They’ve spent years at the same high school without speaking a word to one another, but that’s all about to change. Popular Bliss was having the perfect prom until she found her BFF and boyfriend making out in the back of a limo. Bad girl Jolene wouldn’t be caught dead at the prom, yet here she is, trussed up in pink ruffles, risking her reputation for some guy - some guy who is forty minutes late. And shy, studious, über-planner Meg never counted on her date’s standing her up and leaving her idling in the parking lot outside the prom. Get ready for The Anti-Prom, Abby McDonald’s hilarious, heart-tugging tale about three girls and one unforgettable prom night.

Three unlikely allies team up for a night of rebellion, romance, and revenge in a high-stakes dramedy from acclaimed young author Abby McDonald.

It’s the night every high school girl dreams of, her junior-senior prom. For Bliss, Jolene and Meg this is a night they’ll never forget, but not entirely for the reasons you’d assume. Bliss the popular girl, Jolene the dangerous one, and Meg the quiet girl no one seems to know all team up to get revenge and make it a prom like no other. As they take a detour out of prom to avenge those that have crossed their paths they begin to realize prom may have not been the only thing they were looking forward to out of their high school years and beyond. What begins as a simple seek-and-destroy mission quickly becomes something more, something the three of them will never forget and that will change them forever.

Who doesn’t love Abby McDonald’s writing? From her adult Chick Lit novels to her young adult novels, there’s truly something for every Chick Lit fan. The Anti-Prom is no exception, but may perhaps be my favorite of her novels to date. Spanning the entirety of a single night, McDonald takes readers on an unforgettable ride into the three minds of three very different characters. Told in rotating narratives from each girl’s point of view you are able to see how the night unfolds with three slightly varying views. Not only did this add to the pacing of the book, it also made it incredibly enjoyable as you were able to get to know each girl through their extremely different circumstances.

If I had to choose a favorite girl, it would be next to impossible because each is so different. Ultimately though, it would end up being Meg I think. Out of the group she’s the quiet unassuming character who keeps to herself and never makes waves. I could completely identify with her, especially in the beginning of the book, as I looked back on memories of my own high school years and my constant desire to blend in. As the story went on, I felt myself shift and become more well acquainted with both Bliss and Jolene. Both of these girls were “popular” in their own right, one for fashion sense & elitism and the other for rough & rude behavior. All three of the girls had something buried underneath the facade they paraded in public and as the story progressed you were able to see the layers being peeled back. What I loved most about the three girls as the story went on was that their combined narratives made up a bigger picture, a complete story. If McDonald left one out there would be an obvious gaping hole that needed to be filled in order for the book to be complete. I loved that!

As for the premise of the book…well, who wouldn’t want the “perfect” prom? I vividly remember my prom nights. The first, after not being asked, I decided to go with a group of girlfriends and ended up having a blast. My second prom wasn’t exactly as fun. I was asked and taken to prom, but spent most of my time worrying about whether the limo driver was going to take off and leave us nearly two hours away from home because he didn’t want to wait for us at the dance. Weird, I know. So obviously, not ideal. In the story Bliss had high expectations as well and when she discovers her boyfriend with her best friend in their limo, it’s all downhill from there. It’s the ultimate revenge seeking wild ride to the finish type of book that was perfectly executed by McDonald.

The Anti-Prom by Abby McDonald is a book I’d definitely recommend to readers of Chick Lit, from teens to adults. Though it may be billed as a young adult coming-of-age novel, and be appropriate for that audience mind you, it will absolutely have adult readers quickly turning its pages. How would you celebrate your prom night if you could do it exactly the way you wanted? For Bliss, Jolene and Meg it’s a revenge seeking, reckless, life changing wild ride from beginning to end. Oh, and there’s also quite a bit of romance in there as well as the absolutely perfect ending! This is a must read for Chick Lit readers everywhere, especially those fans of Abby McDonald!

If you’re a US/Canadian resident please make sure to enter our contest to win a hardback copy of The Anti-Prom by Abby McDonald w/a signed-personalized book plate!

Thank you so much to the publisher, Candlewick Press, for providing a copy of the book for review!
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