Carly has always counted on going to Princeton her family's alma mater for generations, but her SAT scores fall far short of Ivy League standards. Then a mysterious text message from "The Taker" promises nearly perfect scores when she tries the test again, and as her sense of failure intensifies, she accepts the Taker's offer. She also signs up for tutoring sessions with her brilliant, geeky neighbor, and his creative lessons and gentle affection give Carly a new perspective not only on the test and her decision to cheat but also on her friends, family, and boyfriend. The Taker's identity and an SAT cheating ring form an awkwardly constructed mystery that isn't nearly as strong as Carly's believable, first-person voice, which mixes sometimes barbed social observations with genuine insights and growth. Like Mariah Frederick's Crunch Time (2006), this debut novel, written by anonymous authors under a joint pen name, offers a pointed view of the pressures of college admittance, standardized tests, and the discovery of love that feels respectful and right. Gillian Engberg Copyright cAmerican Library Association. All rights reserved.