ALA Booklist (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)

A solitary rumor at high-class Foxham Prep has the potential to ruin a student's entire career d worse, their social life. The rumor mill is explored from three alternating perspectives: Bryn, who lost every element of her social standing thanks to a scandalous story; Cora, her cheerleading captain best friend whose popularity comes at a price; and Georgie, a geeky classmate who unexpectedly lands in the limelight after a summer transformation. Told through narrative chapters, text message chains, emails, and letters that capture the nuances of each of these varied voices, the story winds through numerous twists and turns that will keep readers glued to the page as the girls try to figure out if they can stop the rumors from taking everything they love and desire d if that's even what they want. After all, with attention comes popularity, and the stakes are high enough that these students might sacrifice everything in order to achieve high-school celebrity status. A fast-paced thrill ride.

Kirkus Reviews (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Rumors spiral out of control and create chaos with serious consequences at an elite prep school.Clayton and Charaipotra team up again to expose the truth behind the privilege, this time with a story set at Foxham Preparatory Academy, where the children of Washington, D.C.'s most prestigious and powerful attend school. Bryn, the once-popular student body president, is now seen as "a trashy white girl" after running her ex-boyfriend's car off the road in a jealous rage. When Cora's boyfriend, Baez, son of a Nigerian diplomat, is injured in the crash, Cora-who is the epitome of Black excellence-cuts her former best friend off and becomes the school's new queen bee. Indian immigrant Georgie is forced to attend weight loss camp by her parents over the summer and, after losing a lot of weight, is determined to reinvent herself-or at least figure out who she really is. Georgie's new look puts a target on her back, and she becomes the first in a long line of victims of toxic rumors and lies. Told in four parts-"The Rumor," "The Lies," "The Game," and "The Truth"-the book follows the three protagonists who alternate in narrating chapters. Perfectionism, parental pressure, and the desire for popularity are issues at the heart of this story featuring a diverse cast of characters. Despite the gossipy tone and fast pace, serious issues are explored.An emotional and engaging drama full of twists and turns. (content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)

School Library Journal (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Gr 10 Up Rumors, lies, games, and the truth all culminate in a rich story of teenage drama at an elite Washington, D.C., prep school. Told in alternating narratives, the story provides readers a glimpse into the social hierarchy as the characters attempt to rise in their status and figure out where they belong. Bryn, once the most popular girl in school, is now a pariah after running a red light and injuring her ex-boyfriend and his friends. Georgie, after attending weight loss camp over the summer is working through her self-perception and her sudden rise in popularity. Cora is dealing with the aftermath of a rumor that her boyfriend is cheating on her with Georgie and is trying to be as perfect as her twin sister appears to be. As the rumors about George and Cora's boyfriend build, it eventually reaches a tipping point where all characters must decide how to deal with the consequences of their choices. Sexual assault, online bullying, and body dysmorphia are all prevalent and not shied away from, making this book best suited to older teen readers. VERDICT Clayton and Charaipotra deliver another great young adult read full of drama and intrigue. Give this one to fans of Tiny Pretty Things , Pretty Little Liars , and other high drama realistic fiction reads. Ashley Leffel