When the privileged students of Oak Fields learn that revered Stanford University will admit only one senior, insecurities and competitiveness abound. He has a goal-minded girlfriend, Ellen, but with the arrival of intriguing newcomer Vanessa, David’s costar in the school’s production of The Great Gatsby, a complicated romantic triangle develops. High school senior David Ellison, the popular acting star of Oak Fields Prep in Palo Alto, California, plans to audition for Juilliard instead of his parents’ choice, Stanford. They likely will be pleasantly surprised by the novel’s conclusion. As his love life and life goals fall apart, readers will root for him, hoping he comes to a better understanding of himself and finds a promising direction. Though David is self-centered and an increasingly frequent liar, his emotional honesty and mounting desperation make him a believable and sympathetic character.college aspirations) that sometimes feels overwrought or stale in YA novels. With skillful pacing, Coert Voorhees raises the stakes-for David, Ellen, Vanessa, and their competitive classmates-creating palpable tension centered on an issue (i.e. A senior at an elite prep school, David grows increasingly anxious as his post-graduation plans run up against his parents’ expectations and his decreasing confidence in his acting ability.

When Ellen and Vanessa meet on a disastrous excursion organized by David, the fallout is compelling. Ellen and Vanessa are more than just love interests they are distinct characters with personalities that defy stereotypes of the studious girlfriend and the manic pixie dream girl.Terrified of ruining the great relationship he has with Ellen, David nevertheless grows closer to Vanessa, and his indecision results in numerous scenes of comical, cringe-inspiring self sabotage. David’s dilemma is funny and absorbing.

Lucky Fools by Coert Voorhees