So Not Happening (The Charmed Life) [Paperback]

Jenny B. Jones (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Charmed Life | Publication Date: May 5, 2009

New York's social darling just woke up in a nightmare: Oklahoma. Problem is, it's right where God wants her.

Bella Kirkwood had it all: A-list friends at her prestigious private school, Broadway in her backyard, and Daddy's MasterCard in her wallet. Then her father, a plastic surgeon to the stars, decided to trade her mother in for a newer model.

When Bella's mom falls in love with a man she met on the Internet--a factory worker with two bratty sons--Bella has to pack up and move in with her new family in Truman, Oklahoma. On a farm no less!

Forced to trade her uber-trendy NYC lifestyle for  down-home charm, Bella feels like a pair of Rock & Republic jeans in a sea of Wranglers.

At least some of the people in her new high school are pretty cool. Especially the hunky football player who invites her to lunch. And maybe even the annoying--but kinda hot--editor of the school newspaper.

But before long, Bella smells something rotten in the town of Truman, and it's not just the cow pasture. With her savvy reporter's instincts, she is determined to find the story behind all the secrets.

How can a girl go on when her charmed life is gone and God appears to be giving her the total smackdown?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6–9—Isabella Kirkwood is a popular, privileged Manhattan socialite who is in for a big awakening when her mother remarries, and the teen is forced to move to Oklahoma farm country. Shortly after starting at her new school, she posts a blog on her former New York private academy's Web site insulting everything and everyone in her new town. Almost immediately, her new classmates find out about it, and Isabella becomes a social pariah. The series is labeled Christian fiction, but other than scattered references to prayers and church attendance, there is little in the story to indicate any kind of spiritual awakening or growth on the part of the main character. In addition, a number of situations stretch the bounds of plausibility, such as when Isabella accepts a reporting assignment requiring her to sit for hours in a Dumpster in order to "investigate" the school's lack of recycling. Her stepfather is secretly training to be a pro-wrestler, and one of her classmates attempts to burn down her house while she is babysitting her stepbrother, and later holds her at gunpoint. Although much of the story is predictable, there are also some genuinely humorous moments mixed in. This is an additional purchase for libraries seeking chick-lit series that are free of sexual content and coarse language.—Jessica Marie, Renton Public Library, WA
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; 1 edition (May 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595545417
• ISBN-13: 978-1595545411
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I really liked this book and I'm not a young adult!, June 3, 2009

By 

reg (Houston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: So Not Happening (The Charmed Life) (Paperback)

(What's this?)

I'm actually 59. I did recently retire from teaching high school, so the beginning drew me in with the typical high school drama. But this book soon became so much more than just high school drama. I laughed, I cried, I sat on the edge of my chair. I didn't put it down until it was finished. I was surprised at the amount of intrigue in this book, especially since the author is described as a writer of Christian Fiction. The Christian part was present, but you weren't overwhelmed by it. A few personal prayers to help Bella get through some sticky spots, but it wasn't the main focus. I would recommend this to any female regardless of age or religion. It wasn't the bubblegum sweet I thought it might have been. I'm So Sure, the next book by Jenny B. Jones,is supposed to be out November 2009. I look forward to reading about Bella once again.

Edit: I just heard from a 14 year old who read the book. I sent her a copy. She LOVED it and is mad at me because the next book about Bella is 5 months away. My solution was to send her another set of 3 books by Jenny B. Jones.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hello Bella Kirkwood!, May 1, 2009

By 

Janna R. Ryan (Nebraska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: So Not Happening (The Charmed Life) (Paperback)

What do you get when you take Paris Hilton, marry her mom to a small town Oklahoma farmer with a secret regarding spandex, one step brother that is a brilliant, 6 year old, wannabe super hero and another step brother who drives a hearse to school. Mix in some mysterious deaths, some friend issues and the downside of blogging and what do you have? You have Bella Kirkwood, Jenny B. Jones' newest heroine and you have a hit!

I loved this book! I ate it up and can not wait until the next book comes out. This is listed as a YA book and is wonderful for that, but lest you think it is not for adults, let me settle that issue right now - if you love a little humor mixed in with your mystery, drama and comedy then you will love this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Adorable Book, June 8, 2009

By 

S. Power (Detroit, Michigan, United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: So Not Happening (The Charmed Life) (Paperback)

(What's this?)

So Not Happening is about a girl who faces culture shock when she goes from living as a pampered New York princess to living in a small town in Oklahoma.

Bella is a sweet girl and suffers through the big changes she has to face in a typical teen way. She learns from her actions and faces a mystery in her challenge to fit in.

This is a Christian novel but the Christianity isn't rubbed in your face or a large part of the plot, she prays a bit and goes to a FCA meeting but nothing that would put off a Non-Christian reader. There is no drinking by the main characters (and the characters do a good job of just saying no when they're at parties where alcohol is involved) and no sex at all in the book (just a little bit of kissing).

This book reads like a book that's geared towards older teens but would be appropriate for anyone who is interested.