Harmony Book Reviews

Fourteen year old Haley Patterson uses her freshman year as an opportunity to make a name for herself on the school newspaper and spend time with her friends. But when she accidentally gets Camilla Quinn, the popular girl and Queen Bee of the school, in trouble by leaking a little bit too much information on Camilla’s latest party in her gossip column, Haley finds herself friendless and the target of Camilla’s bullying.

Her only escape comes when she is forced to spend the summer with her Aunt Bitsy and work at an exclusive resort. Though she faces problems at first, Haley soon finds herself making new friends and dating the super-hot lifeguard that all the girls have a crush on. But, of course, good things don’t last and Haley soon finds herself heart-broken and humiliated. Then, just as she’s starting to see the light, Camilla shows up and Haley has to decide whether or not to let Camilla continue to destroy her happiness.

Defying the Diva is a fast-paced, heartbreaking, and truthful novel about what happens to the targets of bullying. Each of the characters, from Harrison, the quiet song writer, to Frankie, the overweight but cheerful girl, is well developed and easy to relate to. While I’ve never gone through anything quiet as horrible, Haley’s story definitely hit home with me and I could not put it down once I started it. Whether you’ve been the target for teasing, had your best friend turn on you, or been cheated on by a guy, I highly recommend buying Defying the Diva the minute you see it.