PEER PLEASURE

Six teens fall in and out of love and fashion in this multicultural, second-rate Gossip Girl takeoff: red-haired runway model Madison, budding hip-hop star Lucas, competitive twins Kennedy and Reagan, sleazy Ian and nerdy former child star Peyton. All of the characters are likable enough, but none has the catty, double-edged, damaged joie de vivre of Von Ziegesar’s creations nor do they partake of the same delicious antics. Moreover, the plotting, which takes a while to build, lacks the hilariously, sassy tone and fast-paced drama of the also-similar Hotlanta, by Denene Millner and Mitzi Miller (2008). Carter’s characterizations and dialogue are spotty, with some of her cast feeling more fully fleshed-out than others. She does include some commendably frank discussions of safe sex that could catch new readers off guard but most likely won’t cause Gossip Girl or Clique fans to raise an eyebrow. (Fiction. YA)