Making Out #9: Zoey Plays Games

It's Thanksgiving vacation on Chatham Island, Maine, time for families to come together and be thankful for their everyday blessings--well, in theory. Except this holiday, the Passmore and Geiger families will be tested on how strong their bonds are when they welcome a new sibling, a possible new boyfriend, and a father's new girlfriend to the table. Yes, let the drama begin. ;)On the Passmore's side, Zoey's father invites his 19-year-old love child (Lara McAvoy) to dinner--and doesn't tell his wife or two kids she's coming until that day. When Lara does arrive (this is Zoey's first time meeting her), her parents ask her to move in for the time being since she's nearly homeless. Zoey is definitely against her parents' decision. From what she assessed of her new half-sister, Lara is a complete loser, mentally dulled by drugs and alcohol and a strong magnet for scuzzy men like her last convict boyfriend. However, there is one person who is absolutely thrilled about Lara's move: Jake McRoyan, Zoey's ex-boyfriend and possibly Lara's new boyfriend. (Has anyone else noticed how "incestuous" relationships are on this island? I guess there are so many boyfriends/girlfriends you can go through before you start dating each other's siblings.)Meanwhile, Claire and Nina Geiger get to meet their father's new girlfriend (Sarah Mendel)--and her gorgeous 17-year-old son, Aaron. Needless to say, both girls are utterly transfixed by him (along with just about every other girl on the island), but Claire is more so than Nina, since Nina already has a terrific boyfriend (Benjamin Passmore). After that dinner, Claire is bound and determined to get Aaron, even though he's obviously not very interested in her but, instead, attracted to Zoey, although she, too, has a boyfriend (Lucas Cabral), who's a total slug next to Aaron. My guess: the slug eventually gets the boot--and good riddance!"Zoey Plays Games" is the ninth book in the Making Out series. If you like teen drama/romance, then I highly recommend this series. It's not too cheesy for readers who aren't particularly prone to read such books either; in fact, this series is quite witty and humorous. And if you like Zoey's character, then don't miss any of the other Zoey-oriented books: Zoey Fools Around (#1), What Zoey Saw (#6), Don't Tell Zoey (#13), Zoey Speaks Out (#18), Always Loving Zoey (#22), Now Zoey's Alone (#24), Zoey's Broken Heart (#26), and Zoey Comes Home (#28).

In book 8,I felt that Zoey forgave Lucas a bit too quickly. I understand her confusion at seeing her parents together after all that confusion errupted on book 6. However, she is naive to think that she could just forgive and not deal with the issues. I am not just talking about Lucas and Claire making out. I am referring to feeling so pressured to have sex. In her mind she may have just figured that it was a guy thing and that is how boys are. She has truly found someone that is her equal. I give two thumbs up for Aaron and Zoey. Quietly I give two thumbs up for Jake and Lara. I think they can best understand each other and no one else can. I like how Jake denied that beer, even thought he was craving it. That took real courage.Claire deserves to be by herself. The thing about Claire is that she knows that she doesn't have to be manipulative and underhanded to get what she wants, she just chooses to. Which in itself is bad, because the only thing she will have to look forward to is alone in antartica.

Zoey and Lucas(not to mention her parents) kissed and made up. But Aaron Mendel, the son of Claire and Ninas' father's girlfriend, comes to Chatham Island. Zoey and Claire both fall for his nice guy act. He threatens Zoey and Lucas' relationship. Jake starts to fall for Lara, with mixed results. Christopher may make a life-changing decision. Nina thinks that Benjamin is cheating on her(with Aisha, of all people). Benjamin may also make a life-changing decision. This book rocks! That's all I can say, except READ IT. Next- Nina Shapes Up.

All the Making Out collection, is the bomb!! In this book, 2 new people appear. Aaron, I wish he could go back where he came from, and leave Lucas and Zoey alone. He just comes in,moves a little bit and Claire and Zoey fall in love with him. Poor Claire, all her ex-boyfriends, except for Ben who chooses Nina, prefer Zoey to her. Another character is LAra, Zoey and Ben's half-sister, she got kicked out of her appartment, so she moved in the island. At first Zoey is very upset about it, but I think she'll get over it. Jack and Lara have the hot for each other, and I think it's good for Jack, Claire really hurted him, but he hurted Claire too. Nina, Claire's little sister learns something that may change everything between her and Ben, her blind-boyfriend. But frankly, I don't think she has anything to worry about. Anyway, I hate the end, I really hope Zoey stays with Lucas. Lucas is so great. I can't wait to read Nina Shapes Up.

I thought this was a really great book. The Making Out series is one of the best out there for teens. You can relate to the characters and what they're going through. Ben and Nina are an adorable couple, and Nina's "plan" is hilarious! I, personally, think that Aaron is a jerk. Let Claire have him! They can lie to and manipulate each other. I really hope that Zoey and Lucas get their relationship back on track. I would definitely recommend this book.