The Debs: Love, Lies and Texas Dips by Susan McBride Ages 14+ 304 pages Delacorte June 2009 Paperback     After the scandalous events in Susan McBride’s delightful novel The Debs, Laura, Ginger, Mac and the deliciously wicked Jo Lynn are back for another installment in The Debs: Love, Lies and Texas Dips. This time around, Laura, Ginger and Mac know they’re in (though Mac is still wishing she wasn’t); now it’s all about maintaining squeaky clean images in order to remain Debs. However, if Jo Lynn has her way, Laura won’t see the ball in the fall. But Laura isn’t going to take Jo Lynn’s abuse lying down – she’s being proactive in doing as much as she can to get back at Jo Lynn for embarrassing her. Additionally, Ginger is fulfilling her grandmother’s dream by having her portrait done, but the cute boy painting her portrait seems familiar – where has she seen him before? Mac is still having second thoughts about being a Deb, but that’s nothing compared to her blossoming feelings for her neighbor Alex. The only problem is that he seems to be paying a lot of attention to the new girl in town, who seems to be popping up everywhere, to Mac’s disgust. McBride’s fun, light novel that will appeal to teens and adults alike. The author builds on the characters she first developed in The Debs. Less need for character development leaves more room for the delicious scandal that fills the pages of The Debs: Love, Lies and Texas Dips. The characters are as wonderfully written as they were in the first novel, and their personalities shine through in this book. McBride drops in some little mysteries that keep the reader hooked on the story. This is definitely a book that can be read in one sitting; its length makes it a great afternoon read, and you won’t want to put it down. The downside of The Debs: Love, Lies and Texas Dips is that it doesn’t seem like a complete book on its own. It merely sets the stage for the next one; there is no single major conflict that finds its resolution within this novel. A major conflict occurs, but there is no closure when the story ends. As a result, this book cannot really stand on its own - it has to go with the first novel, The Debs, because that was where the characters were established. It also must go with its sequel because (I am assuming) that is where the resolution to the major conflict introduced in The Debs: Love, Lies and Texas Dips will be. Still, when the biggest criticism is that the novel leaves you wanting more, it could be interpreted as praise. The Debs: Love, Lies and Texas Dips is a great read that is a lot of fun. While it is necessary to read the first book in the series, The Debs, prior to reading this one, don’t let that put you off. Susan McBride’s wonderful series only leaves readers wishing for more of Mac, Laura, and Ginger. It’s going to be a long wait for the next book in this creative and deliciously fun series.     web reviews   Swapna Krishna/2009 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)