The Secret Life of Prince Charming
by Deb Caletti

    THE SECRET LIFE OF PRINCE CHARMING by Deb Caletti
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  4/7/09
    Publisher:  Simon Pulse
    Reviewed by:  Amber Gibson
    Rating:  4 Stars


    The Hoffman women have absolutely awful luck in the man department. At least that is what Quinn concludes after
    analyzing her mother, Aunt Annie, and Gram. All have their fair share of failed relationship experience, stories of
    young girls in love only to have their hearts shattered by unfeeling men.

    After Quinn is spectacularly dumped, over the telephone, she develops her own jaded view of men. Daniel seemed
    so nice – polite, responsible, and respectful. But like mom says, it’s the nice ones that you have to watch out for.
    They are apt to turn around and cheat on you when you least expect it.

    Who can blame Quinn for her bleak outlook? She doesn’t exactly have a role model father figure in her life. Her real
    father, Barry, vanished when she was younger and has only recently appeared back in her life. Now Quinn and her
    little sister, Sprout, visit him on weekends, where they eat takeout, play video games, and meet his younger
    girlfriends.

    It is only after he dumps his latest conquest, Brie, whom they refer to as "the cheese," that Quinn uncovers a startling
    truth about her father. He has stolen something from every woman he has ever been involved with – and not just their
    hearts. Barry has the most prized possessions, from an African mask, to a statue originally belonging to Humphery
    Bogart, from each woman adorning his house. A twisted tribute to his womanizing ways.

    In a karmic quest, Quinn, Sprout, and Frances Lee, the half-sister she hardly knows, set out to return the items their
    father stole from the women who loved him. Sure, Quinn’s mom thinks that Quinn and Sprout are in Disneyland with
    their father (an advantage of having divorced parents is the ease of lying), but what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.

    It sounds crazy, but Quinn desperately hopes that this adventure will help her get to know her father a little better,
    and understand why he is the way he is. Even if he is completely narcissistic, inconsiderate and over-confident, in the
    end, he is still her father.

    Just because a person is bad, doesn’t necessarily mean that they are all bad, right?