Book Nerds Across America

Katie Ellison is not a liar. But she can't exactly tell the truth, either—not when she's juggling two boyfriends, secretly hating the high school football team everyone else worships, and trying to have the best summer ever. At least Katie has it all under control (sort of). Her biggest secret, what really happened the night Tommy Sullivan is a freak was spray-painted on the junior high gymnasium wall, is safe. That is, until Tommy comes back to town. Katie is sure he's going to ruin all her plans, and she'll do anything to hang on to her perfect existence. Even if it means telling more lies. Even if, now that Tommy's around, she's actually—truthfully—having the time of her life. (from Goodreads)

Flo's Review

Ok, I think I've figured out my relationship with Meg Cabot. I either love her books, or I'm really not a fan. I am pretty sure it was just earlier this month that I was raving over Teen Idol. I also loved All-American Girl. But I really did not like, and couldn't even finish, the sequel Ready or Not. And while I also could not make it through Abandon, I own the sequel Underworld and am excited to give it a read.

Pants on Fire has been on my radar for awhile, as it is always in the bargain book sale bin at the library. So one day, I caved and bought it. Then, last time I was at the library, fresh off of finishing Teen Idol, I saw that the Pants on Fire audiobook was available and decided to give it a try. My main problem was the Katie Ellison. I just didn't like her. I think what I love about Meg Cabot's characters (the ones I do like) are that they are just your typical teenagers -- yes, they can be petty and flighty, and thus hard to read -- but that's what makes them teenagers. At the end of the day, you are rooting for them because they are basically good girls who are just reacting to and navigating their situations. Katie Ellison is a dishonest and way too boy crazy. Even though she kept explaining to us how everyone in the town generally liked her, and she was top of her class and friendly to everyone and so forth -- I didn't. I didn't like her. So, in order to redeem the book, I would have need to find another character to like or relate to on some level. Nope. The elusive Tommy Sullivan was just too elusive. Katie's best friend didn't have a distinct personalities. Katie's boyfriend was vanilla. And the other boyfriend, even though he was supposed to be swoonworthy, was just, "Eh" to me. In the end, I just decided to move on. No hard feelings. I know I'll pick up another Meg Cabot book in the future -- and then it will be another 50/50 gamble on whether I like it or not. 

Do you have any authors you do this with? Love some of their stuff, but dislike a lot of their other stuff?