Summer in Paris by Michele Ashman Bell

Summer in Paris
by Michele Ashman Bell

Young Adult Romantic Suspense
210 pages, 6x9", softcover
Target reader: 14+

Valor Publishing Group
978-1-935546-17-7
Release Date: March 16, 2010



(see review)

From the publisher:

Kenzie Williams feels like she has it all; wealth, friends, popularity and talent. But when her father tells her that he has declared bankruptcy, her whole world in New York City turns upside down. Her parents' solution while they sort through their financial and marital problems is to send Kenzie to live with her relatives in Paris . . . Idaho!

Feeling like she's been sentenced to three months in Hickville Prison, Kenzie arrives in Idaho feeling like a square peg, with name brand clothes, in a round, horribly podunk, hole.

Leaving everything she loves behind, Kenzie is forced to get up at the crack of dawn, do chores, and hang out with her cousin's loser friends. She feels like she's about to die until she meets Adam White, the town outcast, whose been accused of killing his best friend and is being blamed for some trouble that's been happening around town.

Not only is Adam the best-looking guy she's ever seen, but he's also the most fascinating guy she's ever met and Kenzie is determined to get to know him and find out his secret. But, the longer she stays in Paris, the more she realizes, Adam isn't the only one keeping secrets.

This is a great book for girls, ages 12 to 16. If you like non-fantasy YA, you will like really this one—especially ifyou liked that "Miley Cyrus goes back to her roots on the farm" movie. There's some suspense, some mystery, a little bit of clean romance. I liked the messages on being true to what you know is right, avoiding prejudice, and valuing the simple things in life. They came through clearly but weren't preachy.

This is not a cross-over to adult book, which is why it's only getting 3 stars from me—because I'm an adult. I felt the plot was a little predictable and things worked out a little too easily in the end.

BUT I think teen girls will give it 4 or 5 stars. If I had teen girls on my Christmas list, I'd consider giving it to them as a gift. The first group of stars below are what I, as an adult reader, give the book (and I think most adults would agree with me); the second group of stars is what I think most teen girls would give the book.


Plot: /

Characters: /

Ending: /

Cover: This cover really doesn't appeal to me. I showed it to a few teen girls and their comments were along the lines of "What's up with her eyes?"



Content Ratings

Language:

Violence: There's no "on-screen" violence; there is some arson and references to deaths. There's a scene where a character is caught in a flash flood but it ends up okay.

Drugs/Alcohol: Some of the teens drink, but then have to face the consequences.

Immorality:

Values/Themes: Family is important; trust that inner voice that tells you something is wrong; be true to yourself.

Age Appropriate:

Writing Mechanics: A few glitches, but not too bad.


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