The Debs by Susan McBride
I’m on tour today with Susan McBride and her new book for teens called The Debs, the first of a new series about debutantes in Houston. I have a confession to make. When I received The Debs and read the back cover, I thought, “Oh no. I have a feeling that this book isn’t cut out for the likes of me.” I had this preconceived notion that the book would be about these girls who were totally naive and vain with no depth, I also thought that there would be way to much sex, and I assumed the girls would all have potty mouths. That’s a lot of pre-judging without even opening the book yet, isn’t it? So I was totally stoked and surprised when I found myself enjoying this one. The girls were not all about their looks, there was no graphic sex, and the book was clean of language! Can you imagine how refreshing that was?
The Debs is about four ultra-rich and very privileged high schoolers who are preparing to debut into Houston society and each are hoping for an invitation into the Glass Slipper Club which will culminate in this amazing ball where each will feel and act as if they were princesses.
The story is told in alternating viewpoints between the four girls. There is Laura who at size fourteen feels the pressure of not being “skinny-enough” but her size doesn’t stop her from attracting some of the hottest boys around. Laura wants her invitation more than anything but has to carefully guard a awful secret that could deny her entrance to the club.
Mac is struggling with her mothers recent death and her fathers remarriage. Mac just wants to be left alone to read in her room all day but becoming a Deb was her late mothers dream. It doesn’t help that her new stepmother wants it just as badly and carts Mac off for torturous makeovers and massages.
Ginger is our tree-hugging (literally tree hugging) Deb who is always doing humanitarian work but her pining for an older college guy may push her to far and like Cinderella, she may end up locked up instead of at the ball.
Laura, Mac and Ginger are best friends and the fourth girl is their arch nemisis Jo-Lynn who’s single goal in life is to not only become a Deb but to make sure that Laura, who she calls “debu-trash” doesn’t receive an invitation. With Jo-Lynn, The Debs is about high society at it’s lowest.
This book transported me into a culture that I didn’t know anything about. Apparently, being a debutante is a huge thing in high society in the south. Living up here in Utah, I’d never heard of it. Teens will enjoy The Debs, it was fun, moved along quickly, and was about more 
than just four shallow girls (like I thought it would be). It’s a get away from it all book. The Debs is the first book in the series and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens to the girls after the invitations went out.
The second book Love, Lies and Texas Dips comes out in June 2009. Susan McBride is also the author of the Debutant Dropout Mysteries and the Maggie Ryan Mysteries. The Debs is her first series for teens. Visit Susan McBride’s website for more information on all.
Watch the book trailer:
Would you like to win a signed copy of The Debs? Susan McBride has graciously donated two copies to be given away in conjunction with my Darfur awareness campaign. Click here for details on how to get involved and entered to win. Check back (you are subscribed to this blog, aren’t you?!) at the end of the month to put your name in the hat for this one. Prizes will build up throughout the month. Thanks Susan for letting my readers get their hands on a signed copy of this one!
And last but not least. Susan McBride and I sat down for a great author interview! Check back tomorrow to learn more about Susan and her books.
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Category: Book Reviews, Fiction, Young Adult
Tags: A-D Title, blog tour, book trailers, M-P Author, published 2008, review copy, videos
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This looks really good! I too would have made a similar initial judgment – glad to hear it’s not always correct.
on September 3rd, 2008 at 10:24 amThe cover doesn’t seem like a good representation of the book that you describe. It sounds interesting and I’m curious what Laura’s deep, dark secret is.
on September 3rd, 2008 at 11:53 amSounds good!
on September 3rd, 2008 at 11:55 amSounds like fun. I love it when books surprise you.
on September 3rd, 2008 at 12:53 pmIs it too weird for the author to stop by and say, “Thanks!” Oh, well, too late! Natasha, I’m so very happy you liked THE DEBS. (Whew!) And you’re right that what’s inside the pretty cover is probably a wee bit different than most readers will expect. So I’m so glad you braved the pink and green packaging and jumped in!
on September 3rd, 2008 at 1:20 pmI think this sounds like a wonderful book! My library has a few of her older ones so I picked up Blue Blood today. (I just started using Google Reader and I LOVE it!)
on September 3rd, 2008 at 1:31 pmThis sounds like a pretty good book. I don’t know anything about debutante’s either. It should make for a good read.
on September 3rd, 2008 at 1:56 pmcoolio. i’ll add it too my list! and hey! my name is ginger!!! i think while i’m reading i would see how much we have in common. lol. but also the bookworm. i love to read. lol. duh. =]
on September 3rd, 2008 at 2:01 pmI’ve heard good things about this one. Would be great to read for my YA Mondays:)
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on September 4th, 2008 at 4:00 amThis sounds like a great book! Thank you for the review!
on September 4th, 2008 at 10:34 amFunny how we both had the same first impression. I received my copy and felt that it might not be my style. Meaning that while I’d try to get to it at some point–there would be no rush to rdad it NOW. But after reading your review, I’ll have to give it a go. Still not promising NOW with the R.I.P. III challenge going on, but soon.
By the way, I’m reading Not On Our Watch. It is good.
on September 4th, 2008 at 4:27 pmNo its not weird at all for the author. If I could ever get a book published I would comment on my reviews. Especialy if natasha reviewed me.
Anyways I’ll be interested in that drawing but I think I’m going to have to go on and read it anyways. Sounds great!
on September 4th, 2008 at 4:45 pmI’d definitely love to win, it sounds like an amazing book!
on September 4th, 2008 at 6:07 pmThis book sounds really great! Thanks for the recommendation.
on September 6th, 2008 at 8:48 am“Debs” and Sororities have always fascinated me. I used to be envious of these girls when I was young and then I found out that they weren’t necessarily any happier than I was at the time!
on September 7th, 2008 at 9:28 pmPlease enter my name in your drawing. Thanks very much…..Cindi
[...] My Sleeve)59. Nicole (Peony In Love)60. Shonda (Scot on the Rocks)61. Marie DeVries( Penelope)62. Maw Books (The Debs)63. Maw Books (What Jamie Saw)64. S. Krishna (The Fall of Troy)65. S. Krishna (Belong to Me)66. S. [...]
on September 13th, 2008 at 12:37 pm