Freaky in Fresno

Author: Laurie Boyle Crompton

Publisher: Blink YA Books

Release Date: February 11, 2020

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Teen girls will enjoy this book!

Cousins, Ricki and Lana, are as opposite as can be. Ricki is a lover of horror movies. Lana is consumed by her online persona, “Lookie Lana”, a makeup and glamour guru. Once close, the cousins grew apart as they found different interests and have developed a general dislike of each other. To help remedy this, their Aunt May gives them a pink convertible, just like the one their grandmother used to own. While fighting over who gets to take the car to their big night, the drive-in theater’s reopening for Ricki or Lana’s online personality festival, they receive an electrical jolt that causes them to switch bodies. While trying to find clues and keep things straight with their boyfriends, the two begin to redevelop their bond. Through a series of close calls in each other’s bodies, they fight to get back to normal before evening when they must go to their important events. The girls learn things about each other and themselves. Also disconnected, their mothers also are reunited by the girls’ switch.

Freaky in Fresno is yet another twist on the old “Freaky Friday” concept. Unfortunately for adults who have read the original and been through a few of the adaptations of the original story, this book comes across as incredibly cheesy and predictable. It’s hard to make a used concept new and fresh. That being said, for today’s teens, this book will be fun and enjoyable, especially for teenage girls. At time, it was a little difficult keeping up with the girls as they were not in their own body. There were some humorous moments as the girls fought for each other and in the end there was a positive message.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.