Bright Girls

by Clare Chambers

Outstanding new voice in girls' fiction. Fifteen-year-old Robyn (the "sensible") one and her older sister Rachel (anything but!) arrive in Brighton to spend the summer with their estranged Aunt Jackie, who runs a ballgown hire business from her ramshackle multi-storey home. They have been forced to leave their home in Oxford, where they live with their father, because of threats to their safety, the nature of which only gradually becomes apparent. A perfect summer read and a brilliant study of sisterly devotion and rivalry, coupled with a frisson of mystery and a wonderful dollop of humour.

Genres: Young Adult

352 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2009

About the author

Clare Chambers was born on 1966 in in Croydon, Surrey, England, UK, daughter of English teachers. She attended a school in Croydon. At 16, she met Peter, her future husband, a teacher 14 years old than her. She read English at Oxford. The marriage moved to New Zealand, where she wrote her first novel. She now lives in Kent with her husband and young family. In 1999, her novel Learning to Swim won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association.

Reviews

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of reading for a little enjoyment. It was more of a fairy tale but still had the author's usual tidy plotting and enjoyable, realistic dialogue. It was a wee bit dated (2006 ) but the teens speak like teens which I always appreciate. I had difficulty believing the actual reason the girls were sent away from home and the resolution to that didn't quite work for me, but on the whole it was a fun read. I'm sure I'd have enjoyed it much more at Robyn's age.

[Elizabeth]

YA. Meticulously plotted, witty, and full of engaging domestic detail. Recommended.

[Lucy Tregidon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really enjoy this book, I felt it kind of dragged and the plot was a little weak.

[Wendy Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire Chambers - Bright Girls - R - 15 of 17 - 10 2 22
Sadly I seem to be having a run of disappointment with all my favourite authors. I didn't dislike the book and it gets a recommendation because it is a good read; its just that it didn't have the sharp observation, wit and dysfunctional characters of the depth I've come to expect. A sweet tale of two teenage sisters, Robyn and Rachel spending the summer with their colourful aunt Jackie who runs a dress hire business from her house in Brighton. One's sensible and one twists boys round her little finger. Assorted escapades and it all turns out right in the end. And never boring so on reflection it was cleverly crafted. 3.75

[Dr. Amy G Dala · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this long ago, like almost 8-ish years ago.....
This was a quick fun read, not very memorable. Even though someone is out to get the girls, it isn't a thriller, just a subtle lighthearted plot where they do random things and have little adventures during the summer. A bit dry, if I remember correctly.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read but

Good story and entertaining characters. The problem is the poor editing was distracting. I did note many of the errors but stopped half way through the book because it was irritating! Hoping it will be properly edited and the book updates asap.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comedy of misunderstandings. Light, witty and inoffensive.

[Livi Ridley · Rating 3 out of 5]

my mum randomly bought this for me for christmas and i don't think she realised it was for a younger audience lollll it was aight. fun for an oxford girlie to get all the references

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea is clear enough. Our lives may be in danger. We secretly go away to the beach for the summer. We enjoy ourselves until it's safe to go home.
Oh my word I could not put this book down. I was captured from the first to the very last. I would sneak breaks just to quickly read a page or two. Clare Chambers create life like characters that grab you from the word go.
I'm so glad I picked this book up from the school library's free book box. I enjoyed reading and seriously want another one. I loved the plot, the characters and the writing style I mean it was just wonderful. Rachel and Roybin are lovely I don' think Clare Chambers could have made to more realistic opposites. A Shopaholic and an introverted musician, the sub minor characters have just as much detail and thought put into them as well which is just brilliant.
There has obviously been careful thinking about the plot and you just fall in love from the word go.

[Sangita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robyn is Fifteen-year-old Robyn (the "sensible" one) and her older sister Rachel arrive in Brighton to spend the summer with their estranged Aunt Jackie, who runs a ballgown hire business from her ramshackle multi-storey home. They have been forced to leave their home in Oxford, where they live with their father, because of threats to their safety, the nature of which only gradually becomes apparent. But it doesn't turn out to be a normal place to stay in aunt Jackie's house. From playing in a pub that Robyn is not allowed in to Aunt Jackie's Princess Diana dress getting destroyed and many more . . .

If you want a book to make you laugh out loud then this is it! This book is humorous, heart warming and with a hint of romance.

[Bnita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was about two girls who go to live with their auntie and get up to a lot. I enjoyed the book because it was similar to a normal girl teenagers life. So I could understand the story better which made me engage with it more. Rachel is the one who likes to spend all the money and have fun. This reminds me of me as I am similar therefore I like her character more and I find her more interesting. I want to know more about her. The story line is good however it is predictable what will happen each time. There are not many surprising bits however towards the end it gets interesting. I would recommend this book to any girl over the age of 12.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is book was very cleverly written, it was quite unsual actually. Its basically about two girls who leave home every summer to live with their auntie, because at home they are in trouble. In the summer they get up to a lot, including a fake skeleton, a modelling shoot, and a jazz band. You wont guess the ending.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good book to read when you feel like doing nothing but relaxing

[Aisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5* this book was super fun and lighthearted! It was fun and I really hadn't expected this. Don't let the cover fool you, me go for it!