Finding What's Real

Gr 7–10—This sequel to Escaping Perfect shares many of the flaws of its predecessor. Cecilia Montgomery, daughter of politicians and famous for having been nearly kidnapped as a small child, spent the first book running away from home and finding adventure (and a hot guy) in a small town. The second installment begins just after she's been found, with her parents trying to orchestrate damage control. For the rest of the book, Cecilia tries and fails to assert her independence even as her mother moves to the small town and announces her candidacy for president of the United States. As Cecelia's friends get caught up in the hype, she wonders who is a true friend and who might be using her for her fame. It's an interesting premise, but it doesn't ring true. There are unrealistic elements: a senator can't just uproot to a new state because her daughter ran away, and the friendships and romantic relationship that Cecilia managed to form seem a bit more intense than the two-week span of her initial running away would allow.