Review: Trouble with Flirting

Franny's not attending the Mansfield Summer Theater Program as an actress - instead, she's helping her aunt (the costume designer) for the summer. She's trying to save money for college, but she's interested in acting. Her parents forced her to focus on school and sports - the tools most likely to earn her a college scholarship.  A sports injury changed that idea and she hasn't gone back to acting. This summer, she finds that she misses it.

Franny also finds herself reconnecting with old friends - Julia and Alex. She had a crazy crush on Alex during the 8th grade. She always wondered if anything could ever happen between them. Could this finally be her chance to find out?

Although Franny spends her days sewing, her nights and meal times are free. She finds herself drawn into a group of friends.Most of the group starting pairing off. Julia and Mary shamelessly flirt with Harry. He flirts back, but doesn't seem seriously about anything. As Franny gets to know the group, Harry starts paying attention to her. Will she have to choose between two boys?

My Thoughts: A twist and modernization of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park - fresh, flirty, and tons of fun! I'm always a sucker for a Jane Austen retelling and this one is fabulous. I love the theater take from Mansfield Park and creating a novel centered around that idea. It's cleverly done and easy takes most adults out of the equation. Plus, it's set in summer, which is the perfect time for a light romance.  I love Franny's cranky aunt - she complains all the time, but won't accept help most of the time. I like the fact that Franny was apart from the group - but close with them too. It made the situation very realistic. Plus, it made the separation more than just money, as in the original work. The secondary characters were great - snarky, catty, and full of themselves. I devoured this one!

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Review: Epic Fail

Elise's mother just took a job at a prep school in LA. It's a school full of celebrity offspring. Elise's nervous about fitting in.

Her beautiful sister Juliana has no problem. In fact, by lunch on the first day, she's managed to snag Chase's attention. Chase is adorable and sweet. Unfortunately for Elise, he's also the best friend of Derek Edwards.

Derek is the son of Hollywood royalty. He hates talking about his family or their connections. He also doesn't seem to like Elise.

Elise doesn't understand Derek. One minute they're having a great time at a party and the next he's throwing out a boy who starts talking to her. Elise connects with Webster. She can't figure out why Derek loathes him.

Will Elise choose the wrong boy?

My Thoughts: I'm SUCH a sucker for Jane Austen re-telling, especially teen one. I loved how similar it is to Pride and Prejudice. The parents were strict - the mother the school Principle and therefore embarrassing. I loved how Derek was the son of very famous actors.Using Hollywood for the setting was awesome. There were the crazy celebrity stalker girls (Layla - the Lydia character) included. I loved that Chelsea (the Caroline character) had a best friend who was more along the lines of a frenemy. I adored the relationship between Elise and Juliana. I found Layla both annoying and amusing. All in all, a great re-telling that I read in one afternoon because I didn't want to put it down.

Cover Thoughts: It's cute, but doesn't seem to jive with the story

Source: My Library

Similar Read: Prom and Prejudice