While author Stephanie Hale doesn't include drugs or drinking in her book REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN, this novel is a fix in so many ways. Beauty/fasion guru Aspen Brooks' life unravels from page one. She loses her prized role of Homecoming Queen to "skanky" enemy Angel Ives. She is dumbfounded further when the school's biggest geek Rand Bachrach wins for Homecoming King.

However, appearances aren't what they seem, and the reader is treated to more excruciating mishaps as Aspen is forced to come to terms with what IS important -- love in the form of friends, family, and a geek. The unfortunate mishaps in Aspen's idealistic world include lipstick graffiti sullying her flawless image, a slashed tire, and a note read before her class saying she's hot for lame teacher Mr. Lowe. Far worse, lives become threatened, even that of Aspen's shopaholic (though beloved) mom.

While Homecoming Queen wannabes go missing, instigating a kidnapping investigation, Aspen must play the role of anonymous detective while she falls head-over-heals in love with Rand the geek -- which becomes as great a task in proving love as finding the kidnapper.

In fact, this novel could have been named 'Addictive' as it involves beauty addiction, shopping addiction, and popularity addiction. But it's the novel itself that's most addictive. Hale paints credible characters, flaws and all, celebrating teen issues in a fun -- not preachy -- way. Readers will adore all the characters, especially Aspen, as seen through her own transformed eyes. This book is sure to become a New York Times Bestseller.