Mates, Dates Series by Cathy Hopkins, Paul Draine

Everything is changing around Lucy Loverling, and a turning point is exactly what she does NOT need. Suddenly she has to make all sorts of decisions including what she wants to be. And it seems that everyone else knows who and what she wants to be except her. Izzie has become friends with the glamorous Nesta, and Lucy isn't certain she likes a threesome. Nesta and Izzie look sixteen, but Lucy, at fourteen, can still pass for a twelve-year-old... moreEverything is changing around Lucy Loverling, and a turning point is exactly what she does NOT need. Suddenly she has to make all sorts of decisions including what she wants to be. And it seems that everyone else knows who and what she wants to be except her. Izzie has become friends with the glamorous Nesta, and Lucy isn't certain she likes a threesome. Nesta and Izzie look sixteen, but Lucy, at fourteen, can still pass for a twelve-year-old. But then one day Lucy sees the most wonderful boy crossing the street, and things do start to change -- in all areas of her life... less

Mates, Dates Boxed Set One: Mates, Dates, and Inflatable Bras; Mates, Dates, and Cosmic Kisses; Mates, Dates, and Designer Divas; Mates, Dates, and Sleepover Secrets

"Trust me to go and fall for someone who lives on the other side of the planet." Nesta has met the perfect boy: good-looking, fun, sweet. But there are problems, too. Simon's from a rich, upper-class background -- with a lifestyle to match -- and it's difficult for Nesta to keep up. And then there's Simon's friend Cressida. What can Nesta do to compete with the ultimate Designer Diva?

How can a new girl fit in?"He talked, I listened. As I tried to appear interested, I thought that even Mojo was more interested in what I had to say. And he's a dog." Theresa Joanne (T. J. to her friends) is having a difficult year. First her best friend moves away. Then there's the problem with boys: They never seem to notice that she's a girl. But when Lucy befriends T. J., things start to look up... moreHow can a new girl fit in?"He talked, I listened. As I tried to appear interested, I thought that even Mojo was more interested in what I had to say. And he's a dog." Theresa Joanne (T. J. to her friends) is having a difficult year. First her best friend moves away. Then there's the problem with boys: They never seem to notice that she's a girl. But when Lucy befriends T. J., things start to look up. But will Lucy's best friends Nesta and Izzie accept her and let her into their world of sleepovers, secrets, laughter, and advice? less

The Barnes & Noble Review Cathy Hopkins's best Brit buds have returned, this time in a book narrated by Lucy, who's out to find Mr. Right. After a missed connection with Tony, Lucy takes the advice of her best pals and decides to instead focus on other boys and on herself. She and Izzie attend a spa/self-help retreat for the weekend, but Lucy is surprised when a run-in (literally) with a guy turns out to be more than she expected... moreThe Barnes & Noble Review Cathy Hopkins's best Brit buds have returned, this time in a book narrated by Lucy, who's out to find Mr. Right. After a missed connection with Tony, Lucy takes the advice of her best pals and decides to instead focus on other boys and on herself. She and Izzie attend a spa/self-help retreat for the weekend, but Lucy is surprised when a run-in (literally) with a guy turns out to be more than she expected. Ah, Daniel seems so sweet at first: attentive to her, generous, into fashion...but then Lucy gets word that his past relationships have fizzled because of his overbearing behavior. Read that: He has a history of being a control freak -- but is that just history, or will it happen with Lucy, too? Never fear, for Lucy's good sense and her friends' sage advice put her on the path of being true to herself. Another excellent entry in the Mates, Dates series, this book will keep fans coming back for more. Hopkins's characters are cool and honest, and she addresses topics that deeply connect with today's teens. If you haven't yet discovered this top-notch series, you're missing out. Shana Taylor less

As soon as Mum dropped me off, I made a dive for the ladies room, where I trashed the sandwich she'd made me and reapplied my makeup. Mum really didn't understand. I couldn't possibly get up on stage in front of everyone looking like I was dressed for afternoon tea with my grandma. Izzie is restless, and eager to be treated like an adult. So she decides it's time to make some changes. But the new Izzie comes with new problems. First there is Josh Harper, an older, cute-but-wild boy... moreAs soon as Mum dropped me off, I made a dive for the ladies room, where I trashed the sandwich she'd made me and reapplied my makeup. Mum really didn't understand. I couldn't possibly get up on stage in front of everyone looking like I was dressed for afternoon tea with my grandma. Izzie is restless, and eager to be treated like an adult. So she decides it's time to make some changes. But the new Izzie comes with new problems. First there is Josh Harper, an older, cute-but-wild boy. Then there is her mother, who is opposed to every part of the "new Izzie." How can Izzie learn about herself and what it means to be grown up -- without upsetting everyone along the way? less

Izzie, Lucy, and T. J. crowded round and stared at me, like they were waiting for a circus freak to begin her act. I shook my head. "You're going to have to open your mouth some time," said Lucy. "Come on, put your hand down." I shook my head. "It's horrible. I look like a can opener." Nesta is devastated. She has to wear braces. She thinks that no boy will ever look at her again without thinking of the killer shark in Jaws. And practicing a smile that doesn't show her teeth isn't helping... moreIzzie, Lucy, and T. J. crowded round and stared at me, like they were waiting for a circus freak to begin her act. I shook my head. "You're going to have to open your mouth some time," said Lucy. "Come on, put your hand down." I shook my head. "It's horrible. I look like a can opener." Nesta is devastated. She has to wear braces. She thinks that no boy will ever look at her again without thinking of the killer shark in Jaws. And practicing a smile that doesn't show her teeth isn't helping. There's only one option: to become a recluse. Lucy, Izzie, and T. J. try to help Nesta understand that her looks haven't changed, but Nesta's not convinced. Things change, however, when she meets Luke, who not only restores her confidence in her ability to attract boys, but also introduces her to a whole new side of her personality. less

""I wonder what would have happened if I'd met you before Nesta," said Luke as he took my hand and looked deeply into my eyes. A bolt of electricity shot through me and I snatched my hand back as if it had been burnt. This can't be happening, I thought."When Luke, the boy that Nesta has been dating, declares passionate love for T.J., she doesn't know what has hit her... more""I wonder what would have happened if I'd met you before Nesta," said Luke as he took my hand and looked deeply into my eyes. A bolt of electricity shot through me and I snatched my hand back as if it had been burnt. This can't be happening, I thought."When Luke, the boy that Nesta has been dating, declares passionate love for T.J., she doesn't know what has hit her. She does her best to avoid him, but when the local schools are asked to work together on a project, Luke is chosen as the overall coordinator and T.J. has no choice but to report back to him on a regular basis. Misunderstandings and miscommunications threaten the girls' friendship and split them into two camps: Lucy and Nesta, Izzie and T.J. Will their friendship survive? And what will T.J.'s steady boyfriend, Steve, make of it all? less

"Do you think that room service will deliver chocolate?" asked Izzie, who was on her knees on the floor with her face in the minibar. "We're all out here." "Yeah," said T. J. "Who needs boys when you can have chocolate?" "Ah, but they come in handy when we haven't any," said Nesta. "Let's call the boys in their rooms. Maybe they haven't eaten their supplies." A school trip to Florence seems like the perfect escape for Lucy... more"Do you think that room service will deliver chocolate?" asked Izzie, who was on her knees on the floor with her face in the minibar. "We're all out here." "Yeah," said T. J. "Who needs boys when you can have chocolate?" "Ah, but they come in handy when we haven't any," said Nesta. "Let's call the boys in their rooms. Maybe they haven't eaten their supplies." A school trip to Florence seems like the perfect escape for Lucy. She wants time away from Tony, who is pressuring her to take their relationship further. In Italy she meets an American boy and thinks he might be the ideal way to get over Tony. He seems to be the perfect gentleman, and Italy introduces Lucy to a world of culture and sophistication. Will she be able to move on from Tony? Or is it a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire? less

"Hey listen guys. I need you to tell me something and I want you to be really really honest...." "Sounds serious," said Nesta. "It is. I want you to tell me, do you think I've put on weight?" Nesta, Lucy, and T J looked at each other. "No," said T J after a moment too long. "Not really. Well, we all did a little on the school trip. So no more than the rest of us." Izzie has always been "curvy," but since Christmas she has gained eight pounds, and nothing seems to fit anymore... more"Hey listen guys. I need you to tell me something and I want you to be really really honest...." "Sounds serious," said Nesta. "It is. I want you to tell me, do you think I've put on weight?" Nesta, Lucy, and T J looked at each other. "No," said T J after a moment too long. "Not really. Well, we all did a little on the school trip. So no more than the rest of us." Izzie has always been "curvy," but since Christmas she has gained eight pounds, and nothing seems to fit anymore. In an attempt to lose weight, Izzie tries everything: one diet after another, a punishing exercise program, and every bit of conflicting advice anyone can give her. Her constant worrying about her weight causes her to lose her confidence, and she stops appreciating the things in her life that are special -- her supportive friends, the fact that she has been selected for a TV teen panel, and a cute boy at the TV studio who seems to like her just the way she is. less

"That William Lewis really thinks a lot of himself," I said. "He's such a smartarse." "Hhmm,"said Lucy, grinning. "That's what he said about you too." "He did? What a cheek! God, he annoys me. I really hate him." Lucy, TJ, and Izzie exchanged knowing looks. "Yeah sure," said TJ. "You hate him." Nesta's life is thrown into upheaval when she gets involved in charity work thinking that it might be a cool way to meet people (mainly boys)... more"That William Lewis really thinks a lot of himself," I said. "He's such a smartarse." "Hhmm,"said Lucy, grinning. "That's what he said about you too." "He did? What a cheek! God, he annoys me. I really hate him." Lucy, TJ, and Izzie exchanged knowing looks. "Yeah sure," said TJ. "You hate him." Nesta's life is thrown into upheaval when she gets involved in charity work thinking that it might be a cool way to meet people (mainly boys). But as her eyes are opened to the plight of the world, she begins to want genuinely to get involved and help others. On top of this, Nesta meets William, a boy who questions her motives. At times, she's convinced he hates her and the feeling is mutual. But Izzie, Lucy, and TJ think it is something more like love.... less

"" I reckon that's the last we've seen of Ollie Axford,"" I said.""I wouldn't be so sure TJ,"" said Nesta. ""I bet he calls and asks you out."" ""Nah, he looks like a player. You know the type. Too much of a twinkle in his eye to be trusted." "A bit like Luke then?"" said Lucy. Boys are like buses for TJ. No sign of one for ages and then two come along at the same time! First there's charmer Ollie Axford... more"" I reckon that's the last we've seen of Ollie Axford,"" I said.""I wouldn't be so sure TJ,"" said Nesta. ""I bet he calls and asks you out."" ""Nah, he looks like a player. You know the type. Too much of a twinkle in his eye to be trusted." "A bit like Luke then?"" said Lucy. Boys are like buses for TJ. No sign of one for ages and then two come along at the same time! First there's charmer Ollie Axford. And just when TJ has decided that he could be the one, old flame Luke De Biasi tells her that he wants to rekindle their romance. TJ is torn between the boys, and unhappy that it makes her look like a two-timer. But it all seems unimportant when someone close to her is taken seriously ill. More than ever, TJ needs a clear head and the support of her friends as she faces the most important summer of her life. less