Size 12 and Ready to Rock (Heather Wells #4) by Meg Cabot

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Release Date: July 10th, 2012

Source: Public library

Summer break...and the livin' ain't easy!

Just because the students at New York College have flown the coop doesn't mean assistant residence hall director Heather Wells can relax. Fischer Hall is busier than ever, filled with squealing thirteen- and fourteen-year-old girls attending the first ever Tania Trace Teen Rock Camp, hosted by pop sensation Tania Trace herself—who just happens to be newly married to Heather's ex-boyfriend, heartthrob Jordan Cartwright. But the real headache begins when the producer of a reality TV show starring Tania winds up dead...and it's clear that the star was the intended victim.

Grant Cartwright, head of Cartwright Records, wants to keep his daughter-in-law (and his highest-earning performer) alive. So he hires his oldest son, black sheep of the family and private investigator Cooper Cartwright—who just happens to be Heather's new fiancé. Heather should leave the detecting to Cooper. But with a dorm full of hysterical mini-divas-in-training, she can't help but get involved. And after Tania shares a really shocking secret with her, this reality suddenly becomes more dangerously real than anyone ever anticipated.

Review: I wrote a short list about why I really enjoy the Heather Well series a while ago but I didn't go in-depth about it. I'm going to do it this time around with the fourth book in the series.

To recap briefly, Heather Wells used to be a huge pop star and lost it all when she gained weight, found her boyfriend cheating on her and lost her recording deal and her life savings in one fell swoop. But Heather bounced back from so many downfalls and is in a happier place with a great guy, a good job and a healthy self-image of herself. The only issue? Her workplace--known as Death Dorm--continues to live up to its macabre nickname and Heather always manages to get sucked into the crime investigations. This time she's stuck with trying to figure out who is going after Tania (who happens to be the "other woman" that her ex cheated on her with!)

With all that said, I can get on with the review! I have to admit that I found the mystery in this story to be extremely predictable in comparison to the rest of the series but I thought Cabot did an excellent job in fleshing out Tania's character. Until this point, all the reader knew was that she was the girl that Jordan cheated with and basically Cartwright Records' latest musical sweetheart once Heather got kicked to the curb. Interestingly enough, once you get to know about Tania Trace you end up really liking her! There is this short but genuine moment between her and Heather where they get to know each other and it's very sweet. Heather never held a grudge against Tania but any possibility of her bearing an inkling of ill will went out the window once they had this moment. I have to give props to Meg Cabot for writing such great scenes that show a different side to these characters. Heck, she even made Jordan more human this time around---normally he's a useless oaf but he's a better version of himself when he's with Tania. As for Heather's relationship with Cooper, they're a thing now. :) It's nice to see them finally together after so much back-and-forth between those two. ALSO. We finally get to meet the rest of the Cartwright family--that family is a bag of crazy nuts!

The novel portrays fame and fortune in a way that's worth mentioning. Fame and fortune do bring wealth and comfort but they also bring more trouble and headaches. Heather obviously knows how that is but she managed to escape the spotlight and she's happier because of it. While she's trying to help Tania figure out who's trying to kill her, the story shows how sometimes the desire for fame and fortune can take you to places that you don't want to go and put you in situations that are damaging for yourself and others. This book does focus a lot on Tania's story but I think it only shows the reader how kind Heather is and how she's willing to do the right thing even if it's a little awkward for her. And that's a great message for a book to have. :)

Final Verdict: Though the "villain" in this mystery was a dead giveaway, I still enjoyed the fourth installment in the Heather Wells series. I can't say anything negative about this series, you guys. It's just so fun and it's Meg Cabot for crying out loud. When has anything she's ever written NOT been funny and cheerful? She even makes murder mysteries a bubbly and delightful experience! I've even finished the fifth book which I will be reviewing at some point and lemme tell you, that book was AWESOME. ;) So definitely give this series a try if you haven't already.

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