Summer Romance Reads Part 1

 Title: The Selection Trilogy-
                                      The Selection
                                     The Elite
                                    The One
                                   (There are also three novellas: The Guard, The Prince, and (soon
                                    to come out) The Queen)
                                   Author: Kiera Cass
                                   Previous Work:
                                                   The Siren
                                                    In the Clearing (short story in Brave New Love)
                     
                                  Summary: America Singer has never wanted to be "selected".
                                  To compete for a man she's never met and a crown she doesn't
                                  want,while 35 other girls fight desperately for the same goal. It
                                  would mean leaving her family and her secret love Aspen. And
                                  what if she ends up wanting her new life more than the old one?

                                  Rating: This is a 4.5.
                                  Awards: None

                                 Opinion: I really enjoyed this series. I had been thinking the
                                 whole "love triangle thing" was overdone, but this one worked. I
                                 loved America's personality, and the two guys were great.
                                (Although I have to say, I'm partial to Maxon, the Prince.) I also
                                 liked that the book wasn't entirely about the romance. That can
                                 be tiring. People compare this book to Matched or Hunger
                                 Games, but personally, I think it stands on its own merit.

Repousser

 Title: Belle Epoque
                                      # of Pages: 336
                                     Author: Elizabeth Ross
                                     Previous Work: None.

                                     Summary: Maude Pichon feels trapped in her life in
                                     Brittany. She runs away to Paris, only to find she can't make
                                     enough money to live. The Durandeau Agency provides
                                     interesting opportunities for plain or ugly women- of which
                                     Maude is.  They can be paid to be a companion to a socialite,
                                     called a foil, making them seem more attractive. Maude
                                     becomes a companion to Isabelle Dubern, but Isabelle doesn't
                                     realize Maude is being paid to be her friend. The longer the
                                     deception goes on, the more Maude has to lose.

                                     Rating: 2.
                                     Awards: 

                                     Junior Library Guild Selection

                                    2014 William C. Morris Award Finalist

                                    Opinion: This book was just okay. The premise was
                                    interesting.The historical timing was nice (who knew people
                                    thought the Eiffel tower was an eyesore?). The characters
                                    and ending, however, were predictable and forgettable. This
                                    can pass a rainy day, but you won't remember much about it
                                    afterwards.

Freedom isn't Free

 Title: For Freedom: The Story of a French Spy
                                  # of Pages: 181
                                  Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
                                  Previous Work:

                                                  Halfway to the Sky

                                                  Leap of Faith
                                                  
                                                  One-of-a-kind Mallie
                                               
                                                  Ruthie's Gift
  
                                                  The President's Daughter
                                              
                                                   Weaver's Daughter

                                     Summary: Based on a true story, this book tells the
                                     harrowing tale of Suzanne David. She was a teenage Opera
                                     singer- and a French spy during WWII. She risked her life
                                     and saw horrible things, but stayed strong the entire war,
                                     ferrying messages back and forth.

                                     Rating: This book is a 5! I want to read it over and over again.
                                     Awards: 
                                               
                                                  Booklist Starred Review

                                                  IRA Teacher's Choice Award

                                                  Kirkus Starred Review
                 
                                                  NYPL Book of the Year
                                                 
                                                  VOYA Top Shelf Fiction Award

                                      Opinion: This book is amazing! There is one scene in
                                      the beginning of the book that is a little graphic, but there
                                      aren't any more scenes like that once you get past it. I
                                      would say Suzanne is a very real character, but she is real,
                                      so I guess that's to be expected. It's fantastic what she did
                                      for her country, and really the world! Would I, given the
                                      chance, do what she did? Probably not. She's braver than I'll
                                      ever be.

Music to Your Eyes

 Title: Take a Bow
                                     # of Pages: 278
                                     Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
                                     Previous Work:
                                                          The Lonely Hearts Club

                                                           Prom and Prejudice

                                     Summary: This book is told from the point of view of four
                                     teens who go to a performing arts school. Emme writes songs
                                     for her friend, Sophie, because she's too scared to sing them on
                                     her own. She believes that's the way it always has to be. Sophie
                                     wants fame, and will do anything to get it. She uses Emme, her
                                     BFF, and her boyfriend Carter. Carter is a former child actor.
                                     He just wants to be a normal guy, but his fame is seriously
                                     getting in the way. And then there's Ethan. Ethan is in Emme's
                                     band, and is a musical prodigy, but always thinks he isn't good
                                     enough. And so he sabotages himself. As high school continues
                                     these people are linked together for life.
                                     Rating: I give this book a 4.5. It leaves a lasting impression on
                                     you.
                                     Awards: 
                                                  None.
                                     Opinion: This was a must read book. It tells about a
                                     performing arts school, but it was focusing on the students. The
                                    whole book had a wonderful balance. My only complaint is you
                                    really don't find out where Ethan's self esteem issues come
                                    from. The ending was perfect. It was sweet, but realistic. This
                                    book is great to read any place or any time!