IT’S A MALL WORLD AFTER ALL

Charlotte is a girl with problems, mostly of her own making, in Rallison’s funny character study. Charlotte works at the mall, spritzing perfume on unsuspecting, innocent shoppers. When she spots her best friend’s boyfriend, Bryant, with another girl, she’s outraged. Her attempts to alert her friend, help a charming little boy and maybe even start her own romance with Colton, Bryant’s handsome, rich friend, lead to more comedy. Charlotte first has to decide, though, if she wants Colton as a boyfriend. She constantly misinterprets whatever he says and can’t stop drenching him with various liquids whenever they meet. Meanwhile, charming Colton sees right through her and tolerates her silly blunders. Rallison reveals Charlotte’s character through her faults, yet winds up with an appealing portrait. It’s a deft performance done with a light touch, adding up to a romp that will delight Rallison’s fans. Plenty of laughs and some insight too. (Fiction. YA)