Thoughts before reading:
This is the first FF cover that's actually cute. I like that the Stacey model actually looks 13. Her characters in the movie and the old show both looked way older. This is definitely how I picture Stacey, and she even looks similar to the actress that plays her in the Netflix show.
The basics:
Stacey's been worrying about her mom again lately... Maureen has seemed down and distracted to her. She wants to ask her about what's been bothering her, but doesn't find a good time to do so before leaving for her weekend in NYC.
Before meeting up with her dad, Stacey hangs out with Ethan a little. She's back to liking him as more than a friend, but they are still not dating because of the distance. They have a nice time, and from there, she heads to the park with Samantha and her dad. The three of them go rollerblading, then they sit Stacey down and announce that they're engaged. To their relief, Stacey's excited by the news... at least until she starts to overthink things. By the end of the night, she's privately worrying about how well she really knows Samantha.
In the morning though, she feels silly about her fears, especially after they've all sat down to a nice lunch. Ed promises her he'll call and tell Maureen himself, so she won't have to. Of course it doesn't work out that way... right when Stacey gets home, Maureen can tell something's up with her, so she ends up sharing the news. Maureen doesn't say much about it, but shortly afterwards, Stacey hears her crying in her room. She slips in to talk, and Maureen pulls herself together and calls Ed and Samantha to congratulate them. Stacey's proud of her mom for being so classy.
That evening, Stacey has plans to go to a Welcome Home party for Mallory, but she offers to stay home with her mom instead. (Mal is coming home for summer vacation. I guess this year she starts first instead of last?) Maureen not only insists that she go, but also decides to go out herself.
Stacey shares her concerns about her mom with Claudia, and the girls have the idea to find a man for her, to cheer her up, using a video dating service. They cook up a plan to get a tape from such a service by lying and saying they need to watch one for a college paper. It works, and the girls invite their friends over to watch it together. They don't agree on any of the men though. (It's basically a tape of various single men introducing themselves. This dating method is a relic of the late 90's, and the only other time I've seen it used in a storyline was an episode of Charmed that I kept picturing while reading this, haha.)
Right after the tape viewing, Stacey finds her mom singing in the kitchen. Maureen tells her she wants to cheer up, and she even has a dinner-dance date with a man from work. Stacey's thrilled, and helps her shop for an outfit, get a mani/pedi, etc. As the date gets closer though, Maureen's good mood fades to extreme nervousness.
The weekend of the big date is an NYC weekend for Stacey, which she feels guilty about. She keeps calling her mom to check on her, even while out having fun with Samantha and her dad. Stacey even has trouble sleeping, because she's so worried about her mom's date.
After a sleepless night, the three go out to breakfast, and Stacey runs into Laine. She acts happy to see Stacey, like their big fight never happened. Still, their conversation is awkward and forced, and Stacey knows she'll probably never call her again.
Running into Laine makes Stacey realizes her feelings about her are probably similar to how her mom feels about her dad: she doesn't want her in her life anymore, but she still has a lot of good memories. Because of those, it's hard to completely let go without being sad.
Once she gets back to the apartment after breakfast, Stacey calls her mom, who reports that her date was a dud... boring, and they had no connection. Stacey feels terrible and wants to rush home. Samantha offers to drive her back to Stoneybrook. Ed doesn't fully understand, but lets her go.
Back at home, Maureen hasn't fallen apart like Stacey had feared. In fact, she makes them a fancy dinner, then announces she's returning to her maiden name, Spencer. She's also thinking of quitting her job and opening her own clothing shop.
Timeline:
It's late spring.
Misc. thoughts:
*Raw clams are still alive when they're eaten? That's really disturbing.
*Maureen thought she had food poisoning after having clams at the marina one night with Ed, in the early days of their marriage. She went to the doctor the next day and discovered she was actually pregnant with Stacey.
*I love that Stacey, Claudia, and Maureen hang out together in this book. I wish the BSC books had had more scenes like this. It's fun to read about, and much more realistic than no one's parents ever being around.
*Stacey wears face glitter in this book. Sadly, I remember this relic of the late 90's very well. I used to also do this, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever at the time.
*Stacey says she considers her dad's apartment to be "sort of her second home"... but it literally IS her second home. Kind of a weird remark.
*Stacey eats at a restaurant in the World Trade Center in here, and this book came out in 2000. That's a little eerie.
*It was nice to see Mal and Jessi again in here, and they get some actual dialogue.
*Stacey notices that Mallory seems more confident.
*During the summer Mal wants to take sailing lessons at the community center?! Oh no, that didn't work out so well the last time... (see SS #4). Has she already forgotten?
*Mal also wants to try out computer and tennis classes, but is disappointed that Jessi can't do any. She has ballet classes all summer.
*Claudia's still considering dating Alan, but is worried about what people will think. Stacey suggests she ask Maureen for advice, which I thought was cute.
*This book references Stacey trying to fix her mom up with John Brooke (#124). Good continuity.
*Mal feels left out of things in Stoneybrook after being away, especially at home.
*The girls watching the dating video was a fun scene to read, but also a little strange at times, especially when Mal kept pushing for them to pick the old guy on the tape, saying she'd date him if she was older. Ick. I'm a little worried about her now...
*Stacey tells her mom she downplays how gorgeous she is, and Maureen's really flattered. Based on the cover of #124, however, she's 100% correct.
*Since when does Stacey have her own cell phone?! She's such an 80's girl to me, this image is just so wrong.
*Samantha likes caviar omelets? That's not pretentious at all.
*Apparently these days Laine looks "tough", wearing heavy dark blue eyeliner and black nail polish.
*Laine and King have also broken up.
*Samantha's a fashion photographer, and also a workaholic. A match made in heaven!
*Stacey definitely handles having a new stepparent the best out of any of the girls throughout the series. She's pretty mature about it, and very willing to give Samantha a fair chance.
*This book wasn't bad, and I really liked seeing so much of Maureen, but it does feel like a remake of Stacey's Choice. Disappointing, since most of the FF books have felt like remakes.
*Why does Mallory's school end so early this summer when it ended so late last summer?
*Stacey realizes Mallory has been able to shine and be a leader at Riverbend, something she was unable to do in Stoneybrook as much, with so many talented older friends. (Sounds a little conceited, haha, but I do think she has a point.)
*Despite the fact that I was glad we got to see so much of Mal in here, she was rather annoying. She mopes the whole book about how things have changed, and she basically expects special attention just because she was away. Then she complains about just wanting to be back at Riverbend. How does she expect her friends and family to feel about that attitude? She's only home for a little while as it is, and she can't appreciate anything about it, like she's too good for her home and family now.
*Maureen says she can't hire underage help in her store, because it would violate labor laws?! Since when does Stoneybrook have any of those? A few books ago, Logan was still working at the Rosebud Cafe!
*Maureen does agree to sell some of Claudia's designs though, which Claud plans to call Claudia's Funky Petunia Designs, LOL...
*Ghostwritten by Suzanne Weyn.
Books mentioned:
None
My rating:
3 stars. This was a fun book overall, and I always like reading about Stacey and Maureen's relationship. It's still one of my series favorites.
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