Saving Juliet: A novel about a modern girl who, with the aid of some magical ashes, is transported back in time to Verona, Italy, where she meets Romeo and Juliet and decides to give them the happy ending they deserve. A little love story, outside of the obvious one, interwoven here too, as well as a story about a girl who has to learn to face her fears and stand up for herself and what she dreams of doing with her life. For me, this was a fun read. The whole Juliet-being-thirteen-ish-years-old thing was authentic but still a little disturbing. But overall, yes, I'd say it's worth a few hours of your reading time, especially if you're looking for one of those, "I want a book that doesn't force me to think too hard and gives its characters happy endings" kinds of reads.
Betraying Season: Sequel to Bewitching Season. This one took a marked turn, I thought, from the first in the series. For one thing, it had a surprising scene of sensuality (I wouldn't recommend it to young teens). For another, there was a lot less discussion of fashion and frippery. I loved all the interplay between the heroine and her obvious intended. Her blindness to the "bad guy" amongst her acquaintances was mostly believable. There were some "I want to strangle the main character for being so obtuse" moments. But mostly, the author pulled the story off well. It wasn't totally fantastic for me, but I liked it well enough.
Prada and Prejudice: This book was everything I wanted it to be: totally fun, Jane-Austen style. Don't worry, the Bennets don't make an appearance. It's not a Pride and Prejudice rehashing. It's about an American teen who trips on a class trip on the cobblestone streets of London in her brand-new Prada high heels and lands herself in Regency England. No Darcy, but there is a handsome though snobbish duke. The book reminded me a lot of Shannon Hale's Austenland, minus Shannon's lovely writing style. The heroine is really shy, and her best (and only) friend just moved to another school, so she begins the book feeling desperate to get in with the in-crowd but not knowing how to do it. She ends the book in a more positive, self-assured, strong-woman frame of mind. For me, this book was just fun, absorbing, and happy. Of the three chick flicks I read this month, I recommend this one the most. But Austen could've biased me. :)
As a side note, don't forget to enter the Christmas books giveaway, if you haven't already done so. Just leave a comment by midnight, the night of Thanksgiving, November 26th.
These books sound like a lot of fun. I'll have to give them a try.
ReplyDeleteHow do you and Alysa find the time to read so much? I want to read more, but I feel like I'm trying to divide myself between too many things. And then, I get burned out and sometimes reading suffers.
I've recently been interested in books like this, how fun. Great reviews. I think I might go pick up that Prada and Prejudice.
ReplyDeleteI can't speak for Alysa, but I just sneak in reading time anywhere I can fit it---during my little guy's naps if I'm not editing, after he goes to bed, while he's off playing by himself, and so on. I'm expecting #2 in a couple months, so I figure I better read as much as I can now!
ReplyDeleteThanks for these reviews Ashley. Once in a while I like a little light reading but I usually steer clear because of the risks -- like the love scene you encountered in Betraying Season. So these reviews will come in handy when I get in one of those moods.
ReplyDeleteI have to ask though, is "chick flick" a word now used for books too? I think I am showing my age because we still called movies "flicks" when I was a kid. The old black and whites (which were before my time, just so you know) used to flicker on the screen. So when you said "chick flick" and I had just seen a preview at New Moon about Letters from Juliet or something like that, I thought for a moment you were reviewing movies here. I think I must be a little confused.
Sorry about the confusion. Yes, "chick flicks" are definitely movies ... I just use the term loosely here to mean a book that, if made into a movie, would certainly be a chick flick. These books aren't centered around action---they're centered around relationships with teenaged female main characters. So I'm guessing in general they'd mostly appeal to a female audience.
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