Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

Title: Suite Scarlett


Author: Maureen Johnson


Length: 353 pages


Blurb:  Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small Art Deco hotel in the heart of New York City. When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets booth a room called the Empire Suite and a permanent guest named Mrs. Amberson. Scarlett doesn't know what to make of this C-list starlet and world traveler. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved into the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn. Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery and romantic missteps. But in the city where anything can happen, she might just be able to pull it off. 
                                                                                                
This book, was something. I mean, it was good at some points, but weird at others. I had SO many problems while reading this book. 

1. I'm Confused
2. Number #1
3. Number #2
4. Number #3
5. Number #4

Well, you get the idea. 

So, the protagonists's family owns and lives in a hotel. her little sister, Marlene, was a TOTAL brat, and had leukemia. Her older brother, Spencer, is an actor, who, in the book, is a part of the play Hamlet. Her older sister, Lola, works at Henri Bendel, and has a rich boyfriend named Chip. Scarlett and Spencer don't like him. Their family's hotel is in financial crisis. 

Scarlett gets a crush on a guy named Eric, who works with Spencer. But, let me just say, her crush DOESN'T end well.  

Right before I took the picture above, I wanted to throw the book across the room. 

They get a guest named Mrs. Amberson,  who used to be a big name in Broadway. She was wild, funny, and like a cool older babysitter. 

To be honest, I gave this book 3 hearts. 

( There is a second book. So, I may read that.)

Faith, Hope, and Ivy June by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Title: Faith, Hope, and Ivy June

Author: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Length: 288 pages

Blurb:  Ivy June Mosley and Catherine Combs, two girls from different parts of Kentucky, are participating in the first student exchange program between their schools. They girls will stay at each other's home, attend school together, and journal about their experience. Catherine and her family have a beautiful home with lots of space. Since Ivy June's home is crowded, she lives with her grandparents. As they get closer, they realize they are more alike than different. 

                                                                     

 First things first, doesn't this blurb sound fun???

This book hit close to home in 2 ways. They both live in Kentucky, which is super close to Virginia. The coal mining was another hit. Now, for the two main characters. 

Ivy June Mosley: Ivy June is a girl who lives with her grandparents because her own home is too crowded. By the way. Ivy June lives in the mountains. The Mosley's wear hand-me-downs, drive rickety cars, and use outhouses. 

Catherine Combs: Catherine lives with her family in a big, beautiful house. She resides in the city, and is driven to school everyday in a nice car. 

THEY'RE POLAR OPPOSITES!!!!!!!!!!

This book was great because both of the character's perspectives changed. Even their family's perspective changed. Ivy June's family thought mixing and talking with the upper class was bad. Catherine's family just wasn't used to living in the mountains, not having luxuries, and being without a uniform. 

But, both of these girl were REALLY, REALLY bratty in my opinion. Sometimes, i just wanted to slap some sense into them. OK, I understand something happened, but I felt like they should suck it up, and move on. 

The Verdict?