I’m So Sure by Jenny B. Jones (The Charmed Life #2)

Published: November 3^rd, 2009 (Thomas Nelson Publishers)

Pages: 312

Rating: 4/5

Goodreads ~ Amazon

"Think you're having a rough week? Bella's stepdad, a semi-pro wrestler, just signed the entire family up for a reality TV show. Bella's first thought: Kill. Me. Now."
Living in Truman, Oklahoma wasn't 100% miserable for Bella. Sure, she misses Manhattan, couture clothes, and her dad. But she was making new friends at Truman High and almost enjoying her work at the school newspaper. Then the whole stepdad-wrestler-reality-show issue hit and her life is now being splashed across weekly tabloids and broadcast news. As if having a camera crew following her around isn't bad enough, Bella soon discovers a conspiracy against the Truman High prom queen candidates. And the closer she gets to the answer, the more danger she's in.
As her relationship with Luke teeters between friendship and romance, Bella's ex-boyfriend Hunter reappears and vies for Bella's attention. Denying allegations of a love triangle, working to solve the prom queen mystery, and trying to keep her cool on national television finally motivate Bella to start talking--and listening--to God more.
But what comes next has Bella once again screaming: "I'M. SO. SURE."

Bella’s at it again. That is, when she’s not lusting over the newest spring fashion line for Burberry. I’m talking about her awesome crime-busting skills. With her amazing(ly hot) editor-in-chief, Luke, by her side, Bella’s ready for anything Oklahoma could possibly throw her way.

That was before her step-dad turned wrestler signed up to have their lives broadcasted via reality TV. 

Just as she was finally getting adjusted to life in Truman, a camera crew swipes the rug out from under her. Now, as she tries to 1) get a job for an article in the school paper, 2) figure out the male population, and 3) find out who’s out to turn prom into a nightmare, she can smile at the camera while she’s doing so.

Not.

I really enjoyed this second book in the Charmed Life series. Some parts were so laugh-out-loud hilarious. Like more hilarious than usual. *grin* A particular scene involving a disaster at a maxi-pad factory had me rolling on the floor. *coughcough* But I’ll let you find out the details of that little incident.

In So Not Happening, I wasn’t really all that impressed with Luke. I mean, his and Bella’s playful banter was interesting, but I just wasn’t very captivated with him. My reaction to him was completely different in this second book. Suddenly, Luke is hot. And I really liked it. J Looking forward to seeing how their little romance turns out in the third book.

The one and only thing that irritated me a little was the fact that this book seemed a little ridiculous at points. Jenny specializes in humor, sometimes the ridiculous kind, but some parts were just downright silly. As long as you can get past it and not focus on it too much, it shouldn’t really be a big deal.

In conclusion, I’m So Sure was a fantastic sequel to So Not Happening. I doubt I’ll ever get tired of Jenny’s humor. I can’t seem to get enough of it! Hopefully So Over My Head (book three) will prove to be just as entertaining.

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: None

Violence: Mild (A nerdy maniac tries to blow up the prom queen.)

Sexual: Mild (A kiss or two and some harmless flirting)

So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones

Published: May 5^th 2009 (Thomas Nelson Publishers)

Pages: 329

Rating: 4/5

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Bella Kirkwood had it all: A-list friends at her prestigious private school, Broadway in her backyard, and Daddy's MasterCard in her wallet. Then her father, a plastic surgeon to the stars, decided to trade her mother in for a newer model. When Bella's mom falls in love with a man she met on the Internet--a factory worker with two bratty sons--Bella has to pack up and move in with her new family in Truman, Oklahoma. On a farm, no less.

Forced to trade her uber-trendy NYC lifestyle for down-home charm, Bella feels like a pair of Rock & Republic jeans in a sea of Wranglers. At least some of the people in her new high school are pretty cool. Especially the hunky football player who invites her to lunch. And maybe even the annoying--but kinda hot--editor of the school newspaper.

But before long, Bella smells something rotten in the town of Truman, and it's not just the cow pasture. With her savvy reporter's instincts, she is determined to find the story behind all the secrets. [Description from Goodreads]

Credit card? Check. Prada heels? Check. Gucci purse? Check. Major attitude? Check.

This is what makes up Bella Kirkwood. Only problem? She went from shopping at Barney’s to waking up in a dinky little town in Oklahoma, complete with roosters, cows, and a diner (with a waitress that reminds me of Dolly Parton). She now has two very odd brothers (understatement of the year, right there) and a suspicious stepdad. Her mom has apparently flown off the handle (considering she married said stepdad), and all Bella wants is a one-way flight back to Manhattan. I’ll just go ahead and relieve your suspense, here.

She gets anything but.

Jenny B. Jones

I loved this book. It wasn’t exactly what I expected, but my surprise was definitely more pleasant than repulsive. I loved Bella as a character. She must have been so much fun to write (spoiled rotten brats usually are). Honestly, she annoyed me for a while, but it was a good kind of annoyance. The tolerant kind. *grin* But she’s also hilarious. One thing that’s so funny about her is that she’s completely unaware that she’s so selfish and rude. Completely. Unaware. I’m currently reading the second book, and she does get a little less arrogant, but my advice to you is: enjoy her attitude while you can. It’s priceless.

I wasn’t really expecting this book to turn out the way it did. I was envisioning a glittery, girly ending, but the book took a darker turn than I imagined it would. I kind of liked how it ended, though. Unforeseen suspense is always a nice thing. I don’t want to spoil anything, but let’s just say I have an irrational fear of high school football players now. Even the buff ones. The more competitive, the worse they are. And just to irritate you, I’m not going to say anything else about it and let you read the book yourself to find out what on earth I’m talking about.

So, in conclusion, I’d have to say that I really, really liked this book. I can’t say it’s my favorite by Jenny, though, because her newest book, There You’ll Find Me, takes the prize for that. But So Not Happening was hardly lacking in Jenny’s usual hilarity and mirth, and it proved to keep me smiling the whole time I was reading it. Between shaking my head at Bella, laughing to myself, and swooning over Luke (that’s another story for another time), I couldn’t find one thing I didn’t like about So Not Happening. It’s both a girly read as well as one that’ll grip you as it nosedives toward the ending. And it’s one you should read reeealll soon (as they would say in Oklahoma).

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: None.

Violence: Mild- Moderate (Several incidents mentioned of football players encountering “accidents” that resulted in their deaths. A girl is forced to overdose on pills.)

Sexual: Mild (some kissing)