Perfect for everybody who has ever experienced the peaks and valleys of the teen years.
With middle school in the rear-view mirror, Nicole has just one thing one her mind. Popularity. Although she has an older brother who could coach her on the specifics of high-school politics, Nicole is forging her own path, even if that means hurting a few people along the way. A batch of winter weather on a school day goes from a two-hour delay to a full-blown snow day for Nicole and her brother, Jay. For him, video games top his to-do list. For her, navigating a complex web of group texts and snarky comments dominate her plans. Things are interrupted when a mysterious offer pops up on the television. Want to trade in your brother for a better version? Call now. Limited time offer. Nicole barely bats an eye before choosing Jay 2.0. However, the television salesman warns of a price levied on the unusual transaction. Though not monetary, by the end of the day, the deal will cost Nicole something. And she’ll spend the day coming to grips with her choices.
The Finest Lies is a bright coming-of-age novel that is sure to resonate with readers in their early teen years and beyond. With tainted friendships, festering family problems and perplexing boyfriend woes, Nicole’s troubles are relatable and familiar, but told with just a splash of whimsy to keep things light. Besides interdimensional portals, magical peril, and silly antics involving a robot sibling that eats electronics, Naiman has done justice to his impressionable audience by including a surpassing lesson on selflessness. Though the message isn’t preachy or heavy-handed, readers will no doubt appreciate Nicole’s grand metamorphosis from the common teen archetype to a self-aware and self-accountable young woman. The humorous situations and zany shenanigans lay the foundation for a really terrific story that is fresh and universally relevant. Perfect for everybody who has ever experienced the peaks and valleys of the teen years, The Finest Lies is a lively story with a few good punchlines and a lot of heart.
