52 REASONS TO HATE MY FATHER by Jessica Brody

Title: 52 REASONS TO HATE MY FATHER
Author: Jessica Brody
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux (a Macmillan imprint)
Release Date:  July 3, 2012
Number of Pages: 335
Source of Book: ARC from publisher at IRA

Being America’s favorite heiress is a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.

Lexington Larrabee has never to work a day in her life.
After all, she’s the heiress to the multi-billion-dollar Larrabee Media
empire. And heiresses are not supposed to work. But then again, they’re
not supposed to crash brand new Mercedes convertibles into convenience
stores on Sunset Blvd either.

Which is why, on Lexi’s eighteen
birthday, her ever-absent, tycoon father decides to take a more
proactive approach to her wayward life. Every week for the next year,
she will have to take on a different low-wage job if she ever wants to
receive her beloved trust fund. But if there’s anything worse than
working as a maid, a dishwasher, and a fast-food restaurant employee,
it’s dealing with Luke, the arrogant, albeit moderately attractive,
college intern her father has assigned to keep tabs on her.

In a
hilarious “comedy of heiress” about family, forgiveness, good
intentions, and best of all, second chances, Lexi learns that love can
be unconditional, money can be immaterial, and, regardless of age,
everyone needs a little saving. And although she might have 52 reasons
to hate her father, she only needs one reason to love him.

When I read the summary of this book, I figured it would be a fun read, and since I thoroughly enjoyed Jessica Brody’s last book, MY LIFE UNDECIDED, I decided to pick this one up on a break from fantasy books.  It was a little bit predictable, but like a good chick flick, it was a comforting read.

22 Reasons to Enjoy Reading 52 REASONS TO HATE MY FATHER
1. It’s a cute contemporary book
2. It has a splash of celebutante fascination culture, but looks at it with a critical eye
3. There is a sweet dash of romance with a really good guy
4. The writing is straight-forward in Lexington’s head, which is a fun place to be
5. Characters figuring out their relationships with their families and fixing the damage
6. True friends who are dedicated, honest, and there for each other (even if they were very secondary characters and not around too much)
7. Ronaldo. No, really, he is deserving of his very own number and I wish there had been more of him in the story.
8. Ronaldo’s family
9. Horatio & Kingston (notice the help)
10. The scene where Lexi takes Luke shopping (and stares)
11. The video message status update transcripts
12. The video message non-status-update transcript from Luke
13. The video message transcript ending wrap-up from Lexi
14. The family being truly at the heart of the story-more so than expected
15. Lexington’s phone call with her brother Cooper
16. The list of the 52 jobs (hilarity can and will ensue) and eye-opening nature of how hard people work
17. The moment when we find out the why of those 52 jobs (so smart!)
18. It’s clean enough for 7th grade, but will appeal all the way to beyond high school
19. The spy mission at the end
20. The heartfelt father/daughter moment
21. Lexington’s self-discovery of her own strength of character
22. It’s sassy, sarcastic, sweet, humorous, heart-warming, heartfelt, enjoyable, entertaining, and engaging personality

I’ve come to rely on Jessica Brody for these kinds of light, easy to read, engaging, fun books. Pick up 52 REASONS TO HATE MY FATHER the next time you’re in the mood for that kind of read. I look forward to seeing what she’ll have for us next!