Book Review: Pants on Fire

TITLE: Pants on Fire (or Tommy Sulliven is a Freak in some countries)
AUTHOR: Meg Cabot
PART OF SERIES: stand alone novel
PUBLISHED: 2007
GENRE: Young adult, romance, chick-lit
PREMISE: Katie has it all right now: she's popular, has the hottest guy in school (even though he's boring and she somehow ends up making out with another guy instead) and is in the running for the local pageant. The last thing she needs is her former friend Tommy coming back out of the blue. Especially considering the way he left...
MY REVIEW: I admit, I adore Meg Cabot's books. Yes, they are cheesy, predictable chick-lit but they're GOOD cheesy, predictable chick-lit. Cabot's characters are always fun and she does try to add twists here and there to her books. Plus, she's hilarious. Even if the story is lacking somewhat, I still enjoy it and she makes these books very relateable.
That said, Pants on Fire...maybe not her best work. But it is still a fun quick read. The couple is also really interesting this time around. I loved the banter between Tommy and Katie (especially when he first comes back and she's trying to figure out what he wants). I also like that she tries not to make people stereotypes. Sidney could have easily been cast as resident mean girl a la Gossip Girl in this book but instead, Cabot gives her some character and shows she's not a stereotype, she's just human. There are also some messages about special treatment and peer pressure and whatnot but it's subtle and not preachy like some Young adult message books can be.
So all in all, Cabot's usual fun ride but not quite her best (which is still Princess Diaries and The Mediator series in my opinion). In case anyone wants to find out just how hilarious she is, check out her blog on her website: www.megcabot.com.
WHO SHOULD READ: Meg Cabot fans, teens looking for a decent romance or quick fun read
MY RATING: Three and a half out of Five cameras (it makes sense when you read the book)