Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
AMIGAS AND SCHOOL SCANDALS picks up where AMOR AND SUMMER SECRETS leaves off.
Mariana Ruiz has returned to her home in Spring Mills. But she's bringing home extra baggage - her cousin Lily. Mariana's father convinced Lily's parents that she'd get a better education in suburban Philadelphia than she would in the hills of Puerto Rico. Mariana's friends, Madison and Emily, are stunned when they notice Lily's presence upon their welcome home greetings.
Mariana and Lily have become as close as sisters since their summer, and Madison and Emily show some signs of jealousy at their bond. The situation becomes even touchier when Lily gains instant popularity her first day of school. Mariana, Emily, and especially Madison can't understand why Lily has garnered such attention upon her arrival. After all, Mariana and Lily could practically pass as twins. And Mariana has never received the attention that Lily is getting.
Torn between the tension her best friends Emily and Madison have created with Lily, Mariana's sophomore year is starting off different than she expected. To add to the confusion, Emily has been acting weird and secretive around them. And her locker buddy, Bobby, has actually said more than "hi" to Mariana this year. Then again, they're now lab buddies.
When the girls are invited up to Cornell to visit Mariana's brother, Vincent, at college, they jump at the chance. But soon, unexpected secrets are revealed and may blow up in everyone's faces.
AMIGAS AND SCHOOL SCANDALS is an excellent continuation of Mariana's life. It flows naturally from the end of the first book of the series into this one. I wasn't too keen on Madison's character in the first book, but she develops more in the second story. Lily is a constant surprise, and Mariana continually grows and adapts to the changes around her.
Ms. Wallach writes a series that instant captures the reader and keeps them enthralled until the final page. She makes you feel such a part of their lives that you want to see what will happen next. And if you do want to know what happens next with the gang, pick up ADIOS TO ALL THE DRAMA.
AMIGAS AND SCHOOL SCANDALS picks up where AMOR AND SUMMER SECRETS leaves off.
Mariana Ruiz has returned to her home in Spring Mills. But she's bringing home extra baggage - her cousin Lily. Mariana's father convinced Lily's parents that she'd get a better education in suburban Philadelphia than she would in the hills of Puerto Rico. Mariana's friends, Madison and Emily, are stunned when they notice Lily's presence upon their welcome home greetings.
Mariana and Lily have become as close as sisters since their summer, and Madison and Emily show some signs of jealousy at their bond. The situation becomes even touchier when Lily gains instant popularity her first day of school. Mariana, Emily, and especially Madison can't understand why Lily has garnered such attention upon her arrival. After all, Mariana and Lily could practically pass as twins. And Mariana has never received the attention that Lily is getting.
Torn between the tension her best friends Emily and Madison have created with Lily, Mariana's sophomore year is starting off different than she expected. To add to the confusion, Emily has been acting weird and secretive around them. And her locker buddy, Bobby, has actually said more than "hi" to Mariana this year. Then again, they're now lab buddies.
When the girls are invited up to Cornell to visit Mariana's brother, Vincent, at college, they jump at the chance. But soon, unexpected secrets are revealed and may blow up in everyone's faces.
AMIGAS AND SCHOOL SCANDALS is an excellent continuation of Mariana's life. It flows naturally from the end of the first book of the series into this one. I wasn't too keen on Madison's character in the first book, but she develops more in the second story. Lily is a constant surprise, and Mariana continually grows and adapts to the changes around her.
Ms. Wallach writes a series that instant captures the reader and keeps them enthralled until the final page. She makes you feel such a part of their lives that you want to see what will happen next. And if you do want to know what happens next with the gang, pick up ADIOS TO ALL THE DRAMA.
