McCandless creates a believable bond between the two girls and skillfully weaves Presley’s story of high school adolescence with several darker (yet relatively predictable) sub-plots that prevent the work from being too much of a Mayberry-esque tale.

But the true beauty of the novel is not in the plot, but in McCandless’ uncanny grasp of dialogue and language. The novel plays in the reader’s mind like a movie – her narration is as believable as listening to a playback of typical family life, albeit with breaks from Presley’s inner monologue.

The advice distributed by Betsi is exactly the kind that a cool older aunt would give, and McCandless, a young author, creates depth and believability in the psyche of her 14-year-old protagonist and other young characters. The strong bond between Betsi and Presley is set out from the first – Presley’s name came from her aunt’s obsession with Elvis – making the reader’s heart twinge when their relationship becomes strained later in the novel.

The best lines in the book come from Betsi’s memorable relationship advice, which almost seem as if they was taken right from popular television shows like Sex & the City or Grey’s Anatomy.

“‘Let me tell you something about love, Presley,” Betsi said. “There are some guys out there who are the kind of guy you want to spend a lifetime with, and there are others who are just more of a temporary comfort – like mashed potatoes and gravy. There’s nothing wrong with mashed potatoes and gravy. In fact, it’s important, sometimes even better, to go with the mashed potatoes and gravy, just as long as you don’t get caught up in eating them for the rest of your life.’” Betsi’s metaphors aren’t overly philosophical, but they have a quote-ablity that will live beyond the text.

McCandless, the author of bestselling Grosse Pointe Girl, skillfully combines back story and present to create an engaging narrative that is at turns humorous and poignant. In a society where it seems as if everyone has “issues,” The Girl I Wanted to Be deals with delicate subjects such as suicide, drug addiction, and marital strain in such as way as to engage the reader without being depressing.

Presley isn’t a girl with “problems,” but that’s precisely what draws the reader in, proving that not every character needs serious mental or emotional issues to be interesting.

The Girl I Wanted to Be isn’t your typical “young adult” section pick. It’s a perfect gift for the 14-year old but those who can remember the highs and lows of high school will also find themselves riveted with this charming sliver of early-90’s teenager-dom.