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The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt #2
Out with the In Crowd
Skylar Hoyt may have vowed to change her partying ways, but it's not so easy to change her friends. She's trying hard to live a new life, but her old one is constantly staring her in the face. Add to that two parents battling for her loyalty, a younger sister struggling with a crisis pregnancy, and a new boyfriend wishing for more of her time, and Skylar feels like she can't win. After all, how do you choose favorites among the people you love most?
In this second novel in THE REINVENTION OF SKYLAR HOYT series, Stephanie Morrill delivers another compelling story that addresses teen issues with style and grace.
In this second novel in THE REINVENTION OF SKYLAR HOYT series, Stephanie Morrill delivers another compelling story that addresses teen issues with style and grace.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
5 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Morrill
12 books661 followersStephanie Morrill writes books about girls who are on an adventure to discover their unique place in the world. She is the author of several contemporary young adult series, as well as two historical young adult novels, The Lost Girl of Astor Street and Within These Lines. Within These Lines was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection, as well as a YALSA 2020 Best Fiction for Young Adults pick. Since 2010, Stephanie has been encouraging the next generation of writers at her website, GoTeenWriters.com, which has been on the Writer’s Digest Best Websites for Writers list since 2017. She lives in the Kansas City area, where she loves plotting big and small adventures to enjoy with her husband and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 19, 2010
Out with the In Crowd was excellent. I liked it even better than the first book, and I definitely recommend reading them in order to get the full effect. I may not have liked Skylar had I started with the second book. However, I understood her well by the time I read this second novel in the series so it worked for me. The plotting, inner dialog, and characterization were incredibly realistic and totally reminded me of my highschool days with the on and off relationships and the worries teens had. And the petty things girls and guys did like participating in activities just to be around certain people you liked - drove me nuts! (But did that myself a time or two).
There was so much good stuff that could be gleaned from this story. I loved the portrayal of the sister's pregnancy and the undecidedness that often occurs with girls who are so young. Skylar did a great job trying to be there for her family while suffering from a bit of self-absorption herself. But hey, she was a teenager and a senior trying to figure out her own path to take after graduation. I really appreciated how this story showed that running away from your problems (or denying them) solves nothing, and in fact, often makes things worse. I am so glad I'm done with high school and have been for many years. I just wish they'd had realistic books like this when I was a teen because this story includes Christian themes and attitudes and the need for a personal relationship with Christ that simply didn't exist when I was young. I am really looking forward to the third book in this series. This is making my best fiction of 2010 list! I must have a thing for books published by Revell/Baker. LOL!
There was so much good stuff that could be gleaned from this story. I loved the portrayal of the sister's pregnancy and the undecidedness that often occurs with girls who are so young. Skylar did a great job trying to be there for her family while suffering from a bit of self-absorption herself. But hey, she was a teenager and a senior trying to figure out her own path to take after graduation. I really appreciated how this story showed that running away from your problems (or denying them) solves nothing, and in fact, often makes things worse. I am so glad I'm done with high school and have been for many years. I just wish they'd had realistic books like this when I was a teen because this story includes Christian themes and attitudes and the need for a personal relationship with Christ that simply didn't exist when I was young. I am really looking forward to the third book in this series. This is making my best fiction of 2010 list! I must have a thing for books published by Revell/Baker. LOL!
March 24, 2010
Skylar is going through a lot right now. Her parents can’t seem to decide if they are together or not, her fifteen-year-old sister is pregnant (and not dealing with anything), her boyfriend seems just a little too friendly with his ex (not to mention that she is also Skylar’s ex-best-friend), and on top of all that she can’t seem to decide what she wants to do with her life. Wouldn’t you be stressed?
This is a great book and I love that this series is an ongoing story. Each storyline blends into the next book so you know that the best is yet to come. It isn’t a cliff-hanger ending, but it certainly shows that Skylar and the other characters still have some changes to make, and some growing to do. I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series and seeing how everything ends up with Skylar!
This is a great book and I love that this series is an ongoing story. Each storyline blends into the next book so you know that the best is yet to come. It isn’t a cliff-hanger ending, but it certainly shows that Skylar and the other characters still have some changes to make, and some growing to do. I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series and seeing how everything ends up with Skylar!
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October 13, 2017Hovering between 2 and 3 here. I am conflicted.
Same deal as the last one. Some deep stuff sprinkled through lots of teen drama. I found it both compelling and annoying. The underlying story with her parents and her sister and her family in general is I think at the heart of it, and the heart I do like. I just don't know about all the off again on again jealousy and stupid decisions. It's realistic, I guess, but it doesn't make it any less annoying to read.
I felt like the bombshell with her dad had no real build up or foreshadowing and the entire book I had a little trouble believing it as a center of the other events.
Same deal as the last one. Some deep stuff sprinkled through lots of teen drama. I found it both compelling and annoying. The underlying story with her parents and her sister and her family in general is I think at the heart of it, and the heart I do like. I just don't know about all the off again on again jealousy and stupid decisions. It's realistic, I guess, but it doesn't make it any less annoying to read.
I felt like the bombshell with her dad had no real build up or foreshadowing and the entire book I had a little trouble believing it as a center of the other events.
March 24, 2015
Just exciting enough while still being completely, utterly real. Enough fiction and enough realism. It takes a skilled writer to create this. I love, love, love these books.
May 21, 2020
This felt accurate to real high school drama. Skylar seemed to flip-flop a lot in her decision-making process, but I remember that being true of me in high school. So while I felt a little bit of whip-lash from chapter to chapter, I can't really complain.
I'm sad that my local library owns the first two books in the series but not the third!
I'm sad that my local library owns the first two books in the series but not the third!
May 28, 2017
The book is amazing and I love it but I can't download it on my phone and it's very frustrating but other than that I would kill for the book good work Stephanie Morrill
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2018
While reading this series I neglected to review out each one as I finished, and now having finished, all three books have meshed together in my mind and it would be nearly impossible to try to distuinguish them again for the point of three separate reviews. So instead I have decided to review all three in one review of the whole series. * MINOR SPOILERS.*
Book One. It drew me in, so it gets points for that, if for nothing else. The opener was inciting and the characters immediately intriguing. I really liked the way the series started on Skylar’s life change, rather before; it gave it a slightly different feel than other Christian YA I’ve read. I liked the way Skylar was ready to change. Though at times it felt drawn-out, for the most part it was concise.
Book Two. Book two was probably the most boring of the three. Nothing really happens that couldn’t have been condensed between books 2 and 3, much like almost every other trilogy ever. So that was a downside. Yes, she goes to Hawaii and has a life change. Yes, Owen is born. But those two events don’t need their entirely own book. And the extra drama around Eli/Connor was unnecessary, too.
Book Three. Also as typical with trilogies, it was the best in the series. For the first time, I actually really liked Skylar and Connor (more on this below). I really liked Abbie and Owen and Jodi and all the others. They became my real friends. Eli is finally told off and Skylar finally gets the memo she should avoid her other friends and that Connor is indeed the one for her. After page after annoying page of annoying Skylar, it felt very refreshing to see her finally see things. Is the delay in these situations true to real life? Absolutely. Is it always the best course of action to draw out upon when writing a book series? No.
Book summaries over, here we go.
Characters. I loved Skylar, but she also drove me absolutely crazy. I loved her, but I also couldn’t stand her. Consequently, I read this book in breaks. I couldn't do too much at one time, haha. Like I’ve mentioned, I finally really liked Skylar in book three, but before that she was just so annoying. Her relationship with Connor was the main part that irked me. She was so blind, but the problem isn’t with that as much as it is with the fact we were given example upon example upon example upon example of her blindness. It drove me crazy! The seventieth time she ditched Connor I was ready to throw the book across the room. We get the point!
And I also disliked the fact she couldn’t seem to grasp the idea that she had to stop hanging out with the bad influences. She spoke as if seeing them was absolutely inevitable, but how small of a town do they live in that she’s seriously running into them at every corner? Ditch them and move on—they’re bad infleunces! Do you not get it, Skylar!? You’re trying to turn your life around, yet you can’t let go of all former influences. Can you still be a light to them? Yes—once you’re distant and stable enough! UGHH. Now Jodi eventually ended up being great, but that wasn’t until the last few chapters. And don’t even get me started on Eli. UGH. Though really I hated Skylar’s actions toward him more than Eli himself, who I thought was kinda wimpy and pathetic when it came down to it.
Abbie I adored! I absolutely loved her. When the book started I hardly expected her to be developed much, as siblings usually aren’t, but she surprised me by being one of the most developed characters in the series. I loved her heart. Similarly Skylar’s parents were fantastic and real, too.
Connor was … Connor. Sometimes I hated him, sometimes I didn’t. I was mad at Skylar because they’re so obviously meant to be together. Girl, when you find a loyal, honest, Christian guy who loves you, you can’t just ditch him. Yes, it possible he’s not the one, but when you find a guy like that you gotta give him at least a few chances. I felt sometimes the author was trying too hard to make him fictional-crush material—but other than that he was great; not too goody-two-shoes-perfectly-righteous-Christian guy, but not a “bad boy” either.
The writing wasn’t anything incredible. It was a lot of dialogue and little description, so it was solely the characters and nothing else pulling me through the story. I still don’t know what Jodi or Connor or Eli looks like, but I know what they're like. That sort of thing. Some of the emotion at times was a little unreal or not deep enough, but for the most part it was good.
Soooo…yeah. It was a little stereotypical, a typical girl-finds-Jesus-and-her-life-changes type series, but it was pretty unique. Not cheesy for the most part, and simply a journey of following Christ. 4.0 stars.
Like my reviews? Follow my blog:
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Book One. It drew me in, so it gets points for that, if for nothing else. The opener was inciting and the characters immediately intriguing. I really liked the way the series started on Skylar’s life change, rather before; it gave it a slightly different feel than other Christian YA I’ve read. I liked the way Skylar was ready to change. Though at times it felt drawn-out, for the most part it was concise.
Book Two. Book two was probably the most boring of the three. Nothing really happens that couldn’t have been condensed between books 2 and 3, much like almost every other trilogy ever. So that was a downside. Yes, she goes to Hawaii and has a life change. Yes, Owen is born. But those two events don’t need their entirely own book. And the extra drama around Eli/Connor was unnecessary, too.
Book Three. Also as typical with trilogies, it was the best in the series. For the first time, I actually really liked Skylar and Connor (more on this below). I really liked Abbie and Owen and Jodi and all the others. They became my real friends. Eli is finally told off and Skylar finally gets the memo she should avoid her other friends and that Connor is indeed the one for her. After page after annoying page of annoying Skylar, it felt very refreshing to see her finally see things. Is the delay in these situations true to real life? Absolutely. Is it always the best course of action to draw out upon when writing a book series? No.
Book summaries over, here we go.
Characters. I loved Skylar, but she also drove me absolutely crazy. I loved her, but I also couldn’t stand her. Consequently, I read this book in breaks. I couldn't do too much at one time, haha. Like I’ve mentioned, I finally really liked Skylar in book three, but before that she was just so annoying. Her relationship with Connor was the main part that irked me. She was so blind, but the problem isn’t with that as much as it is with the fact we were given example upon example upon example upon example of her blindness. It drove me crazy! The seventieth time she ditched Connor I was ready to throw the book across the room. We get the point!
And I also disliked the fact she couldn’t seem to grasp the idea that she had to stop hanging out with the bad influences. She spoke as if seeing them was absolutely inevitable, but how small of a town do they live in that she’s seriously running into them at every corner? Ditch them and move on—they’re bad infleunces! Do you not get it, Skylar!? You’re trying to turn your life around, yet you can’t let go of all former influences. Can you still be a light to them? Yes—once you’re distant and stable enough! UGHH. Now Jodi eventually ended up being great, but that wasn’t until the last few chapters. And don’t even get me started on Eli. UGH. Though really I hated Skylar’s actions toward him more than Eli himself, who I thought was kinda wimpy and pathetic when it came down to it.
Abbie I adored! I absolutely loved her. When the book started I hardly expected her to be developed much, as siblings usually aren’t, but she surprised me by being one of the most developed characters in the series. I loved her heart. Similarly Skylar’s parents were fantastic and real, too.
Connor was … Connor. Sometimes I hated him, sometimes I didn’t. I was mad at Skylar because they’re so obviously meant to be together. Girl, when you find a loyal, honest, Christian guy who loves you, you can’t just ditch him. Yes, it possible he’s not the one, but when you find a guy like that you gotta give him at least a few chances. I felt sometimes the author was trying too hard to make him fictional-crush material—but other than that he was great; not too goody-two-shoes-perfectly-righteous-Christian guy, but not a “bad boy” either.
The writing wasn’t anything incredible. It was a lot of dialogue and little description, so it was solely the characters and nothing else pulling me through the story. I still don’t know what Jodi or Connor or Eli looks like, but I know what they're like. That sort of thing. Some of the emotion at times was a little unreal or not deep enough, but for the most part it was good.
Soooo…yeah. It was a little stereotypical, a typical girl-finds-Jesus-and-her-life-changes type series, but it was pretty unique. Not cheesy for the most part, and simply a journey of following Christ. 4.0 stars.
Like my reviews? Follow my blog:
http://jcbuchanan.com
August 28, 2010
Skylar is back and ready to tackle the school halls but is she truly ready for the trials ahead? In Me, Just Different, the first book in the Reinventions of Skylar Hoyt series, Sky decides she no longer wants to be known as the school's party-harty girl. Instead, Sky slips from the "it" crowd and makes changes in her life. Meanwhile, her younger sister is about to go through some changes all her own. In this book, Sky is faced not only with her sister's pregnancy, the constant reminders of her "old" self, but the choice between love or duty.
Teen pregnancy plays a big part in this book and goes into detail about how the girls deal with their consequences. Another great teen-pleaser voiced in Out With the In Crowd is relationships: boys, friends, enemies. During the book, Sky is faced with backstabbing friends and a boyfriend stealer. Stephanie does a fantastic job of setting Sky in real-life circumstances and getting results that any teen girl could relate to. Although The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt might be–in some places–categorized under "religious fiction" there is absolutely no preachiness or anything that some might find offensive to read. In short, I'd recommend to anyone without hesitation.
I think Stephanie's books are a great alternative for fans or non-fans of "it" girl novels. Instead of reading something about a party-girl, you get to see someone fight against it... to realize there is something more than hanging with the "it" crowd.
Recommendation: I believe I enjoyed reading this second installation to the series even better than the first. Great read for teen girls ages 14+. (Don't forget to read Me, Just Different first!)
Content: Some kisses and intensive family drama. (PG) 14 and up because topics are a little heavy for younger readers.
The Last Straw: Randome passage, pg. 129.
He pressed a kiss onto my hand as a smile crept into his face. "Sorry girl. You can't get rid of me so easy."
|Pages: 249|Publisher: Revell|Published: Jan. 2010|Price: Soft. $11.99|
|Genre: Contemporary fiction, romance, high school, family drama, relationships|
|Age Group: YA, ages 14+|Content: PG|
|Series? Yes, The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt|Order: Book 2|
|Enjoyed It: 5/5|Content: 4/5|Cover: 4/5|
|Overall: 5/5|
Courtesy of booksandliteratureforteens.blogspot.com
Teen pregnancy plays a big part in this book and goes into detail about how the girls deal with their consequences. Another great teen-pleaser voiced in Out With the In Crowd is relationships: boys, friends, enemies. During the book, Sky is faced with backstabbing friends and a boyfriend stealer. Stephanie does a fantastic job of setting Sky in real-life circumstances and getting results that any teen girl could relate to. Although The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt might be–in some places–categorized under "religious fiction" there is absolutely no preachiness or anything that some might find offensive to read. In short, I'd recommend to anyone without hesitation.
I think Stephanie's books are a great alternative for fans or non-fans of "it" girl novels. Instead of reading something about a party-girl, you get to see someone fight against it... to realize there is something more than hanging with the "it" crowd.
Recommendation: I believe I enjoyed reading this second installation to the series even better than the first. Great read for teen girls ages 14+. (Don't forget to read Me, Just Different first!)
Content: Some kisses and intensive family drama. (PG) 14 and up because topics are a little heavy for younger readers.
The Last Straw: Randome passage, pg. 129.
He pressed a kiss onto my hand as a smile crept into his face. "Sorry girl. You can't get rid of me so easy."
|Pages: 249|Publisher: Revell|Published: Jan. 2010|Price: Soft. $11.99|
|Genre: Contemporary fiction, romance, high school, family drama, relationships|
|Age Group: YA, ages 14+|Content: PG|
|Series? Yes, The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt|Order: Book 2|
|Enjoyed It: 5/5|Content: 4/5|Cover: 4/5|
|Overall: 5/5|
Courtesy of booksandliteratureforteens.blogspot.com
February 25, 2010
This book really made me think about a lot of different things, much more so than many books do. I like a book that makes me think and brings out emotion in me. My first thought was the similarity between Skylar’s transformation and my own, although I was in my mid-twenties when I decided it was time to reinvent myself and get my life on track. I was a hardcore party-girl and I could relate to Skylar’s experiences with all the life changes that take place when you turn your life over to Christ. It really does feel almost like too much at first, but it is all worth it as Skylar learns.
I really do wish I had read the first book in this series so I could see Skylar’s life before Jesus was a part of it. I felt the author did do a good job of getting the reader up to speed on Skylar’s past, her friends, and why she made the decision she made, but I do feel like I missed out by not reading the first book. I found Skylar to be a very likeable girl and I wanted so much for her life to become joyful with Jesus at her side. I don’t know what Skylar was like before, but the author made her very easy to like and root for.
One question I asked myself several times while reading this book is “Is high school really this dramatic these days?” It was hard to believe the stress Skylar was under, not just at home, but at school as well. She had to face things that would drive many adults over the edge. I really admired her for not giving up. Even when her tender, new faith was being questioned, God always came through and proved to her that she could trust Him.
Overall, this book has many lessons for teenagers. It is written exceptionally well and is a great conversation starter for parents and their teenagers. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series, but I highly recommend getting a copy of the first book, Me, Just Different in addition to Out with the In Crowd so nothing is missed.
This book was provided for review by Revell.
I really do wish I had read the first book in this series so I could see Skylar’s life before Jesus was a part of it. I felt the author did do a good job of getting the reader up to speed on Skylar’s past, her friends, and why she made the decision she made, but I do feel like I missed out by not reading the first book. I found Skylar to be a very likeable girl and I wanted so much for her life to become joyful with Jesus at her side. I don’t know what Skylar was like before, but the author made her very easy to like and root for.
One question I asked myself several times while reading this book is “Is high school really this dramatic these days?” It was hard to believe the stress Skylar was under, not just at home, but at school as well. She had to face things that would drive many adults over the edge. I really admired her for not giving up. Even when her tender, new faith was being questioned, God always came through and proved to her that she could trust Him.
Overall, this book has many lessons for teenagers. It is written exceptionally well and is a great conversation starter for parents and their teenagers. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series, but I highly recommend getting a copy of the first book, Me, Just Different in addition to Out with the In Crowd so nothing is missed.
This book was provided for review by Revell.
February 26, 2010
From what I read in the beginning of this book, it takes up pretty much where book #1 leaves off. Sklar is returning to school after Christmas break facing her last semester of high school with her wonderful boyfriend and without the in crowd of friends she has hung out with for the last four years.
Skylar's uncertainty seems very true of high school girls or anyone who goes back into a situation with friends who aren't friends any more. Nothing is glossed over and Skylar's emotions and uncertainties are shared throughout the book. On the outside Skylar looks very put together, but on the inside she is a typical unsure teenager.
In this book she is also coming to grips with her refound faith and what it means to truly forgive people and trust people. Her life hasn't exactly been perfect for the past few months and with her parents dealing with problems too, her trust level is way down. Conner, her boyfriend is one of those people you want to be. Understanding, forgiving and just friendly no matter what the circumstances and while Skylar wants to be like him, she has a hard time giving up her own wants and whims. Though some of the things her and Conner start to fight over are what she believes, getting Conner to believe them is another story.
The book keeps you turning pages and even without reading the first book in the series, I felt like I knew Skylar within the first ten pages. You get enough backstory in this book to understand what has gone on without feeling like you missed much and I am guessing it's not too much backstory if you read the first one. I do plan on going back and reading the first one and I can't wait until the next one.
As a Christian book, this one pulls no punches and does not show ideal life. Skylar's younger sister is pregnant and Skylar herself has lead an interesting life before turning back to the Lord. The situations in this book feel real along with the characters and that is what make this a great read.
Skylar's uncertainty seems very true of high school girls or anyone who goes back into a situation with friends who aren't friends any more. Nothing is glossed over and Skylar's emotions and uncertainties are shared throughout the book. On the outside Skylar looks very put together, but on the inside she is a typical unsure teenager.
In this book she is also coming to grips with her refound faith and what it means to truly forgive people and trust people. Her life hasn't exactly been perfect for the past few months and with her parents dealing with problems too, her trust level is way down. Conner, her boyfriend is one of those people you want to be. Understanding, forgiving and just friendly no matter what the circumstances and while Skylar wants to be like him, she has a hard time giving up her own wants and whims. Though some of the things her and Conner start to fight over are what she believes, getting Conner to believe them is another story.
The book keeps you turning pages and even without reading the first book in the series, I felt like I knew Skylar within the first ten pages. You get enough backstory in this book to understand what has gone on without feeling like you missed much and I am guessing it's not too much backstory if you read the first one. I do plan on going back and reading the first one and I can't wait until the next one.
As a Christian book, this one pulls no punches and does not show ideal life. Skylar's younger sister is pregnant and Skylar herself has lead an interesting life before turning back to the Lord. The situations in this book feel real along with the characters and that is what make this a great read.
June 3, 2010
I liked Morrill's writing style. The book was easy to read and full of interesting characters.
I liked how she portrayed Skylar's struggles in a realistic manner - how she deals with her parents' pending divorce, a younger sister's pregnancy, her boyfriend and her past and former friends.
I'll admit, I was a bit lost at times, not having read the first novel. It was kind of like jumping into a mini-series in mid stream. However, I think this complete series would be one I could safely pass along to the middle school girls I work with.
While Skylar is a senior in high school, I'm not sure this book would appeal to older girls. However, I know many of my gals - especially those in seventh, eight and probably ninth grade - would read Skylar's story with interest.
Morrill attacks some "tough" subjects in a light and easy to read way - without a lot of "preaching." It truly shows a young girl struggling with changing who she is - as a Christian - without losing the quirky things that make her unique.
One thing that jumped out to me, is how Skylar attempted to change herself based upon clothes and, I assume, other "outward" markings - to show that she was a Christian. I think this is a realistic idea - I know as a teenager, I thought being a Christian meant I couldn't listen to anything but Contemp. Christian music. I thought my Christian faith meant I had to live in a certain "mold" or "ideal."
I think (remember, I haven't read the first book), Morrill is trying to use Skylar's story to show that becoming a Christian is more of an internal transformation than outward change.
I will probably purchase the first and third books, so I can put all three in our church's library (the girls have been asking for good, solid Christian novels.) I can see these books providing me with a way to talk to some of the girls about a variety of issues in a non-threatening way.
December 5, 2011
I just put down the last book in The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series. For the second time.
I can only remember one other contemporary YA series of novels that I have ever read. The Diary of A Teenage Girl series by Melody Carlson, the Caitlin O'Conner books. I read that series twice, too, but not within a few months of each other. In fact, I can't remember when was the last time I read an entire series (or even one book, for that matter) twice in half a year. My To-Read List is just that long.
Which should tell you that these books are just that great.
I first heard about the Skylar series when I came across the Go Teen Writers, run by the author, to which I am now an avid subscriber.
{Even if you disregard this review, saying 'These books aren't for me,' if you're a young writer, stop by Go Teen Writers. Trust me. You'll thank me later.}
The thing that continually amazes me whenever I glance at these three books smiling at me from the bookshelf is that Skylar is nothing like me. She is a high school student and I've already graduated.
On the whole, I usually pick up historical-setting novels. I don't read much set in modern times. Add to that the fact that Skylar is anything but a strong Christian at the beginning of the first book, and I should have been shaking my head at page one.
But despite our outward differences, Skylar and I connected.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
There is one page number I have memorized in Book One, Me, Just Different, page 205, that contains a quote I have read over and over.
"But what happens after your best friend takes you out for ice cream? You feel better for a little bit, but eventually the pain comes back. God is the only one who can heal the pain you're carrying around."
Whatever author Stephanie Morrill has published next, I will definitely be scooping up.
I can only remember one other contemporary YA series of novels that I have ever read. The Diary of A Teenage Girl series by Melody Carlson, the Caitlin O'Conner books. I read that series twice, too, but not within a few months of each other. In fact, I can't remember when was the last time I read an entire series (or even one book, for that matter) twice in half a year. My To-Read List is just that long.
Which should tell you that these books are just that great.
I first heard about the Skylar series when I came across the Go Teen Writers, run by the author, to which I am now an avid subscriber.
{Even if you disregard this review, saying 'These books aren't for me,' if you're a young writer, stop by Go Teen Writers. Trust me. You'll thank me later.}
The thing that continually amazes me whenever I glance at these three books smiling at me from the bookshelf is that Skylar is nothing like me. She is a high school student and I've already graduated.
On the whole, I usually pick up historical-setting novels. I don't read much set in modern times. Add to that the fact that Skylar is anything but a strong Christian at the beginning of the first book, and I should have been shaking my head at page one.
But despite our outward differences, Skylar and I connected.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
There is one page number I have memorized in Book One, Me, Just Different, page 205, that contains a quote I have read over and over.
"But what happens after your best friend takes you out for ice cream? You feel better for a little bit, but eventually the pain comes back. God is the only one who can heal the pain you're carrying around."
Whatever author Stephanie Morrill has published next, I will definitely be scooping up.
February 22, 2010
The reinvention of Skylar Hoyt
Book Two
Stephanie Morrill
2010
Revell
Fiction/YA
Reveiwed by Cindy Loven
Stephanie Morrill totally gets teenage drama!! I thought as I read this book, she so understands the drama teenagers go through and cause. Out with the In Crowd is Book Two in a series, but it totally stands alone, in fact I didnt even realize it was a series book until I reached the end of the book, and saw the page announcing book three, and advertising book one.
Skylar Hoyt, has given up her wild ways, she has a totally cool boyfriend who is a great Christian, and she is trying hard to live a good Christian life. However life is a mess on the home front. Her little sister is pregnant at fifteen, her parents are split up, and it looks like they are headed for divorce court soon.Will Abbie keep the baby? Skylar finds herself hoping so, even though she knows it will be hard on Abbie, and on the entire family. Add in the fact that Skylar has major trust issues, and you have the setting for lots of teenage drama. Old friends, both boys and girls try to interfere with her relationship with her dream guy. Will she ever figure out how to trust, totally trust anyone?
Stephanie Morrill has given us a great story, and this book is definitely a book for the teenagers in your life to read. 252 pages $US 11.99 5 stars
This book was provided by Revell for review purposes only, no payment was received for this review.
Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Book Two
Stephanie Morrill
2010
Revell
Fiction/YA
Reveiwed by Cindy Loven
Stephanie Morrill totally gets teenage drama!! I thought as I read this book, she so understands the drama teenagers go through and cause. Out with the In Crowd is Book Two in a series, but it totally stands alone, in fact I didnt even realize it was a series book until I reached the end of the book, and saw the page announcing book three, and advertising book one.
Skylar Hoyt, has given up her wild ways, she has a totally cool boyfriend who is a great Christian, and she is trying hard to live a good Christian life. However life is a mess on the home front. Her little sister is pregnant at fifteen, her parents are split up, and it looks like they are headed for divorce court soon.Will Abbie keep the baby? Skylar finds herself hoping so, even though she knows it will be hard on Abbie, and on the entire family. Add in the fact that Skylar has major trust issues, and you have the setting for lots of teenage drama. Old friends, both boys and girls try to interfere with her relationship with her dream guy. Will she ever figure out how to trust, totally trust anyone?
Stephanie Morrill has given us a great story, and this book is definitely a book for the teenagers in your life to read. 252 pages $US 11.99 5 stars
This book was provided by Revell for review purposes only, no payment was received for this review.
Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
December 20, 2016
Typical Skylar: "I don’t know what they told you at the retreat, but it doesn’t fix everything overnight. Just like me. I thought accepting God’s plan for my life would make it easier. Most of the time, it’s only made it harder."
With her dad and mom back together and an always-caring Connor beside her, Skylar seems to have everything going for her. Until Connor starts spending time with Jodi and mom declares her plans to move to Hawaii. And since Abbie is intent on ignoring baby preparations, Skylar has to buy all the stuff for Abbie's soon-to-born girl. Wasn't life supposed to be easier after accepting God's plan for her? Had she made any progress at all?
I loved most of "Out with the In Crowd-" the last quarter especially. The beginning was a little dry and I felt it could use a new character to spice things up. However, the ending was intense emotion-wise and it was awesome. Again, I wish more was said about having and deepening a relationship with Christ. God helping one change was accented, but not the relationship itself. In this book, however, Skylar tried to pray which was good. I enjoyed Out with the In Crowd and recommend it for older teen girls.
This is the second in the Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series. The first and third are "Me, Just Different" and "So Over It." Stephanie Morrill also has a novella, Throwing Stones, free on her website.
With her dad and mom back together and an always-caring Connor beside her, Skylar seems to have everything going for her. Until Connor starts spending time with Jodi and mom declares her plans to move to Hawaii. And since Abbie is intent on ignoring baby preparations, Skylar has to buy all the stuff for Abbie's soon-to-born girl. Wasn't life supposed to be easier after accepting God's plan for her? Had she made any progress at all?
I loved most of "Out with the In Crowd-" the last quarter especially. The beginning was a little dry and I felt it could use a new character to spice things up. However, the ending was intense emotion-wise and it was awesome. Again, I wish more was said about having and deepening a relationship with Christ. God helping one change was accented, but not the relationship itself. In this book, however, Skylar tried to pray which was good. I enjoyed Out with the In Crowd and recommend it for older teen girls.
This is the second in the Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series. The first and third are "Me, Just Different" and "So Over It." Stephanie Morrill also has a novella, Throwing Stones, free on her website.
May 13, 2012
Stephanie Morrill does a fantastic job of keeping my hands clutched to the book. Out with the In Crowd is the sequel to Me, Just Different. I found myself relating to Skylar once again in this installment. It isn't easy to handle everything that was placed on her shoulders. But she did, and for that she should be commended.
A past life, former friends, and an ex-boyfriend continue to haunt Skylar on her quest to become a better person. The more she wants a change in her life the more she feels she is back to square one. And why are Jodi and Lisa making a drastic change in their lives?
Feeling defeated and guilty for things she can't change, Skylar mentally beats herself up. If she hadn't taken Abbie to Lance's all summer... If she hadn't been so beguiled by Arron... But the past can't be changed now. Heather, one of Skylar's youth group teachers, mentors her, encourages her, and reminds her: God has a plan.
Things are a large rollarcoaster in this book with many lows and highs. For me, it did end on a low note and now I can't wait to get my hands on the third and final book: So Over It.
A past life, former friends, and an ex-boyfriend continue to haunt Skylar on her quest to become a better person. The more she wants a change in her life the more she feels she is back to square one. And why are Jodi and Lisa making a drastic change in their lives?
Feeling defeated and guilty for things she can't change, Skylar mentally beats herself up. If she hadn't taken Abbie to Lance's all summer... If she hadn't been so beguiled by Arron... But the past can't be changed now. Heather, one of Skylar's youth group teachers, mentors her, encourages her, and reminds her: God has a plan.
Things are a large rollarcoaster in this book with many lows and highs. For me, it did end on a low note and now I can't wait to get my hands on the third and final book: So Over It.
June 18, 2010
Review by Jill Williamson
Skylar is back for her final semester of high school and things are awkward. She'd thought that committing her life to God would make life easier, but everything is so much harder. For one, is she really supposed to be nice to her ex-friends? Especially the one who is clearly trying to steal her boyfriend? And how can she make time for that boyfriend when she has to take care of her pregnant little sister? You'd think her parents would help, but they are in the middle of a major separation/continuing meltdown. How does a girl cope?
Ack! I wanted to go straight to book three but it's not out yet! I hurt for Skylar as she went through all these troubles. This is a teen soap opera in book form. I love it, but it's so painful! I just want everything to be okay for poor Skylar, but her life is all mixed up. I liked seeing her do some hard things at the end of the book. She's a strong main character and very likable. I can't wait until book three is out so that I can see what happens to Skylar Hoyt. Fun read!
Skylar is back for her final semester of high school and things are awkward. She'd thought that committing her life to God would make life easier, but everything is so much harder. For one, is she really supposed to be nice to her ex-friends? Especially the one who is clearly trying to steal her boyfriend? And how can she make time for that boyfriend when she has to take care of her pregnant little sister? You'd think her parents would help, but they are in the middle of a major separation/continuing meltdown. How does a girl cope?
Ack! I wanted to go straight to book three but it's not out yet! I hurt for Skylar as she went through all these troubles. This is a teen soap opera in book form. I love it, but it's so painful! I just want everything to be okay for poor Skylar, but her life is all mixed up. I liked seeing her do some hard things at the end of the book. She's a strong main character and very likable. I can't wait until book three is out so that I can see what happens to Skylar Hoyt. Fun read!
April 3, 2012
Summary: Skylar is juggling too many things: parents on the verge of divorce, a sister who will soon be a teen mom, a boyfriend who wants more time. To top it off, she can no longer count on her old friends, who don't seem to understand why she doesn't want to party any more. When her past comes back to haunt her, will she be able to keep it all together?
My Thoughts: What I liked most about this book was the authentic portrayal of Skylar's struggle between her past and what she wants her future to be. Too many times Christian fiction makes life out to be perfect once someone has accepted Christ, but that's when the true battle begins. The battle between our sinful nature and our desire to be more like Jesus. Morrill handles this transformation perfectly: no preaching and a lot of action in the form of teen angst, the flutter of first love, and real family issues.
Teens will relate to this book, and adult readers will be taken back to high school. Great book.
My Thoughts: What I liked most about this book was the authentic portrayal of Skylar's struggle between her past and what she wants her future to be. Too many times Christian fiction makes life out to be perfect once someone has accepted Christ, but that's when the true battle begins. The battle between our sinful nature and our desire to be more like Jesus. Morrill handles this transformation perfectly: no preaching and a lot of action in the form of teen angst, the flutter of first love, and real family issues.
Teens will relate to this book, and adult readers will be taken back to high school. Great book.
January 3, 2010
Skylar's story continues in a novel that drags you deep into her heart and life. Morrill writes with emotional depth that not only takes me back to that part of my life, but makes me want to sit down and really examine myself. Beautifully written, this one is even better than the first and will stay with you forever.
June 2, 2011
Almost as good as the first book except for one thing. Connor and Skylar should NEVER have been broken up. It made the plot line plummet and become boring and predictable and I almost knew exactly what was going to happen next because of it. Definitely a negative to the book. Other than that, it was amazing.
April 19, 2012
Just as bad as the first. Unrealistic characters, a whiny heroine and no decent plot yet again. I like almost every book i've read so I hate having to be harsh but this series just fails! Maybe the third will redeem itself!
February 13, 2013
Wow.
The sequel is even better?
Wow.
So um, being a good girl is hard-especially if bad is calling your name...and he's this REALLY cute guy.
Um, I hate and love Conner and I totally gave up on trying to get Eli, but hey, stop reading this review and read the book....please?
The sequel is even better?
Wow.
So um, being a good girl is hard-especially if bad is calling your name...and he's this REALLY cute guy.
Um, I hate and love Conner and I totally gave up on trying to get Eli, but hey, stop reading this review and read the book....please?
February 18, 2013
Another brilliant installment in the series! I absolutely love Skylar right now. I relate to her inner struggles about God's plan for her life so much she's like my best friend. The story feels so real and honest, that its hard to believe its not real.
January 12, 2010
A great read - at any age!
March 9, 2010
Loved it...even more than the first one! It was hard to put the book down, and I can't wait to read the final book in the series!
August 16, 2011
The second book in the Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series was just as good as the first, though by the end I was very annoyed with a few certain characters(as expected)! ;)
May 22, 2013
one of skylar hoyt's adventures of boyfriends. she is mixed between Lance and Connor.
August 12, 2014
Really enjoyed it! Highly recommend this trilogy :)
October 8, 2015
i thought it was fantastic. i found it inspiriaring and i can't wait to read the next book in this same series
January 3, 2021
Lots of ups and downs throughout this series, but so worth sticking with. The characters struggle with their choices and what matters most to them.
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