Perfectly Ridiculous by Kristin Billerbeck ~ review

• Paperback: 247 pages
• Publisher: Revell (July 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800719743
• ISBN-13: 978-0800719746

This book is also available in e-book form.

From the Back Cover:

Publication Date: July 1, 2012 | Series: Perfectly Dateless (Book 3)

Daisy's ready for summer fun--but it seems summer has something else in store.
High school is over, and Daisy Crispin is happy to leave it in her past and look forward to a bright new future at college. In the meantime, she is planning an all-expenses-paid trip with her best friend Claire to Argentina--home of exotic food, the tango, and her handsome sort-of boyfriend Max.

When Daisy discovers she needs to do missions work to fulfill the requirements of her scholarship, she chalks it up to her monumental bad luck in life and kisses her vacation goodbye. What was supposed to be a relaxing time in the lap of luxury turns into hard work, sleeping on a cot, avoiding scorpions, and stressing about where she stands with Max. Daisy wonders if anything in her life will ever go according to plan . . . 

My take on this book:

Daisy Crispin's life will be changing forever in about two months, because she will be heading off to college. For now though she is looking forward to her summer vacation to Argentina with her best friend Claire. Thing is right before the trip she finds learns that she needs to do a few weeks of mission work to qualify for her scholarship, and what's worse is the fact that her parents have decided to go along on the trip. What kind of summer vacation will Daisy ultimately have?

"Perfectly Ridiculous" is a young adult read that is very easy to relate to, with realistic situations as well as characters that seem very down to earth.Daisy is a teen girl who is on the verge of leaving home for college,this alone makes her character seem very realistic. The way she describes her parents really brings them to life and  I could easily imagine how Daisy might have felt at having her parents tag along on her trip, not to mention the issues that are going on with the two boys in her life.

This is the third book in A Universally Misunderstood series, and I recommend that you read the books in order to understand the changes taking place in Daisy's life. I thought the author did a great job of allowing Daisy to grow and change in this book, and I actually enjoyed her character much more in this installment that I did in the previous two books. Overall a great read that teen girls will easily relate to and enjoy, and also get a learn a few life lessons as well. 

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Available July 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

About the author:

I grew up with a strong sense of justice.  I simply knew the way things should be.  And since I’m not smart enough to be a district attorney, I am a novelist.  My childhood was slightly confusing.  I blame my parents for this.  Oh heck, I’m going to blame them for everything.  I think I would have turned out normal if it weren’t for them.
	Okay, probably not.  I am a fourth-generation Californian, and an American mutt, but identify most strongly with my Italian heritage.  My mother’s family, of strong Norwegian/German descent, tried to teach me how to do things right.  How to cook, clean, sew, budget accordingly – all the things a proper young girl should know to be a contributing member of society.  I, however, failed miserably.  For my 40th birthday, my grandmother gave me a cookie gun, so it’s clear she hasn’t given up on me yet!  That is eternal optimism! My dad’s Italian family taught me about the good life.  The indulgent life.  How to eat, shop and be merry.  My Nana had very tiny feet and a penchant for shoes (she worked at the Emporium, no doubt to fund her shoe addiction).  My afternoons at her house had no lessons, other than how to walk in her high heels, drape myself in her mink stole and drip myself with rhinestones.  Tastefully, of course.  I picked up on this lifestyle much quicker.
I graduated San Jose State University with a degree in Journalism & Mass Communications (emphasis in Advertising), gave my life to Jesus during college and found my true love in a Christian Singles’ Group, which yes, I skewer in “What a Girl Wants”.  He is German.  Practical.   And a Contributing Member of Society.  I am still Italian, fluffy and an aficionado of fine shoes & handbags.  Together, we have four children and now it’s our turn to confuse them.  The circle of life.  Dysfunctional family style. To learn more about Ms. Billerbeck be sure and check out her web page by clicking here.