Out with the In Crowd [NOOK Book]

I can't wait until book three is out

Review by Jill Williamson

Skylar is back for her final semester of high school and things are awkward. She'd thought that committing her life to God would make life easier, but everything is so much harder. For one, is she really supposed to be nice to her ex-friends? Especially the one who is clearly trying to steal her boyfriend? And how can she make time for that boyfriend when she has to take care of her pregnant little sister? You'd think her parents would help, but they are in the middle of a major separation/continuing meltdown. How does a girl cope?

Ack! I wanted to go straight to book three but it's not out yet! I hurt for Skylar as she went through all these troubles. This is a teen soap opera in book form. I love it, but it's so painful! I just want everything to be okay for poor Skylar, but her life is all mixed up. I liked seeing her do some hard things at the end of the book. She's a strong main character and very likable. I can't wait until book three is out so that I can see what happens to Skylar Hoyt. Fun read!

Witty and Real

Who knew that the friends who'd been with Skylar since freshman year would become the people she most wanted to avoid upon her return to school in January of her senior year? But after catching her boyfriend cheating with her best friend the previous semester, there's really no turning back the clock or pretending all's well. Her one choice is to start over.

Which would be easier if her parents' marriage weren't coming apart at the seams and her younger sister was more able to handle her pregnancy responsibly. Instead, Skylar seems stuck in the middle, trying to stitch all the fragmented pieces of her life back together at every turn.

Skylar struggles between resorting to her former selfish behavior and her new mysterious life as a Christian, which sometimes even she does not understand. She questions her ability to make right choices, her understanding of her new beliefs and her ability to be the person God has called her to be.

I really enjoyed this story and Skylar's journey through it. As a fellow oldest child, I identified with her family role and her struggle with her sister and her feelings of responsibility to those around her. Her banter back and forth with Connor was cute and lots of fun! I'd definitely read it again!

Great Young Adult Novel

"Why do I do what I don't want to do?" That is a question we all ask ourselves. Skylar Hoyt is no exception. She wants to be the young woman God calls her to be, but life just has a way of messing up her plans. Why is reinventing yourself such a difficult task?

Stephanie Morrill captures all the ups and downs of life as a teenager--the boy troubles, the parent problems, the identity issues. She does a wonderful job of showing believable characters in difficult situations. While we root for Skylar to catch a break, we understand her trials and her reactions to them.

Highly recommended for teenaged girls looking for a book to encourage their faith and challenge their hearts.

Fantastic Read

Stephanie Morrill hits another one out of the ballpark with "Out with the In Crowd." Skylar Hoyt is a fantastic character. Many teens face a lot of what Skylar goes through, and Stephanie paints a compelling picture of it all. Her writing is so smooth, and each chapter left me hanging enough to want to read more and more.

Several surprises caught me off guard. Some I liked, some I didn't, but all of them were realistic and well plotted, that's for sure. I can't wait to see where Stephanie Morrill takes Skylar in the next book, but I'm sure it'll be worth the wait!

Witty, Gripping, and Honest YA

5.0 out of 5 stars Witty, Gripping, and Honest, January 25, 2010
By Christian Review of Books - See all my reviews
Skylar isn't the same girl she used to be. She wants to be a good daughter, a good sister, a good girlfriend . . . but she isn't so sure she even knows who she is.

OUT WITH THE IN CROWD is way more than a sequel--this is a book that dives into the nitty-gritty of a young woman's heart, both the noble goals and the ugly hang-ons of her former self. It doesn't just pull you in--it connects you with the Skylar in you.

Stephanie Morrill is a talented new voice who has really outdone herself with this new book. Witty, honest, and soul-wrenching, OUT WITH THE IN CROWD won't let you go once you turn the first page.

The story will update anyone who hasn't read the first book in the series, but since it's a continuation of Skylar's story, I do recommend getting your hands on ME, JUST DIFFERENT first so you can enjoy the full rediscovery of our once-popular friend. And you'll be on pins and needles for the final book in The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt trilogy, SO OVER IT, that hits shelves this summer.

These are the perfect books for the teens in your life, but fair warning--you adults out there might just get caught up in it too. You'll be amazed at how quickly she drags you back to the drama of high school! The wit is hilarious. The plot is gripping. The characters are so honest it makes you want to take a closer look at yourself. Young Adult doesn't get any better than this!

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