The Trouble with Flirting

by Claire LaZebnik

Overview

Franny's supposed to be working this summer, not flirting. But you can't blame her when guys like Alex and Harry are around. . . .

Franny Pearson never dreamed she'd be attending the prestigious Mansfield Summer Theater Program. And she's not, exactly. She's working for her aunt, the resident costume designer. But sewing her fingers to the bone does give her an opportunity to spend time with her crush, Alex Braverman. If only he were as taken with the girl hemming his trousers as he is with his new leading lady.

When Harry Cartwright, a notorious flirt, shows more than a friendly interest in Franny, she figures it can't hurt to have a little fun. But as their breezy romance grows more complicated, can Franny keep pretending that Harry is just a carefree fling? And why is Alex suddenly giving her those deep, meaningful looks? In this charming tale of mixed messages and romantic near-misses, one thing is clear: Flirting might be more trouble than Franny ever expected.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780061921278
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	02/26/2013
Pages:	313
Product dimensions:	5.38(w) x 7.84(h) x 0.86(d)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Claire LaZebnik lives in Los Angeles with her TV-writer husband and four children. She has co-authored two books about autism with Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel (Overcoming Autism and Growing Up on the Spectrum). Her previous novels include Knitting Under the Influence, The Smart One and the Pretty One, Families and Other Nonreturnable Gifts, Epic Fail, The Trouble with Flirting, and The Last Best Kiss.

Editorial Reviews

LaZebnik updated Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice in 2011’s Epic Fail; now she turns to Mansfield Park, giving the theatrics of the original (both on- and off-stage) the rom-com treatment. Standing in for Austen’s Fanny Price is Franny Pearson, a junior who is eager to find a summer job to save for college. Since Franny can sew, her grumpy aunt agrees to let her work in the costume department at elite Mansfield College, where high school–age aspiring actors hone their Shakespeare over the summer. Upon arrival, Franny quickly makes friends (and frenemies) with the well-to-do kids enrolled, including her old crush, Alex. Franny falls for this outwardly sweet boy, but Alex chooses gorgeous Isabelle instead. Meanwhile, Harry, a hot guy with questionable intentions, lavishes Franny with affection. While LaZebnik offers flirtatious entanglements aplenty, she only scratches the surface of her large cast of characters. Readers who enjoy romantic folly might bite, so long as they are in the mood for heavy banter and a featherweight plot. Ages 13–up. Agent: Alexis Hurley, Inkwell Management. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

High school junior Franny Pearson reluctantly accepts a job sewing costumes for the renowned Mansfield College Summer Theater Program and finds herself in the middle of her own romantic drama. Franny enjoys acting, but with her parents divorced and money tight, she settles for working as her aunt's assistant in Mansfield's program and is pleasantly surprised when an old friend, Julia Braverman, arrives for the program with her brother Alex. Franny's always had a crush on kindhearted Alex. When she's not sewing, Franny hangs out with the self-absorbed, well-to-do Mansfield students, who find her sympathetic and intelligent. She's pleased and hopeful when Alex pays attention to her, even though he seems involved with another student. She's confused and mildly irritated when flirtatious heartthrob Harry Cartwright pretends he's attracted to her. Convinced Harry's not serious, the flattered Franny flirts back with surprising results, leaving her even more confused about Alex and Harry. Bemused Franny's first-person, present-tense voice gives humor and urgency to her firsthand chronicle of the vagaries of the human heart. The novel is loosely based on Mansfield Park, and unfortunately, the somewhat superficial teen characters and twisted plot pale in comparison with the original. This light summer romance with a theater theme is good for a getaway but not much more. (Fiction. 13 & up)

Kirkus Reviews

Gr 8 Up—In this light, romantic tribute to Jane Austen, the setting is a theater program for high school students at Mansfield College, and the plot focuses on who is courting whom. Franny Pearson is surrounded by talented teens who are attending a six-week program to hone their acting skills. Franny, however, is there to work as a seamstress for her Aunt Amelia, the college's costume director. Most of the self-centered, insecure teens are seeking a love interest to complete their summer fun. When Franny meets an old friend, Julia Braverman, she recalls the crush she had on Julia's older brother when she was in eighth grade and is delighted to find out he's there, too. Spending time and sharing meals with the actors when she is not working, Franny enjoys the attention she receives from Alex but is confused as to why he would then choose to spend most of his time with beautiful Isabella. Meanwhile handsome, irresistible Harry flirts with all of the females willing to fall at his feet, convincing Franny that he's not to be trusted. Still, she has a wonderful time with him on one of the group's outings and the two become a couple. Enter Alex. Once again he touches Franny's heart, and she is left trying to figure out who is two-timing whom and what her role is in the summer's complicated relationship configurations. If you need enjoyable beach reads for teens looking for airy intrigue and affairs of the heart, this volume works.—Joanne K. Cecere, Monroe-Woodbury High School, Central Valley, NY

School Library Journal