“Nielsen (Word Nerd) has created a narrator as sassy and candid as this memorable novel’s title.… Nielsen skillfully balances her story’s keen humor … with poignancy. Especially affecting are Violet’s struggles to accept her father’s new family.… ”
– Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
“This amusing but also touching novel deals with divorce and step families in a light-hearted way.”
– The White Ravens 2011
“Laugh-out-loud humor deftly mixes with insight into a troubled girl’s pain over her parents’ divorce, keeping readers involved on every page.… Nielsen has real talent for comedy, zoning in on just the right level of snark.… The narrative’s balance tips much more into comedy than drama, but it illuminates Violet’s psychological difficulties among the laughs. Best friends, stuck-up enemies, and a possible love interest for Violet spice up the story. A nifty almost-saw-it-coming ending puts everything right. This comic novel scores.”
– Kirkus Reviews
“Violet is a complex, appealing character whose intimate, lively first-person narrative, both droll and heartfelt, discusses classmate conflicts and crushes as well as her insecurities and her gradual acceptance of what she can and cannot control. Though she often faces challenges and situations with not-so-graceful aplomb, Violet’s growth and authentic range of emotions, from anger (including some cringe-worthy acting up) to healing and trust, ring true in this very engaging read.”
– Booklist