Customer Reviews

Dream Girl

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Claire Voyante has been unfortunately named. Sure, she's been having strange dreams and visions since she can remember, but they've never led her anywhere. Besides, the name is French. But on Claire's fifteenth birthday, her fashionable grandmother Kiki gives her a strange cameo made of onyx and ivory and tells Claire to wear it at all times. Suddenly, Claire's visions become clearer, although black-and-white. And though she's become very sleep-deprived due to these dreams, she starts to follow her hunches as her grandmother Kiki told her to, and to her surprise, she finds herself in the middle of a dangerous and old feud between two families. So, if Claire can just survive the horrors of her new high school, she just might be able to use her talent to save some lives.

Dream Girl has a little bit of action, romance, and mysticism, all of which fit together perfectly. Claire's dreams, though random, were very interesting to read, and I was always wondering where they would lead her next. I also really liked Claire's character; though she was a little insecure at times, she learned to trust her instincts, which led to new friends, adventures, and, unfortunately, enemies. I really enjoyed how Claire had to use her wits to follow each new clue, and it was pretty exciting to read along as Claire snuck around. It was also pretty interesting to see Claire's grandmother Kiki's lavish lifestyle as well as Claire's international exploits. Another plus was the other wacky characters in the story who kept the plot amusing. Together, the unique plot and characters really made Dream Girl an amazing story.

Dream Girl was definitely a satisfying and thrilling read that I recommend to all readers. Fans of stories with high style, high school, and high mystery will enjoy this novel. I hope there will be a sequel to this fantastic story, or at least another great novel from Lauren Mechling.

Don't be fooled by the soft, dreamy pink cover. Dream Girl has got a lot more
going on than your typical teen book. It's a very funny fast paced
read, an adventure with lots of action and
there's a cute guy too. It's also about finding yourself . Claire
starts a big new school and has to
figure out who she is and how she fits in. And there's a mystery she
has to solve. I highly recommend this book.
It's not like anything I've ever read.

I started Dream Girl expecting a paranormal romance but got something entirely different. Dream Girl is basically a contemporary realistic fiction with a hint of detective sleuthing and psychic visions. It's about 15 year old Claire Voyante (she does realize the irony of her name) who is growing up in New York City, adjusting to a new school, making new friends, dealing with her crazy lovable parents, brother, and grandmother Kiki. Claire has extremely vivid dreams which turn out to be something more; they predict the future.

Claire is a pretty typical teenage girl. Smart, quiet, kind, sarcastic, a bit unsure of herself. Her one unique quality are her dreams. They've always been strange and vivid, but on her 15th birthday her grandmother Kiki gives her an old cameo necklace that enhances her innate ability to see the future in her dreams.

Claire begins a new school when her parents can no longer afford her private school. Unfortunately for her, Sheila, her former best friend, is part of the ruling clan and strives to make Claire's adjustment to Hudson as unpleasant as possible. Claire isn't the type to immediately fight back but neither does she just stick her head in the sand. Her closest friend is the eccentric Becca Shuffleworth, who is a ketchup heiress and unbelievably wealthy. Becca and Claire become very close very quickly. That's where the mystery comes in... Becca's been getting strange text messages and someone from the rival Soyle clan is desperately seeking the secret ketchup recipe. They'll stop at nothing to get it - even death. Can Claire piece together her dreams to stop the Soyles from hurting her new friend and her family?

The mystery and paranormal elements of the book really don't become significant until the end of the story. And that was just fine. I typically get frustrated and annoyed when books fail to get to the point until halfway through. But I was having such a good time reading Claire's story that the mystery was just the icing on the cake. Claire's wry humor kept me smiling throughout the pages. I loved her interactions with Kiki, her parents and brother, Becca, and Becca's family. I especially enjoyed the detailed descriptions of New York City. The city is one of the biggest characters in the story. It makes me want to visit even more than I did before.

Dream Girl is a fun, fast-paced read. I'd recommend it to anyone. As long as you're not expecting a strong paranormal or mystery plot, you'll have a great time living in Claire's world.

This was a wonderful read. Claire Voyante is a fantastic character, and the supporting cast is superb as well. I just loved delving into Claire's world and getting to know all of the crazy, quirky characters who inhabit said world.

The person more fantastic than Claire is perhaps her grandmother, Kiki. Kiki is amazing, in that Auntie Mame sort of way. She makes everything and every moment completely magical and her entourage is fantabulous, too. I loved the relationship between Claire and Kiki, and it's made even more poignant by the fact that my own grandmother has been ill lately. She's on the mend, but those grandma stories really tug on the heart strings.

This book has it all: romance, great clothes, and mysteries, which I adore. As you might know, I'm always on the lookout for YA mysteries, so I love it when I find a good new series. Another thing I really like about this book is that there is that supernatural element, but it's not over the top. It's just another thing that adds to an already wonderful story.

Check out Dream Girl by Lauren Mechling. It is made of win.

Claire falls into her first "case" which involves her new best friend Becca, heiress to a ketchup empire, and Becca's family's sworn enemies.

First off, let me just say that I adore Claire. Her wry narration had me in stitches throughout. One of my favorite instances being when she's trying to figure out how to tell Becca that she can't ski while headed out to the slopes in Aspen: "If I didn't speak up fast, I'd end up communicating it via my full body cast." (p 175)

Both Claire and her friend Becca are so refreshingly non-stereotypical, you just want to hug them - and then move to this fictional NYC and hang out with them (and borrow their clothes!). The supporting characters, from Claire's Francophile parents who throw regular salons in their West Village apartment to aspiring comic book artist/wheelie-bag toting Ian and other Henry Hudson High classmates, are all well drawn and add pleasing layers to the light, engaging narrative.

The sequel, DREAM LIFE, is just as fun and I'd definitely be up for more books in this series.

15-year-old Claire Voyante has always been a little abnormal. Her mother is a wannabe Frenchwomen with ADD; her father--who is actually French--is a professor with eclectic friends; her younger brother Henry takes walks in the middle of the night. Claire herself has had visions on and off her whole life, but it is only when her grandmother Kiki gives her a black-and-white pendant that Claire's dreams seem to suddenly sharpen and become prophetic.

When Claire befriends Becca, whose family is American condiment royalty, at their new and intense high school, Claire's dreams suggest that someone may be trying to sabotage Becca's family. It's up to Claire to channel her love for Agatha Christie and find out who's plotting against them before it's too late.

DREAM GIRL is an utterly delightful, entertaining, and real book, featuring sharp writing and amazing characters. I couldn't put it down, and, considering how this is not my usual genre fare for reading, that's saying something.

Lauren Mechling's writing is pitch-perfect for the likable Claire. Claire has a tongue-in-cheek way of approaching and viewing the world, going along with all the eccentricities around her while simultaneously making her genuine mark on others. She sounds like a real 15-year-old, not a grown up trying to hard to capture a 15-year-old's voice or a 15-year-old whom you want to whack in the head for being insufferably annoying.

But Claire is not the only strong character in this book. With the possible exception of the mean-girl posse at school (and Lauren even hints at the possibility of their redemption), there is not one character in DREAM GIRL that feels like a stereotype. They are, incredibly, all charming and interesting. The dialogue is excellent; in fact, if you're an appreciator of all-too-rare good writing in chick lit, as I am, you won't be able to stop smiling through this book, chuckling at all the subtle witticisms and nodding your head at the realistic portrayal of people.

The psychic mystery element of DREAM GIRL works if you suspend your disbelief that a girl's dreams can help her solve a sinister international crime. I liked how this novel is character-driven, not plot-dependent. Claire's prophetic dreams do not overshadow her daytime life; instead, the mystical element of the story adds just a touch of the fantastical to this otherwise contemporary novel.

Overall, those looking for good writing and light reads will enjoy DREAM GIRL. Hardcore mystery fans may find Claire's sleuthing abilities a bit too lighthearted for their tastes, but for those of us less well-versed in the genre, DREAM GIRL is a promising read. I can't wait to see what Claire will do next in future books!

Warning: This book is such a delight that you will shirk your obligations until you finish, forget that you shouldn't snort-laugh in public spaces, and be sad when you turn the last page. The heroine, Claire, is awesome. She makes you laugh because she's sharp and wry but kind of clumsy, has amazing adventures and-- best of all-- uses her otherworldly powers for the good. I'd follow her anywhere.

I loved Claire VOYANTE. I wish I'd known her when i was 15; Life would have been a lot more fun. Mechlings' book takes you on a journey into a New York you thought you knew but didnt-- one inhabited by her lovely old grandmother (a former socialite/fashion icons) who holds court at the Waldorf ... it leads us to Paris and to london on Harriet Spy - like detective chases... but the reason I couldnt put it down was because i got swept up by claire... by her fun new friendships, by her quirky retro style and by her mad crush on the seemingly unavailable boy that felt awfully familiar... who needs juno when you've got claire voyante.. go dream girl!

Claire Voyante is clairvoyant, although her visions have never shown her anything useful. For her fifteenth birthday, her grandmother Kiki Merriman gives her a gorgeous cameo that should direct her powers and allow her to find adventures. Claire doesn't seem to be finding any adventures - she's stuck at her new school. She becomes friends with Becca, another new girl who is less than thrilled to be a student at Henry Hudson. As they get to know the other's family, Claire discovers the first of her grandmother's promised adventures.

The adventure in DREAM GIRL is a fairly straightforward mystery, made frustrating by Claire's inability to see the obvious direction of her visions. Rye and Andy's relationship also seems underdone, as it's never explained why he's so devoted when she's around and seems uninterested in her at other times. This seems like Claire should worry about it as she begins to fall for him since he could do the same to her. The other characters seem remarkably unconcerned about a possible romance between a fifteen-year-old girl and an eighteen-year-old in college. In fact, the characters who know about it encourage it.

It's a shame that much of the book's emphasis is put on these elements when Claire's school and home life are far more interesting. Her father is a French professor and her parents hold a salon in their apartment, full of several colorful characters. Her school is full of them too. Ian carries a roller suitcase instead of a backpack and Eleanor effortlessly transcends the high school experience. Both of them are scene stealers who are tragically underused. Sheila, the queen bee, earns more screen time, which she deserves. She's a nerd in popular girl clothing and her mom hints at even more hidden depths. Truly, all the characters are well-done and so are most of the relationships. I just don't get Andy and Rye or Andy and Claire.

Becca, however, does deserve her screen time. She fully enjoys having a real friend and purposefully tells Claire little about herself at first. She's sweet and clever even if I get lost every time she starts waxing poetic about ketchup. (I do hate the stuff, since it's made from tomatoes. Blech.)

I enjoyed DREAM GIRL, but the A-plot doesn't hold up to any of the subplots. The paranormal element feels extraneous and didn't seem to add much to the book as a whole. I believe I prefer the 10th-Grade Social Climber books, which Lauren Mechling coauthored.

From In Bed With Books

Dream Girl was a really cute book. I loved the story line, the mystery, and the characters. The writing was fantastic. Dream Girl is a light reading with everything going its way.

I loved what Lauren Mechling did with all the characters. Claire was such an enjoyable character. She had such a witty, great voice. There were a few characters had an attitude and were kind of snotty, but Lauren Mechling included these heart-to-heart moments that really made you connect with them, making them seem more human. Then you had Claire's parents, who were always doing something to make you laugh.

The story was light, and was one you drifted through. Towards the end, the mystery aspect of Dream Girl picked up a load and I found myself much more caught up in the story. The end left me begging to hear more to the fantastic story I got so caught up in! Thank goodness the sequel, Dream Life, came out this week!