All-American Girl - Meg Cabot

All-American Girl by Meg Cabot
Series: All-American Girl #1
Published on July 22, 2003 by Harper Teen

Samantha Madison is an average, cool Washington, D.C., teen: She loves Gwen Stefani (who doesn't?), can draw like nobody's business, and enjoys being opposite to her sister's annoying ultra-social personality. But when she ditches art class one day, she doesn't expect to be jumping on the back of a wannabe presidential assassin.

Soon the young hero is receiving worldwide acclaim for her bravery, having dinner with her family at the White House, and is even being named teen ambassador to the UN. As if this weren't enough, she and David, the president's son, strike up a friendship that everyone wants the dirt on, which starts to give her romantic "frisson" feelings.

Unfortunately, Sam thinks her sister's boyfriend, Jack, is the true love of her life, and she makes a few wrong turns that could screw up what she's developing with David. Will she ever stop following what she knows and start following what she sees?

I've lost count on how many times I read this book, All-American Girl is one of my favorite Cabot's books and when I was younger a yearly re-read was obligatory. As usual with books/movies that are favorites of mine on the past, upon a re-read things change, some things that I remembered remained the same and others not so much.

The thing that most changed for me was the way Samantha voice sounded, she seemed a lot more judgmental and immature on the way she faced things, I noticed this is a trait of Cabot's heroines and when I was younger totally worked for me, but now not so much, of course this has to do with me growing up but also I would have liked to see more growth. Sam does face a sort of coming of age story, she definitely learns to be who she is and own it, fight for her ideas, but her voice and her way of facing things on a rushed way doesn't change.

David remains the same as on my memory, meaning perfect, I really think he is a great counter part for Sam, the way he helps her figure things out with who she wants to be and showing her ways to face things on a more smart way and not all fighting and kicking as Sam would usually choose. I also love how their romance never took the front seat of the novel, they have their cute scenes and stuff but this is ultimately Sam's story and it never read any other way. There is a sort of love triangle, if you can call it that, it's awkward and Sam takes ages to realize her true feelings and you will probably scream of frustration, because damn girl did you took your time but in the end it's all smiles and rainbows.

Other things that I loved where the presence of art, Sam is a painter and this is a major part of her life, I liked how this helped her to know herself better and how it was an essential part of her coming of age story. The relationships between Sam and her family, which contain her house maid, parents and sisters all of those really present on the novel; I specially liked the relationship between the three sisters, they are so different on the surface level but the way they tease each other and are always close together is great.

Super recommend this one for all Meg Cabot's fans, you definitely don't want to miss this one out and if you're looking for a brain candy look no more, this book is pure fun and entertainment, there is no real depth to it and is perfect as a weekend/vacation read. Just be aware that there is a sequel, which I 100% don't recommend, I read it only one time when it was released and it was terrible and I immediately forgot everything about it and don't want to ever revisit it again.