White Lies and Barefaced Truths: Truth or Dare    by Cathy Hopkins Order:  USA  Can Pulse, 2004 (2002) Paperback     Reviewed by Melissa Parcel Cathy Hopkins, known for her Mates, Dates ... stories, begins a new Truth or Dare series with White Lies and Barefaced Truths. A few days before school starts, Cat and her friends play one of their favorite games, 'Truth, Dare, Kiss, or Promise'. Cat is dared to talk to Ollie Axford, the gorgeous son of an American rock star (she secretly has a crush on him). The problem is, Cat's best friend Becca also has a crush on Ollie, and Becca wants an introduction. When Cat does meet Ollie, the two really hit it off. Cat knows Becca won't understand ... and neither will Squidge, Cat's longtime boyfriend. As the school year gets underway, Cat gives a lot of thought to truth. She keeps a log of how many lies she tells, and then tries to be completely truthful - with mixed results. How much of the truth does she owe to her friends? At what cost to them and to herself? The premise is interesting (and provides food for thought) and the story is engaging. Cat is a very sympathetic character, and you can't help but root for her to work through problems and misunderstandings. This new series is off to an excellent start. The characters are multidimensional, and the plot moves at a quick pace. The author adds just the right amount of humor to keep the story light, yet the tone remains thoughtful. And although White Lies and Barefaced Truths is set in England, readers everywhere can relate to these teens and their struggles, which are universal. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Teens books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews