2 1/2 starsI always go into a book excited and fully expecting to love it. I don't read synopsis' or reviews before I read a book because I like to go in blind and not be influenced. I rely completely on star ratings. (I do, however, like to read reviews when I'm finished)I know, it's weird.Sadly, this book didn't live up to the ratings for me.Here's why((some may think this is a little SPOILERish))-The overuse of stereotypes. It felt a little 1960's blatant.-The overuse of spanish phrases. These did not make me feel the story was more authentic.-The overuse of Brittany striving for perfection. It basically came down to only her looks and it became too repetitive.-The overuse of Alex thinking there was so much more to Brittany than meets the eye. I wasn't shown much beyond her crappy parents and special needs sister.-The gang related scenarios didn't feel genuine to me. I understand it would be difficult to get a true, insideviewpoint if you don't live it. It just felt manufactured by someone who's guessing.This isn't a bad book. It had entertainment value and I did read it pretty quickly.