"My Messed-Up Life is another funny, well-observed story from Susin Nielsen... it's a bouncy read with characters to whom readers will soon feel a strong attachment." (BookTrust)

"Sassy and candid... Especially affecting are Violet?s struggles to accept her father?s new family and her devotion to both her mother and Rosie. A bonus: Clooney makes a cameo" (starred review Publishers Weekly)

"Nielsen has created a story that is both funny and touching and well worth the read. Highly recommended" (CM Magazine)

"Laugh-out-loud humor deftly mixes with insight into a troubled girl?s pain over her parents? divorce, keeping readers involved on every page ? This comic novel scores" (Kirkus)

"...warm, funny and highly engaging." (The School Librarian)

"This hilarious book is fast-paced and witty, but beneath the laughs, Violet is a pre-teen struggling with the complexities of her parent?s relationships." (Inis Reading Guide)

"Violet is a complex, appealing character ... a very engaging read" (Booklist)

"A lot of cleverness and fun ... Some delectable secondary characters (and) a couple of lovely plot twists ... Buy it" (National Post)

Violet is not impressed with her TV director dad: he?s decided to abandon his family in Vancouver to start over with a new younger wife in LA. To Violet, it?s like he?s traded his old life for a better one ? complete with new and improved children. To make matters worse, her mom has taken up with a dorky new man called Dudley Wiener.
Violet decides to take control. She needs a new stepfather who is perfect, charming and will show Dad what he?s missing: she needs George Clooney, Hollywood superstar.