High School Rules and Fools: An Education

It's no surprise that I was drawn to Elyssa Friedland's latest novel, The Most Likely Club, a where-are-they-now look at four friends who graduated high school in 1997.  After all, I was in the class of 2000.  And never quite got over not being voted best dressed (or best anything) senior year.  I even wrote an article for the school newspaper about the ridiculousness of senior superlatives, saying what next, props for the student who can stuff the most hoagies in his mouth? (High school me was a bit of a wiseass.)  

Anyway, although The Most Likely Club's Melissa, Priya, Tara, and Suki did receive such recognition (Most Likely to Win the White House, Cure Cancer, Open a Michelin-Starred Restaurant, and Join the Forbs 400, respectively), at forty-three, they're disappointed that none of it has come to fruition.  (Well, one has, but with a hefty price tag.)  Their twenty-fifth reunion, chaired by not-United-States-but-PTA-president Melissa, brings them back into each other's lives.  As they alternately reminisce and lament, they learn things about each other -- and themselves -- that they never knew.  And somewhere between the tears and tequila, they realize what's truly important.  

The Most Likely Club has all the feels.  Nerds in shining armor, girl power (yes, you can have one with the other!), suspense, humor, and a generous helping of '90s pop culture references (Friends!  Fiona Apple!  Chokers!).  It even has a well-placed Easter egg about Friedland's previous book, Last Summer at the Golden Hotel.  But best of all, it shines a light on how high school dreams and pressures sometimes set unrealistic expectations.  I can't imagine any woman not connecting with it on some level.  

Light-hearted and fun yet layered and real, The Most Likely Club would make a great movie (are you listening, Hollywood?).  

But for now it'll have to settle for being da bomb.  Or, you know, most likely to be read in one sitting.