When we first meet sixteen-year-old Tracey she is running away from her father’s house, where she has been held captive for two years. She doesn’t really understand why she is running or where she’s going.

As the story goes on we learn more about how Tracey was held captive. Her mother, Adele, had left her at Roy’s house and told her to be good until she came back to pick her up. But Adele never came back. Even though Adele abandoned her, Tracey doesn’t want to believe that her mother has forgotten her. She believes that one day Adele will go back to Roy’s house looking for her, because of this belief, Tracey spends the rest of the story trying to find a way back to Roy’s house where she can wait for her mother.

Tracey is taken in by child services and is sent to a foster home. She seems to be fitting in nicely, but then one night there is a fire and the house gets destroyed. When Tracey is in hospital she meets her new case worker, Liam. Gradually Tracey starts to trust Liam, and believes that he is going to help her find her mother. Liam sends Tracey to another foster home, and tells her not to blow it because it’s her last chance before being sent to Camp Carillo, a lockdown for girls, in the middle of nowhere.

Tracey seems to start enjoying her life at Mrs Finn’s house; she even makes a friend, Frankie, who later sets of a chain of events that lead Tracey into even more trouble.

I really loved this story, from the very beginning I was sucked in. It’s one of those books that I couldn’t put down until I’d finished it. Tracey is a very loveable character, she starts of naïve and a bit simple, but she grows up and learns a lot as the story goes on. All the characters in the book are well-written and all have personalities that are very real. I also think the ending of the book was done very well. ( )

I loved this book! The author or her publishing company sent it to me in PDF almost two years ago. I just bought a Nook last month and finally read it. I love how she wrote the character's life around her birthday. Very good ending. Can't wait to read the next book : ) ( )

Tracey Burns is an incredibly naive 16 year old girl. She has been left by her mother, Adele Wood, with her father Roy Burns and his girlfriend. She is told to wait there for Adele's return and to be good. After two years of being locked into two rooms something comes over Tracey and she takes off from Roy's house one windy night. With one destination in mind, to reach the house of a girl she had gone to school with. From there Tracey lands into the hands of child services. In her naivete Tracey does not understand why Roy Burns is in trouble and all she knows is that she needs to get back so her mother can find her. She is first taken to Lourdes Sanchez house. As always Tracey stays quiet and does what she is told. After a fire destroys Lourdes' house Tracey meets her new case worker Liam in the hospital. She slowly comes to trust him and he promises to find Adele. She is then placed with Mrs. Finn. Liam guarantees her that she is lucky to be in Mrs. Finn's care as she is the best and there is a long list of young ladies to get in. If she does not abide by Mrs. Finn's rules the only place left to go will be a camp where the conditions are not that great. She comes to discover that life there is not too bad as she does have freedom along with chores and rules. Afraid to be taken to that camp and being even further from where Adele can find her Tracey abides by the rules. On her allotted free time she goes to the park. This is where she meets Frankie and a friendship blossoms. Everything is going as well as could be until one one day Frankie decides to break the rules and cons her into the car to take her to Vegas. During the journey she calls Mrs. Finn who tells her that if she gets back there by midnight she will not put her out. Along the way Tracey ends up alone in Winslow at a greyhound bus station. Things befall her and at one point she meets Monroe. In the beginning she is afraid to trust him after all that has happened to her but he is very kind and she comes to learn that he is not going to hurt her. He introduces her to Eva and Catherine, two sisters who own a establishment called The French Quarter. A place that she is allowed to stay as long as she works for her room and board. It is here that Tracey really begins to learn about life. Eventually she tells Monroe her story who helps her come up a plan that will take place when she turns eighteen to leave and find her mother. After a year of a good life her birthday comes. Tracey is apprehensive of leaving as she has come to feel that she belongs and she loves these people, yet at the same time she really needs to find Adele. Her birthday becomes a day of many surprises and eye opening experiences. Adele is there after all these years and she comes to discover just who her family is. ( )

I’ll admit I wasn’t sure what to expect from Birthday Girl, the first e-book I’ve ever read and not part of a genre I typically opt for. Had I been browsing through a bookshop I doubt I would even have picked it up to check, and probably wouldn’t have bought it - but what a mistake that would have been. Birthday Girl is a compelling read which I would recommend to anyone. Diane Wright tells this, sometimes uncomfortable, story with warmth and a very open, almost friendly style of writing. The storyline is strong and mostly consistent, with well developed characters that help make Tracey’s world seem all the more real. This is a book to get lost in, and is guaranteed to keep you interested throughout. ( )

Birthday Girl is a story about a teenager, Tracey, learning to find herself as an individual in cruel and unusual circumstances. She is far too trusting, allowing others to take advantage of her. Her main goal throughout the story is to get in contact with her mother who told her she would be back to get her after leaving her with her abusive father. After she finally finds her mother, Adele, she realizes that she is not who she thought she was. The insight into this situation would not have been present if it wasn't for the experiences Tracey had gone through on her journey. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. It flows effortlessly and keeps your interest. Beautiful, yet unusual storyline. ( )