The Ashleys

by: Melissa de la Cruz (book 1)
256 pages
Summary: The Ashleys have ruled Miss Gamble's school since kindergarten. And they don't remember how many girls they've teased and tortured over the years, but Lauren Page, and the other girls in her class do. So she's devised a plan: to become one of the Ashley's and then destroy them. And now that her dad has created a website that made them rich, she just might have a chance. With her new makeover, Lauren thinks it'll be a piece of cake to get into the Ashley's, well the Ashley's wouldn't eat cake-carbs-hello.
               Ashley Spencer has her own problems with being the leader of the school-and her allergy to nuts-but now that Lauren's transformed, she knows that she has to take her down before she thinks she has a chance with the Ashley's (her name's not even Ashley, what's up with that?), but Lauren doesn't seem to be going anywhere-yet. Ashley Li "Lili" is also going through rough times too, with trying to be own her person, and stop being Ashley's shadow. She's so sick of Ashley always getting what she wants, and whatever she wants is always the best. Ashley Alioto "A.A." has boy troubles, with this online boyfriend who thinks she sixteen, when she's only twelve. He's sooo easy to talk to online, but if they met in person would he think she's some immature seventh grader? So you see Lauren not everyone's perfect, but the Ashleys are as close as it gets.

My Reaction: So if you've read my review on the Clique, this book kind of follows along the same lines. If there are seventh graders who are that superficial, i'm worried. These girls seem like they should be in high school rather than in jr. high. Although I can relate to some of their feelings, and I did like the ending, but it was just kind of preppy for my taste. I also thought that one day kinda dragged out for chapters at a time. I really thought that it was almost like the Clique exactly, until around the end, which I found reallllly good. My favorite part would definetly be the sleepover. All in all a pretty good book.

Rating: 6-7/10

                                      Read in Peace, 

                                                             Chantel :)   
   
P.S. Currently reading the second book, the Ashleys: Jealous?