Review (Randi): 52 REASONS TO HATE MY FATHER

Title: 52 Reasons to Hate My Father
Author: Jessica Brody
Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Publication Date: July 3rd, 2012 
Page Count: 340
Genre: contemporary, romance
Audience: young adult
Source: won from Kate @ Sit Here and Read in July 
Rating: 4.5 I'd take this book on a shopping spree on Rodeo Drive

Goodreads Summary: 
Being America’s favorite heiress is a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it. 

Lexington Larrabee has never to work a day in her life. After all, she’s the heiress to the multi-billion-dollar Larrabee Media empire. And heiresses are not supposed to work. But then again, they’re not supposed to crash brand new Mercedes convertibles into convenience stores on Sunset Blvd either.

Which is why, on Lexi’s eighteen birthday, her ever-absent, tycoon father decides to take a more proactive approach to her wayward life. Every week for the next year, she will have to take on a different low-wage job if she ever wants to receive her beloved trust fund. But if there’s anything worse than working as a maid, a dishwasher, and a fast-food restaurant employee, it’s dealing with Luke, the arrogant, albeit moderately attractive, college intern her father has assigned to keep tabs on her.

In a hilarious “comedy of heiress” about family, forgiveness, good intentions, and best of all, second chances, Lexi learns that love can be unconditional, money can be immaterial, and, regardless of age, everyone needs a little saving. And although she might have 52 reasons to hate her father, she only needs one reason to love him.

My thoughts:  This book is a riot. I thought this book would be a fun read, and it was, but it was even more. This book has substance. Lexi is the girl you love to hate, yet at the same time, you can't help but feel a little bit sorry for her when you start to learn more about her family situation. I guess I'd probably act out too if I had unlimited funds but no family around to act like they cared. First world problems, yes, but it's sad that she was basically raised by the butler. The premise of this book is completely unlike any other I've read, and if I have any critiques for this book, it would be that I wish it was a little longer so we got more of the individual jobs Lexi has to perform (we do get quite a bit, though) since those are the funniest parts.

I'm not gonna lie, this is an entertaining read, and I wouldn't call it "literary," but it's not fluff either. It's situated nicely between "light" and heavy reading. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to fans of contemporary YA or YA romance - it definitely fits the bill! By the end, I was cheering Lexi on (okay, it really didn't take that long for me to warm up to her, but you get the picture) and I was really proud of the decisions she made toward the end of the book. Despite being a prissy spoiled brat, readers do see Lexi grow as a character in a completely non-cheesy way. And the developing romance between Lexi and Luke is not at all insta-lovey, so watching their interactions is all the more fun.

FTC Disclaimer: All reviews are solely the opinions of Becky and/or Randi. We are not paid in any way for our reviews, and all opinions are 100% honest.