For her Sweet 16, Jordan Wright gets rid of the frizzy hair, the conservative clothes, and finally likes the hip new girl smiling in the mirror. So when she hears about an open casting call for the hottest rapper's new video, she has the confidence to go for it. She and her best friend, Adrienne, try out with hundreds of hopefuls, but only Jordan makes it. Adrienne seems fine with it. But when Jordan starts getting some serious attention, Adrienne turns into a hater. And after Jordan has an innocent in-the-hall conversation with Adrienne's ex-boyfriend—they dated for one week, like four years ago!—Adrienne plots to ruin Jordan's life by spreading rumors, writing stuff on the bathroom walls and telling Jordan she'd be better off dead. Suddenly Jordan's popularity is fading. Forget sweet sixteen. She soon discovers that what she needs most is to find the strength to be herself.
Inspired by high school gossip, a little bit of mischief and all the drama that comes along with it. . .
5.0 out of 5 stars By Urban Reviews - December 16, 2008
Jordan Wright is finally sixteen and she's not only ready for some freedom from her parents' rules, but she's also made a gradual transformation by shedding her glasses, having her braces removed, cutting her hair and adapting a newer sense of fashion. When a golden opportunity presents itself, Jordan's parents quickly shut it down. But where there's a will, there's a way. Is Jordan prepared to risk it all for the chance to fulfill a fantasy?
Careful what you wish for because you just may get it. As we've all learned in history, ships sink. Jordan's status has tremendously risen. Yet jealousy, envy and rumors threaten to ruin Jordan 's junior year. When Jordan learns that the mutiny is coming from none other than her best friend Adrienne, she is so devastated that she's unable to sleep or cope with the pain. Jordan suffers in silence with the loss of her sinking friendship. However, Warren , Adrienne's semi ex, offers her a life jacket. Will Jordan learn to find the strength within or will she continue to sink?
I'd be lying if I said that I didn't think I would enjoy 16 Isn't Always Sweet. I read the first story written by Cassandra Carter titled Fast Life, and while I know that the author's pen game is fierce, I worried that her subjects weren't really teen friendly. I am pleased to announce that 16 Isn't Always Sweet was a solid read packed with real characters, innocence, love, consequences and a positive message. I especially enjoyed the parents' role in the book and could easily see myself recommending 16 Isn't Always Sweet to the teens around me.
Reviewed by Nardsbaby
for Urban Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read! By KC Girlfriends Book Club - June 26, 2008
Cassandra Carter's book 16 Isn't Always Sweet is a wonderful book for any high school age teenager. I really found myself engulfed in the book wanting to know how it was going to unfold. For an adult it will definitely make you think back to all the situations that you've placed yourself in...and hope that your children would NEVER repeat to remind you how you were when you were a teenager!
I think Cassandra Carter's writing style is very refreshing and is well developed way beyond her years. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Carter and eager to see how her writing skills will develop throughout her writing career. She's definitely a very talented writer and you definitely do not want to sleep on her!
Due to some of the graphic language and situations within the book I would not recommend this book to teens younger than high school age.
TaNisha Webb
KC Girlfriends Book Club President
KC Girlfriends Book Club Radio Show Host
5.0 out of 5 stars An Urban Teens Book Review By Urban Teens Read - January 17, 2011
16 Isn't Always Sweet by Cassandra Carter was a very good and realistic book; I didn't want to put this book down. Jordan Wright, a girl, is turning 16 and decides to change her hair and clothes and finally is the girl she always wanted to be. When the hottest rapper in town has a video tryout, Jordan and her best friend, Adrienne, try out, and out of the hundreds of girls Jordan makes it. Adrienne seems to be fine with it but when her ex from 4 years ago whom she dated just for a week becomes interested in Jordan. Her best friend, Adrienne, who she thought was her friend soon becomes a hater. Now Adrienne is doing everything in her power to ruin Jordan's life by spreading rumors and writing stuff on the bathroom wall, telling Jordan she would be better off dead. Soon Jordan learns 16 isn't always sweet. Join Jordan on a road of betrayal, hate and drama, will she survive or will she just give up? You have got to find out. Cassandra Carter is really one of the best in the game; can't wait for her to write many more books.
5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for teens by EKG Literary Magazine - September 22, 2008
Casandra Carter takes us on a trip down memory lane with this teen novel. Jordan is turning 16 and feels she is entitled to all the freedom and new found privileges this rite of passage brings. She quickly realizes that age is nothing but a number and that the idea of being grown and independent is not all it is cracked up to be as her dreams of self-rule
turn to nightmares.
The shenanigans begin as she and her best friend Adrienne get the opportunity to be in the video of a popular teenage musical idol. She is forbidden by her parents to participate but schemes her way into the video and into some compromising adult situations. She is
able to hide her involvement for a while but is soon catapulted into instant celebrity status at school until her best friend gets Jordan's intentions for her ex-boyfriend twisted and becomes her number one hater.
Jordan experiences the full gamut of teenage angst as Adrienne systematically tears her apart in the arena of scandal and instant judgment. As she tries to repair her reputation and her relationship with her parents she finds teenage love with the object of Adrienne's
obsession.
Carter is right on point and in touch with the heart of what many teenagers experience at home and at school at this awkward age. You will remember and empathize and smile. I enjoyed it and I recommend this read for teens of any age and their parents.
5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal Job! Very sweet read By S. Martin "One2Go Book Reviews" - August 15, 2008
The young authoress Cassandra Carter is back with her very heart-felt novel "16 Isn't Always Sweet". Jordan Wright drops the conservative look upon her 16th birthday and from there on out her life becomes one big rollercoaster. Jordan goes against her parents' wishes and tries out for hottest video of the year, by her favorite rapper, Jaiden Brown, with her best friend and soon to be enemy Adrienne. Jordan is picked to be in the video and Adrienne is left to bite the dust.
Jealousy is building within Adrienne, it finally surfaces when Jordan receives more attention due to the video and because of a harmless hug she catches her ex boyfriend-for a week and Jordan embraced in. Adrienne will stop at nothing to break Jordan down from spreading horrible rumors, name calling and saying she would be better off dead. There seems to be no one in Jordan's corner to save her from this heart ache but in steps a knight in shining armor, Warren Taylor, star of the basketball team and Adrienne ex boyfriend for one week.
This is the first novel I read by Ms. Carter and I will have to say I am now a fan. "16 Isn't Always Sweet" is beautifully written from start to finish, which would allow for the easy read. The book is very descriptive and strategically written to play out as a movie. I have read plenty of novels and manuscripts but I would have to say this is by far in my top ten. My staff and I are really looking forward to what the future holds for Ms. Cassandra Carter.
I support this author and this novel to the fullest. Highly recommended.
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