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BATTLE OF THE BFFS!
Back in Orlando for the summer, Claire is reunited with her Florida best friends, Sarah, Sari, and Mandy, after a long year apart. Her FBFFs haven't changed at all. Too bad they think Claire has... and not for the better. She sets out to prove her loyalty by helping her friends get ready to compete in Kissimmee's Miss Kiss pageant. But when a very special visitor shows up and vows to win the crown, Claire finds herself torn between Keds and hawt couture. Will she finally kiss-immee her past goodbye--once and for all?
Back in Orlando for the summer, Claire is reunited with her Florida best friends, Sarah, Sari, and Mandy, after a long year apart. Her FBFFs haven't changed at all. Too bad they think Claire has... and not for the better. She sets out to prove her loyalty by helping her friends get ready to compete in Kissimmee's Miss Kiss pageant. But when a very special visitor shows up and vows to win the crown, Claire finds herself torn between Keds and hawt couture. Will she finally kiss-immee her past goodbye--once and for all?
134 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2008
50 people are currently reading
1850 people want to read
About the author
Lisi Harrison
95 books2,843 followersLisi Harrison is the author of the #1 New York Times best-selling series "The Clique", "Alphas", "Monster High," Pretenders," and her first adult novel: "The Dirty Book Club" out 10.10.17. Lisi was born in Toronto, Canada, and lived in NYC for 15 years while she worked at MTV. She now lives in Laguna Beach, CA and is a member or her own Dirty Book Club.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
May 1, 2010
I didn't really like the Clique Summer Collection books. It just wasn't the same w|o the rest of the members of the Clique. I understand it was supposed to be their own adventures over the summer but most of them were mushy & kind of weird? It's not the same kind of drama & tension that I enjoy while reading the Clique Series. It was an appealing book, but not as good as the others. I didn't like it TOO much. And since this book was about Claire, you could just say; I don't really 'like' her so it makes this book even less appealing. Oh well, i still love the Clique Series & how Lisi Harrison writes. She still remains to be one of my most favorite authors. ^_^
May 24, 2025
I'm back on the Exam Season Chick Lit Bullshit Read! If Lisi Harrison bothered to inspect the awful, awful ideas she clearly has about the world, this could actually be a really solid horror novella. Like The Substance, but for middle schoolers.
The way the very *idea* of Massie seems to drive Claire fucking manic, despite the fact that she isn't even there for the first half of the book. Claire's blindingly obvious internalized misogyny that seems to manifest in physical form through the pageant. And, if nothing else, Lisi Harrison is startlingly accurate at portraying the distinct psychological torture of female bullying.
Too bad these books are absolutely fucking terrible!
The way the very *idea* of Massie seems to drive Claire fucking manic, despite the fact that she isn't even there for the first half of the book. Claire's blindingly obvious internalized misogyny that seems to manifest in physical form through the pageant. And, if nothing else, Lisi Harrison is startlingly accurate at portraying the distinct psychological torture of female bullying.
Too bad these books are absolutely fucking terrible!
August 9, 2025
Bittersweet end to the summer series. But excited to get back to ocd merging with the boys school. Also loved the call back to the iconic “would u rather be a friendless looser” line. Kuh lair deserves better than her FBFFs
May 8, 2025
Claire is such a pick-me, you might as well call her Meredith Grey.
A boring story about how Claire just collects the worst people on earth to keep close to her.
Plus, we also get Massie! Claire's best friend! YAY!
Those two DESERVE each other 😂
A boring story about how Claire just collects the worst people on earth to keep close to her.
Plus, we also get Massie! Claire's best friend! YAY!
Those two DESERVE each other 😂
Currently reading
May 3, 2015Claire is a 12 year old girl that has a real passion for fashion.
Claire finishes her school year and decides to get a job so that she can buy a new back to school wardrobe, except that no one wants a 12 year old little girl. «Todd was the only one in town willing to hire a twelve year-old » (The clique pg.2). Claire’s brother Todd decides to give his little sister a paid job at his store even though she is not very certain that he is going to pay her. « Depending on her younger brother for a paycheck would become less pathetic »( the clique pg. 2). Claire is very annoyed that her brother is her boss but will she stand it for the rest of the summer?
Claire’s Fbffs (Florida best friends forever) are Sari, Mandy, and Sarah. They each have glitter colors, Sari is the pink, Mandy is the blue, Sarah the orange and Claire the green. Claire’s nicknames are most of the time either Claire-Bear, Bad Pitt or green from her glitter color but the most popular one is Claire-bear. Since Claire moved everything changed in her world of beauty and she started to care a lot about her appearance. « Back to the place before she moved, a place where lip gloss was saved only for class pictures, blush was for Halloween and body odor was perfectly natural » ( the clique pg.4). Will her perfection world ever change back to how it was or will she be like this forever?
Claire had a sister that was the complete opposite of her: she would wear a little bit of lip gloss and brush her blonde hair on special occasions but that was all she would do to try to look pretty. Claire’s room is covered with pictures of girls in sleeping bags, cheering at a soccer match, piled in a range rover, carving a Chanel logo with snow, going to Hollywood studios with private jets and Vogue poses with her idol Massie-quin. « The cheery white and green floral prints had been poked with push-pins that held dozens of pretty committee photos » ( the clique pg.5). Claire had also hanged a picture of her ex-crush Cam Fisher ( the green eyes) but had made a pact to not look at it until he answered one of the billion sorry letters she had sent him. « I’m sorry for spying on you through secret camera that was planted in your sensitivity training class and I will never do something like that again if you give me a second chance » (the clique pg.6). Will Cam give Claire a second chance?
Since the girls met each other, all they talk about is “The Miss Kissimmee Beauty Pageant”. When Claire was away, she completely forgot about it but now that she is twelve, they can compete. Claire does not really want to do it because she knows that it broke a lot of friendships and it is the last thing she needs right now after being away for a year. A long time ago, a pair of twins competed and it broke their friendship to this day.
When Mandy texted Claire telling her that the winner gets $1.000, she changed her mind. « What’s a little healthy competition between friends? » (Harrison Pg. 14). She does not get enough money working for Todd and she needs that money to buy her back to school wardrobe or else she might get kicked out of the pretty committee.
Claire loves Mrs. Van Deussen’s Petite Chihuahua, Piper.
When they were in the bus, Claire was talking to Piper which must have seemed very weird since the girls behind were looking and laughing. Claire was telling Piper that she wished she could have such an easy life and be so loved like her. When Mrs. Van Deussen put the air conditioner on, Piper was shivering. Claire told her that she understood her because she lived in the snow for a year. “ I know how you feel Piper” (Harrison Pg. 8). Claire wished she could adopt this little Chihuahua.
Claire is so happy to be back in Florida and to see her friends and everything she had left to go to Westchester.
She was taking pictures of everything she saw.
Massy told her that they were so happy to be SACS again
(Sari, Amandy, Claire, Sarah) and not SAS. Amandy’s real name is Mandy but she says Amandy makes her look 16 and not 12.
Going back to the Pageant, Claire needed to take the risk of breaking her friendship to get the money because either way if she is kicked out of the pretty committee they will not be friends with her anymore. Working for her brother isn’t going to take her anywhere. “ It wouldn’t get her any closer of a Massie approved wardrobe” (Harrison Pg. 12)
She has to do it for The Pretty Committee (TPC).
Claire and her friends are so happy to be part of the pageant. They went shopping all together to find the perfect dress. When she lived in Florida SACS always liked the same things but know Claire has changed and is part of the pretty committee. Sari tried on a dress and Claire immediately said « EW! ». Sari and all her friends told her she had changed. So even if Claire lied to them by saying that Ew meant extremely wearable in Wechester, she got her friends back. SAS asked Claire to prove it by buying the dress and wearing it to the pageant. Claire had worked so hard to get the money for a dress to wear to the pageant and now she had to buy this farmers' dress with puppies on it.
She had a solution: she asked Todd to dress up and throw coffee on her dress in front of SAS so that she would have an excuse to wear the signed dresses that Massie had sent her. When Todd threw the coffee, it first arrived on Sari’s dress, he tried again and again and again, and all the dresses were touched except Claire’s. Now she had lost all of her friends, still had that ugly dress and Todd had put the video on youtube and it got a lot of of success and that was another reason for the girls to be mad. The next day, when Claire went to the pageant selections, SAS did not show up. Was it because they were mad at her or because they did not have anything left to wear? What had she done and why did she do it?
The next day, a lot of things that she absolutely did not expect happened. SACS were hanging in Claire’s room when someone knocked at the door. It was Massie! What was she doing here? Massie said her parents had left for Mexico and she had no where to stay. After that, the girls went to the pageant and Lorna, the judge, asked Claire something that changed her life. Lorna asked Claire to be the celebrity judge of Miss Kiss because everybody loved her for her movie "Dial L for looser". The girls directly went back to be friends with her again, even though Claire knew it was just because she was one of the Judges.
Between SAS and Massie everything was going wrong. They hated each other. Claire had to lie to them all day to hang out a little bit with the other ones. Even though she was not allowed to help the contestants, she promised both of them she would help them. Massie decided to be part of the pageant too because the girls told her she wouldn’t even last the first round.
The first round of the pageant was quick answer to questions. Everyone did very well except Sari. She said that she answered better when she got pinched, so she took a crab from her dads' restaurant so that it pinched her during the questions. It was a disaster, the crab ran of the stage and pinched everyone.
When it was time to discover who the five finalists were, Claire’s heart almost bursted. "And the five finalists are", Lorna continued Gracie, Sarah, Amandy, Wendi and Massie. Claire felt so bad for Sari who was probably backstage covered with scars that were made by that crab. Now the five finalists had to put up a show about their biggest issues in the world. “Please step up and share your issue with us” ( Harrison 106). Now it was time for her best friends to really compete against each other, there were no turning back.
"First up Gracie" Lorna said as the public applauded, "my issue is obesity in america" she said while preparing herself to put up the show.
Then it was Sarah’s turn, "my issue is the earthquakes scientists predict in thirty years", she said while she was vibrating and dancing like an earthquake. Sarah fell and hurt herself, so she got eliminated while Amandy was laughing so hard. Then it was Wendi’s turn, "my issue is terrorism" she said in her mini skirt and crop top. “Does she want to fight terrorists or seduce them” said one of the judges. ( Harrison 109). Massie went on stage and said that her issue was make up testing on animals. The crowd applauded their approval.
Finally it was Amandy’s turn. She went on stage. Claire wanted to move the fan a little closer but it got trapped to the stage and the fan went right on Amandy’s face and ruined all her chances of winning.
Now it was time for Claire to vote for the final Miss Kiss. It was Amandy’s dream since the day they met but it would make the judges suspicious. If she voted for Sari or Sarah it wouldn’t make sense. The only one that was left was Massie but it would tear her friendship up. The only thing that seemed fair was voting for Gracie so that is what she did. Amanda directly sent a message saying that all that she did to help them was a plan to help Massie win. “ Admit it U wanted us to loose so that your BFF Massie could win” (Harrison 117). Amandy, who was mad at Claire showed the message that said everything that she had done to help the SAS and Massie to the judges which meant that Claire was kicked out of the Judges and her vote did not count.
Claire finishes her school year and decides to get a job so that she can buy a new back to school wardrobe, except that no one wants a 12 year old little girl. «Todd was the only one in town willing to hire a twelve year-old » (The clique pg.2). Claire’s brother Todd decides to give his little sister a paid job at his store even though she is not very certain that he is going to pay her. « Depending on her younger brother for a paycheck would become less pathetic »( the clique pg. 2). Claire is very annoyed that her brother is her boss but will she stand it for the rest of the summer?
Claire’s Fbffs (Florida best friends forever) are Sari, Mandy, and Sarah. They each have glitter colors, Sari is the pink, Mandy is the blue, Sarah the orange and Claire the green. Claire’s nicknames are most of the time either Claire-Bear, Bad Pitt or green from her glitter color but the most popular one is Claire-bear. Since Claire moved everything changed in her world of beauty and she started to care a lot about her appearance. « Back to the place before she moved, a place where lip gloss was saved only for class pictures, blush was for Halloween and body odor was perfectly natural » ( the clique pg.4). Will her perfection world ever change back to how it was or will she be like this forever?
Claire had a sister that was the complete opposite of her: she would wear a little bit of lip gloss and brush her blonde hair on special occasions but that was all she would do to try to look pretty. Claire’s room is covered with pictures of girls in sleeping bags, cheering at a soccer match, piled in a range rover, carving a Chanel logo with snow, going to Hollywood studios with private jets and Vogue poses with her idol Massie-quin. « The cheery white and green floral prints had been poked with push-pins that held dozens of pretty committee photos » ( the clique pg.5). Claire had also hanged a picture of her ex-crush Cam Fisher ( the green eyes) but had made a pact to not look at it until he answered one of the billion sorry letters she had sent him. « I’m sorry for spying on you through secret camera that was planted in your sensitivity training class and I will never do something like that again if you give me a second chance » (the clique pg.6). Will Cam give Claire a second chance?
Since the girls met each other, all they talk about is “The Miss Kissimmee Beauty Pageant”. When Claire was away, she completely forgot about it but now that she is twelve, they can compete. Claire does not really want to do it because she knows that it broke a lot of friendships and it is the last thing she needs right now after being away for a year. A long time ago, a pair of twins competed and it broke their friendship to this day.
When Mandy texted Claire telling her that the winner gets $1.000, she changed her mind. « What’s a little healthy competition between friends? » (Harrison Pg. 14). She does not get enough money working for Todd and she needs that money to buy her back to school wardrobe or else she might get kicked out of the pretty committee.
Claire loves Mrs. Van Deussen’s Petite Chihuahua, Piper.
When they were in the bus, Claire was talking to Piper which must have seemed very weird since the girls behind were looking and laughing. Claire was telling Piper that she wished she could have such an easy life and be so loved like her. When Mrs. Van Deussen put the air conditioner on, Piper was shivering. Claire told her that she understood her because she lived in the snow for a year. “ I know how you feel Piper” (Harrison Pg. 8). Claire wished she could adopt this little Chihuahua.
Claire is so happy to be back in Florida and to see her friends and everything she had left to go to Westchester.
She was taking pictures of everything she saw.
Massy told her that they were so happy to be SACS again
(Sari, Amandy, Claire, Sarah) and not SAS. Amandy’s real name is Mandy but she says Amandy makes her look 16 and not 12.
Going back to the Pageant, Claire needed to take the risk of breaking her friendship to get the money because either way if she is kicked out of the pretty committee they will not be friends with her anymore. Working for her brother isn’t going to take her anywhere. “ It wouldn’t get her any closer of a Massie approved wardrobe” (Harrison Pg. 12)
She has to do it for The Pretty Committee (TPC).
Claire and her friends are so happy to be part of the pageant. They went shopping all together to find the perfect dress. When she lived in Florida SACS always liked the same things but know Claire has changed and is part of the pretty committee. Sari tried on a dress and Claire immediately said « EW! ». Sari and all her friends told her she had changed. So even if Claire lied to them by saying that Ew meant extremely wearable in Wechester, she got her friends back. SAS asked Claire to prove it by buying the dress and wearing it to the pageant. Claire had worked so hard to get the money for a dress to wear to the pageant and now she had to buy this farmers' dress with puppies on it.
She had a solution: she asked Todd to dress up and throw coffee on her dress in front of SAS so that she would have an excuse to wear the signed dresses that Massie had sent her. When Todd threw the coffee, it first arrived on Sari’s dress, he tried again and again and again, and all the dresses were touched except Claire’s. Now she had lost all of her friends, still had that ugly dress and Todd had put the video on youtube and it got a lot of of success and that was another reason for the girls to be mad. The next day, when Claire went to the pageant selections, SAS did not show up. Was it because they were mad at her or because they did not have anything left to wear? What had she done and why did she do it?
The next day, a lot of things that she absolutely did not expect happened. SACS were hanging in Claire’s room when someone knocked at the door. It was Massie! What was she doing here? Massie said her parents had left for Mexico and she had no where to stay. After that, the girls went to the pageant and Lorna, the judge, asked Claire something that changed her life. Lorna asked Claire to be the celebrity judge of Miss Kiss because everybody loved her for her movie "Dial L for looser". The girls directly went back to be friends with her again, even though Claire knew it was just because she was one of the Judges.
Between SAS and Massie everything was going wrong. They hated each other. Claire had to lie to them all day to hang out a little bit with the other ones. Even though she was not allowed to help the contestants, she promised both of them she would help them. Massie decided to be part of the pageant too because the girls told her she wouldn’t even last the first round.
The first round of the pageant was quick answer to questions. Everyone did very well except Sari. She said that she answered better when she got pinched, so she took a crab from her dads' restaurant so that it pinched her during the questions. It was a disaster, the crab ran of the stage and pinched everyone.
When it was time to discover who the five finalists were, Claire’s heart almost bursted. "And the five finalists are", Lorna continued Gracie, Sarah, Amandy, Wendi and Massie. Claire felt so bad for Sari who was probably backstage covered with scars that were made by that crab. Now the five finalists had to put up a show about their biggest issues in the world. “Please step up and share your issue with us” ( Harrison 106). Now it was time for her best friends to really compete against each other, there were no turning back.
"First up Gracie" Lorna said as the public applauded, "my issue is obesity in america" she said while preparing herself to put up the show.
Then it was Sarah’s turn, "my issue is the earthquakes scientists predict in thirty years", she said while she was vibrating and dancing like an earthquake. Sarah fell and hurt herself, so she got eliminated while Amandy was laughing so hard. Then it was Wendi’s turn, "my issue is terrorism" she said in her mini skirt and crop top. “Does she want to fight terrorists or seduce them” said one of the judges. ( Harrison 109). Massie went on stage and said that her issue was make up testing on animals. The crowd applauded their approval.
Finally it was Amandy’s turn. She went on stage. Claire wanted to move the fan a little closer but it got trapped to the stage and the fan went right on Amandy’s face and ruined all her chances of winning.
Now it was time for Claire to vote for the final Miss Kiss. It was Amandy’s dream since the day they met but it would make the judges suspicious. If she voted for Sari or Sarah it wouldn’t make sense. The only one that was left was Massie but it would tear her friendship up. The only thing that seemed fair was voting for Gracie so that is what she did. Amanda directly sent a message saying that all that she did to help them was a plan to help Massie win. “ Admit it U wanted us to loose so that your BFF Massie could win” (Harrison 117). Amandy, who was mad at Claire showed the message that said everything that she had done to help the SAS and Massie to the judges which meant that Claire was kicked out of the Judges and her vote did not count.
July 21, 2021
The first 2/3 of this book made me want to pull my hair out, but the last third was somehow both very funny and touching. The pageant itself had some great moments, but the rest leading up to it just stressed me out. All of the characters were kind of bad people, and it was a little annoying that Massie showed up since all the other Summer Collection books were just focused on one girl at a time. Regardless, their reconciliation was really sweet and I honestly wasn’t mad that Claire and her FBFFs kind of had an awkward vibe because it felt like a real (but a little extreme) experience of seeing your friends for the first time after moving. This was a solid conclusion to their summer and I’m ready to re-read their eighth grade year.
Read
May 27, 2024"Claire breathed in the citrus-scented air. She had missed the palm trees and orange trees over the last year. She had craved the thick, hot air that warmed her like one of Massie's old pashminas. And she loved making a wish every time a speedy little lizard zipped pas her bare feet. As much as she'd grown to appreciate life in Westchester, Kissimmee was still home."
A summer in Florida, new friends and old friends, a pageant in a small town, wrists full of glitter, two worlds colliding, water-balloon barrages, melting ice cream, and a girl caught between it all.
This is the kind of sun-drenched, colorful, disorienting kind of story that encapsulates what it feels like growing up a bit and returning to somewhere familiar, finding out you've changed while you've been away, and all the joy of being there again with the sorrow of realizing that things change. It's what childhood felt like at times. That's part of why The Clique books appealed to me when I first read them. It felt relatable in how it portrays being a girl and all the emotional growing pains associated with it.
The first Clique books I read were the Summer Collection. I read them in order, and I remember the ending scene of this one really sticking with me. Envisioning Claire and Massie there in a rainy parking lot with the red Pontiac stuck with me. Claire's desperation to fit in, to be accepted, for everyone to like her - and overcoming it - feels very pivotal. I really liked her character growth in this one.
I think having Massie come into the story irritated me at first when I was younger, because this was Kuh-laire's book, nawt Massie's, but honestly it would've been incomplete without her. It was a nice was to tie up the Summer Collection, but also it feels like Massie represents so much of Claire's growth and the new choices she's making. And Claire represents a lot of Massie's humanity and vulnerability that she doesn't tend to reveal.
I also saw a YouTube video by Nick DiRamio reviewing the film adaptation of The Clique, and he points out how it feels like a romance between Massie and Claire. I feel like that's probably part of what drew me to the series in the first place. I didn't have much representation for queerness for people my age, but Massie and Claire seem like they have a relationship that's just never official. And Claire spends a lot of this book thinking of Massie, and trying to figure out why she can't stop thinking about Massie. It reads like one of the too-dependent-friendships that I feel like a lot of queer people end up looking back on and realizing it was a crush.
The ending scene that stuck with me for years until I reread it this month encapsulates that too:
"her walk to the car seemed like an endless journey filled with deep sighs and nail-biting self-doubt. Miss Kiss was done, SACS was done, Orlando was-
'Well look who it is,' Jay called out to the girl sitting on the hood of his red Pontiac Torrent holding her dog.
Claire lifted her eyes.
'Hey,' Massie said sweetly, twirling her purple streak. Her gold dress was spotted with raindrops, but she didn't seem to mind.
The Lyonses instinctively stopped walking. Claire instinctively kept going.
'Where's your limo?'
'I let him go.' Massie looked at the snaking line of cars waiting to get out of the lot.
Claire nodded, too weak to figure out what to say next.
Massie popped open her black rose-covered clutch. 'Here.' She reached inside and pulled out a pink slip of paper. 'This is for you.'
Claire kept her eyes on the alpha while she took it. Then she looked down.
'Huh?' she said to the one-thousand dollar check in her hand.
'It's my first-place prize.' Massie beamed.
Claire handed it back. 'Congratulations.'
Massie pushed Claire's hand away. 'It's for you.'
'Why?' Claire was too confused to feel anything but tired.
'Take it. You earned it.' Massie gave Bean a gentle kiss on her forehead. 'You worked hard on this pageant as anyone.'
Claire looked away. The rain seemed to have gotten heavier. Puddles began forming by the Pontiac's tires, and people started running for their cars.
'I don't need charity,' Claire stated. The rain was making her bangs split into a soggy blond M.
'It's nawt charity, Kuh-laire,' Massie leaned over Bean to keep her dry. 'I did it for me.'
'Why? Because you feel guilty?" Claire pushed her wet bangs aside. 'Because you understand why I did what I did? Because you miss me? Because you want me back in the Pretty Committee?'
Massie half smiled. And like a ray of sunshine, it made Claire's wet skin suddenly feel a little warmer. 'Because I want you to buy some clothes.'
'Why?' Claire's teeth began to chatter.
'Because I don't want my best friend dressing like an LBR in the eighth grade.'
Claire giggled. And then they hugged.
In one more week, they'd be home."
All in all, this is a really good one of the Summer Collection. I think it ranks 3rd for me (with Kristen, Dylan, Claire, Massie, and Alicia being the ranking) because I really enjoyed getting to see Kristen and Dylan finally have POVs in their books, but THIS book - Claire's book - has what made me like The Clique initially. It feels raw and real, and has all the hijinx, mistakes, and excitement of being 12 and figuring out where you stand in the world. And Florida sounded fun, so oranges and sunshine are always a plus.
A summer in Florida, new friends and old friends, a pageant in a small town, wrists full of glitter, two worlds colliding, water-balloon barrages, melting ice cream, and a girl caught between it all.
This is the kind of sun-drenched, colorful, disorienting kind of story that encapsulates what it feels like growing up a bit and returning to somewhere familiar, finding out you've changed while you've been away, and all the joy of being there again with the sorrow of realizing that things change. It's what childhood felt like at times. That's part of why The Clique books appealed to me when I first read them. It felt relatable in how it portrays being a girl and all the emotional growing pains associated with it.
The first Clique books I read were the Summer Collection. I read them in order, and I remember the ending scene of this one really sticking with me. Envisioning Claire and Massie there in a rainy parking lot with the red Pontiac stuck with me. Claire's desperation to fit in, to be accepted, for everyone to like her - and overcoming it - feels very pivotal. I really liked her character growth in this one.
I think having Massie come into the story irritated me at first when I was younger, because this was Kuh-laire's book, nawt Massie's, but honestly it would've been incomplete without her. It was a nice was to tie up the Summer Collection, but also it feels like Massie represents so much of Claire's growth and the new choices she's making. And Claire represents a lot of Massie's humanity and vulnerability that she doesn't tend to reveal.
I also saw a YouTube video by Nick DiRamio reviewing the film adaptation of The Clique, and he points out how it feels like a romance between Massie and Claire. I feel like that's probably part of what drew me to the series in the first place. I didn't have much representation for queerness for people my age, but Massie and Claire seem like they have a relationship that's just never official. And Claire spends a lot of this book thinking of Massie, and trying to figure out why she can't stop thinking about Massie. It reads like one of the too-dependent-friendships that I feel like a lot of queer people end up looking back on and realizing it was a crush.
The ending scene that stuck with me for years until I reread it this month encapsulates that too:
"her walk to the car seemed like an endless journey filled with deep sighs and nail-biting self-doubt. Miss Kiss was done, SACS was done, Orlando was-
'Well look who it is,' Jay called out to the girl sitting on the hood of his red Pontiac Torrent holding her dog.
Claire lifted her eyes.
'Hey,' Massie said sweetly, twirling her purple streak. Her gold dress was spotted with raindrops, but she didn't seem to mind.
The Lyonses instinctively stopped walking. Claire instinctively kept going.
'Where's your limo?'
'I let him go.' Massie looked at the snaking line of cars waiting to get out of the lot.
Claire nodded, too weak to figure out what to say next.
Massie popped open her black rose-covered clutch. 'Here.' She reached inside and pulled out a pink slip of paper. 'This is for you.'
Claire kept her eyes on the alpha while she took it. Then she looked down.
'Huh?' she said to the one-thousand dollar check in her hand.
'It's my first-place prize.' Massie beamed.
Claire handed it back. 'Congratulations.'
Massie pushed Claire's hand away. 'It's for you.'
'Why?' Claire was too confused to feel anything but tired.
'Take it. You earned it.' Massie gave Bean a gentle kiss on her forehead. 'You worked hard on this pageant as anyone.'
Claire looked away. The rain seemed to have gotten heavier. Puddles began forming by the Pontiac's tires, and people started running for their cars.
'I don't need charity,' Claire stated. The rain was making her bangs split into a soggy blond M.
'It's nawt charity, Kuh-laire,' Massie leaned over Bean to keep her dry. 'I did it for me.'
'Why? Because you feel guilty?" Claire pushed her wet bangs aside. 'Because you understand why I did what I did? Because you miss me? Because you want me back in the Pretty Committee?'
Massie half smiled. And like a ray of sunshine, it made Claire's wet skin suddenly feel a little warmer. 'Because I want you to buy some clothes.'
'Why?' Claire's teeth began to chatter.
'Because I don't want my best friend dressing like an LBR in the eighth grade.'
Claire giggled. And then they hugged.
In one more week, they'd be home."
All in all, this is a really good one of the Summer Collection. I think it ranks 3rd for me (with Kristen, Dylan, Claire, Massie, and Alicia being the ranking) because I really enjoyed getting to see Kristen and Dylan finally have POVs in their books, but THIS book - Claire's book - has what made me like The Clique initially. It feels raw and real, and has all the hijinx, mistakes, and excitement of being 12 and figuring out where you stand in the world. And Florida sounded fun, so oranges and sunshine are always a plus.
Read
June 20, 2025Claire (The Clique Summer Collection)
It’s summer and Claire is working for her brother Todd to get a back-to-school wardrobe that Massie will approve of. Sarah, Sari, and Mandy will be returning from sleepover camp. When they reunite they immediately tease her from having “MO” after seeing all the photos of her and the PC. Claire says she didn’t replace them. They’re her screen and wall paper. (We find out Dial L tanked). Claire thinks she’ll show them that the PC hasn’t changed her.
Claire receives a text from Massie while on one of her jobs (walking a dog named Piper) about what’s acceptable to wear back to school (including lists). So far, she’s only made 167.oo and really can’t afford anything on the list (other than vintage). Mandy reminds Claire that they’re now eligible to be in the Miss Kiss teen pageant. They’ve looked forward to this for years but after the year she’s had she doesn’t want to compete with her friends. But that changes when she hears the prize money is 1, 000.
In the “Dress Barn” the vibrant colors she knows flatter her tan but she can’t pick any of them up because being around Massie has made her use to a higher quality of clothes. Claire texts Massie that she’s going to a VIP ball and needs something flirty, fun, and flattering and Massie texts back her suggestion that Miu Miu has an ivory dress w/floral-shaped sequin embellishments in silk. Claire finds something as close as she can. It’s A-line dress with tiny floral-shaped sequins. The flowers were brown and the dress was cream-colored but it hit at the knee.
Claire starts to notice her old friends don’t really have good taste in clothes. She has to make up an new meaning for the word EW for a dress Sari picks that’s paisley, In order to prove to her further that she’s not changed, Claire has to buy the paisley dress and Sari buys one of the Mui Mui dresses. Massie surprises Claire by sending her pretty clothes to wear for the contest. She tells Todd about her dilemma. If she wears the clothes, her friends will have further proof that she’s changed so she has to wear the ugly dress. Todd says then let them wear some of the clothes Massie sent. Claire says she can’t they’ll think she won’t like the clothes *they* picked.
Judi tells Claire she got a call from Kendra that says they hope they don’t mind the intrusion. They all figure she meant the clothes. Todd offers to spill something on the ugly dress for Claire. And he does, he sprays balloons at them from a roof. But he misses Claire. He tells her to stop moving around. But Sari hears this and accusies Claire of pulling a Massie trick. She remembers the story of Massie spilling her latte on Kristen’s dress. She calls Claire “Extremely Westchester”. As her old friends leave her there she feels “Exxtemely Worthless”.
Claire decides to wear the dress to the competition to prove to her friends she hasn’t become EW. Claire’s friends are wearing their dresses and they look as good as new. Claire tries to talk to them and says she’s been calling them, but they just brush her off. They tell her the manger of “Dress Barn” say the video Todd made of them getting attacked on You Tube and offered them new dresses (because of the advertisement). A lady comes up to Claire and tells her she wants her to be the formal celebrity judge because of her being in Dial L. The lady says she’ll pay her 500.00.
Claire and her friends make up (just as she’s wishing she could share her happiness over the honor). Her friends tell her they’ve all made it in while she was doing her interview for Disney Radio. It’s obvious they’re sucking up to her but Claire’s just happy to have her friends back. The delivery man has another box for Claire and tells her Massie Block is moving in. Claire tells him she’s not and then directs him to her room to take the box. Claire wonders if Massie’s trying to tell her she misses her or if she’s saying she won’t tolerate EW fits in the 8th grade.
Claire lies and tells her friends that Massie sent the clothes for all of them to share as her way of saying congratulations. The friends says they should take pictures and send them to Massie. Claire lies again and says Massie will love it. She tries to call Massie but the one keeps going to voice mail. When she goes back in her room, Claire’s old friends are doing a strip tease and whipping the expensive clothes around the room. All of a sudden, Claire looks up and Massie is there with Bean (the Wicked Witch of Westchester).
Massie is silent for a long time and then asks why Claire is hanging with these dorkies. The SAS’s find out the clothes weren’t gifts and then Judi rushes into the room and says “Surprise!” (Massie is there because she got abandoned by her parents who’ve gone on vacation). Surprisingly, SAS had understood. When they’d all met this morning, they had told Claire they’d respect her boundaries as judge and assured her that they’d give Massie a second chance. They’d even promised to set a place for her at their pig-out lunch so she could be there in spirit; otherwise they’d miss her too much. In return, Claire had vowed to help them buy makeup for the pageant. So what if that was against contest rules.
Claire is given the judges guidebook and instructed to walk the pink carpet. When Massie finds out the cameras are just from local publications and schools she disappears and leaves Claire to talk to the press. Massie appears again and makes a rude comment to one of the contestants and Claire has to pull her away. She’s gonna have a talk with Massie about respecting her people and her town but then it just hits her she’s going to be a judge of the Miss Kiss contest. The SAS have on matching dresses in pastel colors and Massie says they remind her of grocery store cupcakes. They say her outfit (black satin shorts and a vest) remind them of a biker’s funeral.
Sari and Massie start insulting each other and Sari tells Massie she wouldn’t make it past the first round in the contest. Massie says she’d *win* the contest. Even tho the contest is closed, Massie shows Lorna her purple streak. She makes a call and she’s now a contestant. Claire decides to give all her friends an 8, (inspired by Massie’s Be Pretty experience) but then she thinks how to make 8’s 3’s. Massie says she told her clients the truth (your ugly but I can help) so Claire decides to tell the SAS’S some “tips” (ugly truths) and helps them with other pageant things (questions and talents). Claire offers Massie the same “illegal services” but she refuses (not seeing this as a competition).
There’s an outburst during the speed road when Sari is asked a question and it’s discovered that Sari brought a crab thinking if she got pinched it would help her answer better. Massie and Amandy are the last finalist. Massie gives a performance (PETA) that gets a standing ovation (staring Bean). Claire ends up voting for Gracie. Even tho she thinks Massie was better than Amandy. Claire sends them both a note that says she tried to help them equally but she did what she thought was right. Amandy gets mad, accuses her of wanting Massie to win, and takes the test to Lorna (who immediately fires her).
Now it’s a time between Gracie and Massie. Claire and Massie have it out later. Massie knows she lied to her about working all week and knew she was hanging out with her friends. Massie admits she’s upset because her parents blew her off and went on vacation without her. But then she switches up and says they got her a ticket but she turned them down so she could be there with her. Claire tells her the only reason she agreed to judge was so she could get the money for the clothes on her list and that she was just trying to be a good friend. Massie says they don’t deserve her and if they were friends they wouldn’t be blaming her for her mistakes.
Massie tells her she’s out of the PC because she didn’t pick her knowing that she was the best. Massie wins the contest but turns down the dress. Lorna announces that Massie is going to a Westchester school and unable to complete her duties and a new Mrss. Kiss is announced (Gracie). Claire goes to her friends and is like I did all this for you. Do you really want to fight and I don’t have that much time here. They say no but it’s them or her (Massie). Claire sends Massie a text if she’d make her choice and Massie says no because she knows she’d choose her. Claire says she’s made her choice and walks off. She says she choses herself. Massie gives Claire her first place prize and says she’s worked just as hard on the pageant as anyone.
My Thoughts
Of all the summer collection books somehow, I missed this one. Harder to find than the others? I continue to hate Massie. Massie should have never been allowed to compete in this pageant. She really shouldn’t have been in this book AT ALL, but as always she manages to manipulate her way into someone else’s moment and story. The plot wasn’t *so* bad. Honestly I would have walked away from these girls today. I may not agree with how heartless Massie’s judgements are but every time I’ve read about Claire’s FBFF’s they always struck me as a little bit immature and they certainly proved how petty they could be in this one. It was interesting to find out that Dial L did so badly but I’m kinda not surprised because Claire can’t ever obviously really outshine Massie in *anything*. Not even at being a judge in HER hometown. The only cool part was Massie *did* give her the prize money in the end.
Rating: 6
It’s summer and Claire is working for her brother Todd to get a back-to-school wardrobe that Massie will approve of. Sarah, Sari, and Mandy will be returning from sleepover camp. When they reunite they immediately tease her from having “MO” after seeing all the photos of her and the PC. Claire says she didn’t replace them. They’re her screen and wall paper. (We find out Dial L tanked). Claire thinks she’ll show them that the PC hasn’t changed her.
Claire receives a text from Massie while on one of her jobs (walking a dog named Piper) about what’s acceptable to wear back to school (including lists). So far, she’s only made 167.oo and really can’t afford anything on the list (other than vintage). Mandy reminds Claire that they’re now eligible to be in the Miss Kiss teen pageant. They’ve looked forward to this for years but after the year she’s had she doesn’t want to compete with her friends. But that changes when she hears the prize money is 1, 000.
In the “Dress Barn” the vibrant colors she knows flatter her tan but she can’t pick any of them up because being around Massie has made her use to a higher quality of clothes. Claire texts Massie that she’s going to a VIP ball and needs something flirty, fun, and flattering and Massie texts back her suggestion that Miu Miu has an ivory dress w/floral-shaped sequin embellishments in silk. Claire finds something as close as she can. It’s A-line dress with tiny floral-shaped sequins. The flowers were brown and the dress was cream-colored but it hit at the knee.
Claire starts to notice her old friends don’t really have good taste in clothes. She has to make up an new meaning for the word EW for a dress Sari picks that’s paisley, In order to prove to her further that she’s not changed, Claire has to buy the paisley dress and Sari buys one of the Mui Mui dresses. Massie surprises Claire by sending her pretty clothes to wear for the contest. She tells Todd about her dilemma. If she wears the clothes, her friends will have further proof that she’s changed so she has to wear the ugly dress. Todd says then let them wear some of the clothes Massie sent. Claire says she can’t they’ll think she won’t like the clothes *they* picked.
Judi tells Claire she got a call from Kendra that says they hope they don’t mind the intrusion. They all figure she meant the clothes. Todd offers to spill something on the ugly dress for Claire. And he does, he sprays balloons at them from a roof. But he misses Claire. He tells her to stop moving around. But Sari hears this and accusies Claire of pulling a Massie trick. She remembers the story of Massie spilling her latte on Kristen’s dress. She calls Claire “Extremely Westchester”. As her old friends leave her there she feels “Exxtemely Worthless”.
Claire decides to wear the dress to the competition to prove to her friends she hasn’t become EW. Claire’s friends are wearing their dresses and they look as good as new. Claire tries to talk to them and says she’s been calling them, but they just brush her off. They tell her the manger of “Dress Barn” say the video Todd made of them getting attacked on You Tube and offered them new dresses (because of the advertisement). A lady comes up to Claire and tells her she wants her to be the formal celebrity judge because of her being in Dial L. The lady says she’ll pay her 500.00.
Claire and her friends make up (just as she’s wishing she could share her happiness over the honor). Her friends tell her they’ve all made it in while she was doing her interview for Disney Radio. It’s obvious they’re sucking up to her but Claire’s just happy to have her friends back. The delivery man has another box for Claire and tells her Massie Block is moving in. Claire tells him she’s not and then directs him to her room to take the box. Claire wonders if Massie’s trying to tell her she misses her or if she’s saying she won’t tolerate EW fits in the 8th grade.
Claire lies and tells her friends that Massie sent the clothes for all of them to share as her way of saying congratulations. The friends says they should take pictures and send them to Massie. Claire lies again and says Massie will love it. She tries to call Massie but the one keeps going to voice mail. When she goes back in her room, Claire’s old friends are doing a strip tease and whipping the expensive clothes around the room. All of a sudden, Claire looks up and Massie is there with Bean (the Wicked Witch of Westchester).
Massie is silent for a long time and then asks why Claire is hanging with these dorkies. The SAS’s find out the clothes weren’t gifts and then Judi rushes into the room and says “Surprise!” (Massie is there because she got abandoned by her parents who’ve gone on vacation). Surprisingly, SAS had understood. When they’d all met this morning, they had told Claire they’d respect her boundaries as judge and assured her that they’d give Massie a second chance. They’d even promised to set a place for her at their pig-out lunch so she could be there in spirit; otherwise they’d miss her too much. In return, Claire had vowed to help them buy makeup for the pageant. So what if that was against contest rules.
Claire is given the judges guidebook and instructed to walk the pink carpet. When Massie finds out the cameras are just from local publications and schools she disappears and leaves Claire to talk to the press. Massie appears again and makes a rude comment to one of the contestants and Claire has to pull her away. She’s gonna have a talk with Massie about respecting her people and her town but then it just hits her she’s going to be a judge of the Miss Kiss contest. The SAS have on matching dresses in pastel colors and Massie says they remind her of grocery store cupcakes. They say her outfit (black satin shorts and a vest) remind them of a biker’s funeral.
Sari and Massie start insulting each other and Sari tells Massie she wouldn’t make it past the first round in the contest. Massie says she’d *win* the contest. Even tho the contest is closed, Massie shows Lorna her purple streak. She makes a call and she’s now a contestant. Claire decides to give all her friends an 8, (inspired by Massie’s Be Pretty experience) but then she thinks how to make 8’s 3’s. Massie says she told her clients the truth (your ugly but I can help) so Claire decides to tell the SAS’S some “tips” (ugly truths) and helps them with other pageant things (questions and talents). Claire offers Massie the same “illegal services” but she refuses (not seeing this as a competition).
There’s an outburst during the speed road when Sari is asked a question and it’s discovered that Sari brought a crab thinking if she got pinched it would help her answer better. Massie and Amandy are the last finalist. Massie gives a performance (PETA) that gets a standing ovation (staring Bean). Claire ends up voting for Gracie. Even tho she thinks Massie was better than Amandy. Claire sends them both a note that says she tried to help them equally but she did what she thought was right. Amandy gets mad, accuses her of wanting Massie to win, and takes the test to Lorna (who immediately fires her).
Now it’s a time between Gracie and Massie. Claire and Massie have it out later. Massie knows she lied to her about working all week and knew she was hanging out with her friends. Massie admits she’s upset because her parents blew her off and went on vacation without her. But then she switches up and says they got her a ticket but she turned them down so she could be there with her. Claire tells her the only reason she agreed to judge was so she could get the money for the clothes on her list and that she was just trying to be a good friend. Massie says they don’t deserve her and if they were friends they wouldn’t be blaming her for her mistakes.
Massie tells her she’s out of the PC because she didn’t pick her knowing that she was the best. Massie wins the contest but turns down the dress. Lorna announces that Massie is going to a Westchester school and unable to complete her duties and a new Mrss. Kiss is announced (Gracie). Claire goes to her friends and is like I did all this for you. Do you really want to fight and I don’t have that much time here. They say no but it’s them or her (Massie). Claire sends Massie a text if she’d make her choice and Massie says no because she knows she’d choose her. Claire says she’s made her choice and walks off. She says she choses herself. Massie gives Claire her first place prize and says she’s worked just as hard on the pageant as anyone.
My Thoughts
Of all the summer collection books somehow, I missed this one. Harder to find than the others? I continue to hate Massie. Massie should have never been allowed to compete in this pageant. She really shouldn’t have been in this book AT ALL, but as always she manages to manipulate her way into someone else’s moment and story. The plot wasn’t *so* bad. Honestly I would have walked away from these girls today. I may not agree with how heartless Massie’s judgements are but every time I’ve read about Claire’s FBFF’s they always struck me as a little bit immature and they certainly proved how petty they could be in this one. It was interesting to find out that Dial L did so badly but I’m kinda not surprised because Claire can’t ever obviously really outshine Massie in *anything*. Not even at being a judge in HER hometown. The only cool part was Massie *did* give her the prize money in the end.
Rating: 6
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2020
After a whole school year in Westchester, NY, Claire Lyons finally returns back to Orlando, FL for the summer. She spent most of her summer trying to raise money for a Massie Block-approved eighth grade wardrobe by working for her brother at T.O.D.D. Jobs, Inc. When Claire's F.B.F.F.s (Florida Best Friends Forever) Sarah, (A)Mandy, and Sari return from camp, they plan to enter the Miss Kiss pageant. Claire is initially hesitant due to Miss Kiss being known to destroy friendships, but changes her mind when she realizes she can use the $1,000 prize to buy the clothes she needs.
When shopping for dresses for the pageant, it becomes clear how Claire has developed a different sense of style since she moved to Westchester and her Florida friends call her out on this. Wanting to appease them, Claire agrees to buy an (EW!) dress, but plans for her brother Todd to stain her dress so she doesn't have to wear it. Her friends find out about this when Todd accidentally hits them and posts the video on YouTube.
When Claire sees a box of glamorous clothes from Massie, she lies to her friends and tells them that Massie sent them as a gift for the pageant. But when Massie (and her dog Bean) show up to stay with Claire for the rest of summer, she is furious about the F.L.B.R.s (Florida Losers Beyond Repair) tearing through her clothes. Massie and S.A.S. (Sarah, Amandy, Sari) hate each other and Claire is caught between her new life and her old one.
When the girls go to register for Miss Kiss, the host of pageant asks Claire to be a celebrity judge due to being in Dial L for Loser. Massie also enters the pageant when S.A.S. challenge her.
Even though it is against the rules, Claire decides to give S.A.S. and Massie (who refuses) an inside scoop on how to win the pageant. She tells Sari to try to limit how much she talks, Amandy to pluck her eyebrows, and Sarah to do a dance based on earthquakes.
Unfortunately on pageant day, these tips lead to disaster as the girls are eliminated until it is down to Massie, Amandy, and Gracie. Claire tried to be impartial by giving her friends a score of 8 in each round. But now she has to choose between Massie (who was clearly the best contestant) and Amandy (which would seem suspicious). She takes a third option by voting for Gracie. S.A.S. is furious about this and accuse Claire of giving them had tips on purpose to help Massie win. They then show the host a text Claire sent them about helping them win and she is disqualified as a judge.
There is a recount of votes for Massie and Gracie and Massie wins, but she gives up her crown to Gracie after seeing the hideous Miss Kiss dress. Claire tries to apologize for S.A.S. by talking about how she cheated to help them and was dubbed "Lying Lyons" by the press. S.A.S. then asks her to choose between them and Massie. Tired of having friends that secretly hate her, Claire chooses to be a friendless loser. The book ends with Massie giving Claire the check she won from the pageant.
When shopping for dresses for the pageant, it becomes clear how Claire has developed a different sense of style since she moved to Westchester and her Florida friends call her out on this. Wanting to appease them, Claire agrees to buy an (EW!) dress, but plans for her brother Todd to stain her dress so she doesn't have to wear it. Her friends find out about this when Todd accidentally hits them and posts the video on YouTube.
When Claire sees a box of glamorous clothes from Massie, she lies to her friends and tells them that Massie sent them as a gift for the pageant. But when Massie (and her dog Bean) show up to stay with Claire for the rest of summer, she is furious about the F.L.B.R.s (Florida Losers Beyond Repair) tearing through her clothes. Massie and S.A.S. (Sarah, Amandy, Sari) hate each other and Claire is caught between her new life and her old one.
When the girls go to register for Miss Kiss, the host of pageant asks Claire to be a celebrity judge due to being in Dial L for Loser. Massie also enters the pageant when S.A.S. challenge her.
Even though it is against the rules, Claire decides to give S.A.S. and Massie (who refuses) an inside scoop on how to win the pageant. She tells Sari to try to limit how much she talks, Amandy to pluck her eyebrows, and Sarah to do a dance based on earthquakes.
Unfortunately on pageant day, these tips lead to disaster as the girls are eliminated until it is down to Massie, Amandy, and Gracie. Claire tried to be impartial by giving her friends a score of 8 in each round. But now she has to choose between Massie (who was clearly the best contestant) and Amandy (which would seem suspicious). She takes a third option by voting for Gracie. S.A.S. is furious about this and accuse Claire of giving them had tips on purpose to help Massie win. They then show the host a text Claire sent them about helping them win and she is disqualified as a judge.
There is a recount of votes for Massie and Gracie and Massie wins, but she gives up her crown to Gracie after seeing the hideous Miss Kiss dress. Claire tries to apologize for S.A.S. by talking about how she cheated to help them and was dubbed "Lying Lyons" by the press. S.A.S. then asks her to choose between them and Massie. Tired of having friends that secretly hate her, Claire chooses to be a friendless loser. The book ends with Massie giving Claire the check she won from the pageant.
February 11, 2023
I don't give away spoilers in my reviews.
This is the second book I've read in the series of The Cliques by Lisi Harrison. I always enjoy reading a YA book in between all the mysteries, crime novels, etc.
This was a fast read and a nice walk down memory lane for this 54 year old. Like Claire, I remember the pressure of trying to keep different groups of friends from arguing and trying to blend the friend groups. It didn't work then for me but does it work for Claire?
Her Florida friends are down to earth, wholesome sweet girls. Her NY friend is sophisticated, snobbish and an alpha. This story was fun to read and reminded me that girls will be girls at that age.
I hope to read the rest of The Clique Collections.
This is the second book I've read in the series of The Cliques by Lisi Harrison. I always enjoy reading a YA book in between all the mysteries, crime novels, etc.
This was a fast read and a nice walk down memory lane for this 54 year old. Like Claire, I remember the pressure of trying to keep different groups of friends from arguing and trying to blend the friend groups. It didn't work then for me but does it work for Claire?
Her Florida friends are down to earth, wholesome sweet girls. Her NY friend is sophisticated, snobbish and an alpha. This story was fun to read and reminded me that girls will be girls at that age.
I hope to read the rest of The Clique Collections.
November 10, 2025
Claire, the fifth book in The Clique Summer Collection by Lisi Harrison, follows Claire Lyons as she returns to her hometown in Florida for the summer. She's reunited with her old friends, Sarah, Sari, and Mandy, who think she's changed since joining the popular crowd in Westchester. To prove her loyalty, Claire enters the local Miss Kiss pageant, but things get complicated when Massie, the queen bee, makes a surprise visit.
As Claire navigates her old and new friendships, she must decide where her true loyalties lie. The story explores themes of friendship, identity, and the challenges of fitting in. It's a fun, lighthearted read with plenty of humor and relatable moments.
As Claire navigates her old and new friendships, she must decide where her true loyalties lie. The story explores themes of friendship, identity, and the challenges of fitting in. It's a fun, lighthearted read with plenty of humor and relatable moments.
June 1, 2021
5 stars!
All of the summer books were good, but this was definitely my favorite. Claire is my favorite character as I have an attachment to her from the first book. I love her and Massie’s unique—yet complicated friendship. Somehow, Claire can bring out some sweetness in Massie and I love their dynamic in this book. It was a cute, fun wrap up to the summer mid series books. Now TPC is off to 8th grade!
All of the summer books were good, but this was definitely my favorite. Claire is my favorite character as I have an attachment to her from the first book. I love her and Massie’s unique—yet complicated friendship. Somehow, Claire can bring out some sweetness in Massie and I love their dynamic in this book. It was a cute, fun wrap up to the summer mid series books. Now TPC is off to 8th grade!
October 8, 2020
This wasn't my favorite book out of the series, and it doesn't have a super good message either. (To be fair, none of them really do.) You don't need to read this book to keep up with the rest of the series, but it was still kind of entertaining. It's a pretty short read and 10-13 year olds might enjoy reading it.
December 19, 2020
I have made it a priority in 2020 to really concentrate on my physical TBR and get to the titles that I have ignored for years. This was one of those titles that I have probably held on to for too long.
This was just okay. Nothing completely terrible, but just not for me.
I look forward to donating it to my local little library.
Read
August 3, 2021One thing to briefly rant about here: This is where addressing Massie as "the alpha" starts to overdo itself. I'm not going to put examples here, because that will take until the end of time, but just know that it made me want to rip my hair out. I wrote about that in my rant-review for the first book, and I will continue to bring it up as the series progresses. Beware.
May 10, 2018
Of itself, I guess this book wasn't the worst thing ever, but I couldn't stand Claire's old friends. If these were the people she hung out with before the first book, no wonder she was so entitled. These guys were insufferable.
August 7, 2022
This has the mixed experience of showing how Claire's "loser" friends back home are shitty too, not just the Pretty Committee, but they're so annoying to read about. It's obvious why they're not the focus of the series.
May 16, 2017
3.75. Probably my favorite of the summer collection. my problem remains always and forever the same thing with Claire. She lets people walk all over her so they'll like her.
October 20, 2018
Altogether, this was a good book. I did get a little lost during some parts but I liked the book.
May 28, 2019
Interesting twists.
general-fiction
November 15, 2019FIC
HAR
HAR
March 24, 2020
super cute!! Loved this series so much through out elementary and middle school!
August 4, 2021
I read this series in middle school, I don’t remember anything about it.
August 10, 2021
Claire is the best character in this series I said what I said.
February 17, 2022
Not my usual reading level
August 15, 2022
This reveals that Claire didn’t live in Orlando, she lived in Kissimmee. As a former Florida resident, that changes my perception of everything.
July 20, 2023
3.5/5 stars:)
Read
December 13, 2023Claire Orlando Miss Kiss pageant w old friends and Massie book. I hate all of Claire’s old friends so much that suddenly I’m rooting for Massie. I’ve entered a vortex apparently.
July 22, 2024
actually torn between this and the kristen one. surprisingly, i enjoyed this. i like this.
August 4, 2024
3⭐️; perfectly blends in w the other books tho this one seems a bit weird bc it takes place in florida buT! i still like the character work!
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