From the moment I saw the cover to this book I knew I had to read it as soon as I could, whilst I’m not remotely a pink person the little computer characters and generally pixelated look of it really appealed to my inner geek. Then there was the synopsis, the idea that Lex could influence real life via a computer game, an intriguing concept. I thought I had a bit of an inkling of what to expect from this book, my expectations were met and exceeded my far.

I loved the plot of this book, Lex is made to go on a film-making course over half term – she sees it as a punishment but her headteacher sees it as an opportunity for her to reach her full potential. Along with her on the course are her friends, and her ex-boyfriend and Lex’s former best friend who masterminded the break up. Lex’s friend George shows her a computer game Life, Love, Looks that his dad is testing, they build characters for everyone on the course and then Lex starts to have fun making alterations to them so that the digital versions match up better with her ideal situation.

This wouldn’t be a great contemporary story if there wasn’t some brilliant romantic tension, and this book certainly ticks that box. Lex is still lusting after Matt, her ex-boyfriend, but is increasingly aware of her fellow always in trouble student Drew. He seems to have ideas about Lex, but she’s too hung up on Matt to really consider him… well maybe. Whilst Lex is trying to work out her feelings, her next door neighbour and close friend George is trying his hardest to get Jess to notice him despite her opinion that high school boys are all far too immature.

The characters within this book are brilliant, I found myself comparing them to some of the people I was at school with. These characters are all so real, the way they talk to one another and relate to one another really rings true. I loved the way that so many of the characters had hidden depths, it was a real pleasure getting to know them all better. Lex is a great leading lady, whilst at times I found her view of things difficult to agree with felt I could understand her really well. I loved Drew too, he’s the kind of male character I know the teen me would love because the grown up me still does!

It’s really hard to explain why I loved this book so much without spoiling the reading experience. I was really enjoying it and then reached a point where for me it went from being a great book to being an absolutely brilliant one. When I finished it I marvelled at the cleverness of the book, and how it evolved over the course of just under 300 pages. It’s a week now since I finished it, and my thoughts still keep returning to it.

I think this book will be a really valuable read for all teenagers, it’s prompted me to start a list of books that my future library must own. I know I’m going to be recommending it to anyone who’ll listen. ( )

From the moment I saw the cover to this book I knew I had to read it as soon as I could, whilst I’m not remotely a pink person the little computer characters and generally pixelated look of it really appealed to my inner geek. Then there was the synopsis, the idea that Lex could influence real life via a computer game, an intriguing concept. I thought I had a bit of an inkling of what to expect from this book, my expectations were met and exceeded my far.

I loved the plot of this book, Lex is made to go on a film-making course over half term – she sees it as a punishment but her headteacher sees it as an opportunity for her to reach her full potential. Along with her on the course are her friends, and her ex-boyfriend and Lex’s former best friend who masterminded the break up. Lex’s friend George shows her a computer game Life, Love, Looks that his dad is testing, they build characters for everyone on the course and then Lex starts to have fun making alterations to them so that the digital versions match up better with her ideal situation.

This wouldn’t be a great contemporary story if there wasn’t some brilliant romantic tension, and this book certainly ticks that box. Lex is still lusting after Matt, her ex-boyfriend, but is increasingly aware of her fellow always in trouble student Drew. He seems to have ideas about Lex, but she’s too hung up on Matt to really consider him… well maybe. Whilst Lex is trying to work out her feelings, her next door neighbour and close friend George is trying his hardest to get Jess to notice him despite her opinion that high school boys are all far too immature.

The characters within this book are brilliant, I found myself comparing them to some of the people I was at school with. These characters are all so real, the way they talk to one another and relate to one another really rings true. I loved the way that so many of the characters had hidden depths, it was a real pleasure getting to know them all better. Lex is a great leading lady, whilst at times I found her view of things difficult to agree with felt I could understand her really well. I loved Drew too, he’s the kind of male character I know the teen me would love because the grown up me still does!

It’s really hard to explain why I loved this book so much without spoiling the reading experience. I was really enjoying it and then reached a point where for me it went from being a great book to being an absolutely brilliant one. When I finished it I marvelled at the cleverness of the book, and how it evolved over the course of just under 300 pages. It’s a week now since I finished it, and my thoughts still keep returning to it.

I think this book will be a really valuable read for all teenagers, it’s prompted me to start a list of books that my future library must own. I know I’m going to be recommending it to anyone who’ll listen. ( )

I think the target market for this book is probably a bit younger than I would normally go for - aged 13-14, perhaps - but nevertheless it was a fun little read. Lex is what she calls 'an Improver'. She is always being called to see Mr Trench in his office, and now he has a novel form of punishment for her: she and her fellow Improver Drew must take his half-term film course, along with their more studious school friends who have already signed up by choice (shock horror).

At the same time, Lex and her friend George are helping test a Sims-esque computer game for his father. Things get interesting when they realise that the changes they're making to their avatar settings in the game - in Life, Looks and Love - are miraculously coming true, and they decide that this is their chance to do a little sneaky matchmaking. But does Lex want to be with her perfect ex Matt, or with rebellious Drew? Can George handle all the attention he's suddenly getting from the ladies? And more importantly - how on earth will they deal with the fall-out when the game expires at the end of the week?

Although I'm not a huge fan of 'high school' fiction - I've done it once, I don't want to relive it now - I actually rather enjoyed this one. The quirky premise drew me in, and I liked the fact that the sparkling humour - which occasionally felt a little forced - was mostly spot on and really made me chuckle! It's also a British novel, which makes a nice change when it comes to the pop culture references, in particular. A smart, fluffy read that proved to be a great diversion during a busy weekend at work - though I'd probably recommend that on this occasion, you buy it for the teenage girl in your life rather than for yourself... ( )