How To Be Bad... ROAD TRIP!

How To Be Bad
Written by E. Lockhart, Lauren Myracle and Sarah Mlynowski
Contemporary, Road Trip
Published June 2015
288 Pages
Thank you to Five Mile Press and Hot Key Books
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RATING ★★★
When you're tired of being good, sometimes you gotta be a little bad ...

Jesse, Vicks and Mel couldn't be more different. Jesse, a righteous Southern gal who's as thoughtful as she is uptight, is keeping a secret that she knows will change her life forever. Vicks is a wild child: seemingly cool, calm and collected on the outside, but inside she's furious at herself for being so anxious about her neglectful boyfriend. And Mel is the new girl in town. She's already been dismissed as just another rich kid, but all she wants is to get over some of her fears and find some true friends.

But for all their differences, the girls discover they've got one thing in common, they're desperate to escape. Desperate to get the heck out of Niceville and discover their true badass selves! Even if it's just for the weekend... One borrowed car later, it's time to hit the road and head for Miami. Hearts will be broken, friendships will be tested, and a ridiculously hot stranger could change the course of everything.
Jesse is a good Christian girl. Always level headed, but casts her stern judgement upon others. She and best friend Vicks work at the local Waffle House, where wild girl Vicks is currently in crisis mode. Boyfriend Brady has left for college and has stopped communicating, fueling fears that he has met someone else. The friendship between Jesse and Vicks has been strained of late, Jesse's faith leading her to question her friend's life choices while hiding a secret of her own. Hoping to reconnect, Jesse whisks Vicks away across the state to see Brady, but neither were prepared for the wealthy and demure Mel to invite herself along.

With both Jesse and Vicks without a cent to their names, Mel is their meal ticket and offers to pay for their fuel and meals in the hopes of developing a friendship with the girls. While on the road, Mel meets the charismatic Marco while Vicks is still pining for the still very much absent Brady. Neither compares to what waits for Jesse upon returning home.

MY THOUGHTS

I love adventure. Quirky road trips where not only discover themselves but that there is more to life beyond the trivial issues of being a teen. Jesse, Vicks and Mel are all unique characters in their own right. Jesse is religious and very judgmental, Vicks the party girl with the boyfriend and Mel is the wealthy quiet type who is just looking to make a friend. What sets out as a journey for Vicks to visit her boyfriend at collage, turns into an adventure of pirate themed hotels, the world's smallest police station and an urban legend in Old Joe. Each character is somewhat relatable, but Jesse tended to get on my nerves. She's painted as what could only be called trailer trash, but uses her beliefs to cast judgement upon others, especially Vicks and the two girls have drifted apart. She only agrees to allow Mel to tag along so she can pay for their fuel, food and accommodation, but loathes her for having wealth. She's a walking contradiction.

Vicks and Mel are more more engaging characters. I love Vicks and her brazen attitude. She's crass, but there is something incredibly genuine about her and she lured me into the storyline. But underneath the facade, she's terrified of reaching Miami and discovering Brady has met someone else. She jumps to conclusions but at that age, even the most confident teens still hold a certain level of self doubt. Unlike Jess, Vicks and Mel have a tentative bond between the two, leaving Jesse feeling hostile. But beyond the tension lies a fun and often flirtatious storyline of female bonding and an epic road trip of a life time.

THE VERDICT

Having loved We Were Liars and enjoyed The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks, How to Be Bad was a well written and fun teen read. E. Lockhart, Lauren Myracle and Sarah Mlynowski have crafted a seamless storyline from three different points of view that was not only engaging, but a great summer read. Really enjoyed it and excited to see what E. Lockhart is working on next.

37 comments

  1. I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed this one! I read it years ago and still re-read it from time to time when I need something fun yet substantial. I agree with everything you said about Vicks - despite a tough facade, she's so lovable and vulnerable, which is great to read about.

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    1. I really liked her character and looked forward to her chapters. Jesse was far too judgmental for my liking, and the way she treated Mel was deplorable. But thankfully both Mel and Vicks more than made up for her horrid nature. So glad you enjoyed this one too Emily.

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  2. Another one by E. Lockhart? I still haven't read We Were Liars which is a real problem. I really want to be done with that book because it's been on my TBR list since forever and I'm also intrigued by it. Maybe after I finish that one I'll pick up this one!

    Alex @ The Boo'ks Buzz

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    1. We Were Liars was brilliant! I was lucky enough to have read it as soon as it was released and completely blew me away. How To Be Bad is far more relaxed though, a semi coming of age story about friendship and adventure. I can't wait to see what you think of both of them Alex.

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  3. I like the look of this one! :) I really hope I enjoy it when I finally find the time to read it.

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    1. It's really engaging and a fun, quick read Charnell. I have no doubt you'll enjoy it as much as I have.

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  4. I didn't request this because I haven't been a fan of E Lockhart's other books, sadly. But I'm almost convinced by this one, because I DO love road trips.

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    1. Me too poppet, those adventure road trips where you meet a whole bevy of new and quirky characters along the way. If you weren't a fan of her other reads, you'll probably really enjoy this one. It's nothing like We Were Liars, and really has a sense of fun instilled within the storyline. Give it a try though, it might really surprise you.

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  5. I have a copy of this from a long time ago. I really do need to check it out. I've only read We Were Liars by E. Lockhart, and I find books written by more than one author to be interesting. I can't imagine co-writing a book!! Glad you enjoyed this one. :)

    -Lauren

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    1. I tend to really enjoy them Lauren, and love hearing two very distinct voices when you're reading from multiple points of view. I really enjoyed it, despite the issues I found with Jesse. Hopefully you can get around to reading it soon, looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

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  6. So basically I've heard a lot about the books of the respective authors (and the cover REALLY reminds me of We Were Liars). Contemporary and road trips really aren't my favourite, but girl bonding? pirate-themed hotels? people who aren't what they seem? I WANT IT. But I still can't decide whether I should pick up We Were Liars first or this one ...

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    1. Yeah, same cover design with the font especially. We Were Liars has a completely different feel. It's all about the shock value, where How To Be Bad is far more relaxed and you can really enjoy it's simplicity.

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  7. Ok, I better get off my but and look into E. Lockhart :-)

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    1. Yes, you must Sarah. She's an awesome young adult author. Especially We Were Liars. It'll knock your socks off.

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  8. I'm glad to see that you really enjoyed this book. I read and LOVED We Were Liars, so I was thinking about picking up this one since E. Lockhart was one of the authors. I'm definitely going to have to pick it up now. Great review!
    Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian

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    1. Thanks Krystianna. I loved We Were Liars as well, and although this one is contemporary with a completely different feel, it's still an awesomely fun read. Looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

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  9. This sounds like a wonderful read! I really loved We Were Liars and it's been a long time since I read a book about friends and female bonding and also ages since I devoured a story with a road trip. After reading your review, I already feel like I am going to adore this book, especially Vicks.
    Great review as always Kelly!

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    1. Vicks was an awesome character. Tough on the outside, but she's actually quite sensitive and insecure. I really felt sorry for poor Mel though, she didn't care that she was being used, she was just so desperate for a female friend. I can't wait to see what you think of it Mishma, it's a wonderful read.

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  10. This is so weird. I've never heard of this book before which is quite shocking because both of the authors are well known. I never actually read anything from Lockhart before :P Maybe it's time to change that. Thanks for this wonderful review, Kelly! <3

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    1. You haven't read We Were Liars? Oh Paula, I'll have to insist you rectify this immediately. Grab a copy of How To Be Bad and I'll expect your book report by next weekend.

      You're dismissed.

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  11. Wow this sounds gorgeous! It's a road trip (I haven't read a road trip book in a long time) which means I'll love it for sure. Question: is Jesse's "secret" worth it considering how judgemental she is portrayed to be? I'd also read it just to learn about this "ridiculously hot stranger". :P

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    1. Oh no, her secret is something that she hasn't shared with her friend Vicks, but nothing at all to do with what a judgmental asshole she is. The ridiculously hot stranger is really lovely, the only romance throughout the storyline and only plays a minor role. Looking forward to seeing what you think of it Mawa.

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  12. I'm with Paula on this one, for whatever reason How To Be Bad was not on my radar.....yet, I know all three of these authors quite well. That being said, I love books about Road Trips so i'm definitely considering it adding it to my TBR.... Thank you for putting it on my radar!!!

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    1. Would love to see what you think of it Lily, it a quick and fun read, never taking itself too seriously. We really need more young adult road trip adventure books, I love that type of self realisation coming of age storyline.

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  13. Road trips and genuine characters and a motley crew? I THINK I NEED THIS. I've only read We Were Liars by E Lockhart, sooo, I'm guessing I need to read something else by her too, and this one doesn't sound quite so devastating. heh. HEHE. Or are you keeping things from us???? Does it have a punching twist like We Were Liars? HMMM, KELLY????

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    1. It might, it might not.

      No surprises with this one fortunately, nothing to rip your heart out or make you crawl into a bawl and sob until the cows come home. Just good old fashion female bonding.

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  14. I added this to my TBR right now - I love the concept of road trips in book, it's one of my favorites. I'm not sure why I haven't read this book yet, although I do want to try this one soon. Lovely review Kelly <3 Benish | Feminist Reflections

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    1. Mine too Benish. I love the adventure, the quirky characters and traveling through the points of view of each character. It's a fun and easy read, looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

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  15. You know, now that I think of it, I don't think I have ever delved into a road trip narrative. I can see how they could be engrossing though! My family and I have loads of fun whenever we take on one.

    How To Be Bad sounds like a character-driven story, I really like this aspect of a novel. Especially when the characters are believable and raw. Great review Kelly!

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    1. Ooh, Claudia. You're really missing out. Adventure road trips are fabulous books, most of the time. Meeting quirky characters along the way, finding your feet and bonding. I'm a massive fan.

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  16. Saw this one at the bookstore and I like how the characters aren't the typical ones that you love you know? I like the diversity in this book. Lovely review!

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    1. Thanks Jeann. They're a blend of Christian, wild girl and the typical rich girl, which is usually a strange dynamic, but worked really well. I love road trips! Definitely one to check out.

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  17. I haven't heard of this one before, but I'm definitely going to check it out. Might be a good introduction to these authors, three for the price of one! ;)

    - Wattle @ Whimsical Nature

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    1. It is and what a great way to look at it actually. I've been a fan of E. Lockhart since reading We Were Liars. Although I didn't like this as much, I still really enjoyed it. I haven't read anything by Lauren Myracle and Sarah Mlynowski, so will definitely be checking them out soon too.

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  18. Thanks for putting this one on my radar! I am a fan of E. Lockhart's gorgeous writing, so I have no doubt this book doesn't lack in that area. The dynamic between the three characters is reason enough to read this book. I can't wait to read of their fun adventures and the revelations and character growth we'll see. Oh lovely review, my dear <3

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    1. Thanks Rachel. If you love an awesome adventure type road trip, then you'll really enjoy this one. Looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

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  19. I just finished this and really enjoyed it! I love how the three characters were so different and that they all developed by the end. The extras at the end with the info on how the authors ended up writing together and music playlists were a nice touch too. Great review as always Kelly :)

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