Ghost of a Chance

A boy-crazy California girl learns the value of female friendship in this sweet, low-key ghost story. Melissa's parents are divorcing, her nine-year-old brother is desperately needy, and her best friend Chloe seems to have the perfect life. Chloe's perky self-confidence, winning Japanese American looks and zippy Karmann Ghia make men fall at her feet--in particular, a handsome ghost named James, with whom she flirts as he haunts her family's mansion. Melissa, too, falls for James (""I have to tell you that James was hands-down the hottest guy I've ever seen, dead or alive"") despite his rather patronizing behavior and eventual betrayal. Soon the three are involved in a supernatural love triangle, complicated by Chloe's gorgeous older brother Chaz, Josh (the ""King of Jocks"") and a surfer boy named Brett. Unsurprisingly, dead guys finish last and the girls realize how much they value each other. In her debut novel, Roberts gives Melissa a lusty, frivolous voice that rings true; she checks out boys' behinds and collects bikinis. There's no ""happily ever after"" here, but romance lovers will find lots of smooching and girl-talk, spiced with ghostly magic and adolescent wit. Ages 12-up. (Oct.)