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The Lipstick Laws: A Coming-of-Age YA Story of Friendship, Peer Pressure, and Self-Worth
At Penford High School, Britney Taylor is the queen bee. She dates whomever she likes, rules over her inner circle of friends like Genghis Khan, and can ruin anyone’s life with a snap of perfectly manicured fingers. Just ask the unfortunate few who have crossed her. For April Bowers, Britney is the answer to her prayers. April is so unpopular, kids don’t know she exists. One lunch spent at Britney’s table, and April is basking in the glow of popularity. But Britney’s friendship comes with a high price tag, and April decides it’s not worth the cost. Inspiring and empowering, this is the story of one girl who decides to push back.
237 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
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February 11, 2020
“In my opinion, the person who created the torture device called gym class should be clobbered with an enormous frozen cucumber".
The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder
This was a nice fun read that is realistic YA Fiction and does center on the topic of bullying which ISN'T so light but the format of the book does not get all that heavy and retains its light quality through most of it.
April is starting her second year at this school and has no friends..her bestie has moved away and she is all alone . Not for long though. April is thrilled when Britney the most popular girl in school invites April to eat with her. And just like that..a friendship is born!
Not really. Britney is not a nice person and gets pleasure in tormenting other students. When Britney turns on April she decides to fight back.
I know I have not said alot..I have not even got into the Rank a skank or the Lipstick laws (follow them or you could find yourself out of the clique). But that's OK as I think you get the picture.
I enjoyed this. It is told from April's POV and she is a witty and fun narrator. I should warn though that this book is very YA and it bothered me a bit. The whole thing about April swooning over Mathew and the corny nicknames she gives him I could have done without. But on the whole, I liked this. It is not the best book on Bullying but it is not the worst either and if you can deal wit h the whole YA aspect you will find a cool story in here that does make you think and that is very involving. Four stars from me.
The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder
This was a nice fun read that is realistic YA Fiction and does center on the topic of bullying which ISN'T so light but the format of the book does not get all that heavy and retains its light quality through most of it.
April is starting her second year at this school and has no friends..her bestie has moved away and she is all alone . Not for long though. April is thrilled when Britney the most popular girl in school invites April to eat with her. And just like that..a friendship is born!
Not really. Britney is not a nice person and gets pleasure in tormenting other students. When Britney turns on April she decides to fight back.
I know I have not said alot..I have not even got into the Rank a skank or the Lipstick laws (follow them or you could find yourself out of the clique). But that's OK as I think you get the picture.
I enjoyed this. It is told from April's POV and she is a witty and fun narrator. I should warn though that this book is very YA and it bothered me a bit. The whole thing about April swooning over Mathew and the corny nicknames she gives him I could have done without. But on the whole, I liked this. It is not the best book on Bullying but it is not the worst either and if you can deal wit h the whole YA aspect you will find a cool story in here that does make you think and that is very involving. Four stars from me.
May 23, 2011
If you don't take this book too seriously, it's a fun and enjoyable read filled with laugh-out-loud moments. It's not particularly life-changing and the angst is only small-scale (thank god) but this is what made it so refreshing. It's the age-old story of surviving high school and all the cliques, bitchiness, gossiping and heartbreak that goes with it. Put simply, this is a novel about boyfriends, girlfriends, and make-up. Naturally, it's full of jealousies and insecurities as well but the tone is very light.
The book opens up on the school bus with April (the protagonist) comparing her non-existent boobs with that of 'Double-D Darci' and admitting to her obsession with 'bra-stuffing'. If only I could say I never did that to get in to older films at the cinema! It's a story that nearly every teenage girl can relate to in some way and anyone who's ever been to high school will definitely recognise some (if not all) of the characters. It reminds me a lot of Mean Girls, a movie that is so much more than meets the eye.
April is a decent character, but not a great one; funny and easy to relate to, but nothing special. She has all the stereotypical qualities that we expect from a teenage girl in a young adult chick-lit novel, and exactly nothing extra to make her stand out - she delivers our expectations and never exceeds them.
So.. will you like this book? You probably will if:
- You enjoyed the movie Mean Girls
- You are a fan of light-hearted, chick lit novels
- You're into the less than serious high school dramas
This book won't change your life or give you a brand new perspective on some philosophical idea, but who reads a book called 'The Lipstick Laws' for that kind of thing anyway. It's humourous and very easy to read.
The book opens up on the school bus with April (the protagonist) comparing her non-existent boobs with that of 'Double-D Darci' and admitting to her obsession with 'bra-stuffing'. If only I could say I never did that to get in to older films at the cinema! It's a story that nearly every teenage girl can relate to in some way and anyone who's ever been to high school will definitely recognise some (if not all) of the characters. It reminds me a lot of Mean Girls, a movie that is so much more than meets the eye.
April is a decent character, but not a great one; funny and easy to relate to, but nothing special. She has all the stereotypical qualities that we expect from a teenage girl in a young adult chick-lit novel, and exactly nothing extra to make her stand out - she delivers our expectations and never exceeds them.
So.. will you like this book? You probably will if:
- You enjoyed the movie Mean Girls
- You are a fan of light-hearted, chick lit novels
- You're into the less than serious high school dramas
This book won't change your life or give you a brand new perspective on some philosophical idea, but who reads a book called 'The Lipstick Laws' for that kind of thing anyway. It's humourous and very easy to read.
December 27, 2010
The first thing that grab me about this book was the striking cover that makes it hard to resist. Normally, I would say no to the whole mean girl subject, as I am not a big fan. But I thought I give it a try and well I was right, it still isn't my thing.
The Lipstick Law is a fun and quick read that made me laugh out loud several times but as an older reader reading young adult, I found this too young for me. I couldn't relate to the characters and the choices they made. Not that I didn't like April, the main character, she has all the factors that make her likeable but rather I couldn't understand her reasons why she let her so called friends treat her that way. There just wasn't enough depth to the characters.
However I do think younger teens will love this. I am thinking of buying a copy for my 13 year old niece. The fast moving plot and fun premise makes the pages just fly by. Actually, I could see this book being made into a hit teen movie.
Overall, this book just wasn't my style. Would I read something else by Amy Holder? Probably if the blurb on the book interested me.
Thank you to netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing me a copy.
The Lipstick Law is a fun and quick read that made me laugh out loud several times but as an older reader reading young adult, I found this too young for me. I couldn't relate to the characters and the choices they made. Not that I didn't like April, the main character, she has all the factors that make her likeable but rather I couldn't understand her reasons why she let her so called friends treat her that way. There just wasn't enough depth to the characters.
However I do think younger teens will love this. I am thinking of buying a copy for my 13 year old niece. The fast moving plot and fun premise makes the pages just fly by. Actually, I could see this book being made into a hit teen movie.
Overall, this book just wasn't my style. Would I read something else by Amy Holder? Probably if the blurb on the book interested me.
Thank you to netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing me a copy.
November 27, 2010
I loved this book!
Filled with witty, laugh-out-loud moments, The Lipstick Laws had my attention from the first page. Each character was unique, some lovable and others loathe-able. I loved April, her Lipstick Lawbreakers and of course, McGerk. From a disastrous beginning to a happy ending, I loved experiencing April's journey and watching her grow (and get some well earned revenge).
I won't say much as I don't want to spoil this for anyone else, but there was not a dull moment in the book in my opinion. For anyone who loved The Lonely Hearts Club or The Karma Club - I'd definitely recommend this one for you. Of course, I'd happily recommend The Lipstick Laws to anyone, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I can't wait to read more from Amy Holder - hopefully there will be more soon... please? ;o)
Filled with witty, laugh-out-loud moments, The Lipstick Laws had my attention from the first page. Each character was unique, some lovable and others loathe-able. I loved April, her Lipstick Lawbreakers and of course, McGerk. From a disastrous beginning to a happy ending, I loved experiencing April's journey and watching her grow (and get some well earned revenge).
I won't say much as I don't want to spoil this for anyone else, but there was not a dull moment in the book in my opinion. For anyone who loved The Lonely Hearts Club or The Karma Club - I'd definitely recommend this one for you. Of course, I'd happily recommend The Lipstick Laws to anyone, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I can't wait to read more from Amy Holder - hopefully there will be more soon... please? ;o)
July 26, 2011
This tried to be Mean Girls for tweens and it failed miserably. I thought maybe I read this at the wrong time with the sweltering heat and the power outage caused by electrical fires in front of some fucking idiots’ houses who think they’re so cool for renting to a billion people and buying even more air conditioners to keep their empty heads a frigid 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Seriously I like the smell of burning wires and kerosene better than this book.
April Bowers has been in the same high school for two years but she had no friends except for Haley, who moved before sophomore year to Kansas. Probably to get away from April. With Haley gone, April had no one. I don’t believe that one bit. Even in a small school, there is always someone to be friends with. I go to a big school and every period, I had at least two people to talk and laugh with. And I’m not even the friendliest person around! April had Delvin McGerk but she wrote him off as this dork with a long nickname I never cared to remember. He had a genuine interest in being friends with her but I guess their mothers’ friendship made her think that Delvin was hanging on her because his mother told him to.
She doesn’t stay friendless for long when she becomes gym partners with Britney Taylor, the cliché popular mean girl. Britney quickly invites her to her inner circle. Those girls put the me in mean. Like everyone else in this book, they were underdeveloped. Jessica is the nice one, Brianna is the desperate-to-be-accepted one, and Erin is Britney’s second cousin. Can’t forget the incompetent Britney! She isn’t quite TSTL because that’s April’s role but I suspect Britney was made stupid on purpose to make April look smarter in comparison. Only April would hang around a girl who calls her jumbo-me and tolerate her Rank-a-Skank game. And then Britney dumps April for ruining her designer shoes from Paris. Boo hoo! It took a month for that. I would have dumped April before the first week was up.
Which brings me to April, the worst protagonist I’ve read this year. She took way too much crap from Britney. Her bra-stuffing addiction would have been a fun quirk if she had used chicken cutlet inserts instead of Kleenex tissues. Think about the trees! Both for the tissues and the paper used to print this crap. After she got her ass dumped by Britney and her poodle minions, she still cared about what Britney thought of her. Grow a backbone!
For most of the book, April fawned for Matthew Brentwood, who she nicknamed Mr. Hottie-Body Brentwood. Why she liked him besides his hot body, I wouldn’t know. Except near the end when he disagreed with April’s actions toward Britney, saving him from being completely one-dimensional. She did say that they flirted but it was all behind the scenes. Cut the crap and just go for it, you stinky gym sock! Calling Britney a bimbo, tramp, and melon boobs for having a nice body and making a move on Matthew when April was too chicken to was low. It’s like April is saying that all girls with big breasts are bimbos and tramps. Britney knows what she wants which was getting back at April for ruining her fugly shoes. April can learn a thing or two for her. Too bad she can’t hear this wonderful advice I’m giving her.
Don’t get me started on the Mean Girls comparisons. I think the word fugly was used a good fifty times. The Lipstick Laws was a wannabe Burn Book. I’ll stop before I get out of hand more than I already have.
The ending was perfect because it was just as dumb as everything else.
This would have suited my taste in books when I was in middle school. No, I'm kidding. I may have been a few years younger but I knew a shallow, crappy book when it ended up on my request shelf. If I didn't request for every new YA title I could find, I probably wouldn't have ended up with this. Oh well.
April Bowers has been in the same high school for two years but she had no friends except for Haley, who moved before sophomore year to Kansas. Probably to get away from April. With Haley gone, April had no one. I don’t believe that one bit. Even in a small school, there is always someone to be friends with. I go to a big school and every period, I had at least two people to talk and laugh with. And I’m not even the friendliest person around! April had Delvin McGerk but she wrote him off as this dork with a long nickname I never cared to remember. He had a genuine interest in being friends with her but I guess their mothers’ friendship made her think that Delvin was hanging on her because his mother told him to.
She doesn’t stay friendless for long when she becomes gym partners with Britney Taylor, the cliché popular mean girl. Britney quickly invites her to her inner circle. Those girls put the me in mean. Like everyone else in this book, they were underdeveloped. Jessica is the nice one, Brianna is the desperate-to-be-accepted one, and Erin is Britney’s second cousin. Can’t forget the incompetent Britney! She isn’t quite TSTL because that’s April’s role but I suspect Britney was made stupid on purpose to make April look smarter in comparison. Only April would hang around a girl who calls her jumbo-me and tolerate her Rank-a-Skank game. And then Britney dumps April for ruining her designer shoes from Paris. Boo hoo! It took a month for that. I would have dumped April before the first week was up.
Which brings me to April, the worst protagonist I’ve read this year. She took way too much crap from Britney. Her bra-stuffing addiction would have been a fun quirk if she had used chicken cutlet inserts instead of Kleenex tissues. Think about the trees! Both for the tissues and the paper used to print this crap. After she got her ass dumped by Britney and her poodle minions, she still cared about what Britney thought of her. Grow a backbone!
For most of the book, April fawned for Matthew Brentwood, who she nicknamed Mr. Hottie-Body Brentwood. Why she liked him besides his hot body, I wouldn’t know. Except near the end when he disagreed with April’s actions toward Britney, saving him from being completely one-dimensional. She did say that they flirted but it was all behind the scenes. Cut the crap and just go for it, you stinky gym sock! Calling Britney a bimbo, tramp, and melon boobs for having a nice body and making a move on Matthew when April was too chicken to was low. It’s like April is saying that all girls with big breasts are bimbos and tramps. Britney knows what she wants which was getting back at April for ruining her fugly shoes. April can learn a thing or two for her. Too bad she can’t hear this wonderful advice I’m giving her.
Don’t get me started on the Mean Girls comparisons. I think the word fugly was used a good fifty times. The Lipstick Laws was a wannabe Burn Book. I’ll stop before I get out of hand more than I already have.
The ending was perfect because it was just as dumb as everything else.
This would have suited my taste in books when I was in middle school. No, I'm kidding. I may have been a few years younger but I knew a shallow, crappy book when it ended up on my request shelf. If I didn't request for every new YA title I could find, I probably wouldn't have ended up with this. Oh well.
September 21, 2010
What started off as a book no different to others of its kind, slowly turned into a story about a girl who fights back against a form of bullying often masked as 'friendship'.
April was a weird character. At times, I really liked her. And at times she was immature and grated on me. However, her realisation at the end - part of the reason I didn't like her - was realistic and boosted her up a few levels in my book.
The secondary characters were pretty developed, except her family, who were a bunch of cliche cutouts. I feel like if we'd spent more time with them, they probably would have come into their own a little more.
This was a pretty light read that delved into girl's insecurities that make us think we're the only ones dealing with an issue. The Lipstick Laws shows that everyone has a hangup about their body. Whether you have a flat chest or rolls on your stomach. I give kudos to Amy for bringing that to the readers attention.
One other thing I really enjoyed about this book was that April was given the chance to fight back, somewhat immaturely - sure - but still she gave as good as she got, before she realised the high road was to forget about the situation and rise above it. Still, it was nice to see Brit-Brat get a taste of her own medicine, and realisitc that teenage girls don't always take the mature approach first time around.
The writing style was simple and easy to read. It captured my attention well and the dialogue was understandable, if not a little weird with the random words used for curses. I guess it tried to be like Mean Girls?
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading about high school dramas and bitchy girls.
April was a weird character. At times, I really liked her. And at times she was immature and grated on me. However, her realisation at the end - part of the reason I didn't like her - was realistic and boosted her up a few levels in my book.
The secondary characters were pretty developed, except her family, who were a bunch of cliche cutouts. I feel like if we'd spent more time with them, they probably would have come into their own a little more.
This was a pretty light read that delved into girl's insecurities that make us think we're the only ones dealing with an issue. The Lipstick Laws shows that everyone has a hangup about their body. Whether you have a flat chest or rolls on your stomach. I give kudos to Amy for bringing that to the readers attention.
One other thing I really enjoyed about this book was that April was given the chance to fight back, somewhat immaturely - sure - but still she gave as good as she got, before she realised the high road was to forget about the situation and rise above it. Still, it was nice to see Brit-Brat get a taste of her own medicine, and realisitc that teenage girls don't always take the mature approach first time around.
The writing style was simple and easy to read. It captured my attention well and the dialogue was understandable, if not a little weird with the random words used for curses. I guess it tried to be like Mean Girls?
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading about high school dramas and bitchy girls.
Read
March 4, 2011Total DNF for me. I think this is my first ever DNF too.
It was just so tired and cliched. The characters weren't so much cardboard cut outs as strange archetypes constructed from tissue paper. The story was cliched, the set up overtly familiar, the teen speak often cringeworthy and the archetypal high school teenagers tired and boring.
It was trying so hard to be Mean Girls and failed miserably. Tina Fey's movie works well, even though it's a derivative set up, because it's smart. Regina George isn't stupid (unlike the queen bee in this book, Britney - yes, she's called Britney - who is extremely stupid to the point where you wonder how she functions at all), plus she's subtle. She doesn't scream like a banshee or just insult people to their faces with terms as worn out and overused as old shoe leather; she's subtle and plays the game well. All the humour, wit and non-condescending attitudes that Mean Girls gave the high school queen bee comedy are used to painfully bad effect in The Lipstick Laws. I did not care at all about the supposed plight of the heroine; there was no need for her to put up with any of the BS and her reasons for doing so were ridiculous, even by the standards of trashy high school comedies. The story just made teenagers look stupid and only good for our mockery. If you've ever seen a 1990s high school movie, you've read this book and probably gotten more enjoyment from it.
It was just so tired and cliched. The characters weren't so much cardboard cut outs as strange archetypes constructed from tissue paper. The story was cliched, the set up overtly familiar, the teen speak often cringeworthy and the archetypal high school teenagers tired and boring.
It was trying so hard to be Mean Girls and failed miserably. Tina Fey's movie works well, even though it's a derivative set up, because it's smart. Regina George isn't stupid (unlike the queen bee in this book, Britney - yes, she's called Britney - who is extremely stupid to the point where you wonder how she functions at all), plus she's subtle. She doesn't scream like a banshee or just insult people to their faces with terms as worn out and overused as old shoe leather; she's subtle and plays the game well. All the humour, wit and non-condescending attitudes that Mean Girls gave the high school queen bee comedy are used to painfully bad effect in The Lipstick Laws. I did not care at all about the supposed plight of the heroine; there was no need for her to put up with any of the BS and her reasons for doing so were ridiculous, even by the standards of trashy high school comedies. The story just made teenagers look stupid and only good for our mockery. If you've ever seen a 1990s high school movie, you've read this book and probably gotten more enjoyment from it.
December 12, 2010
This contemporary YA book was a nice read. It has the typical formula of high school girls, drama, and boys, but not annoying in the least. I wasn’t quite sure if it would be hokey or good based on the cover, but I can honestly recommend this as a clean read, may even be middle grade worthy.
We learn about shy, unnoticed April Bowers whose best friend has moved to another city. The first day of school is a scary ordeal to face with no friends to speak of until she is paired in gym with one of the most popular girls in school. Britney seems to have it all, looks, money, and a gaggle of girls to follow her. She takes an interest in grooming April to be her next goose in the flock.
Being popular and looked up to by others is every high school girl’s perfect scenario. I don’t care who you are, deep down, we all want to be considered attractive, liked, and wanted. April is no different and seizes her opportunity to rise in social ranks by Britney association. Little does she know Britney is also one of the meanest girls and rules her fans, I mean friends, with an iron fist. In order to be friends with Britney, you have to be deemed suitable and moldable to Britney’s will. A perfect “puppet” as one of the geese was overheard to have said. If you fit that bill, then you are asked to swear to The Lipstick Laws. I won’t go into all of them, but basically Britney owns you and everything you do is at her approval and for her benefit.
Needless to say, April ends up not being able to be the perfect puppet and is soon kicked out of the circle. Her problem now is anyone Britney doesn’t like will be made an example of at school. Britney is notorious for scaring girls into transferring schools, which becomes her goal toward April. Thankfully, the author gave April a spine and she does not go down without a fight. She forms The Lipstick Lawbreakers with other girls that have felt the wrath of Britney and lived to tell about it. Their purpose: Get back at Brittney, Lawbreaker style.
One tactic after another ensues, Britney and April firing shots at each other to get the upper hand. Among them: a black eye, a tampon episode, stealing another’s “man”, and an unfortunate stuffed bra incident. I will say, with the drama of high school, some of these things could happen, but this being fiction, all things are exaggerated for a full year’s worth of drama. Through this experience, April begins to take on Britney-esque qualities herself in the pursuit of revenge. But, with a wonderful new support team around her, she doesn’t completely give into the Dark Side.
The love interests in this book are not the main focus, but a side bar to the feuding. The guys include Hottie Body Brentwood, Stalker McGerk, and an unexpected cross dresser? I won’t tell you who ends up with whom, but April and Britney both have things revealed about them at the spring dance that changes the rules of the game for all.
This book was a cute read and Holder did a nice job of capturing the essence of high school girl drama. I would have hated to have someone like Britney not like me, so I’m grateful and hopeful that the Britney’s of this world stay fictional or cause less damage. I do hope the April Bowers of the real world make the same decisions in the end and learn there is more to life than high school’s petty issues. It’s just a drop in the bucket compared to the rest of your life.
We learn about shy, unnoticed April Bowers whose best friend has moved to another city. The first day of school is a scary ordeal to face with no friends to speak of until she is paired in gym with one of the most popular girls in school. Britney seems to have it all, looks, money, and a gaggle of girls to follow her. She takes an interest in grooming April to be her next goose in the flock.
Being popular and looked up to by others is every high school girl’s perfect scenario. I don’t care who you are, deep down, we all want to be considered attractive, liked, and wanted. April is no different and seizes her opportunity to rise in social ranks by Britney association. Little does she know Britney is also one of the meanest girls and rules her fans, I mean friends, with an iron fist. In order to be friends with Britney, you have to be deemed suitable and moldable to Britney’s will. A perfect “puppet” as one of the geese was overheard to have said. If you fit that bill, then you are asked to swear to The Lipstick Laws. I won’t go into all of them, but basically Britney owns you and everything you do is at her approval and for her benefit.
Needless to say, April ends up not being able to be the perfect puppet and is soon kicked out of the circle. Her problem now is anyone Britney doesn’t like will be made an example of at school. Britney is notorious for scaring girls into transferring schools, which becomes her goal toward April. Thankfully, the author gave April a spine and she does not go down without a fight. She forms The Lipstick Lawbreakers with other girls that have felt the wrath of Britney and lived to tell about it. Their purpose: Get back at Brittney, Lawbreaker style.
One tactic after another ensues, Britney and April firing shots at each other to get the upper hand. Among them: a black eye, a tampon episode, stealing another’s “man”, and an unfortunate stuffed bra incident. I will say, with the drama of high school, some of these things could happen, but this being fiction, all things are exaggerated for a full year’s worth of drama. Through this experience, April begins to take on Britney-esque qualities herself in the pursuit of revenge. But, with a wonderful new support team around her, she doesn’t completely give into the Dark Side.
The love interests in this book are not the main focus, but a side bar to the feuding. The guys include Hottie Body Brentwood, Stalker McGerk, and an unexpected cross dresser? I won’t tell you who ends up with whom, but April and Britney both have things revealed about them at the spring dance that changes the rules of the game for all.
This book was a cute read and Holder did a nice job of capturing the essence of high school girl drama. I would have hated to have someone like Britney not like me, so I’m grateful and hopeful that the Britney’s of this world stay fictional or cause less damage. I do hope the April Bowers of the real world make the same decisions in the end and learn there is more to life than high school’s petty issues. It’s just a drop in the bucket compared to the rest of your life.
November 15, 2010
Original post at One More Page
The Lipstick Laws is one of those books that is good to read when you have been too immersed in out-of-this-world books, particularly ones full of magic or suspense or people chasing other people to kill them. This is the kind of book that you'd want to read to get back to reality, to remind you that real life could also be as exciting (and sometimes, as terrifying) as fantasy ones.
I picked up The Lipstick Laws as a palate cleanser after reading books about witches and warlocks and zombies. Even if I have been reading a few contemporaries in between the fantasy ones, I felt like my brain needed something easier, something with less mystery and emotional baggage than the ones I have read recently.
April is practically invisible in school, until she gets paired with popular Britney Taylor, who accepts her into her circle of friends. Even if Britney was a horrific friend, April could not resist the lure of popularity, especially if it would make her new crush, Matt Brentwood, notice her. Before she knows it, she takes The Lipstick Oath, and it sends her life spiraling out of control because of the silly rules and the price of Britney Taylor's friendship.
I have never watched Mean Girls movie in full, but this book reminds me of that. Britney was absolutely horrible and shallow and it's easy to dislike her for her stuck up attitude, at least until the author reveals why Britney changed and what she had to live with. This gives Britney more dimension as a villain in April's life, even if it doesn't excuse her attitude. April, on the other hand, can get a bit frustrating at times because it took her so long to realize what she was in danger of turning into something she was trying to destroy. While her epiphany on how she was acting didn't make heavenly light shine upon her but instead felt more like a light bulb moment, it felt like a natural realization for someone April's age to think as she assess her situation. I like how the author gave the heroine and the villain unique voices and yet still manage to juxtapose their lives for us readers to see how similar they can be.
Reading The Lipstick Laws makes me very thankful that my high school life wasn't like that. My high school life was relatively boring, really, save for some contests won and Student Council projects and trips. Then again, I wasn't a part of the popular clique -- I wasn't even sure if there was a popular clique in my school. This lack of similar high school experience prevents me from empathizing with the characters in this novel, but it certainly did not make me enjoy this book less. :)
The Lipstick Laws will be out on April 2011 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Much thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy ebook!
The Lipstick Laws is one of those books that is good to read when you have been too immersed in out-of-this-world books, particularly ones full of magic or suspense or people chasing other people to kill them. This is the kind of book that you'd want to read to get back to reality, to remind you that real life could also be as exciting (and sometimes, as terrifying) as fantasy ones.
I picked up The Lipstick Laws as a palate cleanser after reading books about witches and warlocks and zombies. Even if I have been reading a few contemporaries in between the fantasy ones, I felt like my brain needed something easier, something with less mystery and emotional baggage than the ones I have read recently.
April is practically invisible in school, until she gets paired with popular Britney Taylor, who accepts her into her circle of friends. Even if Britney was a horrific friend, April could not resist the lure of popularity, especially if it would make her new crush, Matt Brentwood, notice her. Before she knows it, she takes The Lipstick Oath, and it sends her life spiraling out of control because of the silly rules and the price of Britney Taylor's friendship.
I have never watched Mean Girls movie in full, but this book reminds me of that. Britney was absolutely horrible and shallow and it's easy to dislike her for her stuck up attitude, at least until the author reveals why Britney changed and what she had to live with. This gives Britney more dimension as a villain in April's life, even if it doesn't excuse her attitude. April, on the other hand, can get a bit frustrating at times because it took her so long to realize what she was in danger of turning into something she was trying to destroy. While her epiphany on how she was acting didn't make heavenly light shine upon her but instead felt more like a light bulb moment, it felt like a natural realization for someone April's age to think as she assess her situation. I like how the author gave the heroine and the villain unique voices and yet still manage to juxtapose their lives for us readers to see how similar they can be.
Reading The Lipstick Laws makes me very thankful that my high school life wasn't like that. My high school life was relatively boring, really, save for some contests won and Student Council projects and trips. Then again, I wasn't a part of the popular clique -- I wasn't even sure if there was a popular clique in my school. This lack of similar high school experience prevents me from empathizing with the characters in this novel, but it certainly did not make me enjoy this book less. :)
The Lipstick Laws will be out on April 2011 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Much thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy ebook!
December 26, 2021
I have never read a book by Amy Holder before, but, I'm glad I picked up The Lipstick Laws, it was a total laugh out loud story. This story is about young teenage girls being bullied but it's NOT brutal. It will definitely take your mind off things going on around you. My heart hurt for April Bowers the main character in The Lipstick Laws. I will for sure need to go back and read other books by Amy Holder. What really caught me eye was the cover, I wasn't really sure what the story was going to be about, but once I started reading I couldn't put it down!
“In my opinion, the person who created the torture device called gym class should be clobbered with an enormous frozen cucumber".
April Bowers is now a sophomore at Penford High School, April was new to the school her freshman year and absolutely knew no body. April's best friend Haley moved away and left her with nobody to start the school year off. April has no friends. April is completely flat chested, so she decides to stuff her bra with 54 tissues so people would notice her. Britney Taylor is the queen bee of Penford High. Britney can date whoever she wants, she rules over her inner circle of friends, and can ruin anyone's life with a snap of her perfectly manicured nails.
Britney is the answer to April's prayers, April is so unpopular, and kids don't know she exists. But when Britney notices April in gym class and asks April to sit with her at lunch everything completely changes. Britney asks April to join her Lipstick Oath but when you break one Lipstick Law you're kicked out for good. April breaks a Lipstick Law and gets kicked out, Britney tires to get back at April, but April is determined to destroy Britney. April starts a group she calls Lipstick Lawbreaker, where she meets her new friends that Britney also tried to ruin.
The Lipstick Laws is so inspiring and empowering about a girl who decides to push back. When April met her new best friends Melanie, Ashley, and Rachel I found myself cheering them on. My heart broke for these lovely ladies, I just wanted to join their friend group because they all seemed like the absolute sweetest people you could meet. When you are at your lowest the best choice you can make is to push back and be the bigger person.
“In my opinion, the person who created the torture device called gym class should be clobbered with an enormous frozen cucumber".
April Bowers is now a sophomore at Penford High School, April was new to the school her freshman year and absolutely knew no body. April's best friend Haley moved away and left her with nobody to start the school year off. April has no friends. April is completely flat chested, so she decides to stuff her bra with 54 tissues so people would notice her. Britney Taylor is the queen bee of Penford High. Britney can date whoever she wants, she rules over her inner circle of friends, and can ruin anyone's life with a snap of her perfectly manicured nails.
Britney is the answer to April's prayers, April is so unpopular, and kids don't know she exists. But when Britney notices April in gym class and asks April to sit with her at lunch everything completely changes. Britney asks April to join her Lipstick Oath but when you break one Lipstick Law you're kicked out for good. April breaks a Lipstick Law and gets kicked out, Britney tires to get back at April, but April is determined to destroy Britney. April starts a group she calls Lipstick Lawbreaker, where she meets her new friends that Britney also tried to ruin.
The Lipstick Laws is so inspiring and empowering about a girl who decides to push back. When April met her new best friends Melanie, Ashley, and Rachel I found myself cheering them on. My heart broke for these lovely ladies, I just wanted to join their friend group because they all seemed like the absolute sweetest people you could meet. When you are at your lowest the best choice you can make is to push back and be the bigger person.
March 28, 2011
First of all, the cover of this book was part of the reason I wanted to read it, because it’s pretty and I’m a girl and girls usually like pretty things. Plus, the whole premise of the book just sort screamed one word out at me: FUN!
And I was so very not disappointed, either.
The Lipstick Laws is sort of like Mean Girls plus Clique equals a world of fun, flirty, sabotage. Also, who doesn’t want to be one of the most popular girl’s in high school, sitting with the best and the prettiest girls at lunch, and hanging with them at the mall on a Saturday afternoon?
The main character of the book is extremely relatable and pretty much down to earth, witty, an all around good girl just trying to get through high school unscathed without experiencing more humiliation than possible, while trying to end up dating the hottest boy in school. Oh, and she’s got to have friends.
The lipstick law’s themselves, oh my lord; I don’t even think I could have lived by them. I mean, seriously, I think they’d probably have to invent a few more just to accommodate me. Those laws were hilarious and heinous at the same time and way too crazy. Everyone has flaws and these girls are no exception to the rule, in fact that’s why a few of these laws were designed around those flaws. The “mean girls” aren’t just mean for the sake of being mean, there are reasons why they act out.
In a lot of ways, the book sort of reminded me of that old saying, “Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.” It’s a good message to be sending to the younger generation or anyone in general. Plus, by telling the story this way and having each of the girls invent a law wrapped around their issue, past, or whatever the case may be, it gives the story a new twist on an already older story that’s been told.
For me, personally, one of the things I enjoyed most about this book, is how realistic the author wrote each one of her character’s, from the mean girl Britney to the geek who actually turned out to be a hottie after all, Delvin McGerk. It was just really fun to sit back and watch the feud between the Lipstick Lawless and the Lipstick Lawbreakers unfold, with all of their crazy schemes and antics all to the tune of a Taylor Swift song, “she took him faster than you could say sabotage.”
In the end, after all of the feuding, the schemes, and the crazy shenanigan’s April showed that she was the better person, by taking the high road and refusing to let Britney and the leftover Lipstick Lawless lackeys ruin the rest of her senior year, when presented with a chance to stoop to her level – she simply didn’t.
It was a nice wrap-up to a story that I was half afraid would end up being a bit cliché, I was very pleasantly surprised and happy with the how quickly I became engrossed with the story and just didn’t want to put the book down until I’d read the last page to make sure that April did end up with the hottie of her dreams and a group of really fantastic friends to round everything out.
Oh, and the boobical cubical was pretty damn funny. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that might be looking for a fun, fast-paced, light summer read or just in general. It gets four stars from me easily and is a book that I will re-visit every summer or at random times during the year for a re-read, when I need something to make laugh out loud hysterically and root for those crazy rebel Lipstick Lawbreaker’s.
All in all, I was happy to receive a copy of this in e-pub format through Net Galley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in exchange for an honest review. I do not charge for my reviews, as I enjoy reading and speaking honestly and openly about what I did or didn't enjoy about the books I read.
And I was so very not disappointed, either.
The Lipstick Laws is sort of like Mean Girls plus Clique equals a world of fun, flirty, sabotage. Also, who doesn’t want to be one of the most popular girl’s in high school, sitting with the best and the prettiest girls at lunch, and hanging with them at the mall on a Saturday afternoon?
The main character of the book is extremely relatable and pretty much down to earth, witty, an all around good girl just trying to get through high school unscathed without experiencing more humiliation than possible, while trying to end up dating the hottest boy in school. Oh, and she’s got to have friends.
The lipstick law’s themselves, oh my lord; I don’t even think I could have lived by them. I mean, seriously, I think they’d probably have to invent a few more just to accommodate me. Those laws were hilarious and heinous at the same time and way too crazy. Everyone has flaws and these girls are no exception to the rule, in fact that’s why a few of these laws were designed around those flaws. The “mean girls” aren’t just mean for the sake of being mean, there are reasons why they act out.
In a lot of ways, the book sort of reminded me of that old saying, “Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.” It’s a good message to be sending to the younger generation or anyone in general. Plus, by telling the story this way and having each of the girls invent a law wrapped around their issue, past, or whatever the case may be, it gives the story a new twist on an already older story that’s been told.
For me, personally, one of the things I enjoyed most about this book, is how realistic the author wrote each one of her character’s, from the mean girl Britney to the geek who actually turned out to be a hottie after all, Delvin McGerk. It was just really fun to sit back and watch the feud between the Lipstick Lawless and the Lipstick Lawbreakers unfold, with all of their crazy schemes and antics all to the tune of a Taylor Swift song, “she took him faster than you could say sabotage.”
In the end, after all of the feuding, the schemes, and the crazy shenanigan’s April showed that she was the better person, by taking the high road and refusing to let Britney and the leftover Lipstick Lawless lackeys ruin the rest of her senior year, when presented with a chance to stoop to her level – she simply didn’t.
It was a nice wrap-up to a story that I was half afraid would end up being a bit cliché, I was very pleasantly surprised and happy with the how quickly I became engrossed with the story and just didn’t want to put the book down until I’d read the last page to make sure that April did end up with the hottie of her dreams and a group of really fantastic friends to round everything out.
Oh, and the boobical cubical was pretty damn funny. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that might be looking for a fun, fast-paced, light summer read or just in general. It gets four stars from me easily and is a book that I will re-visit every summer or at random times during the year for a re-read, when I need something to make laugh out loud hysterically and root for those crazy rebel Lipstick Lawbreaker’s.
All in all, I was happy to receive a copy of this in e-pub format through Net Galley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in exchange for an honest review. I do not charge for my reviews, as I enjoy reading and speaking honestly and openly about what I did or didn't enjoy about the books I read.
January 29, 2011
What do I say about this book? Did I like it? Yes. Did I dislike it? Yes. This is one of those books where its length works in its favor. I sped through The Lipstick Laws in two days (and only that slow because I read it on my computer) and while I was reading it I pretty much enjoyed it. A few things rubbed me wrong, but overall I had a fun time. It wasn’t until I had finished and was thinking back on what happened that I realized I didn’t actually like it as much as I had originally thought.
The book is narrated by April, an insecure girl who catches the eye of mean girl Britney and her gaggle of followers. April’s voice is very readable. She has a sarcastic sense of humor and just the right combination of insecurity and spunk to make her relatable. I never got tired of her adorable names for things like her crush (Hottie-Body-Brentwood) and all of her hilarious names for boobs and bras. Every time she referred to herself as a “bosom sculptor” (she stuffs her bra) I cracked up. Am I easily amused? Yeah, maybe, but, come on! Bosom sculptor?! That’s just funny.
The humor is really what carried the book for me. April’s running commentary had me chuckling and there were a few scenes that had me laugh out loud. And I mean loud. There’s this one scene by a pool that just kept getting funnier and funnier with each event. As far as mean girl revenge is considered, well, let’s just say someone got OWNED and it was glorious (in that totally immoral I would never do that kind of way). I was so busy laughing through this book that it took me a while to realize I didn’t actually like the main characters.
I could totally see where April was coming from with wanting to be popular and not incur Britney’s wrath, so I understand why she went along with the Lipstick Laws. That didn’t bother me. I get that. What did bother me, though, was how almost every heinous aspect April (correctly) complained about in Britney was something April did herself! In a lot of ways, Britney came off as more sympathetic than April because at least Britney had horrible parents who “made her” how she was. April had no such explanation.
I kept hoping this would be the moral of the story: April would recognize how similar she was to Britney and she’d change her ways. This was touched on and the point was sort of made, a little, but….it wasn’t enough. By the end of the book I wasn’t convinced that April had really learned anything and was going to make any lasting changes (especially with that last page). After letting the book settle with me a little I realized that I was very annoyed with April for not growing enough. In the beginning I could even like her more because she hadn’t realized her behavior yet, but after she realized it and still stayed the same? That bugged me.
This is a big reason why I lowered the rating. If April had really learned her lesson in the end, I probably would have rated this a four. It wasn’t fantastic literature, but for a mean girls book, it was fun.
I recommend this book to readers who liked the movie Mean Girls, The Clique series by Lisi Harrison, or Art Geeks and Prom Queens by Alyson Noel. This was a cute, quick read that was undoubtedly funny. I am sold on Amy Holder’s writing, so I will definitely be interested in picking up her next book. I just hope whatever she writes next has a more likable character with more growth than April showed.
Originally posted at Small Review
The book is narrated by April, an insecure girl who catches the eye of mean girl Britney and her gaggle of followers. April’s voice is very readable. She has a sarcastic sense of humor and just the right combination of insecurity and spunk to make her relatable. I never got tired of her adorable names for things like her crush (Hottie-Body-Brentwood) and all of her hilarious names for boobs and bras. Every time she referred to herself as a “bosom sculptor” (she stuffs her bra) I cracked up. Am I easily amused? Yeah, maybe, but, come on! Bosom sculptor?! That’s just funny.
The humor is really what carried the book for me. April’s running commentary had me chuckling and there were a few scenes that had me laugh out loud. And I mean loud. There’s this one scene by a pool that just kept getting funnier and funnier with each event. As far as mean girl revenge is considered, well, let’s just say someone got OWNED and it was glorious (in that totally immoral I would never do that kind of way). I was so busy laughing through this book that it took me a while to realize I didn’t actually like the main characters.
I could totally see where April was coming from with wanting to be popular and not incur Britney’s wrath, so I understand why she went along with the Lipstick Laws. That didn’t bother me. I get that. What did bother me, though, was how almost every heinous aspect April (correctly) complained about in Britney was something April did herself! In a lot of ways, Britney came off as more sympathetic than April because at least Britney had horrible parents who “made her” how she was. April had no such explanation.
I kept hoping this would be the moral of the story: April would recognize how similar she was to Britney and she’d change her ways. This was touched on and the point was sort of made, a little, but….it wasn’t enough. By the end of the book I wasn’t convinced that April had really learned anything and was going to make any lasting changes (especially with that last page). After letting the book settle with me a little I realized that I was very annoyed with April for not growing enough. In the beginning I could even like her more because she hadn’t realized her behavior yet, but after she realized it and still stayed the same? That bugged me.
This is a big reason why I lowered the rating. If April had really learned her lesson in the end, I probably would have rated this a four. It wasn’t fantastic literature, but for a mean girls book, it was fun.
I recommend this book to readers who liked the movie Mean Girls, The Clique series by Lisi Harrison, or Art Geeks and Prom Queens by Alyson Noel. This was a cute, quick read that was undoubtedly funny. I am sold on Amy Holder’s writing, so I will definitely be interested in picking up her next book. I just hope whatever she writes next has a more likable character with more growth than April showed.
Originally posted at Small Review
March 10, 2011
Reviewed by Mishel at RexRobotReviews.com
April Bowers is pretty much invisible at Penford High School. It’s the beginning of her sophomore year and her best (and only) friend has moved away. She’s a compulsive bra-stuffer, currently cell-phone-less, and dreading the first day of school. But she soon finds herself sucked into the crazy world that is high school popularity when the Queen Bee, Britney Taylor, takes April under her wing. Britney gets absolutely any and everything she wants. She introduces April to the exclusive Lipstick Laws, which are a number of guidelines and rules to live by. But when April breaks one of the laws she’s quickly kicked to the curb and shunned by Britney, her clique, and most of the school. But April isn’t one to cower in the corner and cry about things. She is determined to get revenge, especially when Britney goes after April’s crush. No one messes with one’s crushes or exes…it’s in the Lipstick Laws!
The Lipstick Laws definitely has a “Mean Girls” feel to it. I admit I both liked and disliked April. I loved watching her finally stand up for herself in the end. But there were times she was too hypocritical and petty for my tastes. Of course, that’s part of the moral of the story but I kind wanted to shake the girl. I had no problem hating Britney; she’s the villain! But she’s a perfect example of how a screwed up family life can shape a person and their personality. There were times when I felt a bit bad for her but she’s true “mean girl” material.
There were many delightfully funny parts throughout the story. I enjoyed the camaraderie of the Lipstick Lawbreakers. I felt that April’s new friends could have been developed a little more or could have had a little more “air time” in the story though. I was actually rooting for the guy that had the crush on April. But I was pretty satisfied in the end with April’s choices.
On a funny personal note: I’m actually good friends with a girl named Brittany Taylor. I found it pretty hilarious that the villain in the story has the same name because my Brittany is one of the sweetest and funniest girls I’ve ever known. I can’t wait to tell her about her literary doppelganger! She enjoys reading and I think she’ll get a kick out of The Lipstick Laws.
I think a lot of readers, young and old, will find The Lipstick Laws appealing in some way. The book mimics what high school students all over the world have to go through in some form or the other. All readers may not be able to relate to the characters but I think the morals of the story and the overall effect will hit home with many. I think anyone who is looking for a fun, cute, and “mean girls” type read should give The Lipstick Laws a shot.
P.S. (cover talk)
The cover is actually what made me want to read the book. I love the chick-lit feel and it of course it goes very well with the story.
April Bowers is pretty much invisible at Penford High School. It’s the beginning of her sophomore year and her best (and only) friend has moved away. She’s a compulsive bra-stuffer, currently cell-phone-less, and dreading the first day of school. But she soon finds herself sucked into the crazy world that is high school popularity when the Queen Bee, Britney Taylor, takes April under her wing. Britney gets absolutely any and everything she wants. She introduces April to the exclusive Lipstick Laws, which are a number of guidelines and rules to live by. But when April breaks one of the laws she’s quickly kicked to the curb and shunned by Britney, her clique, and most of the school. But April isn’t one to cower in the corner and cry about things. She is determined to get revenge, especially when Britney goes after April’s crush. No one messes with one’s crushes or exes…it’s in the Lipstick Laws!
The Lipstick Laws definitely has a “Mean Girls” feel to it. I admit I both liked and disliked April. I loved watching her finally stand up for herself in the end. But there were times she was too hypocritical and petty for my tastes. Of course, that’s part of the moral of the story but I kind wanted to shake the girl. I had no problem hating Britney; she’s the villain! But she’s a perfect example of how a screwed up family life can shape a person and their personality. There were times when I felt a bit bad for her but she’s true “mean girl” material.
There were many delightfully funny parts throughout the story. I enjoyed the camaraderie of the Lipstick Lawbreakers. I felt that April’s new friends could have been developed a little more or could have had a little more “air time” in the story though. I was actually rooting for the guy that had the crush on April. But I was pretty satisfied in the end with April’s choices.
On a funny personal note: I’m actually good friends with a girl named Brittany Taylor. I found it pretty hilarious that the villain in the story has the same name because my Brittany is one of the sweetest and funniest girls I’ve ever known. I can’t wait to tell her about her literary doppelganger! She enjoys reading and I think she’ll get a kick out of The Lipstick Laws.
I think a lot of readers, young and old, will find The Lipstick Laws appealing in some way. The book mimics what high school students all over the world have to go through in some form or the other. All readers may not be able to relate to the characters but I think the morals of the story and the overall effect will hit home with many. I think anyone who is looking for a fun, cute, and “mean girls” type read should give The Lipstick Laws a shot.
P.S. (cover talk)
The cover is actually what made me want to read the book. I love the chick-lit feel and it of course it goes very well with the story.
January 17, 2011
April Bowers is a social non-entity at Penford High School. At least if she was an outcast it would mean she was noticed. She moved to town a year ago and no one, aside from Delvin “King Stalker” McGerk, knows she exists.
That is until Britney Taylor, ruler of the sophomore class, gets paired up with her in gym and decides to make April her next pet project.
Being friends with Britney requires sacrifice, devotion and an oath that is nearly impossible to follow. And when April breaks one of Britney’s rules of friendship – one of her Lipstick Laws – April wishes she could go back to being invisible.
But when things get to be too much, April decides to fight fire with fire. In this battle of wills, who will come out victorious?
***
The Lipstick Laws is Author Amy Holder’s debut novel. It is a very quick, super fun and immensely entertaining read. While the characters each fit into the typical roles necessary for this type of story – mean girl and her devoted followers and nice but socially awkward girl – the author has made April charming, witty, sarcastic, awkward and insecure, but not without a spine.
The story plays out as might be expected with acceptance into the group, banishment from the group, payback, counter attack and final confrontation. But with a number of creative aspects to this story such as the Lipstick Laws and Ms. Holder’s hysterically funny nicknames – Matt “Hottie Body” Brentwood, Delvin “King Stalker’ McGerk and the best yet, the “boobicle cubicle chestoid enhancers,” this story really is one-of-a-kind.
Ms. Holder is definitely a fresh new voice in the young adult market. The Lipstick Laws will have readers smiling, laughing and even cringing as they follow April and her tissue-stuffed bra through the battlefield that is her sophomore year.
On a personal note:
I could not stop laughing through this entire book. I found it outrageously funny. (Not in a bad way.) I think Amy Holder has an amazing sense of humor and passed that on to her character, April.
I loved April’s somewhat ditzy inner monologue at the beginning of the book, but was glad that after the initial few pages she had more going for her.
I thought the story was very relatable. While I (thank goodness) did not have to go through the same high school experience, I could still completely sympathize with poor April just trying to fit in, worrying that her most secret of secrets might be revealed.
I have not read any of the other “mean girl” stories that are currently trending today, although I know there are a bunch of them out there. So I can’t compare this one in terms of specific similarities, but for me this was definitely an original. And I wouldn’t mind seeing April and her “Kleenex cleavage” return in another book.
That is until Britney Taylor, ruler of the sophomore class, gets paired up with her in gym and decides to make April her next pet project.
Being friends with Britney requires sacrifice, devotion and an oath that is nearly impossible to follow. And when April breaks one of Britney’s rules of friendship – one of her Lipstick Laws – April wishes she could go back to being invisible.
But when things get to be too much, April decides to fight fire with fire. In this battle of wills, who will come out victorious?
***
The Lipstick Laws is Author Amy Holder’s debut novel. It is a very quick, super fun and immensely entertaining read. While the characters each fit into the typical roles necessary for this type of story – mean girl and her devoted followers and nice but socially awkward girl – the author has made April charming, witty, sarcastic, awkward and insecure, but not without a spine.
The story plays out as might be expected with acceptance into the group, banishment from the group, payback, counter attack and final confrontation. But with a number of creative aspects to this story such as the Lipstick Laws and Ms. Holder’s hysterically funny nicknames – Matt “Hottie Body” Brentwood, Delvin “King Stalker’ McGerk and the best yet, the “boobicle cubicle chestoid enhancers,” this story really is one-of-a-kind.
Ms. Holder is definitely a fresh new voice in the young adult market. The Lipstick Laws will have readers smiling, laughing and even cringing as they follow April and her tissue-stuffed bra through the battlefield that is her sophomore year.
On a personal note:
I could not stop laughing through this entire book. I found it outrageously funny. (Not in a bad way.) I think Amy Holder has an amazing sense of humor and passed that on to her character, April.
I loved April’s somewhat ditzy inner monologue at the beginning of the book, but was glad that after the initial few pages she had more going for her.
I thought the story was very relatable. While I (thank goodness) did not have to go through the same high school experience, I could still completely sympathize with poor April just trying to fit in, worrying that her most secret of secrets might be revealed.
I have not read any of the other “mean girl” stories that are currently trending today, although I know there are a bunch of them out there. So I can’t compare this one in terms of specific similarities, but for me this was definitely an original. And I wouldn’t mind seeing April and her “Kleenex cleavage” return in another book.
February 11, 2011
Ah, high school. A time of my life that I'd never willingly go back to, and this book reminds me exactly why!
Poor April gets caught up in the desire to be popular, but it conflicts with her personality and desire to be nice. She struggles with many of the same issues that we all faced: not having the 'right' clothes, being underdeveloped, the hot guy in homeroom seems to only want to be friends...the list of high school angst could go on and on.
I liked that April ends up remaining true to herself. I like that she takes a good long look at what she's on the way to becoming and chooses to do a 180 and go where she knows is right. I like that her good nature comes through.
I could definitely sympathize with her during her struggles with the mean girls. In my case, it wasn't the mean girls, it was the mean guys. My situation was different, obviously, but it made me relate to April more than I normally would have. I don't usually relate to teenage characters. :D
I did get a little tired of all the boob-talk. Really, I could have done with about 90% less. Okay, we know that April is freakishly flat-chested and hating on that. Now let's move on to something else.
Overall, this was a fun, quick read. Probably not one that I'd read over and over, but definitely not one that I regret having read. I'm giving it a 'hmmm' rating, because it wasn't fantastic and it wasn't bad. It was okay.
Poor April gets caught up in the desire to be popular, but it conflicts with her personality and desire to be nice. She struggles with many of the same issues that we all faced: not having the 'right' clothes, being underdeveloped, the hot guy in homeroom seems to only want to be friends...the list of high school angst could go on and on.
I liked that April ends up remaining true to herself. I like that she takes a good long look at what she's on the way to becoming and chooses to do a 180 and go where she knows is right. I like that her good nature comes through.
I could definitely sympathize with her during her struggles with the mean girls. In my case, it wasn't the mean girls, it was the mean guys. My situation was different, obviously, but it made me relate to April more than I normally would have. I don't usually relate to teenage characters. :D
I did get a little tired of all the boob-talk. Really, I could have done with about 90% less. Okay, we know that April is freakishly flat-chested and hating on that. Now let's move on to something else.
Overall, this was a fun, quick read. Probably not one that I'd read over and over, but definitely not one that I regret having read. I'm giving it a 'hmmm' rating, because it wasn't fantastic and it wasn't bad. It was okay.
March 3, 2015
I was immediately drawn in by the voice of this YA novel. It's unique and fresh and grabs your attention. April Bowers is like most teens, she hates her flaws (her flat chest), is desperate for friendship, and has a crush on one of the hottest guys in school. In order to get what she wants, she makes a deal with the devil in the form of Britney Taylor, the hottest, most popular girl in school. She signs her life away by pledging to follow the Lipstick Laws.
Following these superficial laws aren't as easy as April thinks, and soon she becomes a lawbreaker and school misfit. Hilarity ensues when April decides to get even by deflating Lipstick Queen, Britney's, ego.
The novel kind of reminds me of Mean Girls. The back and forth revenge plots between the Lawlords and the Lawbreakers are funny and intriguing. The characters, especially April, Britney, Delvin, and Mr. Hottie Body Brentwood are engaging and memorable. I loved hating Britney, truly felt sorry for the other Lawlords, and found myself rooting for the Lawbreakers.
The story kept me wanting to read to see what comes next in the battle for popularity and vengeance.
This is a great, semi-clean (hardly any bad words at all) read for teens, and I'm sure we're going to see more of Amy Holder's writing in the future.
Following these superficial laws aren't as easy as April thinks, and soon she becomes a lawbreaker and school misfit. Hilarity ensues when April decides to get even by deflating Lipstick Queen, Britney's, ego.
The novel kind of reminds me of Mean Girls. The back and forth revenge plots between the Lawlords and the Lawbreakers are funny and intriguing. The characters, especially April, Britney, Delvin, and Mr. Hottie Body Brentwood are engaging and memorable. I loved hating Britney, truly felt sorry for the other Lawlords, and found myself rooting for the Lawbreakers.
The story kept me wanting to read to see what comes next in the battle for popularity and vengeance.
This is a great, semi-clean (hardly any bad words at all) read for teens, and I'm sure we're going to see more of Amy Holder's writing in the future.
January 10, 2011
Lipstick laws is, in my opinion, your typical high school book about an invisible girl. April somehow finds herself in a situation where she becomes popular with the help of Brianna after been matched by a teacher with time April realizes Brianna's influence may not be for the best and tries to remove herself from her.
The primary reason of why I didn't enjoy this book is because I felt I've read the book before, there was nothing special in it for me to get caught up in the story and from the start I knew I wouldn't enjoy the book. I didn't like April because she was never herself, she acts different just it to please others and as the book went by I felt she was losing herself and becoming someone else, a person she did not wanted to be in the first place.
Amy Holder is a great writer and I would love to read any of her future books, but unfortunately I was not caught by the Lipstick laws.
The primary reason of why I didn't enjoy this book is because I felt I've read the book before, there was nothing special in it for me to get caught up in the story and from the start I knew I wouldn't enjoy the book. I didn't like April because she was never herself, she acts different just it to please others and as the book went by I felt she was losing herself and becoming someone else, a person she did not wanted to be in the first place.
Amy Holder is a great writer and I would love to read any of her future books, but unfortunately I was not caught by the Lipstick laws.
October 25, 2010
I received a complimentary e-galley of this book courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt via netgalley.com. This is an honest review based on my thoughts while reading this book.
After her best friend moves away, April Bowers is left friendless and alone to face the horrors of high school. She has often dreamed what it would be like to be popular like Britney Taylor. She can hardly believe what is happening to her when she and Britney seem to get along during their gym period. Thinking April is a new student, Britney takes her under her wing and April begins to see what it’s like to be lusted after by cute guys and envied by the other girls.
April’s best friend Haley had warned April to beware of the red lipstick. When April is finally accepted 100% into Britney’s entourage, she must sign and seal the Lipstick Oath with a kiss. The rules are simple: don’t break any of the 7 Lipstick Laws if you want to stay Britney’s friend. What at first seemed like a dream come true to April soon turns into a nightmare. Once she’s labeled a social misfit, April decides to fight back. She knows she can’t be the only one whom Britney has cast out of her social network, and soon she and her new friends will give Britney Taylor a taste of her own medicine.
In The Lipstick Laws, Amy Holder accurately portrays the ups and downs of living with and without popularity. It’s easy to relate to April, a girl who just wants to fit in but has one big insecurity: the size of her boobs. To give herself a better self image, April stuffs her bra with tissues and hopes that her new “friends” won’t find out. Each of the girls in The Lipstick Laws has quite a bit of depth, but some of the guys (especially Matt) fall short of this. Even Britney Taylor, the Mean Queen herself, has an interesting evolution story of why she is who she is today.
It took April a little while to “get” it, and I wanted to strangle her when she unknowingly started trying to change a guy just so she wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen out with him in public. In the end, April finally figures it out and learns how to be happy with who she is, but almost turned into a Mean Queen herself in the process. During those situations, I was extremely disappointed in April. I thought she was better than Britney, and that there had to be a better way than exacting revenge to move past all of this.
A lot of teen girls deal with the stress of trying to be popular. I wish I’d encountered a book similar to this one when I was handling many of the same insecurities as April. It probably wouldn’t have made too huge of a difference for me, but I would have at least been comforted that I wasn’t the only one out there who felt this way.
After her best friend moves away, April Bowers is left friendless and alone to face the horrors of high school. She has often dreamed what it would be like to be popular like Britney Taylor. She can hardly believe what is happening to her when she and Britney seem to get along during their gym period. Thinking April is a new student, Britney takes her under her wing and April begins to see what it’s like to be lusted after by cute guys and envied by the other girls.
April’s best friend Haley had warned April to beware of the red lipstick. When April is finally accepted 100% into Britney’s entourage, she must sign and seal the Lipstick Oath with a kiss. The rules are simple: don’t break any of the 7 Lipstick Laws if you want to stay Britney’s friend. What at first seemed like a dream come true to April soon turns into a nightmare. Once she’s labeled a social misfit, April decides to fight back. She knows she can’t be the only one whom Britney has cast out of her social network, and soon she and her new friends will give Britney Taylor a taste of her own medicine.
In The Lipstick Laws, Amy Holder accurately portrays the ups and downs of living with and without popularity. It’s easy to relate to April, a girl who just wants to fit in but has one big insecurity: the size of her boobs. To give herself a better self image, April stuffs her bra with tissues and hopes that her new “friends” won’t find out. Each of the girls in The Lipstick Laws has quite a bit of depth, but some of the guys (especially Matt) fall short of this. Even Britney Taylor, the Mean Queen herself, has an interesting evolution story of why she is who she is today.
It took April a little while to “get” it, and I wanted to strangle her when she unknowingly started trying to change a guy just so she wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen out with him in public. In the end, April finally figures it out and learns how to be happy with who she is, but almost turned into a Mean Queen herself in the process. During those situations, I was extremely disappointed in April. I thought she was better than Britney, and that there had to be a better way than exacting revenge to move past all of this.
A lot of teen girls deal with the stress of trying to be popular. I wish I’d encountered a book similar to this one when I was handling many of the same insecurities as April. It probably wouldn’t have made too huge of a difference for me, but I would have at least been comforted that I wasn’t the only one out there who felt this way.
May 28, 2011
Originally posted at Read Me Bookmark Me Love Me
The Lipstick Laws begins with April's first day of school as a sophomore. She is lonely and considered a nobody, her only friend having recently moved away. After being partnered with Britney Taylor in gym class, a series of (un)fortunate events land April at the cool girls' lunch table. She knows that she shouldn't be friends with them but she's the stereotypical teenage girl, unable to resist the lure of popularity and eager to do anything in order to have friends. April later finds that being popular isn't all that it's cracked up to be. When she is initiated into the group, she signs her freedom away to the lipstick laws. Breaking any one of the seven means that you're out of the group and your life is ruined. Aren't I glad I'm not her?
April's an interesting character. While good at heart, she's somewhat shallow and constantly worries about her looks, stuffing her bra, wearing makeup and refusing to be friends with a guy because he's geeky and unattractive. Surprisingly, I didn't find this to be annoying at all. I actually found April to be quite adorable and she made me laugh throughout the novel. Amy Holder portrays this innocently lost but sassy tone perfectly, completely convincing me that April is a teenager. On the first day, April runs into the new resident hottie, Matthew Brentwood aka Mr Hottie-Body Brentwood. When he walks past her desk in homeroom, she describes him as being "BEEEE-YOOOOU-TI-FUL". Honestly. I'd like some of his "delicious hot-guy aroma" to waft past me too! April also believes that "the person who created the torture device called gym class should be clobbered with an enormous frozen cucumber". I think we're sharing a brain here. April is always amusing and a joy to read about.
The novel follows the events in April's life as she tries to fit in, gets spit back out and begins to grow up. I won't spoil the book by telling you what happens but I'll tell you that The Lipstick Laws is fun, cheeky and guaranteed to put a smile on your face. I think that it's a great story with developed characters and is an artful storytelling of the many ups and downs in life. I wholly felt her emotions and always understood what she was thinking, though I didn't necessarily agree with all of her choices. I might have even shed a tear at one point! The Lipstick Laws ends on a wonderfully positive note as April comes to some powerful realisations and becomes a really great person. The morals of this novel are refreshing, the journey heartwarming and fun. I recommend this book to anyone who will listen! It's very engaging and, if you're like me, you'll love it and read it all in one sitting.
The Lipstick Laws begins with April's first day of school as a sophomore. She is lonely and considered a nobody, her only friend having recently moved away. After being partnered with Britney Taylor in gym class, a series of (un)fortunate events land April at the cool girls' lunch table. She knows that she shouldn't be friends with them but she's the stereotypical teenage girl, unable to resist the lure of popularity and eager to do anything in order to have friends. April later finds that being popular isn't all that it's cracked up to be. When she is initiated into the group, she signs her freedom away to the lipstick laws. Breaking any one of the seven means that you're out of the group and your life is ruined. Aren't I glad I'm not her?
April's an interesting character. While good at heart, she's somewhat shallow and constantly worries about her looks, stuffing her bra, wearing makeup and refusing to be friends with a guy because he's geeky and unattractive. Surprisingly, I didn't find this to be annoying at all. I actually found April to be quite adorable and she made me laugh throughout the novel. Amy Holder portrays this innocently lost but sassy tone perfectly, completely convincing me that April is a teenager. On the first day, April runs into the new resident hottie, Matthew Brentwood aka Mr Hottie-Body Brentwood. When he walks past her desk in homeroom, she describes him as being "BEEEE-YOOOOU-TI-FUL". Honestly. I'd like some of his "delicious hot-guy aroma" to waft past me too! April also believes that "the person who created the torture device called gym class should be clobbered with an enormous frozen cucumber". I think we're sharing a brain here. April is always amusing and a joy to read about.
The novel follows the events in April's life as she tries to fit in, gets spit back out and begins to grow up. I won't spoil the book by telling you what happens but I'll tell you that The Lipstick Laws is fun, cheeky and guaranteed to put a smile on your face. I think that it's a great story with developed characters and is an artful storytelling of the many ups and downs in life. I wholly felt her emotions and always understood what she was thinking, though I didn't necessarily agree with all of her choices. I might have even shed a tear at one point! The Lipstick Laws ends on a wonderfully positive note as April comes to some powerful realisations and becomes a really great person. The morals of this novel are refreshing, the journey heartwarming and fun. I recommend this book to anyone who will listen! It's very engaging and, if you're like me, you'll love it and read it all in one sitting.
November 28, 2010
It's no secret that I absolutely adore the movie Mean Girls, so when I found out that Amy Holder's The Lipstick Laws was similar to it, I was even more excited about it.
As it turns out, I had every right to be that way, because The Lipstick Laws is pure gold. It's the book for every girl or boy out there who wanted to fight back when the "popular" girls tore them done but didn't know how to.
The Lipstick Laws tells the tale of April Bowers, a girl who's so not looking forward to her sophomore year of high school. For one, her best and only friend just moved away. Secondly, her parents just took away her cell phone, and she's obsessing over the fact that she has absolutely no boobs. Though, everything changes the day she gets pared up with Brittany Taylor, queen bee of Penford High School, in gym class. Brittany, who is always looking for a charity case to support, swoops April up into her evil grip, promising popularity, friends, and boys galore. Though, is Brittany as perfect or as nice as she appears to be? Plus, what will happen when she finds out about April's biggest secrets? Will she be there or manage to throw April to the dogs? And if the later occurs, will April fight back? Only time will tell in this highly addicting book of high school hierarchy.
April Bowers was naive but funny, loyal, and as it turns out, the perfect choice to lead this story. April was someone who while I liked and related to in many ways, I still wanted to shake on the shoulders sometimes for her silly decisions at times. Though, I have to admit, I could understand why she made the choices she did, and since she learned from most of them, I'll let her slide on it. One of the things I loved most about her was that when Brittany threw her to the dogs so to say, April didn't sit back and cower about it, instead she fought back ten times harder. I also loved the addition of the side characters such as Haley and the other Lipstick Lawbreakers as well. All were just as funny and loyal as April.
Another high point of this book was the premise and the execution was even better, thankfully! I loved the idea of The Lipstick Laws, especially every little plot line that came with it because they always managed to keep me on my feet, curious to see what would occur next. I loved Brittany's little group because while they were evil and self absorbed to the max, they still managed to be a blast to read about.
In all, Amy Holder has a fantastic debut within The Lipstick Laws, one that makes me excited to see what she has next for us, especially if it's a sequel to The Lipstick Laws.
Grade: A
As it turns out, I had every right to be that way, because The Lipstick Laws is pure gold. It's the book for every girl or boy out there who wanted to fight back when the "popular" girls tore them done but didn't know how to.
The Lipstick Laws tells the tale of April Bowers, a girl who's so not looking forward to her sophomore year of high school. For one, her best and only friend just moved away. Secondly, her parents just took away her cell phone, and she's obsessing over the fact that she has absolutely no boobs. Though, everything changes the day she gets pared up with Brittany Taylor, queen bee of Penford High School, in gym class. Brittany, who is always looking for a charity case to support, swoops April up into her evil grip, promising popularity, friends, and boys galore. Though, is Brittany as perfect or as nice as she appears to be? Plus, what will happen when she finds out about April's biggest secrets? Will she be there or manage to throw April to the dogs? And if the later occurs, will April fight back? Only time will tell in this highly addicting book of high school hierarchy.
April Bowers was naive but funny, loyal, and as it turns out, the perfect choice to lead this story. April was someone who while I liked and related to in many ways, I still wanted to shake on the shoulders sometimes for her silly decisions at times. Though, I have to admit, I could understand why she made the choices she did, and since she learned from most of them, I'll let her slide on it. One of the things I loved most about her was that when Brittany threw her to the dogs so to say, April didn't sit back and cower about it, instead she fought back ten times harder. I also loved the addition of the side characters such as Haley and the other Lipstick Lawbreakers as well. All were just as funny and loyal as April.
Another high point of this book was the premise and the execution was even better, thankfully! I loved the idea of The Lipstick Laws, especially every little plot line that came with it because they always managed to keep me on my feet, curious to see what would occur next. I loved Brittany's little group because while they were evil and self absorbed to the max, they still managed to be a blast to read about.
In all, Amy Holder has a fantastic debut within The Lipstick Laws, one that makes me excited to see what she has next for us, especially if it's a sequel to The Lipstick Laws.
Grade: A
February 26, 2011
I'm glad I didn't (completely) judge Lipstick Laws by the cover, because it's really not that enticing to me. I just don't like the candy heart resting in the mouth so awkwardly, I guess. It looks strange.
But, getting beyond this cover, I'll go ahead and state my biases:
1. I love the movie Mean Girls
2. I really, really love the movie Mean Girls
3. And did I mention, I like a movie called Mean Girls?
If I were to describe The Lipstick Laws quite simply, I'd probably compare it to... okay... Mean Girls. It's about a girl, named April Bowers, who is both self-conscious and unpopular at her high school. In fact, she's SO typical and so unknown that she gets away with calling herself a new student and hardly anyone knows better because nobody has really heard of April Bowers.
When April ends up partnered with Britney Taylor, the most gorgeous, popular, desired girl in high school, she plans to use the situation to finally find a way up the social ladder. Sure Britney is catty, superficial, demanding, and just plain mean, but if April become her friend, the rest of high school will be a breeze.
To be part of Britney's crowd, April must first pass an initiation where she is given lists of what "to do" and "not to do," including rules about what to wear, who to befriend, and how much money to spend. She must sign an oath, called The Lipstick Laws, promising that all of her decisions will ultimately benefit Britney, without ever upstaging her beauty or popularity.
It doesn't take long, though, for April to violate one of the Lipstick Laws, and she is immediately labeled an outsider and stripped of her popularity once again. Except, this time it's worse. Britney won't stop until she believes April has paid for what she's done.
THE LIPSTICK LAWS was definitely a cute, fun, entertaining read. Yes, it feels young, but it never felt cheesy or over-the-top for me at all. Sure, it's been a while since I was in high school, but I still found this book to be relate-able to the popularity struggles that went on back in my day too.
I read this book on Netgalley, but I do think I will purchase it as well at some point.
But, getting beyond this cover, I'll go ahead and state my biases:
1. I love the movie Mean Girls
2. I really, really love the movie Mean Girls
3. And did I mention, I like a movie called Mean Girls?
If I were to describe The Lipstick Laws quite simply, I'd probably compare it to... okay... Mean Girls. It's about a girl, named April Bowers, who is both self-conscious and unpopular at her high school. In fact, she's SO typical and so unknown that she gets away with calling herself a new student and hardly anyone knows better because nobody has really heard of April Bowers.
When April ends up partnered with Britney Taylor, the most gorgeous, popular, desired girl in high school, she plans to use the situation to finally find a way up the social ladder. Sure Britney is catty, superficial, demanding, and just plain mean, but if April become her friend, the rest of high school will be a breeze.
To be part of Britney's crowd, April must first pass an initiation where she is given lists of what "to do" and "not to do," including rules about what to wear, who to befriend, and how much money to spend. She must sign an oath, called The Lipstick Laws, promising that all of her decisions will ultimately benefit Britney, without ever upstaging her beauty or popularity.
It doesn't take long, though, for April to violate one of the Lipstick Laws, and she is immediately labeled an outsider and stripped of her popularity once again. Except, this time it's worse. Britney won't stop until she believes April has paid for what she's done.
THE LIPSTICK LAWS was definitely a cute, fun, entertaining read. Yes, it feels young, but it never felt cheesy or over-the-top for me at all. Sure, it's been a while since I was in high school, but I still found this book to be relate-able to the popularity struggles that went on back in my day too.
I read this book on Netgalley, but I do think I will purchase it as well at some point.
March 31, 2011
This book was your typical YA contemporary novel. The unpopular girl suddenly gets attention form the popular girl who is super pretty but also super dump and mean.
April is alone after her friend moved away so she's looking to a year of loneliness, but then something happens and she found herself recognized from the itGirls, the one that rule the school.
First happy she soon sees how absolutely mean Brittany really is...
I liked the book, it was really fun to read and I was most definitely entertained by this girl fight! April was a funny character to follow and she most definitely had the heart on the right place. Being invisible is never easy and there she got the chance to finally be someone! The Lipstick laws were laws created from Brittany which are not only cruel but also ridiculous to follow, yet April signs it.
I guess what bothered me was that everything was so predicable. April signs the lipstick laws and it was clear things go downhill from there one. I won't spoil what happens, but it was easy to figure out for me.
Later on, April reflects a lot about why Brittany is the way she is and the book clearly delivers some pretty good messages. But it felt forced for me.
In addition, April tries to fight back after she got kicked out from Brittany and ..uhhoohhh... I was cringing the whole time thinking Oh my..now April is doing the same mistakes. I get the wish for revenge but instead of staying true to herself she did the same things she hated about Brittany.
The end however made up for this one and I feel like April did learn her lesson, although not completely, also this felt a bit forced at the end to be honest...
Bottom Line
I truly enjoyed this battle of popular mean kids vs. the invisible good hearted kids and I absolutely love the humor in it and the funny voice of April. The plot, the way April changes and the end felt a bit too forced and predicable, but if you love stories like this you will most definitely find yourself enjoying this one!
April is alone after her friend moved away so she's looking to a year of loneliness, but then something happens and she found herself recognized from the itGirls, the one that rule the school.
First happy she soon sees how absolutely mean Brittany really is...
I liked the book, it was really fun to read and I was most definitely entertained by this girl fight! April was a funny character to follow and she most definitely had the heart on the right place. Being invisible is never easy and there she got the chance to finally be someone! The Lipstick laws were laws created from Brittany which are not only cruel but also ridiculous to follow, yet April signs it.
I guess what bothered me was that everything was so predicable. April signs the lipstick laws and it was clear things go downhill from there one. I won't spoil what happens, but it was easy to figure out for me.
Later on, April reflects a lot about why Brittany is the way she is and the book clearly delivers some pretty good messages. But it felt forced for me.
In addition, April tries to fight back after she got kicked out from Brittany and ..uhhoohhh... I was cringing the whole time thinking Oh my..now April is doing the same mistakes. I get the wish for revenge but instead of staying true to herself she did the same things she hated about Brittany.
The end however made up for this one and I feel like April did learn her lesson, although not completely, also this felt a bit forced at the end to be honest...
Bottom Line
I truly enjoyed this battle of popular mean kids vs. the invisible good hearted kids and I absolutely love the humor in it and the funny voice of April. The plot, the way April changes and the end felt a bit too forced and predicable, but if you love stories like this you will most definitely find yourself enjoying this one!
April 2, 2011
This review may also be found on A Thousand Little Pages.
April Bowers is Miss Invisible. Well, Miss Invisible with an oddly incurable bra stuffing addiction. She dreads starting sophomore year without her best -- and only -- friend Haley by her side. However, after a surprising incident that involves a cute skirt and some borrowed lip gloss, April finds herself invited to enter the exclusive clique of popular Britney Taylor. The thing is: no one gets to be that popular without a couple of haters. And April, desperate to attract the attention of the new boy she nicknames Mr. Hottie-Body Brentwood, is willing to try anything to improve her abysmal social ranking. But does that anything include tolerating the controlling Britney?
This book made me chuckle, at least at first. I was charmed by April’s snarky narrative and attitude. She was endearing in a younger sibling sort of way -- weird, considering the fact that she and I are both high school sophomores. As I got deeper into the book, I ended up getting more and more annoyed at April. She felt so artificial, along with all the other characters in the story. April’s friend Haley seemed especially fake. I would physically wince each time the two girls conversed on the phone. Their stilted conversations remind me of the script of some badly-written teenybopper TV drama.
The plot also lacked development. I know it’s impossible to fit every little detail into 200+ pages, but I felt that the humongous time skips in the story weren’t incorporated well enough. It was like walking down a flight of stairs and suddenly stepping through a missing step. Whoosh. Quite an uncomfortable feeling, you know?
Overall, The Lipstick Laws is a cute and slightly fluffy story about facing the mean girls of high school and accepting yourself for who you are.
Book Source: ARC from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt via NetGalley
April Bowers is Miss Invisible. Well, Miss Invisible with an oddly incurable bra stuffing addiction. She dreads starting sophomore year without her best -- and only -- friend Haley by her side. However, after a surprising incident that involves a cute skirt and some borrowed lip gloss, April finds herself invited to enter the exclusive clique of popular Britney Taylor. The thing is: no one gets to be that popular without a couple of haters. And April, desperate to attract the attention of the new boy she nicknames Mr. Hottie-Body Brentwood, is willing to try anything to improve her abysmal social ranking. But does that anything include tolerating the controlling Britney?
This book made me chuckle, at least at first. I was charmed by April’s snarky narrative and attitude. She was endearing in a younger sibling sort of way -- weird, considering the fact that she and I are both high school sophomores. As I got deeper into the book, I ended up getting more and more annoyed at April. She felt so artificial, along with all the other characters in the story. April’s friend Haley seemed especially fake. I would physically wince each time the two girls conversed on the phone. Their stilted conversations remind me of the script of some badly-written teenybopper TV drama.
The plot also lacked development. I know it’s impossible to fit every little detail into 200+ pages, but I felt that the humongous time skips in the story weren’t incorporated well enough. It was like walking down a flight of stairs and suddenly stepping through a missing step. Whoosh. Quite an uncomfortable feeling, you know?
Overall, The Lipstick Laws is a cute and slightly fluffy story about facing the mean girls of high school and accepting yourself for who you are.
Book Source: ARC from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt via NetGalley
January 1, 2011
This review is also published at http://living-for-books.blogspot.com/
Thanks again to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for allowing me to read this excellent book!
The Lipstick Laws are sealed with a Kiss…
Compared to the queen of Penford High School, Britney Taylor, April Bowers might as well not exist…
But when, on the first day back Britney invites April to join her at lunch, April’s popularity skyrockets. And even though she is warned by her best friend who has been a victim to Britney’s torture, to avoid Britney and her backstabbing ways, the call of popularity is too much to resist…
April hangs onto the small thread of hope that she may become popular even if that means she must endure the manipulative and arrogant ways of Britney. And when she’s finally invited to officially join the group she must agree to the laws, The Lipstick Laws, created by Britney, that consist of 7 unbreakable rules.
But popularity always comes with a price, the question is: Can April afford it?
"The Lipstick Laws" is a quick and easy read that anyone can enjoy. It’s funny with enough action and drama to keep you from putting the book down. The character April’s life is relatable to many teens out there, many suffer from the bullying of “popular” groups or people or they succumb to the call of popularity and the price with it.
April goes through a huge emotional journey with ups and downs; the good thing is that she learns that you can always rise back up from a down, even when the odds look bad. She also discovers that sometimes you’ve got to let issues go, and not always be out for revenge. And even when horrible acts have been inflicted upon her, April learns that she should stop and think about the consequences, not just to her or Britney, but to those that are around them, for they will also be affected…
Thanks again to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for allowing me to read this excellent book!
The Lipstick Laws are sealed with a Kiss…
Compared to the queen of Penford High School, Britney Taylor, April Bowers might as well not exist…
But when, on the first day back Britney invites April to join her at lunch, April’s popularity skyrockets. And even though she is warned by her best friend who has been a victim to Britney’s torture, to avoid Britney and her backstabbing ways, the call of popularity is too much to resist…
April hangs onto the small thread of hope that she may become popular even if that means she must endure the manipulative and arrogant ways of Britney. And when she’s finally invited to officially join the group she must agree to the laws, The Lipstick Laws, created by Britney, that consist of 7 unbreakable rules.
But popularity always comes with a price, the question is: Can April afford it?
"The Lipstick Laws" is a quick and easy read that anyone can enjoy. It’s funny with enough action and drama to keep you from putting the book down. The character April’s life is relatable to many teens out there, many suffer from the bullying of “popular” groups or people or they succumb to the call of popularity and the price with it.
April goes through a huge emotional journey with ups and downs; the good thing is that she learns that you can always rise back up from a down, even when the odds look bad. She also discovers that sometimes you’ve got to let issues go, and not always be out for revenge. And even when horrible acts have been inflicted upon her, April learns that she should stop and think about the consequences, not just to her or Britney, but to those that are around them, for they will also be affected…
November 4, 2012
Very Mean Girls-esque. It was funny and witty and sometimes fairly annoying. However I am not one to deny that I enjoyed this book even if it had flaws and all.
I often get surprised at April. She reminded me of another movie, you know, 13 going on 30? She's exactly like the main character there. She kind of tries hard to be part of the clique and she has lots of insecurities strapped on herself. Generally, she's a typical character in this story. She doesn't stand out and she didn't shrivel up either. She's just alright, although she's a little hypocritical.
As for the other characters, they also appeared to me as typical teenage characters who are part of a book dealing with popularity and queen bees. Some characters are blobs to me. They're flat, but I guess they are made that way so that we can focus more on the main character. I particularly liked Delvin McGerk here. He's a nice guy who just wants to be friends (or maybe more) with April and is really helpful and supportive of April.
The plot is cliched. Naturally, it is predictable on how things will go. The big surprise at the end was something that I anticipated. However, that did not stop me from reading it. It was such a fun ride reading this one although I can't really relate with the High School Experience presented here.(Compared to this book, my HS experience is very tame and very fun. I'm a junior now, but I didn't experience these kinds of treatment. Thank goodness for that)
If you don't take this book seriously you might enjoy it more. That's what I am going to advice to you. don't take this book too seriously, read it lightly and don't let it clobber your brain with frustrations. It's a short book and is told in a light and easy voice. It had depth and heart. It is something that I enjoyed reading, but I probably won't read this again anymore.
I often get surprised at April. She reminded me of another movie, you know, 13 going on 30? She's exactly like the main character there. She kind of tries hard to be part of the clique and she has lots of insecurities strapped on herself. Generally, she's a typical character in this story. She doesn't stand out and she didn't shrivel up either. She's just alright, although she's a little hypocritical.
As for the other characters, they also appeared to me as typical teenage characters who are part of a book dealing with popularity and queen bees. Some characters are blobs to me. They're flat, but I guess they are made that way so that we can focus more on the main character. I particularly liked Delvin McGerk here. He's a nice guy who just wants to be friends (or maybe more) with April and is really helpful and supportive of April.
The plot is cliched. Naturally, it is predictable on how things will go. The big surprise at the end was something that I anticipated. However, that did not stop me from reading it. It was such a fun ride reading this one although I can't really relate with the High School Experience presented here.(Compared to this book, my HS experience is very tame and very fun. I'm a junior now, but I didn't experience these kinds of treatment. Thank goodness for that)
If you don't take this book seriously you might enjoy it more. That's what I am going to advice to you. don't take this book too seriously, read it lightly and don't let it clobber your brain with frustrations. It's a short book and is told in a light and easy voice. It had depth and heart. It is something that I enjoyed reading, but I probably won't read this again anymore.
January 7, 2011
The Lipstick Laws was a fun and unique debut that reminded me of how much I loved the movie Mean Girls.
April was a likable character and she was a very believable sophomore girl- worried about her bra size, getting a boyfriend, and trying to fit in. When April’s best friend from freshman year moves away she has no one else to face the terrors of her tenth grade year with. School must be an absolute terror if you don’t have any friends to experience it with and my heart went out to April. Although soon things become a lot better for her when popular girl, Britney Taylor takes April under her wing and the cute new boy has his eye on her. Britney seemed nice and sweet on the outside but on the inside she was a controlling, malicious, well, bitch. Britney and her “friends” live by a set of rules known as the Lipstick Laws and when April breaks one of them, Britney’s nasty side comes out in full force against her ex-best friend.
There were a variety of likable characters in The Lipstick Laws and readers really got to know all of them. Books about revenge are some of my favorites and when April banded together with the rest of the “Lipstick Lawbreakers” things started to get really exciting! The girls plot a variety of schemes to get back at Britney and the real show down takes place at the school dance.
The Lipstick Laws was a fresh and fun twist on the typical Mean Girls-esque story and I enjoyed watching April’s character develop and start to stand up for herself. She made some great friends and they all learned a lot about what’s more important- getting back at an enemy or just living life to it’s fullest?
Amy Holder wrote a fantastic and cute debut that will surely attract a variety of readers. I can’t wait to see what’s next for her!
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
April was a likable character and she was a very believable sophomore girl- worried about her bra size, getting a boyfriend, and trying to fit in. When April’s best friend from freshman year moves away she has no one else to face the terrors of her tenth grade year with. School must be an absolute terror if you don’t have any friends to experience it with and my heart went out to April. Although soon things become a lot better for her when popular girl, Britney Taylor takes April under her wing and the cute new boy has his eye on her. Britney seemed nice and sweet on the outside but on the inside she was a controlling, malicious, well, bitch. Britney and her “friends” live by a set of rules known as the Lipstick Laws and when April breaks one of them, Britney’s nasty side comes out in full force against her ex-best friend.
There were a variety of likable characters in The Lipstick Laws and readers really got to know all of them. Books about revenge are some of my favorites and when April banded together with the rest of the “Lipstick Lawbreakers” things started to get really exciting! The girls plot a variety of schemes to get back at Britney and the real show down takes place at the school dance.
The Lipstick Laws was a fresh and fun twist on the typical Mean Girls-esque story and I enjoyed watching April’s character develop and start to stand up for herself. She made some great friends and they all learned a lot about what’s more important- getting back at an enemy or just living life to it’s fullest?
Amy Holder wrote a fantastic and cute debut that will surely attract a variety of readers. I can’t wait to see what’s next for her!
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
June 7, 2011
I must admit, I wanted to read this book because I'm a complete cover slut. Yes. I said it. I'm a cover slut. And oddly enough, there is something about the lips on this cover that intrigue me.
Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder deeply reminded me of Mean Girls with and ending I enjoyed better. I think I may be the odd female out when I say that I didn't care for the movie Mean Girls all that much, but before you get any ideas, I did really really like this book. April Bowers, our main character, I feel for during this book. Maybe it's because I hated (with the passion of a trillion suns) high school. April though, she gets the chance to be in the popular group. Now, it takes a bit of a different turn than she would like, but isn't that truly the way it is supposed to be?
Amy Holder does a fabulous job at turning a story that we've all hear before, into something new and a bit twisted. The Lipstick Laws are more than just the title of the book. They are the evil plans of a sadistic Britney Taylor to take over the school...and she does. I've never quite understood what made popular people popular. I find it sad that a skinny waste and big boobs can put a girl at the top of the hierarchy, but 10 years ago, when I was in high school, that is exactly what happened. Maybe that's why I choose to read YA contemporary as much as I do, I'm always hoping for a happy ending, an ending that was nothing like mine and as wonderful as it aught to have been.
The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder is something along those lines. With lessons taught and lessons learned, the fun just never stops and the cross dressing just keeps on giving. That's right, the cross dressing. Needless to say, this book wasn't boring and in the end, we see what good can come from misery.
Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder deeply reminded me of Mean Girls with and ending I enjoyed better. I think I may be the odd female out when I say that I didn't care for the movie Mean Girls all that much, but before you get any ideas, I did really really like this book. April Bowers, our main character, I feel for during this book. Maybe it's because I hated (with the passion of a trillion suns) high school. April though, she gets the chance to be in the popular group. Now, it takes a bit of a different turn than she would like, but isn't that truly the way it is supposed to be?
Amy Holder does a fabulous job at turning a story that we've all hear before, into something new and a bit twisted. The Lipstick Laws are more than just the title of the book. They are the evil plans of a sadistic Britney Taylor to take over the school...and she does. I've never quite understood what made popular people popular. I find it sad that a skinny waste and big boobs can put a girl at the top of the hierarchy, but 10 years ago, when I was in high school, that is exactly what happened. Maybe that's why I choose to read YA contemporary as much as I do, I'm always hoping for a happy ending, an ending that was nothing like mine and as wonderful as it aught to have been.
The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder is something along those lines. With lessons taught and lessons learned, the fun just never stops and the cross dressing just keeps on giving. That's right, the cross dressing. Needless to say, this book wasn't boring and in the end, we see what good can come from misery.
March 16, 2011
The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder
HMH Children's, 2011
237 pages
YA; Contemporary
3/5 stars
Source: Received a free ecopy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was intrigued by the cover of this and psyched to see another book eligible for the DAC. However the story was less than pleasing to me, mainly because of the main character, April.
April's one friend has moved, leaving her again a pariah and vulnerable to popular Britney and her crew's "friendship." I really felt April's loneliness and that helped explain how she was willing to compromise what she knew was right for the chance to have people to hang out with. Soon she is caught up in the world of the popular girls until she breaks a "Lipstick Law" and is kicked out with Britney's continued vengeance against her.
In order to cope, April tries to find other girls who were ostracized and they form the Lipstick Lawbreakers to take revenge on Britney. I was glad to see April make new friends but they went so far in their anger and I had trouble cheering from them. I kept wanting to say, "Turn the other cheek, girls!" April does have a brief epiphany that she is as bad as Britney but I'm not sure she will make any lasting changes. Her treatment of a boy who she considers a major loser was what drew most of my censure; he seemed nice even if he didn't look the way her shallow mind wanted him to look.
I wonder if this book would be better for someone in high school, dealing with the brutality of cliques instead of someone who is almost a graduate of college (just over a month until graduation!) and who was never picked on (I had my group of friends and needless to say we liked to read a lot).
HMH Children's, 2011
237 pages
YA; Contemporary
3/5 stars
Source: Received a free ecopy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was intrigued by the cover of this and psyched to see another book eligible for the DAC. However the story was less than pleasing to me, mainly because of the main character, April.
April's one friend has moved, leaving her again a pariah and vulnerable to popular Britney and her crew's "friendship." I really felt April's loneliness and that helped explain how she was willing to compromise what she knew was right for the chance to have people to hang out with. Soon she is caught up in the world of the popular girls until she breaks a "Lipstick Law" and is kicked out with Britney's continued vengeance against her.
In order to cope, April tries to find other girls who were ostracized and they form the Lipstick Lawbreakers to take revenge on Britney. I was glad to see April make new friends but they went so far in their anger and I had trouble cheering from them. I kept wanting to say, "Turn the other cheek, girls!" April does have a brief epiphany that she is as bad as Britney but I'm not sure she will make any lasting changes. Her treatment of a boy who she considers a major loser was what drew most of my censure; he seemed nice even if he didn't look the way her shallow mind wanted him to look.
I wonder if this book would be better for someone in high school, dealing with the brutality of cliques instead of someone who is almost a graduate of college (just over a month until graduation!) and who was never picked on (I had my group of friends and needless to say we liked to read a lot).
April 24, 2011
My summary:
After moving into town about a year ago April Bowers is suddenly discovered by one of the most popular girl in school, Britney Taylor. Britney takes April under her wing on one condition; that April swears to abide by the lipstick laws...
My thoughts:
With The Lipstick Laws author Amy Holder has written a funny contemporary novel, but it is not all fun n' games there's some serious subjects being addressed in this novel. An important message is about accepting yourself and your body. The Lipstick Laws reminds us that we all have our flaws and insecurities that's just part of who we are. In my opinion there can never be enough YA novels addressing this important subject. There are so many teens struggling with self-acceptance. We can't all look like supermodels, just imagine what a boring world we would live in if that ever happened.
April, the MC, is a character who does what many of us might to, she seizes the opportunity to be popular. Britney turns out to be quite the controlling bully and one can easily imagine why other girls is scared to stand up to her. A pet peeve of mine was the way April, treated a guy named Delvin, I found it hard to believe that April could be so blind to her own actions. I must admit that I didn't really like the love interest in this novel, my heart rooted for the geek, not Mr. Hottie. Despite of this minor issues of mine The Lipstick Laws was a respectable and entertaining debut novel.
Fans of It Started with a Dare by Lindsay Faith Rech(check out my review) The Lipstick Laws will be right up your alley.
The cover:
Makes me wish I had lips like that! I mean I accept my lips the way they are ;)
After moving into town about a year ago April Bowers is suddenly discovered by one of the most popular girl in school, Britney Taylor. Britney takes April under her wing on one condition; that April swears to abide by the lipstick laws...
My thoughts:
With The Lipstick Laws author Amy Holder has written a funny contemporary novel, but it is not all fun n' games there's some serious subjects being addressed in this novel. An important message is about accepting yourself and your body. The Lipstick Laws reminds us that we all have our flaws and insecurities that's just part of who we are. In my opinion there can never be enough YA novels addressing this important subject. There are so many teens struggling with self-acceptance. We can't all look like supermodels, just imagine what a boring world we would live in if that ever happened.
April, the MC, is a character who does what many of us might to, she seizes the opportunity to be popular. Britney turns out to be quite the controlling bully and one can easily imagine why other girls is scared to stand up to her. A pet peeve of mine was the way April, treated a guy named Delvin, I found it hard to believe that April could be so blind to her own actions. I must admit that I didn't really like the love interest in this novel, my heart rooted for the geek, not Mr. Hottie. Despite of this minor issues of mine The Lipstick Laws was a respectable and entertaining debut novel.
Fans of It Started with a Dare by Lindsay Faith Rech(check out my review) The Lipstick Laws will be right up your alley.
The cover:
Makes me wish I had lips like that! I mean I accept my lips the way they are ;)
June 22, 2011
The Lipstick Laws was a fun, quick read that definitely marks Amy Holder as a good new contemporary author. Even though TLL was not fantastic, it was enjoyable, funny, and cute.
When I started reading TLL I immediately, like I'm sure other readers have, noticed the huge similarites between this book and Mean Girls. And it is very similar. I definitely enjoyed the book more when it got more original, but the idea of a girl joining the popular clique and not liking what she finds is bound to be compared to the mother of clique-lit. (I just came up with that right now.)
The things that happened in the books made me chuckle and let out "ooooohhsss" as I read about Britney and her clique. Amy did a great job of making Britney a 3D character, and explaining why she was the way she was. Britney had a great backstory which made her a very good character.
One thing I found sort of strange was April's language. She is meant to be a normal sixteen year old girl, yet she uses language and vocabulary that I rarely hear my mother use. Here's an example: "With heavy feet, I slowly slink down the steps to emerge onto the hazardous war zone that most refer to as Penford High School."
Seriously? While Amy Holder has a great sense of humor, she has not done a very good job of making April's voice realistic. Even though I liked April, and loved to hate Britney, this made it hard to connect with her.
This was a very cute debut, one that is great to take to the beach. For people who loved Mean Girls and Heathers, April and her Lipstick Lawbreakers will have you laughing and cringing all the way to the end.
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