The Debs (Debs (Quality)) [Paperback]

Susan McBride (Author)

Book Description

Series: Debs (Quality) | Publication Date: August 26, 2008

LAURA DELACROIX BELL—this dazzling trust fund girl’s size 14 figure doesn’t stop her from attracting the sexiest scoundrel in town, or the admiring eye of the Glass Slipper Club. However, a salacious secret could take her out of the running.

Michelle “Mac” Mackenzie—brainy, cynical, and maybe a tad judgmental, Mac would rather bury her nose in a good book than embrace her deb destiny. But being a debutante was her late mother’s dream.

Ginger Fore—this adorable tree-hugger wants to wear her grandmother’s vintage ball gown instead of splurging on an expensive dress. Yet when she gets tangled up with an older guy, Ginger will have plenty more to think about.

Jo-Lynn Bidwill—a former child beauty queen, Jo-Lynn is a bitchy vamp who makes it her mission in life to take out the debu-trash. And Jo-Lynn’s sights are set on Laura Bell.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Proof that chick-lit thrives outside Manhattan and London, the novel features three well-heeled, semi-sophisticated young women (and a bitchy classmate as their nemesis)...Laura, Mac, and Ginger are sympathetic individuals with their own back stories, strengths, and vulnerabilities. [Readers] will find the effort enjoyable and will look forward to the sequels (and debutante events) to come." --Booklist review

About the Author

Susan McBride is the author of the Debutante Drop-Out adult mystery series. She lives in Missouri with her husband. Please visit her at www.susanmcbride.com.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (August 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385735197
• ISBN-13: 978-0385735193
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.6 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,480,166 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Susan McBride is the author of LITTLE BLACK DRESS (August 23, 2011, William Morrow), a tale of two sisters, one daughter, and the magical black dress that changes all of their lives forever. She has also penned THE COUGAR CLUB (HarperCollins, 02/10) named a Bookmarked Breakout Title by Target stores, selected as a Midwest Connections Pick by the Midwest Booksellers Association, and on MORE Magazine's list of "February Books We're Buzzing About." In addition, Susan has written five award-winning Debutante Dropout Mysteries for HC/Avon, including TOO PRETTY TO DIE (2008), NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEB (2007), THE LONE STAR LONELY HEARTS CLUB (2006), THE GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER (2005), and BLUE BLOOD (2004), and three books in The Debs young adult series for Random House/Delacorte: THE DEBS (08/08); LOVE, LIES AND TEXAS DIPS (06/09); and GLOVES OFF (pub date in limbo!). Two Maggie Ryan novels by Susan are still in print, but she isn't the author of the Doodle Books. That's another Susan McBride entirely!

For more scoop, visit http://SusanMcBride.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The DEBS are here to stay!, August 29, 2008

By 

Cindy Chow (Kaneohe, Hawaii) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Debs (Debs (Quality)) (Paperback)

Fans of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Gossip Girl will rejoice upon discovering this new series by the award-winning mystery author Susan McBride. Four Texas teen girls vie for entrance into the exclusive Glass Slipper Club, the pinnacle for southern debutantes.
Laura Delacroix Bell is a beautiful size-14 heiress in a size 2 world. Her heart has been broken by a University of Texas Longhorn Golden Boy, and his yo-yo affections for her have her confused but willing to take a chance on him.
Michelle "Mac" Mackenzie is still mourning the death of her mother and is debuting solely out of devotion to her mother's dream. If only her new stepmother Honey Potts wasn't so determined to "help" Mac debut and shop her way into the perfect GSC mold.
Ginger Fore is being romanced by a University of Houston senior she met at a Go Green rally, but the environmentally-friendly temptation may have her marching for his cause right into prison.
Facing down the three heroines is Jo-Lynn Bidwell, leader of the Bimbo Cartel and who has a passion for destroying Laura that is rivaled only by Jo-Lynn's lust for Dillon, a hunk who has a secret that could blow up her world.
McBride gives readers the guilty pleasure of a voyeuristic glimpse into the fashion-obsessed, superficial, and ultimately delicious world of Texas debutante society. For all of their privileges, the GLC candidates are relatable to teens and they will each have readers sympathizing with their struggles with body issues, mother conflicts, and love. Full of humor, pop culture references, and engaging and likable characters, readers will be charge through this novel and be clamoring for the next in this extremely entertaining series.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting Review: The Debs, August 26, 2008

By 

Enchanting Reviews "Lisa" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Debs (Debs (Quality)) (Paperback)

THE DEBS
SUSAN McBRIDE
Contemporary Young Adult

Rating: 5 Enchantments

Membership to the exclusive "Glass Slipper Club" via the coveted invite to the Deb ball is one of the biggest highlights of the start of Deb season in Houston, Texas. But for three best friends and their bitter rival, the ruling Jo Lynn Bidwill, Deb season could turn out to be nothing less than war--especially with Jo Lynn on a personal mission to make sure Laura isn't on the receiving end of one of the Glass Slipper Club Deb ball invites.

When Laura Delacroix-Bell, Michelle "Mac" Mackenzie and Ginger Fore reunite after a summer apart, the three BFF couldn't imagine their friendship may actually be threatened. But when Laura starts hanging around her on-again, off-again guy Avery, Ginger and Mac are left feeling pushed aside yet again as their own troubles start.

THE DEBS is a great start to what should be a highly entertaining series. Set against the backdrop of Houston's debutante scene, these three best friends couldn't be more different if they tried. Laura doesn't really care about her size fourteen figure, even if it's probably one of the reasons Jo-L can't stand her. She's still got Avery's attention and that matters a heck of a lot more to her, except for one little secret she's determined to keep hidden. Mac's more interested in anything other than her future as a Deb, especially since her step-mother wants to use it as an excuse to bond and Ginger may be about to throw her debutante future away for a mysterious college guy. When the invitations are finally handed out, will any of them be receiving one?

I can't say how much I enjoyed this book. I loved Laura, Mac and Ginger and the Queen of Mean, Jo Lynn is so easy to hate as she's willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants and what she wants most is Laura to be on the outs. My favorite scene from THE DEBS is when Laura decides to crash Jo-L's party after an invite from Avery, even though she knows it's the totally wrong thing to do, especially since she's going on her own without Mac and Ginger. But when Jo-L and the Bimbo Cartel come outside to drive her away, Laura can't push aside the year's worth of hatred bubbles to the surface and the two rivals finally confront each other in a heated scene. Jo Lynn Bidwill is truly one of the most despicable characters I've read in a long time. Can't wait to see what Ms. McBride has in store for everyone in the sequel!

Readers looking for a fun, entertaining page turner won't go wrong picking this one up.

Susan McBride is the author of The Debutante Drop-out adult mystery series. She grew up in the heart of Texan Deb country, but now lives with her husband in Missouri. THE DEBS is Ms. McBride's first YA novel. The sequel, LOVE, LIES & TEXAS DIPS will be released June 2009. Visit her online at www.susanmcbride.com for excerpts and to check out the trailer for THE DEBS.

Lisa
YA Director
Enchanting Reviews
July 2008

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real page turner for teenagers wanting a study break, and a treat for Susan McBride fans of all ages, August 29, 2008

By 

Julie "Julie" (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Debs (Debs (Quality)) (Paperback)

Susan McBride's fans of her mystery series will be delighted to find the same sense of humor and page-turning story telling in this new novel that they've come to expect from Susan. YA readers will discover a new series that is fun with terrific dialogue --this will give girls a much-needed break from their studies this school year. And there is a great writing contest connected with this book -- details are on the last page -- winner gets to take 3 friends to New York City for a shopping spree at the new Lilly Pulitzer Store on Madison Ave. The buzz is great for this book -- more than 1,000 people had seen the booktrailers by the time this book showed up in bookstores!