THE REECE MALCOLM LIST

If this novel was a musical, it'd get average reviews and see a modest run.

After the death of her emotionally distant father, Devan is full of mixed emotions about moving to Los Angeles to live with her mother. Not only has she never met her mother, but the woman in question is reclusive, best-selling author Reece Malcolm. Reece is welcoming, but Devan is still uncertain about their relationship, even after spying on her reveals that her fears are unfounded. At the same time, Devan's school life quickly gains in importance as she participates in show choir and gets the lead role in her favorite musical. Friendship and romantic tension keep her life off-stage just as challenging. But when Devan discovers a secret that Reece has been hiding from her, can she cope with yet another challenge? Although Devan's love of musicals shines through, most character traits are told and not shown. The two plot threads—Devan's adjustment to her new life and her relationship with her mother—feel unbalanced, especially in the second half of the novel. Lazy and mannered writing is evident: Coincidences and the use of the strike-through, as in "probably maybe I don't know possibly," are frequent.

Good for theater junkies who don't mind some spare drama.