The Squad: Perfect Cover

I've always been a fan of action stories & movies, especially when they involve spies and the like. One of my favorite series is Alex Rider and honestly, I was a bit predisposed to dislike this new book by Miss Barnes because I didn't think there was anything better than my favorite 14 year old British spy/schoolboy.Boy was I taken by surprise. In short, the several things I loved about it was the humor, action, and the whole idea of undercover cheerleaders. I adore Toby's sense of humor and, though the concept of dumb but totally gorgeous cheerleaders is a bit overrated and overused, I appreciated the fact that the girls were originally normal people and still somehow retained a piece of themselves through their spywork.The only complaints I have pertain to my nitpicky opinions on good writing: I love detail. Sometimes I felt that the book lacked description in things ranging from clothing to faces. Overall I feel that it was hard to imagine myself there when I wasn't given much to work with. Also, character development in the wrong places: a lot of time was spent elaborating on the members of the squad (which is understandable) but I feel like more people should have been in the picture. Other than Noah, Toby's brother, it felt empty in other areas. What about her parents? Her mother made one appearance and her reaction, or rather non-reaction, to her new look seemed quite unlikely and unreasonable.Other than that, this book was a pleasant surprise. Not the best written but not the worst. I continued reading it for the entertainment and will now read the sequel... and I do so hope it won't let me down!

Toby Klein is a sixteen year old girl attending Bayport High. She's a rebel, fierce, brave and a social outcast. She starts to receive some encrypted messages from the popular Varsity Cheerleading Squad about upcoming try-outs. What do the cheerleaders want with her? She just wants to melt into the background and protect her little brother, Noah, from school bullies. Well, after some curiosity that Toby has surrounding the mysterious notes, she decides to go to the try-outs just because it will get her out of detention. What she ends up finding out brings her down further into the rabbit hole.You follow Toby into Wonderland has she finds out that the Varsity Cheerleading Squad is actually a cover for a group of teenage girl spies. And as she gets recruited, her life turns upside down. Now she has to juggle cheerleading, popularity and spy work all at the same time. And don't forget that she can't fall for her mark, Jack Peyton, Bayport High's Most Eligible Bachelor.I was surprised at how much I really enjoyed this story. I thought it was ridiculously funny. I laughed out loud a couple of times because reading Toby's thoughts and her sarcasm was hilarious. I think Jennifer Lynn Barnes has a great sense of humor.I liked the mission and the different operations that were executed as well as the teamwork involved with all the other characters aside from Toby. You learn to love all the characters in the Squad as well as Toby's younger brother, Noah, who is hilarious.I checked on the author's site and read that she only has one other story for this series. I'm so bummed that she's not continuing with it as it's such a great storyline. Who would ever suspect spies as being cheerleaders? And yet, they are masters at what they do. Throw that in with all the high school drama and you have a great, fun, light read!

As improbable as the premise of the story is, I've always like the fantasy story about kids being able to do impossible things. Remember the Hardy Boys? Or, numerous other kid heroes and heroines?I really enjoyed the main character's voice and the humor which basically drove the book. I'm giving it 4 stars because it deserves 5 for storyline and fun but, you know, it's about cheerleaders...

I love this series!This author has become a favorite. I am reading everything she has written. So far no disappointments, just love them all!

Good:- entertaining idea- quite funny in places- interesting and unexpected solutions to some problems- easy readNot so good:- limited plot development- no character development (almost)- not much romance- main character can appear arrogant which I personally sometimes found irritatingOverall, I would recommend it if you are looking for a relaxing read (you are not going to be in tears by the end of the book) and an entertaining one. Personally, I haven't been interested enough to read the second book in the series although this one was okay.

This book had me laughing until my stomach hurt. It was so easy to picture the situations the main character go into.

Look, this book is hilariously perfect. It is not great literature, but it is the ideal apex of the entire genre - a sarcastic, first person narrative about the "uncool" girl recruited for the varsity cheerleading squad which turns out to be a CIA front. It is ridiculous. It is snarky. It is self-aware. . It is the quickest read of all time. And it is awesome.

I’m struggling to get through this book - the main character is horribly unlikeable and constantly negative the whole time. It’s incredibly boring and one of the worst plot lines I’ve ever read. I’m not even sure I can finish it…

Bought to try, well written but not my cup of tea

Not a bad story. I wasn't overly thrilled. But it is a cute one. A little weak in places, and an unsatisfying ending.

Vorab: es handelt sich hierbei um ein Buch für "junge Erwachsene" (was ich nicht mehr wirklich bin), welches keinen Anspruch auf eine besondere Realitätsnähe legt. Wenn man jedoch ein Buch lesen möchte, um die darin beschriebenen Charactere wachsen zu sehen, zu lesen, wie sich erste Eindrücke wandeln und sich zwischenmenschliche Beziehungen entwickeln (und zwischendurch auch mal heftig schmunzeln möchte), ist man bei diesem Buch richtig! Ich persönlich habe es sehr genossen und seitdem alle weiteren Bücher der Autorin gelesen.

Eine völlig absurde und oberflächliche Story die sich wirklich nicht lohnt zu lesen. Habe mich geärgert das ich das Geld für den Artikel ausgegeben habe.