cover image 52 Reasons to Hate My Father

52 Reasons to Hate My Father

Jessica Brody. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $16.99 (352p) ISBN 978-0-374-32303-5

Famous and spoiled teenage heiress Lexington Larrabee could give the Kardashians a run for their money in this opulent and fast-paced story. Lexi finally pushes her media-mogul father too far when she crashes her new Mercedes convertible into a convenience store after a night of partying. Fed up, her stereotypically distant billionaire father withholds more than love: he decides not to give his daughter access to her $25 million trust fund on her 18th birthday. The only way Lexi can get it back is to complete 52 menial jobs, one each week for a year. Lexi must report daily to her father’s college-age intern, Luke, after cleaning houses, bagging groceries, selling tacos, and more. Brody (My Life Undecided) makes her self-absorbed and snotty main character relatable—even likable—as she grows emotionally and gains insight into her father’s actions. Though the plot, including a rich boy/regular boy love triangle, is often predictable, sharp writing and over-the-top scenes will appeal to readers looking for a fun summer read. Ages 12–up. Agent: Bill Contardi, Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents. (July)