The Wedding Cake Girl

by Anne Pfeffer

[e_rodz_leb]

You can find the original review here: Reading with ABC

Sometimes I feel like accepting a book for review or a blog tour is type of gamble or as the wise Forest Gump would say about a box of chocolates ‘you never know what you’re going to get’. I have to say that the gamble paid off as I enjoyed The Wedding Cake Girl.

Alex was a bit hard to identify with. She is a good friend and tries to be a good, honest person too. She is ambitious, which is a good thing and has a clear focus on her life. The problem is that her mom is not supportive at all. I understand that the relationship between mom and daughter is somewhat complicated and not altogether healthy and that might be why Alex is so insecure. BUT this is my main issue with Alex: She is really whiny. She has self esteem issues and it shows. It is also strange that she has not left the island or have any close friends (not even in on-line).

Now, about the boys in the story: Alex’s only friend (at least at the beginning) is Zack and I just couldn’t like him. He wasn’t there for Alex when she needed him and was trying to be with her for all the wrong reasons. On the other hand, I just love Jeremy, he is a true friend and really understands Alex. Chris is okay, he has a lot in common with Alex, but he’s introduced almost at the end and we don’t have a lot of time to get to know him.
Alex’s mom is childish, immature and somewhat abusive of Alex. I am glad that she found someone to keep her 'grounded', but I don't like the idea that a woman needs a man in order to make the right decisions. Other characters were well developed as well.

The plot is simple, but interesting enough to keep me reading. I really enjoyed the banter between Alex and Jeremy. The writing was easy to read and follow. Overall, The Wedding Cake Girl makes a good story of self discovery, and coming of age.

About the cover: The cover doesn’t do this book justice, I wouldn’t have picked the book up, just based on the cover. I can’t identify with the girl at all, it’s not what I pictured Alex looks like or even something she might wear.