Girl Wonder by Alexa Martin

Release Date: May 3, 2011
Publisher: Hyperion
Pages: 304
Review Source: eARC from Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
As if transferring senior year weren't hard enough, Charlotte Locke has been bumped to lower level classes at her new school. With no friends, a terrible math SAT score, and looming college application deadlines, the future is starting to seem like an oncoming train for which she has no ticket.

Then Amanda enters her orbit like a hot-pink meteor, offering Charlotte a ticket to something else: popularity. Amanda is fearless, beautiful, brilliant, and rich. As her new side kick, Charlotte is brought into the elite clique of the debate team—and closer to Neal, Amanda's equally brilliant friend and the most perfect boy Charlotte has ever seen.

But just when senior year is looking up, Charlotte’s life starts to crumble. The more things heat up between Charlotte and Neal, the more Neal wants to hide their relationship. Is he ashamed? Meanwhile, Amanda is starting to act strangely competitive, and she's keeping a secret Charlotte doesn't want to know.

Talented newcomer Alexa Martin delivers a poignant story of first love, jealousy and friendship, where the ups and downs of senior year have never been so complicated. What else can Charlotte do but throw her hands up and ride?

My Thoughts:
Have you ever had someone in your life who is addictive, but you know is bad for you? Well, that’s Amanda Munger in Charlotte’s life. Charlotte is a character who you want to root for, but who you also sort of want to slap, because she makes bad decision after bad decision, simply because she wants to fit in and feel special. This makes for an interesting dynamic, because it’s hard to watch someone’s life fall part, and it’s even harder to like them when they’re doing such stupid things. Mostly I hoped Charlotte would wake up and realize that she could make a good life for herself without the influence of her 'friends'.

Did I love this novel? Not really. It didn’t always keep my attention, and I didn’t always understand the motivations of all the characters. However there were enough good parts and enough good characters for me to say it was enjoyable. James Henry was adorable, and I loved his hero worship of Milton and his love for his sister (Charlotte).

Overall I mostly found this one a bit forgettable, though it was enjoyable enough in the moment to warrant a read. I think most people have had an Amanda in their life at one point or another, and possibly even a Neal. The book has a great message overall, showing us how we can be strong and in charge of our lives, making good decisions to shape our futures.

Rating:
[3/5]

Find Girl Wonder by Alexa Martin on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.ca