Review: Jersey Angel

Jersey Angel by Beth Ann Bauman

Format: ebook, ARC
Pages/Size: 208/5 KB
Published: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Random House Canada
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult

My Rating: 3/5

Summary (from chapters.ca):

It's the summer before senior year and the alluring Angel is ready to have fun. She's not like her best friend, Inggy, who has a steady boyfriend, good grades, and college plans. Angel isn't sure what she wants to do yet, but she has confidence and experience beyond her years. Still, her summer doesn't start out as planned. Her good friend Joey doesn't want to fool around anymore, he wants to be her boyfriend, while Angel doesn't want to be tied down. As Joey pulls away, and Inggy tours colleges, Angel finds herself spending more time with Inggy's boyfriend, Cork.

With its cast of vivid and memorable characters, this tale from the Jersey shore is sure to make some waves.

Review:

**NOTE: A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. However, no compensations were made and this review reflects my honest thoughts and feelings.**

Okay, I will admit that part of the appeal of this book was the fact that it takes place on the Jersey shore and I am a HUGE fan of the reality TV show, Jersey Shore. Yes, I also realize that every time someone watches an episode, a book dies... or as someone so nicely pointed out to me. I can't help it... I LOVE it!

I am not sure if my original hopes for this book were to dispell some of the Jersey shore reputation or if I was hoping that it would mirror the show. However, as I read, I found myself growing more and more disgusted with the main character, Angel, and her family.

Angel is a seventeen year old high school student who has no ambitions beyond waking up in the morning. She spends her days lazing around the beach and her nights drinking and sleeping with anything that moves. What really bothered me about this - because clearly this is exactly what happens in the reality TV show - is that I couldn't stop thinking... WHERE IS HER MOM?!? Unfortunately, her mom was doing the exact same thing... Ugh!

If I learned anything from this book it is 1) I am SO glad that I do not have a daughter and 2) I am even happier that I do NOT live on the Jersey shore. My hopes are that girls will not read this book and want to live vicariously through Angel.

Overall, fans of the Jersey Shore will likely enjoy this but if you are a parent, I would steer clear as it will make you shake your head and want to reach through the pages to give Angel a giant hug... and some guidance.