Cassi has been a selfish pain to her siblings in the earlier books, and now this story is finally her turn. Cassi can’t wait to get to high school and run with the popular crowd, but from the first day she discovers high school isn’t going to be about Cassi. When she is snubbed by her former friend, she decides to get even and sets off on a course to trouble. At the same time an old friend Neil encourages her to get to know his friends, who look more to who the person really is than being popular. Will Cassi be able to see what is more important, being yourself and being liked for who you are or getting her revenge and being popular even if it is shallow?

In the first two Russell Family books, Cassi behaves as a brat and tends to cause trouble for her siblings. Now in book three, we learn what is going through Cassi’s head and why she does the mean things she does. Cassi may be beautiful on the outside, but she has no direction in her life and feels very cut off from her family. Now with the betrayal of someone she thought was her friend, she feels very insecure. Cassi’s insecurity leads her to make bad decisions that will lose her the respect of the people who really do care about her. Cassi will have to work very hard to become someone she respects and earn back the trust of the people who were willing to be her friends. Neil believes in Cassi until she destroys their relationship. Can she ever convince him she made a mistake? Has Cassi’s self-centered attitude cost her a real relationship? While I enjoyed this book as much as the first two in the series, I originally wasn’t looking forward to Cassi’s story. However, even Cassi is redeemable, and when she finally figures out what is important in life and makes real changes, I wanted her to succeed. Ms. Mendoza is a master of telling an excellent teen story that takes the reader through the tough situations many teens have to face. I am really enjoying this series and am looking forward to the fourth book!

Reviewed by: Stephanie B.