Shrimp

The follow up novel to the fun and spunky "Gingerbread" is even better than expected and it succeeds in drawing the reader deeper into the colorful world of teen Cyd Charisse. I would strongly suggest reading the first book to get the full effect of the depth the author has created, after all knowing where Cyd comes from makes her future even more interesting! Cyd is on the lookout for romance, good food and new friends and finding that perfect cup of coffee someone has her obsessed with... Growing up is hard to do, sure, but Cyd finds the express route into the readers hearts without loosing her coolness and charm. She's got opinions, is very much in love with Shrimp who's status was ambiguous as of last novel and is trying to make new friends her age and make amends with her parents. Not to mention her biological father Frank back in New York is trying to make for more time for her as she gets older, her half siblings are entering her life and changing her perspective on the plans she has made with Shrimp. Torn between what she all ready has in San Francisco and the new prospects in the culinary fields in New York City, Cyd must make some brave choices that are tough when you're sixteen and feel torn between being a kid and a young adult. This book was so much fun, I was drawn into it and felt irritated whenever I had to put it down and go do life stuff; like going to work, eating dinner or talking to people...I am all ready holding part three of the series "Cupcake" and can't wait to jump back into the witty, charming, funny and grown up world of Cyd Charisse. I wouldn't say that this is a book for young kids since there is some hardcore romantic stuff going on, few bad words but it's what give his book that real edge, it's not all pink and pretty and fairy tales. Being a teenager is hard but oh so fun to read about! - Kasia S.

The sequel to Rachel Cohn's Gingerbread was definitely captivating. If you have read Rachel Cohn's previous book this sequel is just as good, if not better. There are many surprises that come along in this sequel. Cyd Charisse is back home, San Francisco, and on a mission to reignite the relationship Shrimp and her once had. They go through a lot, including break ups and make ups, but its all worth it. Another surprise is the definitely the new and improved relationship that she has developed with her Mom, no more blow ups and arguing (well at least not as much). She discovers a lot along with the new girl friends she makes, yes Cyd Charisse is capable of having girl friends; I know, I couldn't believe it either when I read it. The lovely Sugar Pie and Fernando are still together thanks to Cyd Charisse and her wonderful matchmaking skills, oh, and there's a surprise as well when it comes to them in the end of the book. Other characters reintroduce themselves into the book and make the book all more interesting. Cyd Charisse takes a short trip to New York to visit her brother and more twists and turns are encountered. Cyd Charisse even figures out what she wants to do with her life to finally receive true happiness. I loved this book, it was so interesting and related to me as a teenager living in San Francisco, the place where the book takes place. I found myself getting excited for Cyd Charisse and couldn't put the book down. I was instantly addicted to the family drama, the girls' days of fun, the interesting conversations, all of this made the book an unforgettable read. Rachel Cohn takes and brings Cyd Charisse to life, I instantly felt like I was getting to know a girl from school. She took the character and put her into situations teenage girls encounter now a day. Trying to balance your family, school, work, boys, and friends and still have time for you is exactly what I'm going through. Especially now with the pressure from my family to go to a good school and figure out what I want to major in, Cyd Charisse goes through all of that. She is a character that I could relate to as well as other teenage girls all over. I definitely recommend this book to everyone, unless of course if you haven't read Gingerbread, you wouldn't get it and you don't want to spoil yourself by knowing the ending before the beginning. This should be read by all teenage girls, Cyd Charisse is a great role model, except of course for the occasional sex and alcohol, that is strong-minded and strong in every situation she encounters. Overall its one of my favorite books and hope that everyone reads it and gets something, if not a whole bag of laughs, from it.

Shrimp, the sequel to Gingerbread, is fantastic. It continues the story of Cyd Charisse and her one and only true love Shrimp(yes, that's his real name). Shrimp and Cyd go through many trials and tribulations, including break-ups and make-ups. The story is mainly focused on Cyd,her family,and her newfound friends. Everyhting is fine until Shrimp does something very suprising and Cyd says no. Now go out and buy a copy of this book!!!

The sequel to Gingerbread is perfect for fans who grew up with Gingerbread and for new fans to discover what Cyd Charisse is all about. Again, CC splits her time between her two favorite cities, NYC and San Francisco, learning secrets about herself and her family along the way. CC defintely grows up in the book and becomes a new person, in a very good way. We obviously hear more about Shrimp in this book, who differs from the quiet, mysterious Shrimp in the first book. It is up to the reader to decide what they make of this Shrimp. A wonderful sequel with the same excellent voices and plots.

Cyd Charisse didn't think that it was possible, but now that she's home from her long summer in New York City, she's got one thing on her mind: to win back the love of Shrimp, the utterly hottest surfer-artist in all of San Francisco. Sure, he broke up with her before she left for NYC, but the big apple helped her to grow up a bit, and she doesn't plan on letting him escape her feminine wiles without a fight. However, while she's trying to get her true love back, Cyd must also find a way to keep the peace with her mother, seeing as how she's doing nothing but bug her about college applications. If only she realized that Cyd plans on spending all of her time after high school bumming on the beach with Shrimp, not sitting in a stuffy classroom. As a fan of Rachel Cohn, I was ecstatic to read this new novel starring Cyd Charisse. As always, Cohn's wonderful, dramatic, individual voice shines through in every character found in SHRIMP, and brings about many new situations. Cyd is cooler than ever, as are the descriptions of San Francisco. Fans of the novel GINGERBREAD will find them flocking to Cohn's latest. Erika Sorocco Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper