Review: Invisible by Marni Bates

Title: Invisible
Author: Marni Bates
Publisher: K-Teen

Publication date: June 25, 2013

Genre(s): Young Adult (Contemporary)

Source: Publisher

Format: ARC

Pages: 300

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Jane Smith has survived three years of high school without making a single enemy, all by keeping a low profile. Not even her three best friends, Kenzie, Corey and Isobel, can say the same. But with Corey dating the lead singer from ReadySet and Kenzie in a relationship too, being invisible tends to be lonely. But now she's written an article for her school newspaper that has accidentally snagged the attention of some celebrities. Turns out, people get really upset when their innermost secrets are splashed all over the front page. And new her well-ordered life is being blasted to hell, with results that are wildly unexpected.

Invisible is the third book in a series of companion novels. I have read both the first and second books (Awkward and Decked with Holly) and ended up really enjoying Awkward and liking Decked with Holly. In terms of how much I like Invisible, it would have to be between both Awkward and Decked with Holly. These books each talk about a different person that was usually a secondary if not just a one scene character in the previous books. 

Jane Smith is the best friend of the main character from Awkward.. I honestly never paid any attention to her in Awkward but right now she's center stage. My problem with her is that she was very whiny. Yes her friend is now famous (youtube sensation actually) while her other friend is dating a star (think one of the boys in One Direction). So she feels left out.. I do understand her feelings as if she no longer matters in her friends' life equation. However Jane also has other problems, one named the school's newspaper while the other is Scott, the know it all who she thought was her friend but backstabbed her the first chance he got to be part of the popular crowd (yup, misunderstanding alert!). 

I personally felt that the plot was lacking in comparison to the other two novels.. the whole point was Jane trying to secure a writing instead of an editing position at the newspaper along with her insecurities towards her friends and Scott. I wished we got more development from Jane, as well as see her grow into someone who doesn't depend so much on her friends. This book contains tons of misunderstandings, so be aware of that. They are the kind of misunderstandings that basically ruin friendships as well as relationships. Character wise, I really disliked Mackenzie's behavior (main character in Awkward). However I really liked Scott, all of Scott, with his smugness, know it all attitude, and the banter between him and Jane. I really liked the growing friendship which later, much later, turned into a relationship. 

A lot of scenes were pretty funny, especially from Jane's voice. She is a fire cracker so everything sets her off. It was quite funny seeing how she tolerated Scott as well as her relationship with the bookstore owner, her part time job boss, and her very weird relationship with Chelsea, the Queen Bee of the school. Chelsea is the typical popular girl however her character changes dramatically so I am quite excited to read the next novel from Marni Bates, which puts Chelsea in the spotlight this time. This book was great as a fun and light read, and I definitely recommend the whole series to contemporary fans in need of a light read! 

Other books by Marni Bates:

Awkward

Decked with Holly