Who is Serena van der Woodsen from I Like It Like That: A Gossip Girl Novel and what is their importance?

Serena van der Woodsen is a high school senior and a supermodel. Ads featuring Serena promoting a new perfume are posted all over New York. She is depressed because her boyfriend broke up with her. She is looking not so much for someone to love her - most boys do as soon as they see her - she is looking for someone she can love. Serena is surprisingly down to earth and seems to be unaware that the majority of her peers at the exclusive Constance Billard School for Girls are envious of her and resent her.

Serena invites her best friend, Blair, to move in with her because of family issues that Blair is having. They go to Sun Valley for Spring Break where they stay at an upscale lodge where her brother, Erik is also staying. The Dutch Olympic snowboarding team is also in town and they are fascinated by the beautiful Serena but she is not interested. She is looking for that special boy and none of the team members fit the bill.

Serena is close to her brother and resents it when Blair and he begin to cozy up. She had wanted to spend time with her brother who's been away at school for an extended period of time but all of his time is being taken up by Blair. Serena gets drunk in Sun Valley and winds up naked in a toboggan that veers off in an icy ditch. She barely escapes being arrested. Serena and Blair end their vacation in a spat over Erik but when they return to New York, they settle their differences and remain best friends.