It's summertime. Kate's best friend is away, enjoying an educational trip to South Africa, one Kate could have been on if she could control her temper. She's crushing on Charles, her homeboy who she's known forever. If only she could get him to see her as more than just his homegirl. Then, there are Kate's foster parents. Her foster father isn't too bad but it would be great if she could only get her foster mother to not send her to yet a fourteenth foster situation but also leave her alone.

Bored and lonely in the hot NY summer, Kate encounters pretty, fashionable, and out of the box Naleejah. Beginning with a makeover that gets Charles's attention, Kate finds herself drawn deeper and deeper into Naleejah's web, which only gets her into trouble. With everybody. As she untangles and disengages herself, Kate comes to terms with who she is and what she wants for her life.

If you grew up in or on the periphery of "the hood" and came from a poor or working class family, you can relate to Kate aka Diamond, the protagonist of HOT GIRL by Dream Jordan. And if you didn't, you'll still relate to the insecurities and conflicts Kate faces, much like those of any red-blooded American teenage girl.

This was a very enjoyable read, a realistic portrayal of what it's like to be a teen growing up in NYC, in its plot, emotion, and language. There's some sexual aspects to the plot and occasionally some rough language but all of it fits with the NY urban environment that I remember all too well. HOT GIRL is a good, youthful read (and a wake-up for parents who aren't paying attention).