Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee (Review)

Maybelline Mary Katherine Mary Ann Chestnut, Maybe for short, is named after her mother's favorite makeup brand, Maybelline, which Maybe hates as well as her mom's charm school. When her mother's soon-to-be seventh husband tries to rape Maybe, her mother walks in on them and blames Maybe. Tired of her mother's put downs and parade of husbands, Maybe decides to go find her biological father. She knows he was in show business and her only other clue is an old photograph with the name Gunner. She hitches a ride with her friend Hollywood and her best friend Ted tags along. They run out of money so Ted finds a job as a movie star's assistant. Maybe ends up staying with her ex-step dad, Sammy while she tries to figure out how to find her father.

I loved Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee. I like that Maybe isn't a typical teenager with her dark eye makeup, Kool-aid dyed hair, deep purple lipstick, and baggy men's t-shirts. Although she has a tough exterior, inside Maybe has many insecurities which makes her a believable character. Maybe's mother, Chessy, is believable but I found myself frustrated that she chose men over her daughter and was always telling Maybe to change. While there is an attempted rape scene, this scene has little graphic detail but enough to know what was happening. My favorite part of the book is when Ted reunites Maybe with her ex-stepfather Sammy, who was devastated when her mother and Maybe left years ago. Both Sammy and Maybe are over joyed when they are reunited.I liked this part the best because Maybe finally finds a parental figure who loves her for her. This book had a satisfying ending.

This book is about a girl discovering herself and has very little romance. I usually love romance in a book, but this book was enjoyable without it.

I give this book four out of five diva crowns.