The Alpha Bet

by Stephanie Hale

Some teenagers use drugs or sex to escape overbearing parents. I used books. All my life my mother has been hovering over me, afraid to let me experience anything. So I got really good grades, graduated from high school when I was sixteen, and escaped to a new life--my own life--at college. To jump-start my social life, I decided to rush the Alphas, the most exclusive sorority on campus. Things started to get complicated when I told one little white lie. (Okay, maybe not so little.) Then one of the sisters invoked the Alpha Bet, a super-secret set of alphabetical tasks we pledges have to complete to prove our loyalty. Now, the Alpha Bet has taken over my life. Can you spell B-E-T-R-A-Y-A-L?

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, College, New Adult, Chick Lit, Realistic Fiction, Romance

232 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2010

About the author

I am the author of YA books, HIGH SCHOOL HANGOVER, REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN, TWISTED SISTERS, SPRING BREAKUP, & THE ALPHA BET.

I am also the author of the MG novel, GOLDEN BIRTHDAY.

www.stephaniehale.com
www.twitter.com/stephaniemhale
www.facebook.com/booksbystephaniehale

Reviews

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com

Grace Kelly has no idea what she's getting into. She graduated high school early and now she's heading to college, roughly an hour away from home and her overprotective mother. At 16, she's ready to let life take control.

She and her roommate decide to rush the Alphas. Grace Kelly admires the sisters, but unfortunately for her, she's asked to leave due to an altercation with another girl.

She's not ready to let go of her dreams, so she creates the mother of all lies and worms her way back into the running. Now, the three pledges must complete the Alpha Bet, a series of twenty-six tasks set up by the sisters of the house. How far will she go to secure her rush spot?

Grace Kelly knows that while her roommate took care to make her look like an Alpha, she's starting to feel like one, too. She's also feeling guilty about the lie she told to become accepted. What will the sisters do if her secret becomes public knowledge?

This is a cute, fun read with romance, friendship, and one evil girl. I liked the relationships between Grace Kelly and her roommate, especially considering how they first met! I liked the tasks set by the sisters and the sisters themselves. I loved the geek-to-glam part of the book - and not just on the outside.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

*** REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS – LOTS OF IT! ***

Wow. How bad does one’s luck have to be to read two books in a row both featuring a sucky, self-pitying, pathetic protagonist. Yep, that seems to be my luck lately. I wished the previous book I read, with an even worse protagonist, a hearty farewell, and was quite excited to start The Alphabet as it has a really nice cover and a book summary that hooked me right away. As it turns out, it was just another one of those books that failed to perform its primary function: to entertain the reader.

The absurdity started early. By the first ten percent of the book, barely three days at her new college, our female lead had already made a new BFF for life, and had undergone – wait for it – a complete makeover by the hands of the aforementioned, newly befriended, BFF with the spectacularly creative name, Jentry. Grace Kelly is apparently a nerd, though I found nothing in this story proving to me that she is indeed a nerd, except that she does well academically (in my opinion that doesn’t necessarily make her a nerd), and she’s clumsy as heck (which also does not shout nerd status). I mean this girl can’t walk two steps without tripping over herself and nearly splitting her head open. To add to the ridiculousness even more, new BFF, Jentry, has Grace Kelly attend sorority rush in kitten heels. Of course predictably disastrous.

So Grace Kelly gets kicked out of rush, blames her high heels for this tragedy, and then goes ahead and has a full-on tantrum, crying loudly right outside the sorority house. Oh, and yes, she’s in college at the age of sixteen, so her childishness can be forgiven, I guess. However, it goes downhill from here when she devises a colossal lie to get accepted into the Alpha Alpha Alpha sorority. Uhm…no. That didn’t work for me. She lies to her overprotective mother as well, and really, the lying doesn’t end there and not only with her parents.

You wouldn’t think it (I know I didn’t), but it got worse. Keep in mind that Grace Kelly (or GK for short) is ONLY sixteen. She claims never to have been kissed before. OK, I can maybe believe that. But when, during the first week at college, she’s at a sorority party and claims she has no idea what a beer bong is, I admit I was more than skeptical. I mean, does this girl not watch movies or television? One of the sorority sisters instructs GK to do the beer bong thing (exactly the way you see it done in teen rom coms), and she doesn’t even think twice. Next thing, GK is upside down with a pipe stuck down her throat, guzzling gallons of beer and – she only gets buzzed. Drinks beer for the FIRST time in her life – LOTS of it! – and she only gets buzzed. Riiiiiiiight.

Still, all that is nothing in comparison to what she does next. Now peeps, this is the point where I knew I had it with this little brat. Our alleged “child prodigy” protagonist is having a sleepover at the sorority where she’s pledging, when the Omegas (frat boys) storm in for a panty run. Grace Kelly doesn’t yet live in the sorority house where they’re having the sleepover, and has no undies that can be taken. So what does our sixteen-year-old “nerd” protagonist do when approached by the masked Omega whom she’s known for maybe a week and for whom she’s already prepared to “give anything”? The little virgin who has never been kissed, quickly takes of her panties and HANDS it her insta-love interest.

Speaking of love interest. It just so happens that GK isn’t the only child prodigy at college! Coincidentally, so is the guy she crushes on! He’s seventeen, so that automatically and conveniently gets him out of any trouble he could’ve been in for engaging with our underage protagonist. Isn’t that sweet?

At fifty percent I’ve already had more than enough of this book, but still I couldn’t put it down. Why? Because it’s like one of those car wrecks next to the freeway and though you know you shouldn’t look at the wreckage and possible carnage, you just can’t stop yourself. I can even compare it to one of those cheesy Hallmark movies that irritates the heck out of you, but you just can’t stop watching. See what I mean? I feel I deserve a medal for bravely soldiering my way through this entire mess.

Now I can go on and on and outline why this book, and mainly the mean, unlikable protagonist, didn’t work for me in oh so many ways, but I just don’t have the time and energy for it. The forced and unnatural dialogue made it harder to enjoy. Most of the dialogue was either shouted, screamed, or yelled. At one point I wondered whether the characters have problems hearing each other. Despite everything I said, I do believe The Alphabet has potential, but it still needs a lot of work. This is the first and only book I’ve read by this author and, regrettably, will probably also be the last. Sorry.

[Drea · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, this book is cute, but it has too many issues for my book. Many that are just too convenient for my taste.

1. I can buy ONE 16 year old graduating early and going to college, but TWO? In the SAME school and they happen to be LOVE interests? Come on. I know it was the only way to properly do a love interest, but you know she didn't have to have one.

2. Her lie just happens to be his truth? Why? There are plenty of other ways for her to be forced to tell the truth. Grace Kelly was a good girl. She would have done it one her own.

3. They don't believe in hazing, but, um, I'm not sure their Alpha Bet Challenges are any better. She has to kiss a girl, destroy the cheerleaders panties, break and enter, drink beer....all things no 16 year old girl should be doing. Okay, so at that point they don't know she's 16---but even at 18! She could have seriously gotten in trouble for half of her challenges.

4. Sloane secret not being found out. The president can find out that GK is only 16, but not that she's already a Zeta? Shouldn't that be on file somewhere? And with as much hatred as they have for them shouldn't they KNOW who is in there??

5. And while we're talking on the fact of sororities, only two? And the Alpha's only take 2 pledges? If you count their spring rush, that's only 4 new members a year. How do they keep the sorority running? And how the heck do they have too many girls to get each girl a challenge?

6. The science fair. GK is suppose to be the ULTIMATE geek girl brain wizard, yet she waits to do her entry until a week before??? Not only that, but why is she entering again? She already has a 4 yr scholarship. Why does she need another one? Maybe there is more than one prize choice?

7. For being a "smart" girl GK is rather dumb. Charlie TELLS her nothing is happening w/Sloane, yet she still believes he's lying because she wrote Charlie + Sloane on her white board? Or because they're working on a fundraiser the Alphas aren't doing? HELLO, if could have given so many different lies. And Sloane has been out to get you from the start, so why are you believing her WHITE BOARD over the cute guy who has never been anything but NICE to you?

8. Oh, and the mother issues. I hated how she blamed her mom for everything. Like never encouraging her to "look" better. Um, it was mentioned in the first 50 pages that she tried to get you to buy new clothes but you wanted a MICROSCOPE. And how does one forget that their mom took them to get contacts or bought training bras? You're only 16 so these things should have happened in the past 5 year or so. And considering you FREAKED out when she took you to get contacts, you would think that would be semi-rememberable. And bras don't mysteriously appear so obvious she did buy you a bra...unless at 16 you're still not wearing one???

Wow, okay, I had more issues with this book than I thought. Don't get me wrong there were many cute things about it. I loved her relationship with Jentry. I even really liked her relationship with Charlie (I could have used more, he was a sweetheart). I can even say I like how she works out her mother issues. Sadly, though, it's not enough for me to give the book a glowing review.

[Les · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad premise but too many illogical issues and improbabilities. Specifically:

She is 16 when she enters college but coincidentally Charlie just happens to have done so as well so there is only a one year age difference. For some unexplained reason, she sees it as a problem when he turns 18 and she's only 17, but "they'll have been dating for a year by then." I don't know why it would be a problem for an 18 yo to date a 17 yo. It happens every day so I'm not sure what the issue would be.

Charlie also just happens to be the real nephew of the woman she pretended to be the neice of (somehow that never came up in all the Google searching she did). The sorority mathwork is totally implausible. Supposedly they have to get clearance from their National to take more than 2 pledges. This doesn't explain how the sorority can have enough members for there to be at least 26 sisters to generate the Alpha-Bet. Most colleges only have one sorority rush per year but even if they take 2 more pledges in the spring that gives them 4 each year. So they'd have to have 7 years worth of pledges to get the minimum number needed. No Greek organization could survive with those minimums (speaking as a former fraternity president).

The college is big enough to have 300 people in an organic chemistry class but there are only 2 sororities on campus and only 33 girls go through rush to try to join the social powerhouse Alphas? And Sloane is sneaky enough to pledge Alpha without anyone knowing that she's already a Zeta, yet she blows her cover by being in charge of a Zeta fundraiser and openly meeting with Charlie to plan it (and Charlie somehow doesn't pick up which sorority she's representing)? Grace lies to the Alphas and resigns but they then initiate her anyway because she saves them from the Zeta's.

The science contest is also a little incongruent. It's not clear why college students would be entering a contest that offers 4 years of college scholarship as the prize. Sounds like that should be for high school students. Given that she has already won the contest (and the full-ride to college) it isn't clear what she gains from entering again (or why she would be allowed to). And Charlie is a college sophmore and he's entered in the competition as well.

On the positive side, it showed Grace rethinking a lot of her attitudes about her family, particularly her mother, and having a lot of personal growth. The bet requirements were sometimes amusing and Jentry was amazingly tolerant of Grace's brother. Without the logical issues that I found distracting I could have rated this higher.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grace Kelly won a scholarship to college at a science fair, so graduates high school early and moves into the dorm. Her new roommate helps her break out of the shell she's been hiding behind and convinces her to rush a Sorority. She lies to become a pledge and then has to complete 26 tasks to become a full fledged member. Can she balance her schoolwork, the Sorority, the guy she has a crush on and living on her own? Can she keep up with all her lies?
GK seems more like a ditzy blonde cheerleader than a super smart science geek. She totally ignores stuff that stares her right in the face and is completely self-centered, but of course, gets everything she wants in the end.

[Liza Wiemer]

The ALPHA BET was pure fun! If you want a clever read with bold, interesting characters set on a small college campus and plenty of sorority mischief, this is the book to read. Don't think typical sorority, the Alphas are a group of young women who think outside of the box - and when it comes down to finding the perfect new pledges for their sisterhood, the challenges will keep you turning the pages and wondering what next!

[Cierra Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best romantic,drama and fun twist involved in this novel. The perfect read for college students or any teenager!!!! I really enjoyed the character and relationships.1

[Marilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheesy but cute, if not a little contrived at times.

[Julia Klatte · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story "The Alpha Bet" is about a geeky 16 year old girl named Grace Kelly Cook. She has no self confidence and no friends. She is starting college and wants to make a fresh start. When she met her roommate she knew she could. When they gave her a makeover she looked like a new person and thought her knew look would give her confidence. She knew there was one thing she was missing: to be a member of a sorority. She didn't get in the Alpha. She lied to them and told them she was related to someone named Edwina Fey who was a part of the Alphas. When she told them that, she found out Edwina Fey is famous and she knew she would be caught, but she wasn't. Now she had to compete for one of the 2 spots in the Alphas. She was competing against her roommate and a girl who hated her. She then met this guy named Charlie. They fell in love and she knew she couldn't date him because she was 16. She told him that and he told her that he was only 17, and she was so relieved. The only thing she felt bad about was that she lied to the Alphas, and so she was ready to give up being an Alpha and tell them she lied. They kicked her out. She later found out that the girl who hated her was spying for another sorority and tells the Alphas. At the end of the story they accept her back into the Alphas.


I liked the book alot and I thought it was a little boring at times. I liked the author's style of writing though. She brought her writing to life. I disliked the boring detailing, sometimes there was too much detailing in the story. When it got boring I kind of wanted to stop reading but I pushed through it and the story actually got better.

I liked the character of Grace Kelly because she knew she wasn't very popular, but still wanted to try as hard as she could to make friends and increase her self confidence. I liked that she wasn't afraid of people and did everything she could to make herself feel like she fit in more. I also liked the character of her roommate because she showed Grace Kelly what it was like to have high self esteem and how to make friends, as well as getting good grades in school.

I felt the plot was very engaging because it showed rather than told. I thought it was a bit boring at times, but it sped up after a while and then slowed down again. The characters fit well together and that's what made the plot work. The plot related to what people in real life are going through, and that helped me connect with the book. It has a very interesting plot, and was different than other books I've read before.

i think the conflict of the story is that Grace Kelly is afraid to make friends and have rejections with boys. She thought she would never have any friends and only be the geeky girl. She also never had any luck with guys because she had no fashion sense and no self-esteem. She wanted to be apart of the social network but could never bring herself to do it.

A possible theme for this story is that trying new things broadens your horizons. For example, when Grace Kelly arrived at college she was ready to make friends and start a new life as a confident young woman. And when she got a makeover she wasn't comfortable with the idea but when it was all over she loved the makeover. It's like if someone is not very sure about cutting their hair short and they do it and like the style. They are stepping out of their comfort zone.

I would probably recommend this book to someone who loves romance stories. There is alot of flirting in this book. i would also recommend this book to someone who loves stories about people figuring out mysteries. An example is that Grace Kelly has to figure out a way to expose a girl, who is spying on the Alphas for another sorority, who hates the Alphas. She figures it out and she tells the Alphas. This book is not for everyone though. I think some people would think this book is kind of slow. At times the book is slow.

I like and disliked the author's style of writing. Sometimes it is interesting and easy to follow, and I don't want to stop reading. Other times i just can't follow it and I don't think it is very interesting. Also there was way too much detailing at times. Overall I liked rather than disliked the style of writing.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sixteen-year-old Grace Kelly Cook is so ready to start college where she can ditch her geeky high school image and finally get away from her overbearing, overprotective, over the top mother. After graduating early and earning a free ride to her dream college, it seems like all of Grace Kelly's dreams are coming true.

But starting fresh is going to take a lot more than some strategic online searches.

At the behest of her breezy, free spirit roommate, Grace Kelly agrees to rush the Alphas--the elite, friendly sorority that values academics more than good looks. It sounds like a match made in heaven and, much to her surprise, Grace Kelly finds that she's prepared to do anything it takes to become an Alpha--even if it means telling a major lie and jeopardizing her other friendships.

On top of all that, Grace Kelly will have to complete the Alpha Bet--a secret set of alphabetical tasks--to prove her loyalty to the sisters and her dedication to the sorority. Between being a pledge, college classes, and navigating the murky waters of her first college crush Grace Kelly is in for quite a year in The Alpha Bet (2010) by Stephanie Hale.

The Alpha Bet is a cute book about a girl facing the triple threat of college life, growing up, and understanding her family. All at the same time. While she's sixteen. That might sound like an unlikely scenario which, basically, sums up the overall feel of the book: improbable.

While Grace Kelly was an adorable heroine, a lot of her personality never felt real. Even the fact that she went by the name "Grace Kelly" seemed odd--why not Grace? Why not Kelly? Why is her nickname when she gets one GK? (The names in the book in general were over the top for reasons that remain unknown.)

The premise was interesting, but a lot of the actual Alpha Bet tasks were glossed over in favor of other aspects of the plot. It would have been fun to know more about all of the tasks, but it was not meant to be. The book also makes a big production of Grace Kelly's being a science geek only to unceremoniously drop that thread by the end of the story.

While everyone loves a light read with a happy ending, The Alpha Bet was too saccharin and too simple; the "nice" characters were unerringly sweet and could do no wrong while the "bad" characters were awful. Although it was often overly simplified, Hale has created an interesting story that will pique the interest of any readers who find Greek life intriguing.

Possible Pairings: Sea Change by Aimee Friedman, How To Steal a Car by Pete Hautman, Confessions of a Not It Girl by Melissa Kantor, Swoon at Your Own Risk by Sydney Salter

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace Kelly has been protected by her mother all her life, so when she enters college at sixteen, GK is ready for anything, espcially joining a sorority. Even if it means lying about being a legacy and completing a series of tasks called the Alpha Bets, Grace Kelly will succeed.

The story was very predictable. You know lying gets you nowhere, and the protagonist always ends up confessing anyway, so I don't know why I bother to read stuff like this. The entire novel here is too sugarcoated and served with extra butter. Nothing truly bad ever happens. Just when you think a sitatution looks bad, Grace Kelly prevails and everything buttery sweet and A-Okay.

Everyone is sickeningly sweet. From the Prince Charming to the best friend and the understanding and completely loyal Alpha sisters, everyone forgives and applauds and bonds. I guess it's to show sisterhood, and it's actually a very nice change from the overly depicted mean girls drama. This is set at a college, so things are less juvenile in that department, I guess.

I kind of feel like Hale is just forcing things together, though. GK enters college at sixteen, but it just so happens that her love interest, Charlie, also went to college at sixteen? Oh boy. And how can a powerful sisterhood like the Alphas be so dependent on one little pledge, like telling GK that she has to save their reputation countless times by doing this and that? It's just not very believable.

Overall, though, it was a cute read and very fast-paced.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you wanting to read a college based novel, but sick of reading the New Adult type books ? The Alpha Bet has everything you need from Hot Guys, Sororities, Nasty Girls to College life without the sex - well it is touched on in this book - but more aimed at the Young Adult stage. In Alpha Bet we meet Grace Kelly-Cook who is nothing like the old classic film actress , in fact Grace Kelly aka GK is a Science Geek who is a child prodigy as she graduated high school last semester and starting college at sixteen. Paired up with her roommate Jentry , she will learn not only the ropes of surviving college but also get the Project Geek to Chic makeover. When rush season starts , Jentry talks GK into rushing the Alpha Alpha Alpha Sorority with her. All goes well, until GK overhears that they can only take two newbies and their eyes are on Sloane and Jentry. Doing a little research on her best friend Google, she discovers that if she is a legacy - it will get her an opening and so she lies and tells them that Edwina Fay is her Aunt. College seems to be looking up for GK, that is until she falls for Charlie who she discovers is hiding some secrets like her. As GK gets further into the soriority rushing, will she be able to keep a lid on her lies or will they start to bubble to the surface and blow her chances at A) being part of a sorority , B) dating Charlie and C) ruining the start of her college experience.
Find out all this and more in this fun and down to earth teen read - The Alpha Bet by Stephanie Hale.

[La Femme Readers · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Alpha Bet was cute and fun. The dialogue and interesting characters made me devour it in one sitting. Although, at times it was a bit predictable. Grace Kelly a.k.a. GK was a simple, clumsy, science loving girl. To others she was nothing more than a total spaz and geek. Her intelligence landed her in college at sixteen years old, impressive right? I really loved her personality, she was easy to connect with and her quirkiness made her stand out.

Now, in order for her to join the greatest sorority on campus she had to tell a little white lie. I don't necessarily condone lying however, I sympathized with her wanting to fit in. Starting out in a new school is tough. Sometimes you need a group of friends to make you feel at home, even if you have to take desperate measures to get them. Grace blossomed into an amazing, strong young lady while being in the sorority. I really enjoyed seeing her grow. But, she did run through some rough patches since lying bit her in the butt. Also, her roommate Jentry was a great best friend and total hottie alert as well, with Grace's crush Charlie. I thought this read was fast and well-written. It had everything from best friends to haters and backstabbing drama.

[Syd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character in this book was a girl named Grace Kelley. At age sixteen she won a science fair and got to go to college early. Her motivation is to fit in because she never really did in highschool. Grace Kelly told lies to fit in and the eventually blew up in her face. Therefore, the theme that this book gave is "do not to change yourself to fit in." Grace Kelley transformed herself just to get into a sorority. The climax in this book was when Grace Kelley decided to tell everyone the truth. The resolution was very satisfying because it ended just the anyone would want it to end. The connection in this book is text to self. it reminds me of every average teenage girls life. Most feel uncomfortable in their own skin so they try to change themselves to fit in somewhere and they will do anything to be a part of something that they really want. I felt very excited throughout this whole book because the author jept my attention the whole entire time. I think that the author wrote this way so that the reader could really connect to the book and get the most out of it that they could. Overall I really enjoyed this book because it is actually something that a girl around my age could do and it amde it easier for me to connect.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cute little novel is kind of a "My Fair Lady" for the 13 - 16 year old set, with a little "Mean Girls" thrown in. Yet its got a couple parts that are a little adult for early teens.

Little Grace Kelly has just gotten into college and through her new roommate, has turned from "Geek to Greek," which includes a make-over and a crash course in a social life.

The book tries to be an adult fiction read for older tweens but it seems to talk down to them at times. I feel like the book couldn't really find its target demographic.

However the character of Grace Kelly (or GK) is cute and charming, her roommate has that mysterious and reassuring quality. There are so many different types of people in the book you are sure to find someone you relate to in it (for me it was GK, with her nose to far in a book to see where she was walking or to make friends).

I admire the growth and flaws of Grace Kelly and her peers and the plot line is charming itself with chuckle-worthy moments. So yeah, the book has some flaws, but it's still worth the read.

[Ashley - Book Labyrinth · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable, quick chick flick in a book. Grace Kelly (I hated that her name was Grace Kelly) is a 16 year old spazzy nerd turned sorority pledge as she enters college early. GK, as she is called by her roommate, is equal parts endearing and annoying. Sometimes I really wanted her to succeed, and other times I just wanted to smack her. And GK's Mom? I'm glad she buys a clue by midway the book, but whose Mom calls campus security because they're not answering their phone? Really? Charlie is adorable, but perhaps almost too perfect. And Sloane and the Zetas seemed too evil/mean girl. I guess there might be people out there who act so outwardly terrible, but it seemed a bit far fetched. Nevertheless, I did enjoy this easy read, and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a break from reading something heavier.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've put this book back many times because I thought that I would hate it. It seemed very cheesy and like those other chick-lit girly novels that aren't worth buying. I really enjoyed it and finally I got to read a book that took place in college.

I say that this was the perfect coming of age novel. It tells you about life and the decisions that you make, even if they aren't the most wisest.

This was super-fast paced and I finished it in an hour or so. The story started off very quickly and before you knew it, Grace was part of the sorority and everything happened and ended.
Grace was a good character and likeable. She realized her mistakes after she created them and wasn't too hard to impress. I liked her character and she reminded me of myself.

Great and am looking for more like this!

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is somewhere between a YA and NA book, but I loved it! Maybe because it involved the main character joining a sorority and I always wonder how the author will portray sorority life.

Grace Kelly Cook is a 16 year old that graduated from HS early and is starting her freshman year in college. She is definitely geeky, but her new roommate Jentry can see past all that. Grace decides to tell a small fib, that she is a legacy to the Alpha sorority since they can only accept 2 new members (which as a sorority woman boggles my mind!) and the Rho Chi pulled her from rush due to the actions of someone else. Legacies aren't subject to the 2 new member rule.

Anyway, Grace Kelly is on a journey and learns a lot about herself in this book. College truly is a growing experience. There is a lot of humor in this book and I had a hard time putting it down last night to go to sleep.

[RivkaBelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was delighted to win this as a First Reads (my first win!) ... It is so much fun to read. I was especially able to relate to Grace Kelly's story because I too started college at 16 (but I was an English nerd, not a science geek :o) ) ... Ms Hale does a really good job of capturing the sometime-terrifying excitement of being on a college campus, hanging with college kids, and being one of the group. While I was an Indie all through college, I had friends in every sorority on campus - and the Alpha-Zeta 'war' is definitely representative of what Greek life is like. Basically, I really really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun read to kick off summer reading :o)

[†Reviews of a FearStreetZombie† · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit, seeing how girly this book is and when I first started it, I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. It's a really good inspiring books that shows you that no matter how different you are, there are people that will accept you.
The whole Charlie relationship really freaked me put though until I got to the end and found out the truth.
It really kept my attention as well. It was at a pretty good pace, though there were a few times it lost me .... Not even really sure why.

I'm glad things worked out in the end. I just hated how she treated her mama.
The whole sending the little brother photos of her roommate really grossed me out though. That was uncalled for. Typical male there but still, he's a freaking kid.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book and the ending was really good. GK was lying throughout the whole books just to join the Alpha sorority but in the end she proved her loyalty to them and was able to become a member. I thought the book was interesting and fun to read because it seems kind of the ideal life on a collage campus. GK wanted to change herself just so that she could fit into the "collage image" but along the way she made a best friend for life, she met a guy she really likes, her parents (especially her mother) started to trust GK more, and she was apart of the Alphas. But she ended up learning that she just needs to be herself; its kind of cheesy but also cute at the same time(:

[Ali Thong · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a cute, quick read. There were some "convenient" parts in it but nothing to nit-pick over. I thought it had a pretty good plot and many funny parts. Sometimes Grace Kelly would backslide very quickly when dealing with her mother so it would throw me off because it was such a quick turn around. She has a very paranoid attitude when it comes to trusting people which didn't really flow with her overall attitude and transformation.

I have to say, when I got to the end I was hoping for a little more. Possibly her relationship with Charlie or even her classes. I would definitely pick up a sequel.

[mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent enough read. Lots of the sorority details are not realistic (only two pledges? Only two sororities on campus? Otterbein is very small, and it had 6. I was in the smallest sorority and there were 6 pledges in my class). There is also a pretty big plot twist that would have been impossible to keep secret for a whole quarter.

But, it was fun, held my interest, and I think most girls can relate to Grace Kelly, as well as her alter ego GK. And really, a teen girl wouldn't know how sororities work anyhow, so those unlikely details wouldn't even matter to them. 3.5 stars.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace Kelley is brilliant, a klutz, and geeky. She graduated high school at the age of 16 without any friends. When she starts college at the age of 16 she decides that maybe she can change and finally have friends. She gets a makeover and decides to pledge for a sorority. In the process she learns a few important things.

This was a cute book. Some of the tasks she had to do for Rush were hilarious. It was a fun read.

[Mary Grace Nakao · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very hilarious, quick paced book that you just want to love stop reading but can't. Personally, I think this is pretty funny and a light read. Perfect for teenagers. There are a lot of WTF moments which made me laugh out loud and pause so that I can I digest what happened. Though you may find GK's personality a little annoying, considering she used to be socially awkward, you will grow to like her evantually. And let us not forget about Charlie~!

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It showed the true meaning of popularity, and people will more likely like you if you are yourself. I learned even a harmless white lie can turn into something major.

I was a little confused about the ending, so I will most likely go back and look through it again.

[Kristy McRae · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute & funny teen/college story. I liked the main character, Grace Kelly, and her new college friends. I probably would have rated it higher if the amount of grammar/spelling/usage mistakes had been reduced. Nobody's perfect (and I don't expect perfection), but the sheer quantity of errors in this e-book made me cringe, and made the story hard to read at times.

[Chardonnae · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book an average geeky girl "Grace Kelly Cook" goes off to college early and learns she can be social and beautiful and have friends.It was a very good book because it showed experiences and gave ideals that were amazing and took you on a journey/

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers will either love or hate this one. For me, I'm reminded of good memories, and identify with the science geek to chic lady that never really `hanged at all. Plus, I'm a sucker for the happy ending. So, since this author makes me smile, I bump the book rating up a star. :)

[Ashleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I would have adored this had I read it as a middle schooler. Meanwhile, regardless of age, I am always up for a little secret sisterhood action. It's also nice to read a book set in college as opposed to high school.