was pewter mesh covered with metallic-red letters that spelled out MARVIL-OUS. A third pair was light green satin with a brown leather toe. Winsome had named them Mint Chocolate Chip. For every shoe there was a matching outfit. A light lavender V-neck striped hooded dress. A red romper with tiny gray pinstripes. A green argyle vest with a tartan mini, intended to be worn over brown boy shorts Little Dylan-esque touches took each piece from adorable to utterly enviable: gray socks with peacock feathers instead of pom-poms, colorful satin headbands-turned-sweat-wickers, silver M FOR MARVIL-OUS hair pins, and a ruby red Swarovski tennis bracelet made to match her new, sparkling, custom-made red rhinestone racket! There was even a box of metallic gold tennis balls monogrammed with Dylan’s initials in green. Dylan wishes her mother were there to see how important she is.
When she sees J. T he asks does she want to volley but she says she’s playing with Svetlanna. He acts like he’s star struck with the fact that they’re friends and asks can he watch. Dylan says she’s feeling a little sensitive today about her server. But he says he understands and checks that they’re still on for the match. And then he says do you think you could wear something more white (embarrassing Dylan and ruing her fantasy of asking for her number). Then she rushes off to her lesson with Svetlanna who goes over the basics (the equipment) and then the more advanced (the game). Dylan hits one ball and gets hurt.
At the match, Dylan finds out they aren’t allowed to talk “when the ball is in play” and it’s always in play. Plus, J.T’s is WAY more into the game than her. He never takes his eyes off it. So, Dylan finds herself watching Brady and seeing why J.T can’t keep his eyes off him. Dylan tries to yell out for Brady but J.T grabs her arm so hard it makes her shoulder sting. J.T looks at her in confusion and says he thought she was a fan. He lost the point, but she says if he was a fan he’d cheer for him regardless (leaving him to think) Sveltlanna shows up (minus the braid in Dylan’s straight style). She makes a flirty move for J.T’s benefit.
Dylan messes up a term “back-handler” and J.T says it’s like she’s into tennis but she doesn’t really know anything about it. She says she’ll show him how into it she is when he watches her play Sveltlanna later this week. Svetlanna says one if she agrees she’ll delete the video. Two she’ll have to train and three no compliments EVER. Svetlanna trains her HAAAAARD! By the end of it she’s sweating, crying, and puking.
Sveltlanna tells Dylan this story. (From the book). Back in Russia, when I was six-year-old, Mom-Coach would pull me off cot at four in morning so we could claim public court before anyone else. This court had no room behind baseline, so if I swung wide I’d smash wall and break flesh. Then blood from my knuckles would freeze from cold. But Mom-Coach made me stick with it. It was our way out.” Basically she calls Dylan a punk and tells her. “ Opposite of easy is when Mom-Coach would chase me on Vespa, making me run ten miles every day in bitter cold along Neva River. I ate nothing but hard-boiled eggs and bread for eleven years. Friends, school, boy crushes, colorful clothes—I never had time.”
She says “Every time I wanted to quit, I’d imagine winning and having money so family could move to America, get heated home, and train in real facility. It was only way that pudgy little six-year-old was going to make it to Wimbledon.” She says she and Dylan are not so different. She tells why she lost Wimbledon because a fan yelled out she rocked and Dylan understands why she doesn’t like compliments. Now Dylan is looking at her different. She was just seeing the glamorous side of her life. She’s just as messed up as everyone else. She explains that they both have things they want and work hard to get them. Dylan says she’ll never be able to beat her. Svetlanna says then they’ll call it off, but Dylan says nope. They’ll call off nothing.
The game goes perfectly and Sveltlanna is doing a good job of pretending to lose. But then Svetlanna says she’s in the mood for a bagel and Dylan loses concentration and a ball slams across the court. The serves start to get harder and more aggressive. Dylan goes for her phone but it’s not there. J.T asks “Looking for this.” She takes the phone and sees that all the files are GONE! J.T accuses her of lying to him but Dylan comes back with you hurt me. J.T says she blackmailed a tennis star and that’s unforgiveable. Svylania says “bagel” is a term that means loser stays at love. Ok maybe that makes sense to someone who follows tennis. She and J.T walk off together.
Dylan knows pretending to be someone you’re not will never make you happy. After Dylan hears from two woman how all the ball girls have gone on strike, she volunteers for the Women’s Final. It gets her on the court so she can get her revenge. Dylan keeps throwing out compliments until Svetlanna loses it and starts throwing balls at her. J.T tries to stop her (more worried about the game) and she smacks him in the face with the racket and gives him a nose bleed. Svetlanna has to be carried off the court by security. She throws one last ball but Dylan catches it and the crowd starts chanting “Ballgirl! Ballgirl! Ball girl!” Merri-Lee- turns the camera on her daughter and the fans start to toss flowers, teddy bears, and phone numbers. When it dies down there’s one boy still chanting (Brady Erickson). During an interview with Merri-Lee he asks “the real star” of the match to go to the celebration with him.
Mom-Coach at the end of the book gives this confidentiality contract to Dylan and she signs it. For Dylan Marvil: Svetlana Slootskyia is sorry for damage caused to you (by her). She is going back to treatment facility to work on anger. When she returns to sport she will emerge with new name and hair color to signify fresh start. Ilana Bravya Slootskyia will be of brown hair with much patience and kindness. And she would like your help. This means no mention of the “episodes” you recorded (twisting wrist and smashing votives). No interviews to talk about how she bashed you with tennis balls. No bad words about her at all. If you do this, we will give you first dibs on all free clothing and merchandise she gets from sponsors for the next ten years. And American Boris when we locate him
*I have to give Dylan credit because if some celebrity you didn't know when approached were nasty to you and actually physically struck out at you, the natural response probably would have been to shove them back if they head-butted you. And then a real fight would have broken out. Most people wouldn't have stood for that I don't care who it was. Dylan just walks away. She does get back at her, but she doesn't resort to striking her back.
*It is NEVER a good idea to try to pretend to be someone you're not to get with someone. Firstly, sooner or later they'll find out. Secondly, with people that really want you, they'll accept it if your interest don't align. But then Dylan is already so much of a follower that I'm really not surprised that instead of being herself she tries to imitate Svetlana. But the irony is, she says she's ready to step up and have her own shine instead of being in someone else's shadow. Hmm. By being the replica of a celebrity? Ok.
*Winsome's customized outfits and matching shoes sound so very cute!
*Since WHEN is a six 6 jumbo? Dylan's weight obsession and absurdity are so ridiculous it's annoying! See this is how it starts. Young girls reading these book are going to get in their heads that size six is HUGE and will probably starve themselves and become anorexic trying to be a four or a two because those are the "acceptable" sizes. I'm actually surprised that like in GG they didn't turn Dylan into a Blair and have her be anorexic.
*Even faking it takes hard work I guess is the lesson.
*I do tho feel kind of sorry for Dylan because what Svetlana is doing reminds me of a similar experience I went through going out for cheerleading and how some people will abuse their authority. Svetlana just seems like she's using Dylan to get even with her for what she started in the first place. I'm really not liking this character AT ALL.
*But I think I admire Dylan's persistence. Especially in reading Svetlana's Way. Massie always just gets stuff dumped in her lap. She barely works and things just fall in her lap. Even though I think we ALL know Jylan is never gonna be a thing, Dylan is putting in some REAL work to get this guy. I respect how far she's willing to go even in faking it to pull this off in a sport she could care less about. Dylan might just be my favorite Clique member but we'll see. She's never stood out to me before in any of the books.
RATING: 6 There were things I liked and disliked about this book. Let's start with the likes. Overall, I liked Dylan's determination and preservation in the way she goes after the guy she wants and puts everything into it. I don't like that she tried to be something she wasn't because even if she'd won the match against Svetlana how long did she think this act of hers was gonna hold up? Masks always get separated after a while. Trust me, I know! I liked though that in the end the very means Svetlana used to "help her" and try to use to stab her in the back, ended up making her play herself. I was thinking GAME OVER! MATCH! 0 in Svetlana's favor. But I don't like how the book ended with Dylan's payback not being enough to carry the story. And after all that, the lesson is if you lose one guy's love the next day one just magically pops up to ask you out (rolls eyes). Getting a guy, in the end, doesn't always equal victory. But what can I say? This is the Clique series and reality isn't its strong point. Just like in the way it also gave girls the impression that being a six is unspeakable. There are some messed up messages in this book, yet I liked Dylan's story more than Massie's. Tho it was predictable in some parts. I knew Svetlana couldn't be trusted even after her little sob story and I knew that JT was going to drop Dylan for Svetlana. JT sounded boring to me anyway and one dimensional. He wasn't even worth ONE tear.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2025
Thank god, this book was so much better than the Massie one (although, to be fair, that bar is in the basement).
That being said, these Summer Series stories are WILD - but for the most part, super fun.
Because who doesn't want to read a story about a middle school girl dealing with a violent, sociopathic teenage tennis star? Crazy people, that's who.
That being said, these Summer Series stories are WILD - but for the most part, super fun.
Because who doesn't want to read a story about a middle school girl dealing with a violent, sociopathic teenage tennis star? Crazy people, that's who.
April 23, 2025
The clique meets Carrie Soto. And it doesn’t get better than that. Love hearing someone’s perspective we haven’t heard yet.
March 9, 2012
SUMMARY
Dylan Marvil, daughter of famous TV-show host Merri-Lee Marvil is journeying to Hawaii to the Aloha Tennis Open. Her mom is hoping to interview teenage Tennis sensation: Svetlana Slootskyia. Svetlana hails from the land of Russia, and after an episode at a tennis game (where she smashed a ball girl's teeth), she got sent to a rehab center to control her anger. Now back and ready to get back in the game, Svetlana is being interviewed by Dylan's mom, Merri-Lee Marvil on her show, The Daily Grind. Dylan is majorly crushing on a 15-year-old preppy tennis-obsessed hottie named J.T. Determined to win him over, and make him crush back, even though she knows nothing about tennis, Dylan plans on using Svetlana for this. After the interview, Dylan makes an attempt to get closer to her, but moody Svetlana attacks her and calls her a "loserfan". But Dylan films the whole attack and threatens to bust Svetlana after her return from rehab if she doesn't help her get J.T. Worried for her career, Svetlana agrees. She supplies Dylan with a tennis wardrobe and tips to help her learn about the game of tennis to get J.T's attention. The only problem? He's not convinced that Dylan knows anything about tennis...AND, he's crushing on Svetlana. So, Dylan stages a faux tennis match where she plays one-on-one with Svetlana, the tennis superstar. Everything is going as planned but suddenly, right in the middle of the match, Svetlana starts winning, not how she and Dylan had planned. The worse part? J.T. is in Svetlana's plan. Svetlana deliberately overworked Dylan in tennis training just to torture her and then beat her in the faux tennis match because she was with J.T. all along. Now brokenhearted, Dylan spends the next few days cooped up in bed moping around, not knowing what to do, until an idea coems to her. The ball girls are on strike because of Svetlana's acting in the interview with Dylan's mom, in other words, they're fed up with Svetlana's fake kindness. So in the Aloha Tennis Open, Dylan volunteers herself to be a ball girl during Svetlana's match. Since a compliment caused Svetlana to go to rehab during a few matches ago, Dylan knows that it's her greatest pet peeve. Using Svetlana's weakness against her, Dylan starts screaming compliments at her, annoying Svetlana to her breaking point---which she then explodes. In triumph, Dylan captures the attention of her work-a-holic mother, the crowd of tennis fans, and the athletes. Svetlana begins to pelt tennis balls at Dylan, and while security escorts her away {back to rehab, of course, and forever banned from tennis}, Dylan attracts the attetion of a tennis athlete who understands her, who's completely gorgeous whom she never noticed because of J.T.--Brady Erickson. At the end, Dylan signs an agreement not to say a bad word about Svetlana and she'll get Svetlana's goods from sponsers. Indeed, Dylan could've asked for much more but she had what she wanted: a boyfriend, her rival eliminated, her mother finally noticing her, and most of all? The spotlight is finally hers.
EVALUATION
I definitely liked this book. Wehn I first began it, all I could think was: wow...this is boring. As the story continued, Dylan started acting like a bit, (ok, not a bit) of a prissy brat to Svetlana. It began to get annoying, and while I appreciate a bit of the dictator side of every person, Svetlana showed it TOO much. It just goes to show that Russians never liked Americans very much. Dylan reminded me very much of another character from this series: Ripple, from another book. She was determined to get what she wanted, but had to demand it to get it. However, the rest of the book scored with me. I could really relate to Dylan when she was used by Svetlana and J.T. and I also liked the show of perserverance in Dylan. Overall, the book was inspiring to me (even if it was just a book about what popular girls in mega-cool cliques do over the summer) because it showed that you have to work hard for what you want, and when you fall, you have to pick yourself back up.
Happy reading. ~♥
Dylan Marvil, daughter of famous TV-show host Merri-Lee Marvil is journeying to Hawaii to the Aloha Tennis Open. Her mom is hoping to interview teenage Tennis sensation: Svetlana Slootskyia. Svetlana hails from the land of Russia, and after an episode at a tennis game (where she smashed a ball girl's teeth), she got sent to a rehab center to control her anger. Now back and ready to get back in the game, Svetlana is being interviewed by Dylan's mom, Merri-Lee Marvil on her show, The Daily Grind. Dylan is majorly crushing on a 15-year-old preppy tennis-obsessed hottie named J.T. Determined to win him over, and make him crush back, even though she knows nothing about tennis, Dylan plans on using Svetlana for this. After the interview, Dylan makes an attempt to get closer to her, but moody Svetlana attacks her and calls her a "loserfan". But Dylan films the whole attack and threatens to bust Svetlana after her return from rehab if she doesn't help her get J.T. Worried for her career, Svetlana agrees. She supplies Dylan with a tennis wardrobe and tips to help her learn about the game of tennis to get J.T's attention. The only problem? He's not convinced that Dylan knows anything about tennis...AND, he's crushing on Svetlana. So, Dylan stages a faux tennis match where she plays one-on-one with Svetlana, the tennis superstar. Everything is going as planned but suddenly, right in the middle of the match, Svetlana starts winning, not how she and Dylan had planned. The worse part? J.T. is in Svetlana's plan. Svetlana deliberately overworked Dylan in tennis training just to torture her and then beat her in the faux tennis match because she was with J.T. all along. Now brokenhearted, Dylan spends the next few days cooped up in bed moping around, not knowing what to do, until an idea coems to her. The ball girls are on strike because of Svetlana's acting in the interview with Dylan's mom, in other words, they're fed up with Svetlana's fake kindness. So in the Aloha Tennis Open, Dylan volunteers herself to be a ball girl during Svetlana's match. Since a compliment caused Svetlana to go to rehab during a few matches ago, Dylan knows that it's her greatest pet peeve. Using Svetlana's weakness against her, Dylan starts screaming compliments at her, annoying Svetlana to her breaking point---which she then explodes. In triumph, Dylan captures the attention of her work-a-holic mother, the crowd of tennis fans, and the athletes. Svetlana begins to pelt tennis balls at Dylan, and while security escorts her away {back to rehab, of course, and forever banned from tennis}, Dylan attracts the attetion of a tennis athlete who understands her, who's completely gorgeous whom she never noticed because of J.T.--Brady Erickson. At the end, Dylan signs an agreement not to say a bad word about Svetlana and she'll get Svetlana's goods from sponsers. Indeed, Dylan could've asked for much more but she had what she wanted: a boyfriend, her rival eliminated, her mother finally noticing her, and most of all? The spotlight is finally hers.
EVALUATION
I definitely liked this book. Wehn I first began it, all I could think was: wow...this is boring. As the story continued, Dylan started acting like a bit, (ok, not a bit) of a prissy brat to Svetlana. It began to get annoying, and while I appreciate a bit of the dictator side of every person, Svetlana showed it TOO much. It just goes to show that Russians never liked Americans very much. Dylan reminded me very much of another character from this series: Ripple, from another book. She was determined to get what she wanted, but had to demand it to get it. However, the rest of the book scored with me. I could really relate to Dylan when she was used by Svetlana and J.T. and I also liked the show of perserverance in Dylan. Overall, the book was inspiring to me (even if it was just a book about what popular girls in mega-cool cliques do over the summer) because it showed that you have to work hard for what you want, and when you fall, you have to pick yourself back up.
Happy reading. ~♥
April 29, 2010
The Clique Summer Collection: Dylan
Lisi Harrison
When Dylan and her TV-host mom, Merri-Lee take a jet plane to Hawaii for Hawaii's Aloha Tennis Match Open, Dylan thought she was just going to be ignored by her mother, and be sun bathing by the beach. But, when she meets a cute tennis player, J.T, she automatically buys some tennis outfits and hits the courts! One day she comes along with her mother, Merri-Lee, while she's interviewing the tenis super star Svetlana "Tennis the Menacce" Slootshyia after she swung her tennis racket at her ball girl on purpose. Dylan then blackmails her to train her so that J.T would fall in love with her, but after one of Svetlanas temper tantrums get caught on tape, it's the perfect blackmailing trick. Will Svetlana help her, or will she say 'no' and have to go to another anger managment session? And, will Dylan fall for J.T?
When I finished this book I was so happy because the book was as boring. Dylan's not my favorite charactor in "The Clique" so I wasn't supprised when I started to get bored of reading the book. It just kept dragging on and on about tennis and how she wants to have Svetlana train her so she can impress J.T. I was getting tired of Dylan's, Svetlana's, and J.T's attitude. But, I kept on reading, hoping the book would get better. Turned out I wass wrong. I'm just hoping the rest of "The Clique Summer Collections" arn't as bad as Dylan's. If they are, I'm going to be dissopointed.
Lisi Harrison
When Dylan and her TV-host mom, Merri-Lee take a jet plane to Hawaii for Hawaii's Aloha Tennis Match Open, Dylan thought she was just going to be ignored by her mother, and be sun bathing by the beach. But, when she meets a cute tennis player, J.T, she automatically buys some tennis outfits and hits the courts! One day she comes along with her mother, Merri-Lee, while she's interviewing the tenis super star Svetlana "Tennis the Menacce" Slootshyia after she swung her tennis racket at her ball girl on purpose. Dylan then blackmails her to train her so that J.T would fall in love with her, but after one of Svetlanas temper tantrums get caught on tape, it's the perfect blackmailing trick. Will Svetlana help her, or will she say 'no' and have to go to another anger managment session? And, will Dylan fall for J.T?
When I finished this book I was so happy because the book was as boring. Dylan's not my favorite charactor in "The Clique" so I wasn't supprised when I started to get bored of reading the book. It just kept dragging on and on about tennis and how she wants to have Svetlana train her so she can impress J.T. I was getting tired of Dylan's, Svetlana's, and J.T's attitude. But, I kept on reading, hoping the book would get better. Turned out I wass wrong. I'm just hoping the rest of "The Clique Summer Collections" arn't as bad as Dylan's. If they are, I'm going to be dissopointed.
Read
June 9, 2016ZERO stars
Ehmagawd! This has got to be one of the worst books ever written. I am frankly appalled that so many tweens are reading this drivel. To summarize: Dylan is in Hawaii with her unavailable mother, who has scored an exclusive interview with Svetlana, the star of the Aloha Open. Dylan is obsessed with her weight and with the “hawt” guy (whose father owns the spa resort where the players are staying). She’s whiny, immature, and incredibly brand-conscious. I’m thinking Harrison was being paid per “product placement. ” A number of products – from Pepsi to Louboutin – appear. There’s a brand-name dropped on every page (sometimes three times in one page)!
There are plenty of good quality young adult books, this is not in that category. Do your teens and tweens a favor and steer clear of the Clique series. Buy them a copy of Little Women instead. Or if they must read contemporary fiction try Vintage Veronica or Dairy Queen.
Ehmagawd! This has got to be one of the worst books ever written. I am frankly appalled that so many tweens are reading this drivel. To summarize: Dylan is in Hawaii with her unavailable mother, who has scored an exclusive interview with Svetlana, the star of the Aloha Open. Dylan is obsessed with her weight and with the “hawt” guy (whose father owns the spa resort where the players are staying). She’s whiny, immature, and incredibly brand-conscious. I’m thinking Harrison was being paid per “product placement. ” A number of products – from Pepsi to Louboutin – appear. There’s a brand-name dropped on every page (sometimes three times in one page)!
There are plenty of good quality young adult books, this is not in that category. Do your teens and tweens a favor and steer clear of the Clique series. Buy them a copy of Little Women instead. Or if they must read contemporary fiction try Vintage Veronica or Dairy Queen.
October 25, 2008
If you have ever read the clique series or you love tennis this is an awesome book. I really liked it because i have always loved the clique series AND tennis. this book is about Dylan Marvil, she is the third in command of the pretty committee (read the clique books to understand) her mother is a famous talk show host on this show called The Daily Grind (most likely about coffee) her mother is sent to hawaii to interview this super mean tennis star name svetlana slootskyia that lost her fame by whacking a girl in the mouth with her tennis racket because she cheered for the other team! Dylan meets a guy named
JT and uses svetlana to be good at tennis because JT is obsessed with tennis. But svetlana is really using Dylan to get to JT .
JT and uses svetlana to be good at tennis because JT is obsessed with tennis. But svetlana is really using Dylan to get to JT .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2009
This book is about another girl in the Pretty Commette, who has a summer to look for fun in Hawaii. She has to look into tennis, and ends up looking into love.
1)It is part of a series I read called "The Clique'
3)It is very descriptive and puts a lot of details into it. It makes seem like it was written by a teenager, rather then a older woman.
4)I think the author wanted us to understand the bad things about trying to blackmail someone.
5)I would like my friends to read it, as well as anyone who likes to read about drama.
9) This book would have been better if there was more action, rather then just a lot of background details.
1)It is part of a series I read called "The Clique'
3)It is very descriptive and puts a lot of details into it. It makes seem like it was written by a teenager, rather then a older woman.
4)I think the author wanted us to understand the bad things about trying to blackmail someone.
5)I would like my friends to read it, as well as anyone who likes to read about drama.
9) This book would have been better if there was more action, rather then just a lot of background details.
July 7, 2023
When I was young, I remembered loving this book. Reading it 10+ years later, I feel troubled over how problematic it is. Clear nonchalant enabling of ED, a lot of bullying, a lot of classism. Makes me concerned for young girls reading it since I clearly had no idea what was right and wrong when I was younger.
June 18, 2021
(LL)
Dylan is stated on PAGE 1 to have green eyes and red hair. WHY THE FUCK does the model on the front of this book have brown eyes and brown hair? Does anyone in the editorial staff even read the books? Doubtful. I almost set this book on fire. I’m officially spite reading these books.
Dylan is stated on PAGE 1 to have green eyes and red hair. WHY THE FUCK does the model on the front of this book have brown eyes and brown hair? Does anyone in the editorial staff even read the books? Doubtful. I almost set this book on fire. I’m officially spite reading these books.
June 29, 2008
I loved it! It has a lot of tennis stuff in it too!
February 4, 2009
Pretty Good book. Taught me that even stars have major issues.
November 4, 2023
Weirdly, this one was so much better than Massie.
November 10, 2025
Dylan, the second book in The Clique Summer Collection by Lisi Harrison, follows Dylan Marvil's summer adventure in Hawaii. She's there with her TV-host mom, Merri-Lee, who's interviewing tennis sensation Svetlana "Tennis the Menace" Slootskyia. Dylan's goal is to get tennis lessons from Svetlana to impress J.T., a cute tennis-obsessed guy she meets.
As Dylan navigates her tennis training, she finds herself in a battle of wits with Svetlana, who's got a darker side. Dylan's determination and quick thinking help her turn the tables, but not without some hilarious and dramatic moments.
The book explores themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the challenges of popularity. It's a fun, lighthearted read with plenty of humor and relatable moments.
As Dylan navigates her tennis training, she finds herself in a battle of wits with Svetlana, who's got a darker side. Dylan's determination and quick thinking help her turn the tables, but not without some hilarious and dramatic moments.
The book explores themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the challenges of popularity. It's a fun, lighthearted read with plenty of humor and relatable moments.
March 30, 2023
Dylan goes to Hawaii with her celebrity mother who's interviewing a teenage Russian tennis player (Sylvania) . Dylan gets to meet the Sylvania in person but Sylvania reveals a darker side of her. Dylan catches it on video and using it as blackmail so Sylvania can help her win a boys (J.T) heart by teaching her how to play tennis. Things don't go as planned and J.T finds out about the blackmail and betrays Dylan. Feeling devastated Dylan seeks revenge by competing in a tournament again Sylvania. Dylan gets Sylvania to expose her dark side in front of national TV by using her only weakness; Compliments. Sylvania gets banned from Hawaii and Dylan gets her happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
December 22, 2023Continuing down the nostalgia road: now begins the reading of the books in the series I never got to before I "grew up". I was not excited to read this volume because Dylan is not a main character, but I found her summer story delightfully witty and silly. Certainly relatable that we've all changed our lifestyle to impress a cute boy at one point. Anyway, the plot was fun enough and Dylan is not the worst character to root for. I enjoyed that she ultimately remembers to celebrate herself even if no one else is.
July 2, 2021
Even though Dylan isn’t the “alpha”, she’s a much more compelling and funny character overall. I felt like some of the discussion about her weight in this one was a little problematic and a bad influence, but the story was really goofy and exciting. Svetlana was ridiculous and the whole tennis background was a total change of pace from the other books. It’s my favorite of the summer collection so far.
January 16, 2023
when i saw that dylan was ready to change her whole personality for a random boy, i was so ready to dnf this book. but simultaneously, i have faith in lisi harrison, so i kept on reading. and i was not disappointed at all.
i enjoyed all the characters in the book, and dylan getting the attention she deserves at the end of the book is the icing on the cake. i've always loved dylan's character.
i think this has to be my favorite book out of the five books of the summer collection.
i enjoyed all the characters in the book, and dylan getting the attention she deserves at the end of the book is the icing on the cake. i've always loved dylan's character.
i think this has to be my favorite book out of the five books of the summer collection.
February 18, 2023
I don't give away spoilers in my reviews.
I love this series. I first started reading it to see if my niece would enjoy it...and I fell in love with it.
I find Ms. Harrison's books a great way to spend an evening when I want a read that will make me laugh and remember what it was like to be a teen.
Dylan is in Hawaii on a work vacation with her mom and ends up learning lessons about friendship and being true to yourself.
Another cute read that I know my niece will enjoy.
I love this series. I first started reading it to see if my niece would enjoy it...and I fell in love with it.
I find Ms. Harrison's books a great way to spend an evening when I want a read that will make me laugh and remember what it was like to be a teen.
Dylan is in Hawaii on a work vacation with her mom and ends up learning lessons about friendship and being true to yourself.
Another cute read that I know my niece will enjoy.
May 22, 2025
my favorite of the summer collection so far! i loved the location and all the tennis action. svetlana was a fun enemy and we really got to see dylan’s personality come out and shine. it was nice to see a different side of her, as i feel in the other books we mostly just see her as the comedic relief. the ending was satisfying as well - ok dylan the schemer!
Read
December 6, 2025Dylan was always one of my favorite PC members and I loved the insight into her here (why was she never a POV in the main series?) Her sense of individuality constantly battling the need to conform in the school/fame world is so interesting. Love her winning over Svetlana.
How old was Brady supposed to be….?
How old was Brady supposed to be….?
January 6, 2022
idk why i read this bc its complete trash. its just the whiney social lives of rich 12 year old girls that try to act like they're 20.
it was very juicy tho. + i haven't been reading a lot so this helped get out of the nothing to read week.
it was very juicy tho. + i haven't been reading a lot so this helped get out of the nothing to read week.
June 21, 2022
This actually really surprised me - Dylan and Kristen are the two POVs of the Pretty Committee that we don't get, and Dylan is usually the butt of the joke, so the fact that this actually gave her some depth made me so happy.
May 10, 2018
A super cute tale about Dylan trying to learn tennis for reasons I no longer recall. Dylan is awesome though, I kind of wish she'd had a bigger role in the series as a whole.
July 13, 2018
A decent quick read but the person they chose to put on the front cover does not equal the character inside. It was a bit predictable how it all played out but I still enjoyed it.
Decent Read!
Decent Read!
March 24, 2020
super cute!! Loved this series so much through out elementary and middle school!
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
July 12, 2021
This book isn’t a 3 star book in a normal sense but in a Clique series sense. Dylan is so much more likable and empathetic of a main character, and I found myself really rooting for her at the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews