There were only a few things that I found funny about it, and the rest of the time the book kind of just dragged on. But I gave it a chance, and I found that it was very convincingly written, and had an interesting plot! Sometimes things felt a bit off, like the author's voice mocking chavs was coming through Shiraz, which didn't fit very well, but generally it was pretty fun. I'm not gonna give away the plot but any girl (or boy if you really want to read a really girly book) will enjoy it.

Diva without a Cause is enjoyable enough and may be liked by fans of the more gritty Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert and The Brothers Torres by Coert Voorhees. At the same time, though, I was kind of disappointed there was no real statement made about these ideas, unless they speak for themselves; for example, Shiraz’s mom think the way to live a comfortable life is to marry a rich man, not to get an education and a good job, and while Shiraz does seem to want to continue with her schooling, nothing further is said on the matter. Soon she's writing off for college applications and spending the rest of her time trailing after Carrie Draper, who's hellbent on infiltrating the celebrity circuit. And that's really a shame, because buried underneath all the working class British slang and alien cultural references is a sweet story of a girl realizing that she's not as tough as she thinks she is and that there's a whole wide world out there. She's not long into the job before Shizza realises that this celebrity lark isn't all it's cracked up to be.She knows she’s going to have to have a few words with Wesley about their future as he’s planning all sorts himself and it isn’t fair.

When I picked up this book at the library, my first thought was: This book is either going to be an epic disaster or hilarious. Figuring what to do with your life, working through friendships, problems with boys, it’s all in there and humorously done.

Even though most of the characters are ‘chavs’, they are still going through the same emotions as everyone else at a teenage age.

And since I had an ARC, the book only had about five of the British words in the glossary, while the published copy will have a "full glossary of about 12-16 pages. Shiraz is a three-dimensional character, and while I did roll my eyes at yet another character with literary talent, it sort of works here, because it plays opposite of the Chav stereotype (and Shiraz is embarrassed by it). Shiraz has numerous problems including a runaway sister, an obese dog, and a mother who doesn’t seem understanding. Soon Shiraz is hanging out with other boffin types, amongst them the gorgeous Joshua, with the sharp cheekbones and the whopping allowance. But will Shiraz really dump the devoted Wesley Barrington Bains II for a smooth-talking lad with an Oxbridge future?She may irritate you at times with her disregard for authority, but in the end, she does choose the right path and you want to cheer for her when she does! Well if this is your most stunning jewel mate, you ain't got much bling bruv, 'cos this place was a right state and you are a proper liberty sending anyone there.