Sheer Bliss

SHEER BLISS by Frances O'Brien
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 10/12/06
Publisher: Troubador
Reviewed by: Jocelyn Pearce
Rating: 5 Stars

SHEER BLISS is a ton of fun to read. I've noticed a trend in tween/teen books lately; a lot seem to be about life in the
spotlight. Sometimes, they're about teen celebrities. Other times, the main characters are, like Bliss Drew, famous because
of who they're related to. Another book I enjoyed about the daughter of a famous celebrity was MY LIFE STARRING
MUM by Chloe Rayban; that one was quite enjoyable, and, coincidentally, the daughter's name was Hollywood Bliss
Winterman! Apparently, fictional celebrities love the name Bliss!

These inside-looks at Hollywood are always a lot of fun, and this one even more so than most. Besides her movie star
mother Angel Drew, Bliss has another family member who loves to be in the spotlight: her grandmother, Ellen. When she
becomes engaged to a much, much younger man named Enrique, Bliss's grandmother, who has had pretty much every
known cosmetic procedure to make her look younger, actually schedules a photo shoot at Bliss's house to advertise her
engagement!

In her family, Bliss is a little unusual. Far from craving the spotlight, Bliss goes out of her way to avoid it. She likes her
privacy, which is unfortunate, as Angel Drew is her mother.

This love of privacy, among other things, can get Bliss into a little trouble. Her mother believes that what she needs to
straighten her out is Moyra, a pricey "parent/teen consultant" who seems determined to ruin Bliss's life. Bliss is sure she can
get rid of what she feels is just one more in a long line of nannies--but Moyra is a lot more determined (and a lot more evil)
than the rest!

On top of having a lot to deal with as the daughter of a celebrity, Bliss also has to handle the problems of a normal
twelve-year-old girl. She doesn't get along with the popular girls at school. Her best friend, Coco, has become super
boy-crazy since she turned thirteen. And Bliss's other best friend, J.K., is recovering from leukemia.

SHEER BLISS is a quick read, and a funny one. It's real, entertaining, and told in Bliss's fresh, realistic voice. It's sure to be
a hit with readers! I can't wait to read the upcoming sequel, A VERY BRITISH SORT OF BLISS!