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book review

Nice Try, Jane Sinner

By Lianne Oelke, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 432 pages, $24.99

Debut Vancouver author Lianne Oelke proves that the first year out of high school can be full of personal growth and reflection – even while starring in a low-budget reality show at a community college in Elbow River, Alta. Seventeen-year-old Jane Sinner (her real name) agrees to star in a student-produced reality show called House of Orange in exchange for cheap rent. It all starts out pretty light, with Jane in full-on snark mode as she analyzes her motley group of cast mates and ultra-religious parents. Sharp-tongued, pessimistic protagonists are a dime a dozen, but Jane's story soon turns more profound and addicting. Profound because she wrestles with deep, relatable feelings around her faith and self-worth, and addicting because of the escalating momentum and suspense of the reality show. Jane's story is for those who like their books brainy and their television trashy. A binge-read with hidden depths.

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