Customer Reviews

On the Loose: A Katie Parker Production, Act 2

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I never thought that as a married, mom-to-be, I'd still love reading YA as much as I do - largely in part to Jenny B. Jones! This Katie Parker series of hers is beyond amazing. It brought back the typical angst of my own teen years, and showed me that some things really don't change regardless of if you're 15, 25, or 55. Each of the extremely witty and realistic characters were relatable in some form or fashion.

In "On The Loose", I found myself laughing out loud and sometimes crying right along with the characters, upset when they were upset, sad when they were sad, and hysterical when they were being silly. I've noticed before that its easy for YA books to all read alike - but this series by Jenny is fresh and fun. DON'T miss out on this novel. It'll encourage, inspire, and challenge you. I ask you to read it, and I DARE you to pass it on to a teen in your life! =)

Jenny B. Jones is one of the most delightful authors my daughter has introduced me to. I laughed until my bed shook. I bought this series for my granddaughter, but of course had to read it before I gave it away. I accidently called my granddaughter "Katie" for several days. She's that real.

Katie Parker's story is so deeply poignant, the suspense gripping, the romance real but not illicit, and the characters so vivid that you want the stories to go on and on. This is the second of the series about Katie who comes through the foster care system into the home of a pastor whose family also has its secrets - and the wackiest grandmother ever! You won't be able to wait for the next Jenny B. Jones book. Unfortunately she can't write them as fast as I read them.

I read the first book in the series because it was free and I thought would be a quick read (which it was). The 2nd book was just as enjoyable!!! All three are about Katie Parker, a high schooler is foster care, who is struggling to find out who she is and what she wants to become. She discovers that she doesn't have to do it alone which she is used to doing. She has her new family, friends, and a new found relationship with God to help her. This is a great story about the ups and downs of Katie's new life. Overall loved this book and the other two!!!

Romance abounds in this second installment of Katie Parker Productions. Well, almost. Jones has a fantastic knack for creating wacky characters who are both funny and poignant. This includes the hero, Katie Parker, who is finding her way as a foster kid, a high schooler, and an aspiring actress. Maxine is up to her usual hijinks, with facial mask and Ginger Rogers in tow. Another excellent book in what is proving to be an awesome series.

The Katie Parker series is a MUST READ for all teen girls - and their moms will love it too! If you have started with the second book start over - get the first and third and read them in order and then pass them around to everyone you know! Jones has a great sense of humor and ties in some real teen issues - you will laugh out loud and cry all in the same book!

I thought In Between was the best YA novel I'd ever read (other than my own - LOL), but I was wrong. On the Loose, A Katie Parker Production, Act 2, was even better than In Between! Katie really grows a lot over the course of these first two books in this series, and toward the end of On the Loose, I was wiping tears from my eyes. I love Katie as if she was my own daughter (I have a 16-year-old son) and even though she's a fictional character when her heart broke, so did mine.

When I wasn't laughing my head off reading On the Loose, I was wiping tears from my eyes. I drove my husband up the wall by asking him if I could read him just one more page. This story is read-out-loud funny. Seriously. I couldn't help sharing the humor because it was so zany and tongue-in-cheek, yet insightful and deliciously entertaining. I can't say enough great things about this book or this series. Jenny B. Jones is a favorite author, and this book makes me even more sure of my decision to rank her my #1 favorite YA author of all time. I'm reading every book she writes.

Katie Parker's still hanging around In Between with her foster parents. She's managed to finally start to settle down and get used to things. However just as she's starting to relax, news comes that her foster mother has cancer. Then she has to deal with the snobby girlfriend of her science partner. Her archenemy has declared war on her and accuses her of stealing. The Scott's daughter returns and tries to reclaim her place at the family home. Then to top it off, Katie hears that her mom wants her back. Will life ever go back to normal?

Just like the first Katie Parker book in the series, I totally had a blast reading this book. It brought me back to my high school days (not necessarily a good thing lol). I think Katie is one of the best characters for teen readers these days. She is going through everything a regular teen faces and she handles them totally realistic. I laughed over the scenes with Charlie and his girlfriend because I know exactly how it feels to be in Katie's situation. I can't stand guys who are blind to their girlfriend's faults and can't see when a girl is using them. Chelsea really got on my nerves because Katie reluctantly did try to befriend her but still got the cold shoulder from her. You can bet I was rooting for Katie at the end of the book. I was really glad to see the Scotts' final reaction to Amy's behavior. If it had been anything less, I would have been severely disappointed in the characters. But I was pleased to read about their decision and I supported them completely. I also understood about how Katie felt during this whole situation. I thought that her foster parents could have been a bit more understanding but it's also easy to see why there was a lack of communication.

This is one of the best YA series out there and I would definately recommend it as an alternative over the highly secular Gossip Girl books. Looking forward to reading my copy of the 3rd book.

What a delightful read! Jenny B. Jones has done it again with her second Katie Parker Production book.

Katie Parker moved in with her foster parents, James and Millie, six months ago and has adjusted well. Life is finally settling for her. Then a tornado hits her town of In Between and leaves more than just debris and broken houses in its wake.

Immediately after the tornado, Katie's world is invaded when Maxine her eccentric foster grandmother, moves in with them temporarily. Maxine's apartment was damaged by the storm. Maxine invades Katie's bedroom, space, privacy and life. As Katie tries to adjust to that, the family finds out Millie has breast cancer. The rattles Katie's already weakened sense of security. Will James and Millie want her around as they deal with this cancer? Or will they send her back to the children's home? Add to these circumstances, relationship issues at school between Katie and her best friends, preparations with her drama classmates for a school show, the school science fair, a bully girl named Angel, her own attraction to the school's version of Prince Charming, and Katie's life becomes worse than the tornado that hit her town. Can Katie find her way through the whirlwind of her life to the things that matter most and realize the love and family she always wanted is truly right at her fingertips?

Jenny Jones wrote a most entertaining book. Katie is a likeable teenage girl and your heart will be drawn to her life. As you read this book you will laugh out loud one minute and wipe away tears the next. I highly recommend this book for teens and up. Wait until the end when you realize you have fallen in love with Charlie Benson, too. I look forward to the next Katie Parker book.

Another great book by Jenny B. Jones. I was so happy for another dose of Katie Parker, whose infectious attitude combines with a heart of gold--a heart that aches for something deeper and more meaningful than the life she'd grown accustomed to. Jones does a masterful job of delving into tough emotions while softening the drama with hilarity. I give this book my top recommendation!

I enjoyed reading Jenny B. Jones second novel of the Katie Parker series. It's hard enough to be a teenager. Fifty years ago I entered the teens and I can testify it's not for sissies.

I appreciate the realism of the cast of characters. Although it's a YA novel It's not filled with only teens. I enjoyed the antics of Katie's foster grandmother, Maxine. Since I've been a teenager and am now a great grandmother I got a kick out of the interaction between them.

Laughter is the best medicine and you can't read this book without letting out a chuckle now and then. But it's not all fun and games. Katie's foster mom is fighting cancer. The long lost daughter comes home. A girl who is dearly loved and who Katie feels she can never live up too. And as if that isn't enough, high society, Chelsea tries to win Prince Charming.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING.