Customer Reviews

The Debs

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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.

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

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!

Laura Bell, Michelle "Mac" Mackenzie and Ginger Fore have a lot to look forward to! These best friends will be starting their senior year and eagerly awaiting their invitations to Glass Slipper Club! Then they can officially start their debutante season as Rosebuds!

There is a prestigious selection process to become a Rosebud, and these girls need to behave like a debutante would. Unfortunately, Jo-Lynn Bidwill, the evil queen, is waiting on her invitation as well. Her mother happens to be the head of the selection committee, so you can almost guarantee Jo-Lynn's name will be on the list. Jo-Lynn would love nothing more than to see Laura Bell out of contention for good, and she may just have her way.

What an enticing beginning to what I'm sure will be a fabulous series!! The Debs certainly left me craving more! I can't wait to see what happens to these three girls! And I really hope Jo-Lynn gets what is coming to her. This was a fast read for me, but I think it definitely had to do with the fact that I was engulfed with the story! The chapters sort of alternate among the four girls, so you get a peek at each one's life. That made the story so much more enjoyable for me. If you are looking for a fun read this summer, look no further than The Debs! I know I will be anxiously awaiting the release of the next book in the series Love, Lies and Texas Dips, coming June 2009! I seriously don't think I can wait that long!

In Houston four teenage upper crust girls await word that they have been invited to join the selectively elitist Glass Slipper Club. Each has reasons to expect to be chosen, but also has some nagging doubts.

Aura Delacroix Bell is a beautiful big woman who attracts hunks like the U of T super-stud in spite of being a size 14. However, she has one scandalous secret that if revealed will keep her out of the club.

Anyone who meets brilliant sarcastic Michelle "Mac" Mackenzie will conclude she does not fit the club's typical debutante, but vies for membership out of respect for her late mom's wish for her and to keep her stepmother Honey off her back.

Environmentalist Ginger Fore prefers wearing her grandmother's gown rather than buy something outrageously expensive, but her entrance might be blocked by the University of Houston tree hugger she met at a Go-Green event that could lead to a jailhouse rock not a deb ball.

Former child beauty queen Jo-Lynn Bidwill believes her mission in life is to keep the "debu-trash" out of the club; that means destroying Laura Bell.

This young adult satirical look at high society is fun to read as author Susan McBride gives the audience a tour of superficiality of debutante society through her fearsome foursome. The key is that each of the candidates seems real as teens first with issues that even with all their wealth to somewhat cover personal problems, they still exist. This is an amusing yet poignant look at teenage upper crust society through for fully developed young women struggling with personal issues that money can't help.

Harriet Klausner

"The Debs" is the first book in a series that chronicles the lives of teenage girls vying for the coveted `deb' title and all the drama that ensues. Along with the close friendships and the complicated romances, some of the best pages of "The Debs" feature the rivalries, competition and juicy betrayal!

Each of the main characters has something valuable to offer readers, especially impressionable teenage girls. Laura Bell just wants to fit in but her struggle with her weight, not to mention the constant criticism she gets for being a size 14, is a lot to handle. Mac Mackenzie, the practical one, cannot understand why her friends always surrender when it comes to boys and must cope with a new stepmother who is trying to replace her mother who recently passed away. Ginger Fore, activist and environmentalist, is not your typical `deb' wannabe but figures that achieving the title will help her fight for the causes she believes in. Finally, as in every great story, there is a malicious villain, and Jo Lynn Bidwell is definitely the girl everyone loves to hate. This queen bee will stop at nothing to outshine everyone around her and get what she wants at any cost but it can be lonely at the top.

While I don't usually read many YA books, I have to say I really enjoyed this one. In addition to the fun storyline and sassy writing, it was really refreshing to see characters with a conscience. Although some of the characters are obsessed with labels, it was nice to read about someone like Mac, who is not concerned with wearing designer clothing. I also really liked that Ginger was very environmentally conscious and would only wear organic clothing. It's important to have role models in books that teenage girls can look up to and learn from and in this aspect, McBride really succeeds.

Set in the South, the setting is also another really great part of the book because it is a nice change from the typical LA or NYC environment that is featured in most books. I liked learning more about Texas and how the privileged Southern Belles live.

This book serves as an introduction to the characters and storyline and paves the way for an enjoyable series of YA books. Unfortunately "The Debs" ends on a somewhat unfinished note, almost like a to-be-continued episode, and now I need to wait until June 2009 for The Debs: Love, Lies and Texas Dips to come out!

http://bookopolis.blogspot.com

The Debs, written by Susan McBride is a guilty pleasure for me.

I am a few years pass the Young Adult age and living in Montreal, even if I were a YA, I am very far removed from the Southern Debutante lifestyle. So, reading this book give me the opportunity of living the life of a deb through the eyes of 4 very different girls.

The story of these girls who are all being "tagged" as debs for the upcoming season is absolutely hugely entertaining.

Laura who struggles with her body image and has to go through life (and the Debutant season in a size 14 body - horrors!); but more than that, she may have a secret that could destroy her.

Michelle who wants nothing to do with the debutante society, but finds herself doing for her late mother and her current stepmother's own selfish reasons.

Ginger who sees the ball as a ways to a means.

And finally.... the tie that binds them all together....

Jo-lynn who is going to make sure that none of these girls gets the "title".

I think of all the characters, Jo-Lynn was my favorite. She was absolutely horrible, no conscience and absolutely nothing standing in her way (including the three girls).

I traditionally, like these type of characters because they give "spice" to the storyline and let me say, J0-Lynn is one mean character. Some of the stuff she does (stoops to really) borders on the obsessive and is great fun. As I was reading, I could not wait to see what horror she would think of next.

This book is a fun read. There is non-stop action and there is a nice diversity between all of the characters - there is a character for everyone here.

The storyline is well brought together and the writing is down to earth - non preachy and just a joy to read.

I strongly recommend that you get this delightful book.

THE DEBS is told through the eyes of four girls in Houston, Texas. These four girls being... Laura Delacroix Bell, Michelle "Mac" Mackenzie, Ginger Fore, and Jo-Lynn Bidwill. Laura, Mac, and Ginger have been best friends for ages. Jo-Lynn is basically their enemy. The one thing these four girls all have in common is the desire to be a Debutante Rosebud in the illustrious Glass Slipper Club.

Laura is a size-14 girl whose mother is friends with the head of the GSC committee. She is totally psyched to be a Rosebud, and she and her mother both think she's a shoe-in. But Jo-Lynn has had it out for her ever since she dated Avery, who is one of the most popular guys in school. After Laura gets back from fat camp, Avery happens to show up at the airport. Will this end up causing Laura even more trouble with Jo-Lynn?

Mac would definitely rather be reading than become a deb. But it was her late mother's dream for Mac, so of course Mac needs to do it. Also, it doesn't help that her new step-mom, Honey Potts, is obsessed with Mac becoming a deb, too. With her two best friends also in the running, she decides it might not be such bad idea after all.

Ginger is really excited at the thought of becoming a Rosebud, and she'd really love to be able to wear her grandmother's vintage ball gown on the big presentation day. But when a really cute college guy, Javier, gets her into a bit of trouble involving a protest over a tree that is supposed to be torn down to make more room for parking at her school, she could end up in hot water. Hopefully, it won't cost her the chance to become a Rosebud.

Jo-Lynn is a former beauty queen who makes it her mission in life to take out the so-called "debu-trash." Her main target, of course, being Laura Bell. What she has in store for Laura is not in the least ladylike. But she has no idea that payback could be finding a way straight to her door. What's a stuck-up and spoiled beauty queen to do?

This was such a great book. I loved how each chapter was told through each different girls' experience. And I liked how great of friends Laura, Mac, and Ginger are. They would do anything for each other (including finding a way to take down Jo-Lynn) and I think that was the greatest thing about this book.

Ms. McBride has a great writing style and I loved each and every one of her characters. I even liked Jo-Lynn, despite her witchiness. All in all, this was just a fabulous book about the lives of four different girls who all want the same thing. Definitely check it out. Hopefully, you'll love it as much as I did!

Reviewed by: Breanna F.

Laura, Ginger, Mac are best friends. Jo-Lynn is their worst enemy. What do they all have in common? They are all fighting to get on the list of potential debutantes of the Glass Slipper Club. The list consists ten of the richest, prettiest, and most polite girls and the Glass Slipper Committee gets to pick who is on that list. And guess who is in charge of this committee? Jo-Lynn's mother. Laura, Ginger, and Mac have their work cut out for them.

You would think it would be easy for these girls seeing as they are all legacies but what the committee doesn't know is that all these girls have dirty little secrets. Laura always seems to fall for the wrong guy, the one who always ends up breaking her heart. Ginger also has some boy trouble. She always falls for the bad boys, the ones who can land her in jail. Mac just has problems with being a debutante. Mac never wanted to be a debutante and as the selection draws nearer she begins to wonder if she should even accept the invite.

Will Jo-Lynn find a way to use the girls weaknesses against them or will good prevail?

The Debs is a fast-paced, fun read. It's full of drama, mystery, and some romance thrown in all over. From page one you will be hooked.

Susan McBride has created four wonderful characters. As I started the book I thought it was just going to be another book about spoiled rich girls whining about how horrible their lives are. Boy was I wrong. Each of the girls may be rich and gorgeous but they all have very normal insecurities about themselves and their lives.

If you are like me, you will want do some serious harm to Jo-Lynn by the end of the book. She is the perfect antagonist. While she does have her own insecurities, they aren't enough to balance out her evilness. Hopefully, good will triumph over evil in this series.

The storyline was also amazing. It was something different than your everyday plot. Susan McBride did a wonderful job providing background about the life of a debutante without making it boring.

Another thing I must applaud Ms.McBride on is her use of alcohol in the story. There is alcohol but it isn't unnecessary or overdone. It always seemed to fit with the story and what was going on. I sometimes feel that there is overuse of alcohol in YA books lately and I was glad that that didn't happen in this story.

Overall, this is the perfect read for lounging in the sun over the summer. It will keep you entertained and you won't be able to stop reading.

This Gossip Girl-esque tale of four rich debutantes in Houston pulls you in, but simultaneously makes it very difficult to sympathize with the group who're destined to be in the newest class of the elite Glass Slipper Club. On the whole, the antics of these girls screams "spoiled brat" and not necessarily in a way that's still entertaining for the reader. But, I do see a glimmer of what COULD be if Ms. McBride works on her character development in upcoming installments of this series.

I'm holding out hope that this was just a rocky start for Ms. McBride who was making her first foray into the realm of teenage soap opera-type writing, as opposed to mysteries. But, when reading "The Debs", don't expect to get much more than the necessary set up out of the story.