The A-List - Zoey Dean

The A-List by Zoey Dean
Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Blurb (on back of book): Welcome to The A-List, a wickedly funny and risqué paperback original novel that takes readers behind the scenes of the intoxicating world of Hollywood glitterati. Seventeen-year-old Upper East Side blueblood Anna ("pronounced Aaaanah") Percy is on her way to Beverly Hills, California, where she'll live with her estranged dad for the rest of the school year while her mother travels to Europe with a friend. On the plane, Anna drinks too much champagne and gets hit on by record producer Rick Resnick. Luckily Princeton student Ben Birnbaum is there to save her and he invites Anna to famous actor Jackson Sharpe's wedding, where Anna meets the cast of rich and famous characters who are soon to be her classmates at Beverly Hills High. The fast times of Beverly Hill's most beautiful and glamorous people drive the page-turning action of this juicy new novel.

MY OPINION: ***

Another one of those quick one day reads. 

This book wasn't a jaw-dropping, stomach-whirling, mind-blowing story; hence, the three-star rating instead of the usual five stars.

Anna was kind of an annoying character. She was so easily swept up by this guy she met on a PLANE. Within one hour of meeting, they're making out in the plane's bathroom?!?! And they're dating already? I did not appreciate this almost insta love... except that it never struck me as "LOVE."

Ben. In the beginning, I really liked him. He seemed smart, nice, and a good guy. But by the end, my whole opinion of Ben changed into this monstrous picture of a cruel, annoying, rude Ben who was a PLAYER and a JERK. I don't understand the four girls who were all infatuated with BEN. I mean, maybe he's not "my type," but seriously... what was there to really like about him?

Adam. Parker. Django. WHY WERE THERE SO MANY GUYS THAT ANNA THOUGHT WAS NICE OR CUTE OR FELT LIKE THEY LIKED HER BECAUSE THEY WERE CONSTANTLY COMPLIMENTING HER?

In the beginning, Anna was comparing herself to her friend, Cynthia, and it made me think that Anna wasn't that... pretty? But then she got to Beverly Hills and everyone (the guys and girls) were like "SHE IS SO HOT," and it changed my mental image of Anna. I never really had a clear image of Anna... Even now, I don't know what color her eyes were.

Cammie. She was so MEAN and CRUEL but I could understand her character. She was in "love" with Ben, which is why she had an instant dislike for Anna... then again, judging from her own FRIENDS, she basically hates everyone.

Dee. Eh. I didn't really like her. I mean, she was meant to be the "simple and kind of not bright" girl. She was kind of irritating, especially when she told Anna that she was pregnant with Ben's baby?! Like what?

Sam. She called herself "fat" but honestly, you shouldn't have to worry about your body image. It's whats inside that counts, and she almost learned that lesson, but not quite. Sam was kind of annoying because she kept going on about Ben and Ben and Ben. Just move on.......................

Cynthia and Scott. Ummm... I didn't really see a point to having Scott as a character, except to show that he was a past crush that she almost moved on from, despite still being jealous of Cynthia, who got the guy? IDK honestly.

Am I the only that thought that Ben was making up that story? Maybe it was real but honestly, it sounded fake...

I would recommend this book to people who are looking for those short summer reads.

Main Character: Anna
Sidekick(s): Ben?, Sam, Dee, Cynthia, Susan, etc
Villain(s): Ben?, Cammie, etc
Realistic Fiction Elements: This book was all very real to life.