All You Never Wanted

Money is no object for sisters Alex and Thea Parrott after their divorced mother marries Arthur, “the McDaddy of Sugar Daddies.” However, where they end up isn’t where they want to be. The internship at a fashion magazine that Arthur finagles for high school senior Alex ends up being a disaster. When she returns home humiliated and too anxious to eat, socialize, or leave the house, Thea, a junior, thinks it may be her turn to steal the spotlight, as well as Alex’s pot-dealing boyfriend, Joshua. Thea discovers too late that making up stories isn’t the best way to win friends. Spanning one frantic, life-changing weekend as the sisters prepare to throw a party, Griffin’s (Tighter) hard-edged novel offers an in-depth examination of two teens coming to painful terms with what they need, as well as what they’ve lost by having extreme wealth dumped in their laps. If the “poor little rich girl” theme is somewhat well-worn, Griffin shows her customary skill at honing in on her protagonists’ perceptions, internal conflicts, and uncomfortable relationships. Ages 14–up. Agent: Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency. (Oct.)