Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Please help me find this book!

5 replies

IButtleSir · 25/06/2025 18:44

Mumsnet has never yet let me down when I've wanted a book found with very little information to go on!

This time it's a tete beche book (one where you read half the book, then turn it upside down and flip it over and start again from the back, which is now the front). It was a YA book, and I would have read it between 2001-2004. Each half was from the point of view of a different sister (both teenagers). The younger one was unhappy and unpopular and jealous of her older sister, who she described as being popular and self-obsessed- one bit I remember was her talking about how she saw her sister being cat-called by builders and how she was obviously loving the attention.

Then when you read it from the older sister's POV, you realised that actually the younger sister was devious and manipulative. And you found out that she had hated being cat called, but she smiled and played along because she was scared of how the men would react if she didn't.

That's all I can remember. If anyone can track this book down for me, I'd be thrilled!

OP posts:
MissSmith80 · 25/06/2025 19:55

I’ve cheated and used AI but it says Flipside by Diane Lee.

Sounds fascinating so I’m going to see if I can find a copy - I haven’t read a tete beche for a very, very long time.

Thanks for asking the question.

IButtleSir · 26/06/2025 15:11

MissSmith80 · 25/06/2025 19:55

I’ve cheated and used AI but it says Flipside by Diane Lee.

Sounds fascinating so I’m going to see if I can find a copy - I haven’t read a tete beche for a very, very long time.

Thanks for asking the question.

Edited

I've just googled it and I cannot find a book of that name by an author of that name! The are many books called (The) Flipside, but none by that author. Do you think AI might have invented it?

I'm reading a great tete beche book at the moment (which is what made me remember the one I posted about)- The Turnglass by Gareth Rubin. I'd definitely recommend it!

OP posts:
MissSmith80 · 29/06/2025 21:08

Maybe because I couldn’t find it either.

AI suggested these other details that weren’t in your post - do they sound familiar? Particularly the names Emma and Talia?

Other details that fit (though you didn't mention them):

  • The sisters are dealing with their parents' separation.
  • Talia is trying to navigate a new friendship with a popular girl.
  • Emma is struggling with her first serious relationship and societal expectations.
helluvatime · 30/06/2025 08:12

AI often invents an answer if one can't be found! I've had this when asking for a summary of a book - Chat GPT just made it all up, several times.

I didn't know the term "tete beche". Interesting!

tobee · 30/06/2025 14:39

I've googled and I think MissSmith AI thinks it's Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen and it doesn't fit. Just to add to the unhelpful info!

ChatGtp is a dreadful liar re books.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page