Book Review: Absolutely Maybe

Title: Absolutely Maybe
Author: Lisa Yee
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Rating: 4

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Meet Maybelline Mary Katherine Mary Ann Chestnut, named for two Miss Americas and her mother Chessy's favorite brand of mascara. Chessy teaches the students in her charm school her Seven Select Rules for Young Ladies, but she won't tell Maybe who her real father is -- or protect her from her latest scuzzball boyfriend. So Maybe hitches a ride to California with her friends Hollywood and Thammasat Tantipinichwong Schneider (aka Ted) -- and what she finds there is funny, sad, true, and inspiring . . .

Review: Having both a mom and dad, I never really understood kids my age who had divorced parents or only lived with one parent and didn't get to see the other one. Reading Absolutely Maybe made me realize that I'm lucky to have supportive parents who love me no matter what I do and help me become a better person each day. Maybe isn't as lucky.

Her mom, Chessy, is more absorbed in her famous charm school than her own daughter. Day in and day out, a regular group of girls from the charm school harrass Maybe in front of her mom. Instead of defending her own daughter, Chessy ignores the arrogant girls and later tells Maybe something along the lines of you don't need to wear baggy clothes to hide your fat. Sick of her mom treating her the way she has been and the latest incident with Chessy's latest boyfriend, Maybe decides she wants to find her real dad, the only guy Chessy didn't marry. Finding him could be everything Maybe ever hoped for or it could be another big disappointment.

I found myself not being able to put down Absolutely Maybe and finishing it within two days. I really enjoyed Maybe's story of going to California to find her real dad, but instead finding a real friend, real job, and a real home. Meeting Jess at the taco truck was just the beginning of Maybe's newly found luck. After spending nights at Hollywood's college dorm and finding Ted a new job, working at the taco truck becomes Maybe's new passion. Spending it with Jess is just another bonus. The thing is, Jess' uncle doesn't know about the new employee and the girls intend to keep it that way for a while. But when business starts improving, her uncle figures it out on his own and gives Maybe another challenge she has to accept.

You would think after a long day at work, Maybe and Jess would get sick of tacos. Well, you're wrong. Tacos are on the dinner menu. Every. Night. I would personally want something new, although I do love tacos. Absolutely Maybe was a cute book filled with friendship, tacos, family, and love. A great teen novel by Miss Lisa Yee.

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