Perfect cover by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The popularity of Jennifer Lynn Barnes' Inheritance Games series has ensured the reprint of some of her earlier works and Perfect cover is one of those. First published in 2008, Perfect cover is a fun, easy read that gives the reader some happy hours escaping into the world of Bayport High, where the jocks and the cheerleaders rule. Toby Klein is an outsider, a computer hacker with a black belt in karate, who is happy to take on any bully who terrorises her younger brother, Noah, and a student with no school or team spirit. She is not the usual type to be invited to join the elite varsity cheerleading squad. However the invitation makes her curious because it is written in code and she is stunned to find that the squad is a front for a highly trained group of underage government operatives. Her hacking skills and athleticism make her highly useful. Makeovers, training sessions, stakeouts and joining the school’s A-List follow.

Toby’s snarky attitude and snide comments give a humorous edge to the story. The description of changing from a girl who only wore black to being made over by two sparkly cheerleaders is hilarious as is the reaction of the school body to her appointment to the elite group, with absurd rumours abounding. Short, interesting chapters kept the momentum going as Toby learns the skills of being a cheerleader as well as the dangers of tracking a notorious group of lawyers.

Fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ books or The Gallagher girls series by Ally Carter are likely to enjoy this light, fast paced story. 

Themes: Mystery, Espionage, Cheer leaders.

Pat Pledger