Book series by English writer Cathy Hopkins, also author of the Truth, Dare, Kiss or Promise series and the Cinnamon Girl series. It follows the life of four girls (originally three) who are very close friends and deal with typical teenage problems. Each book is narrated by a different girl. Sixteen books were published between 2001 and 2005.
The books provide examples of:
- All Girls Want Bad Boys: Izzie's relationship with Josh during her rebellious phase.
- Betty and Veronica: Ben vs Josh for Izzie. Steve vs Luke for TJ. Izzie doesn't end up with either of the boys, while TJ does eventually get together with Luke a while after she breaks up with Steve.
- Childhood Friends: Lucy and Izzie have been best friends since childhood. It's also the reason why Lucy didn't like Nesta at first, as she was used to being Izzie's only best friend.
- Constantly Curious: Izzie, who gets nicknamed "Izzie Why" by their teacher because of her constant questions.
- Dude Magnet: Nesta is the biggest one due to her good looks, but all of them attract several boys in the series.
- First Love: Tony for Lucy.
- Four-Girl Ensemble: Nesta is the sexy one, Izzie is the wise one, Lucy is the sweet one, and TJ is the smart/tomboyish one.
- Granola Girl: Izzie, a New Age girl who's also a vegetarian.
- Height Angst: Lucy, especially in the first book, hates being short because it makes her feel The Baby of the Bunch and she thinks the boys don't find her attractive. She becomes more confident later on.
- Hippie Parents: Lucy is embarrassed by her hippie parents and their health food. Izzie obviously likes them, being a Granola Girl herself.
- Ladykiller in Love: Tony is a womanizer but falls hard for Lucy.
- Lovable Alpha Bitch: Nesta is popular, confident, and a bit vain and superficial due to being the best-looking girl at school. She's also a friendly and good-natured girl who is fiercely loyal to her friends.
- Love at First Sight: Lucy for Tony.
- Most Writers Are Writers: TJ likes writing and wants to become a journalist/novelist.
- My Sister Is Off-Limits:
- Inverted. Nesta warns her brother Tony that Lucy is off-limits because she knows what a casanova he is and doesn't want Lucy to get hurt.
- Averted with TJ and Lucy's brother Steve, with Lucy rooting for them to get together.
- Naïve Everygirl: Lucy and TJ start out as insecure and shy (especially around guys) though they grow out of it.
- Nice Girl: All four of them, although Lucy and TJ are the straightest examples.
- Open Mouth, Insert Foot: Nesta on several occasions, including accidentally insulting TJ about how bad her style is.
- Proud Beauty: Nesta is well-aware of how attractive she is. Her brother Tony is similarly good-looking, popular, and arrogant because of it.
- Shrinking Violet: TJ as the beginning, especially around guys.
- Sixth Ranger: Or fourth ranger. They were originally a trio, but TJ joins them from the fourth book onwards to make a Four-Girl Ensemble.
- Statuesque Stunner: Nesta, who wants to be a model.
- Their First Time: Lucy plans for hers with Tony, but decides not to because she doesn't feel ready.
- Tomboyish Name: TJ goes by her initials rather than her full, very-not-tomboy name Theresa Joanne.
- Tomboy with a Girly Streak: TJ grows into this, realising she can still be practical, smart and play sports, while improving her style and dating guys.
- True Companions: The girls to each other.
- Unresolved Sexual Tension: Lucy and Tony have a Will They or Won't They? for much of the series, ending with a Maybe Ever After.
