cover image The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers

The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers

Lynn Weingarten. HarperTeen, $17.99 (352p) ISBN 978-0-06-192618-1

After having been away all summer, Lucy’s boyfriend, Alex, dumps her on the first day of her sophomore year, just when she has decided she is ready to lose her virginity to him. Lucy thinks her life is over until three magnetic and beautiful girls with magical powers reach out to her, give her a makeover, and invite her into their Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers. The catch: she must break a boy’s heart within seven days and bring them his tears for a potion. The girls spend their time psychoanalyzing and manipulating boys, as well as offering Lucy advice (“Be confident and believe in your own beauty.... Turns out the deodorant commercials were right”). While Lucy remains hopeful that she can win Alex back and questions the society’s motives, someone is falling in love with her. Set over the course of a week, Weingarten’s (Wherever Nina Lies) second novel is tense yet comforting. As Lucy is challenged to break out of her shell, the author’s meditations on love, heartache, choice, and power will hit home with teens. Ages 13–up. (Jan.)