Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Simon Pulse (2009), Hardcover, 336 pages
Description
Seventeen-year-old Quinn has heard all her life about how untrustworthy men are, so when she discovers that her charismatic but selfish father, with whom she has recently begun to have a tentative relationship, has stolen from the many women in his life, she decides she must avenge this wrong.
User reviews
LibraryThing member ShellyPYA
Quinn's parents have been divorced for a while. She lives with her mother, grandmother, and aunt, all who've had their hearts broken. She's desperate to understand her father and his motivations behind the string of women he's loved and left. When she discovers he's taken objects from every woman
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he's been involved with, she goes on a quest with her sister and half-sister to return the objects to their owners and hopefully learn more about her father along the way. Instead, she ends up learning more about herself. Show Less
LibraryThing member miyurose
In many ways, The Secret Life of Prince Charming is a book every young girl should read, before we fall in love (or "love") for the first time. There’s actually a lot of good advice in this book about character traits that maybe one should be wary of when choosing a mate – and really, they’re
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not traits that are exclusive to men. And along the way, there’s a sweet story about a teenaged girl who’s trying to figure out her (mostly absent) dad, and maybe finds a little love of her own along the way. I enjoyed the story, especially Quinn’s and Sprout’s reunion with the half-sister they’ve never had the chance to know, Frances Lee. What I didn’t enjoy was the way little vignettes (I suppose is a good way to describe them) from the older women in the story would show up randomly in the middle of a chapter. They really interrupted the narrative without adding anything to what was currently happening. I feel they would have been much better placed at the beginning of chapters or in-between them. But overall, I enjoyed this read. Show Less
LibraryThing member spartyliblover
Quinn's mother, grandmother and aunt all bad mouth men, particularly her father who has been with too many women, and taken something from each of them. Quinn sets off on an adventure with her older half sister, younger sister and a boy. Thrown in are stories of relationships from each of the women
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who have been hurt by Quinn's father. Overall this was a great story with a lot of good relationship advice in a non-confronting form. I think this would be a great book for teen girls who enjoy romances. Show Less
LibraryThing member rapikk
Quinn and Sprout live with their mother, aunt and grandma. They see their father every other weekend. Quinn tries to make it all work and makes numerous excuses for her fun-loving yet distant father, until she discovers something about him. His house is filled with “trophies” that he has stolen
High school girls (and their moms) should read this book. It’s one of the best books about dating (even though it’s a novel) that I’ve ever read. Without being preachy or condescending, the characters, both old and young, share what they’ve learned about true love and men who are worth loving. Some examples:
* “This is who he is, who he will always be, and no amount of your love is going to change that.” p. 69
* “When it comes to relationships, second thoughts should be promoted.” p. 139
* “Love is never unsafe.” p. 176
* “A relationship–it shouldn’t be too small or too tight or even a little scratchy. It shouldn’t be embarrassing or uncomfortable or downright ugly. It shouldn’t take up space in your closet out of a guilty conscience or convenience or a moment of desire. Do you hear me? It should be perfect for you. it should be lasting. Wait. Wait for 100 percent.” p. 312
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from the many women he has married and divorced. In an impulsive act, Quinn reaches out to her stepsister, Frances Lee, and the 3 sisters together embark on a journey to return the trophies to their rightful owners. On their journey, the girls discover much about what true love really is and isn’t.High school girls (and their moms) should read this book. It’s one of the best books about dating (even though it’s a novel) that I’ve ever read. Without being preachy or condescending, the characters, both old and young, share what they’ve learned about true love and men who are worth loving. Some examples:
* “This is who he is, who he will always be, and no amount of your love is going to change that.” p. 69
* “When it comes to relationships, second thoughts should be promoted.” p. 139
* “Love is never unsafe.” p. 176
* “A relationship–it shouldn’t be too small or too tight or even a little scratchy. It shouldn’t be embarrassing or uncomfortable or downright ugly. It shouldn’t take up space in your closet out of a guilty conscience or convenience or a moment of desire. Do you hear me? It should be perfect for you. it should be lasting. Wait. Wait for 100 percent.” p. 312
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LibraryThing member Conner23456
I only gave this a one start because i never finished it. The book never pulled mein like other books have. For some reason i just never enjoyed the story to keep reading it.
LibraryThing member francescadefreitas
On the cover this looks like standard summer chick-lit, but the main relationship here is that of a teenage girl and her unreliable, Lothario father. Quinn's struggle to love and understand her father as she witnesses the trail of destruction he leaves behind him.
I'd give this to someone looking
I'd give this to someone looking
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for a serious family story, or a realistic story about a teen dealing with divorce. Show Less
LibraryThing member jonilee73
I loved this book, let me just start out with that. I love all of Deb Caletti’s books. But I must say, The Secret Life of Prince Charming has to be the best of them all. Quinn is destined to be jaded when it comes to love. Surrounded by her grandmother, aunt and her mother, all of whom have been
Who doesn’t love a good road trip book? Honestly, there is something magical about any road trip, let alone a “karmic road trip”. I felt as though I was in the truck with them, listening to music and driving from house to house, uncovering secrets and righting wrongs.
A great thing about this book is there are entries in this book that are italicized and they are “written” by the different women we run across in the book and they are telling of the lessons they have learned about love. What to avoid, what to look out for. Basically, you are reading a novel and a how to guide for love as well. Very creative and while it took some getting used to I enjoyed reading the little entries. I found myself relating more and more to the story, making it more personal for me. I truly feel this book taught me lessons and it will be a book that I make sure my daughter reads when she is a teenager. The story made me take a look at the inner workings of my own heart and start to let go of things that I was holding onto for the wrong reasons. A great book to read at the start of the new year to help you go about turning over a new leaf. I know that’s what I am inspired to do now.
Honestly, if you haven’t read Deb Caletti’s books, do it. If you love Sarah Dessen, you will love Deb Caletti. She is one of my top 3 favorite young adult authors, in line with Sarah Dessen and Elizabeth Scott. Her books are real, they are honest and they make you laugh and cry. She brings back characters and mentions them in passing and it’s always fun when you read something that makes you think of her other books, like you are on the inside of an inside joke. I cannot rave enough about this author or any of her books. I can only say to read them, you will not be disappointed.
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dealt heart break after heart break, Quinn is determined to make the right choices and she tried to be optimistic about love. Even dating a guy that she doesn’t really feel a spark with because he seems to be a safe bet. Then she is suddenly dumped and she starts to think maybe her family is right when they say not to trust men. But there is one man Quinn still trusts: her father. Back in her life and trying to do the right thing. But then when Quinn is at his house and discovers objects that were stolen from her father’s exes she has had enough. She sets out on a “karmic road trip” with her older half sister and her younger sister to return the stolen items to their rightful owners and try to discover the truth about their father, with some difficult lessons to follow.Who doesn’t love a good road trip book? Honestly, there is something magical about any road trip, let alone a “karmic road trip”. I felt as though I was in the truck with them, listening to music and driving from house to house, uncovering secrets and righting wrongs.
A great thing about this book is there are entries in this book that are italicized and they are “written” by the different women we run across in the book and they are telling of the lessons they have learned about love. What to avoid, what to look out for. Basically, you are reading a novel and a how to guide for love as well. Very creative and while it took some getting used to I enjoyed reading the little entries. I found myself relating more and more to the story, making it more personal for me. I truly feel this book taught me lessons and it will be a book that I make sure my daughter reads when she is a teenager. The story made me take a look at the inner workings of my own heart and start to let go of things that I was holding onto for the wrong reasons. A great book to read at the start of the new year to help you go about turning over a new leaf. I know that’s what I am inspired to do now.
Honestly, if you haven’t read Deb Caletti’s books, do it. If you love Sarah Dessen, you will love Deb Caletti. She is one of my top 3 favorite young adult authors, in line with Sarah Dessen and Elizabeth Scott. Her books are real, they are honest and they make you laugh and cry. She brings back characters and mentions them in passing and it’s always fun when you read something that makes you think of her other books, like you are on the inside of an inside joke. I cannot rave enough about this author or any of her books. I can only say to read them, you will not be disappointed.
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LibraryThing member Bookswithbite
I can never get enough of Ms. Caletti writing. All of her books are totally, freaking awesome! And just like her others book, this book touches something very life changing: Fathers. I am that type of girl who has daddy issues. I am also that type of girl who fathers dates girl old enough to be my
This book I really related to, like no other book. Quinn is searching for the truth in who her father really is. And the truth she finds is not what she expected to get. I love the plot line of the story. It gave an amazing insight to all the women Quinn's father dated and what really happened in their relationship. It also showed just how much all of these relationships had an effect on the women's life and the children.
I adored Quinn and the quest she went on. She loved her father (just like I loved mine) but she need to find inner peace in what he has done. Quinn learned things the hard way. I am glad that she saw past his prince charming ways and saw things for what they really are.
The love interest in this book amazed me. I didn't think that there will be one since Quinn is so against guys and what her father did. The love interest that sparked up in the book gave me hope for Quinn that she may love after all. She had the courage to return items and tell her father how she felt. It did turn out as expected but she came out a new person.
Ms. Caletti once again, wrote a great book with a great life lesson. All of her books I adore and enjoys. The Secret Life of Prince Charming isn't what we thought about the Prince after all. He has flaws, and he has his ways. Fantastic story and amazing characters!
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sister. Currently my father girlfriend is 28. I'm 26. Shutters. So I know. And this book really brought to light my feelings in the way I feel towards my dad but also brought me some closure.This book I really related to, like no other book. Quinn is searching for the truth in who her father really is. And the truth she finds is not what she expected to get. I love the plot line of the story. It gave an amazing insight to all the women Quinn's father dated and what really happened in their relationship. It also showed just how much all of these relationships had an effect on the women's life and the children.
I adored Quinn and the quest she went on. She loved her father (just like I loved mine) but she need to find inner peace in what he has done. Quinn learned things the hard way. I am glad that she saw past his prince charming ways and saw things for what they really are.
The love interest in this book amazed me. I didn't think that there will be one since Quinn is so against guys and what her father did. The love interest that sparked up in the book gave me hope for Quinn that she may love after all. She had the courage to return items and tell her father how she felt. It did turn out as expected but she came out a new person.
Ms. Caletti once again, wrote a great book with a great life lesson. All of her books I adore and enjoys. The Secret Life of Prince Charming isn't what we thought about the Prince after all. He has flaws, and he has his ways. Fantastic story and amazing characters!
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LibraryThing member Marared9
A bit too heavy on the middle aged woman who is divorced/ split from boyfriend theme for my taste. I enjoyed the development of the relationship between the sisters, but wasn't sure it was worth putting up with the whining for that.
Awards
CCBC Choices (2010)
Physical description
336 p.; 8.3 inches
ISBN
1416959408 / 9781416959403