So Not Happening

So Not Happening is about a girl who faces culture shock when she goes from living as a pampered New York princess to living in a small town in Oklahoma. Bella is a sweet girl and suffers through the big changes she has to face in a typical teen way. She learns from her actions and faces a mystery in her challenge to fit in. This is a Christian novel but the Christianity isn't rubbed in your face or a large part of the plot, she prays a bit and goes to a FCA meeting but nothing that would put off a Non-Christian reader. There is no drinking by the main characters (and the characters do a good job of just saying no when they're at parties where alcohol is involved) and no sex at all in the book (just a little bit of kissing). This book reads like a book that's geared towards older teens but would be appropriate for anyone who is interested.

I'm actually 59. I did recently retire from teaching high school, so the beginning drew me in with the typical high school drama. But this book soon became so much more than just high school drama. I laughed, I cried, I sat on the edge of my chair. I didn't put it down until it was finished. I was surprised at the amount of intrigue in this book, especially since the author is described as a writer of Christian Fiction. The Christian part was present, but you weren't overwhelmed by it. A few personal prayers to help Bella get through some sticky spots, but it wasn't the main focus. I would recommend this to any female regardless of age or religion. It wasn't the bubblegum sweet I thought it might have been. I'm So Sure, the next book by Jenny B. Jones,is supposed to be out November 2009. I look forward to reading about Bella once again. Edit: I just heard from a 14 year old who read the book. I sent her a copy. She LOVED it and is mad at me because the next book about Bella is 5 months away. My solution was to send her another set of 3 books by Jenny B. Jones.

First she brought us Katie Parker, the loveable yet snarky teen heroine who couldn't seem to stay out of trouble. We followed Katie's hilarious escapades through In Between, On the Loose, and The Big Picture, and it was a sad day when the Katie Parker Production series ended. What would we do without our Katie and Mad Maxine fixes? Luckily, Jenny B. Jones got right to work on a new set of books for Thomas Nelson called The Charmed Life series. So Not Happening introduces us to Bella Kirkwood, a New York socialite teen who, much to her dismay, finds herself packing her Prada bags and heading to Oklahoma. Her mom has remarried, her plastic surgeon father is ensconced in his work (and his latest girlfriend), and Bella is forced to abandon everything she holds dear. And did we mention she now has to share space with two step-brothers? This is SO not good. Well, actually, it is--for readers. So Not Happening is full of the humor and snappy comebacks we've come to expect in a Jenny B. Jones novel. Yet mixed in with all the mayhem and high school drama are poignant truths and spiritual insights. Bella deals with tough issues that all teens will relate to, but there's never a note of condescension. This is real life drama . . . complete with cow patties. It's important to note that although Jenny's novels are technically classified as YA fiction, adults enjoy them, too. Everyone's been a teen. Both young and old can relate to the universal themes of acceptance and fitting in. Add a dash of mystery and suspense ala Brandilyn Collins, and Bella's escapades will keep you flipping pages. She may not be Katie Parker, and you might miss Mad Maxine, but Jenny B. Jones' writing is always fresh, relevant and snappy. Book #1 in The Charmed Life series will certainly charm it's way onto the bookshelves of any lover of chick lit and fun, light-hearted fiction. --Reviewed by C.J. Darlington for TitleTrakk

I loved this first book in the new Charmed Life series by Jenny B. Jones. It's hilarious, touching, has witty characters, romance, and a mystery that needs to be solved. What more could I ask for in a book? I'm crazy about the Katie Parker series and was quite surprised to find that I loved this book equally as much. And, for anyone that thinks this book is just for teens, I'm forty something and loved every page! Especially the pajama pants in the tree scene. Priceless! Really looking forward to the next book in the series.

What do you get when you take Paris Hilton, marry her mom to a small town Oklahoma farmer with a secret regarding spandex, one step brother that is a brilliant, 6 year old, wannabe super hero and another step brother who drives a hearse to school. Mix in some mysterious deaths, some friend issues and the downside of blogging and what do you have? You have Bella Kirkwood, Jenny B. Jones' newest heroine and you have a hit! I loved this book! I ate it up and can not wait until the next book comes out. This is listed as a YA book and is wonderful for that, but lest you think it is not for adults, let me settle that issue right now - if you love a little humor mixed in with your mystery, drama and comedy then you will love this book.