Two Girls, A Guy, and...the SATs?

Expected Publication:  April 21st, 2015

Wrong About the Guy

By: Claire LaZebnik

Harper Teen

ISBN-13:  9780062252302

As the stepdaughter of a TV star, Ellie Withers has it all: an amazing house in LA, a devoted friend who loved her before she even knew who Ellie's stepfather was, and a burgeoning romance with handsome Aaron Marquand.  But Ellie isn't the kind of person who's content with simply having it all -- the people in her life have to be equally happy.  And, of course, she knows exactly what they need.

When Ellie's plans for her family, her friends, and even her love life don't turn out the way she imagined, she begins to wonder if maybe she could stand to learn a thing or two after all.  Most surprising, though, is that the perfect person to teach her is the last person she'd expect.

Review

       Ellie has a charmed life with her Mom, famous stepdad Luke and little brother in an LA mansion.  But she thrives on getting things to go her way, whether that means sharing her infuriating SAT tutor George with her less motivated best-friend Heather, getting her Mom and Luke to honeymoon where she wants them to, or planning the future of her own love life.  When Luke's best friend's son moves back to LA for his senior year, Ellie thinks this might finally be the time to jump start her own romantic life.  But there doesn't seem to be any chemistry to speak of between the two of them.  With fake girls at school giving her trouble, fights with Heather over college (and surprisingly, a guy) putting a crimp in their friendship, and Aaron not being quite what he seemed on the surface, is it finally time for Ellie to admit that she needs to spend some time on her own life instead of everyone else's?

       I am a sucker for Jane Austen retellings and had previously read Epic Fail and The Trouble With Flirting by this author, and really enjoyed them.  That said, Elizabeth Bennet and Fanny Price were likeable heroines inherently and I was rooting for them in the original stories.  Emma was not really a favorite of mine.  I will say that Claire definitely managed to make the characters more approachable.  I especially liked Emma's Mom and her stepdad in this book, and the overall family relationship (a great one).  Heather was okay, but I do feel like she was dumbed down quite a bit to make the whole SAT situation more believable.  I honestly felt like Emma didn't even need an SAT tutor, but it was a good way to bring George (aka Knightley) into the story and lessen the originally FAR more creepy age difference between him and Ellie (Emma).  The were a few subplots, such as the one with Aaron's true object of affection, the one with a weird girl at school trying to get to Ellie's stepdad through her, and one with the slow development of Ellie's little brother/what could be responsible for it medically.  Overall, a sweet and fluffy retelling of Emma that I enjoyed and would recommend, even if I didn't quite love it.

VERDICT:  3/5 Stars

**I reviewed this book as part of Around the World ARC Tours, run by the lovely Princess Bookie.  No money or favors were exchanged for this review.  This book's expected publication date is April 21st, 2015.**

Cozy Classics: Emma

 

Published: December 5th, 2013

Cozy Classics: Emma (Cozy Classics)

By: Jack Wang, Holman Wang

Simply Read Books

ISBN-13:  9781927018378

 

Give a kid a classic!  Cozy Classics is the popular board book series that presents well-loved stories to children aged 0+ through twelve child-friendly words twelve needle-felted illustrations.  Jane Austen's Emma is a romantic comedy about a young woman who makes mischief through matchmaking, and is one of the world's most beloved classics.  Now you can share this classic with children of any age.  www.mycozyclassics.com

 

Review

 

     What to say, what to say.....how much can I tell you about a board book that consists only of twelve pages/words/photo illustration-thingys?  Well, I can tell you that it was absolutely hilarious to read this as an adult!  I adored the felt puppet-tastic illustrations!  They were so well-staged, which I suppose is still difficult even though it does get around working with real people as models like it would in live-action photography.  And while it cuts out the drawing aspect of art it still takes craftsmanship to stage one of these scenes, let alone twelve of them.  The synopsis makes sure to tell you that this book is a romantic comedy.  From the words chosen though, you don't really take away any romantic context unless you happen to know the story of Emma prior to reading this little slice of the original story.  It introduces the reader to Emma and Knightley (lady and man, respectively), shows Emma taking Harriet from Mr. Martin (Goodbye).  Then it goes to Emma trying to set Harriet up with Mr. Elton (Hello), Knightley questioning Emma about her matchmaking (Why), and Mr. Elton's proposal to Emma herself (the surprise on puppet Emma's face, alongside the word 'Surprise!' was especially amusing)!  Next Frank Churchill (Weston? Can't remember) is seen carrying Harriet (Carry), in someone's house with her (Thanks), Emma and Frank laughing at poor old Miss Bates who looks dejected (Laugh). 

     Then the climax of the book happens when Knightley scolds Emma (Angry), Emma admits her wrong actions and they make up (Sorry).  The last page has the word 'Happy', with Emma and Knightley arm-in-arm and Robert Martin behind them with Harriet.  As someone who knows the story in detail, I have the nuances of the story already in my background knowledge and am able to interpret romantic intent.  As such, I don't think a child would necessarily get it unless it was explained a little bit better by a parent/whoever is reading it to them or with them.  The book hits the high points, but the thing with Miss Bates does seem pretty out of place based on the other eleven pages/words included.  Also, when we saw the Frank puppet I thought it was Mr. Knightley and couldn't figure out why he looked different.  It wasn't till his last page (laughing with Emma) that I made the connection.  Other than that, this book was absolutely adorable.  I am truly excited to read more in this series.  I especially want to see how these guys manage to tell Les Miserables in only 12 words!  I highly recommend it for anyone, even adults who don't have kids to use as a reason to read these books - you don't need the justification! :)

 

First thoughts:  OH. MY. GOD.  Absolutely hilarious!  Only 12 words to describe this classic novel, accompanied by pictures of little dolls staged to act things out.  I am in love and need to read all the others in this series.  Oh, the possibilities!  I wonder how in the ever-loving, HELL the people behind this managed to do Les Miserables or War & Peace!  More on this later!

 

VERDICT:  4/5  Stars

 

*I received an Advanced Reading E-book Copy from the publisher, Simply Read Books, via NetGalley.  No money or favors were exchanged for this review.  This book was published December 5th, 2013.*