Carolrhoda LAB, 2011
209 pages
MG; Contemporary
3.5/5 stars
Source: Received a free egalley via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Based on the cover, I thought this was a horror novel about some teenage sexpot terrorizing a town. That is NOT correct at all. First the main character is 13, making this an appropriate middle-grade novel. Second the novel is more about family, friendship, and first love in a pretty sweet way.
Irene leads a very privileged life with a beautiful apartment and attendance at a private girls' school in New York City. Until her dad loses his job and her parents decide to spend the summer with her grandfather in the country because they have little to no money. Her mom is not at all pleased, having been accustomed to a certain way of life that is no longer available to her. Irene is confused by the changes and feels hurt that her parents are making decisions without talking to her about them. However once there, Irene's worldview shifts. She meets new people like the boisterous loving family including a girl her age Meg and a cute boy Jim. And she begins to enjoy gardening and a more simple life than she had lived previously.
Content: There was one page where Irene swears twice, which is my only hesitation in recommending this to a younger audience.
Overall: A sweet novel that is mostly appropriate for a MG audience. I didn't hate this book but I didn't love it either. There were some cute parts but nothing grabbed me. I appreciated the diversion of a few hours and it was pleasant but nothing to shout about.
Cover: I've already shared what the cover made me think of the story; does anyone else get that impression?
Hehe, a protagonist sharing my name - that doesn't happen very often.:) This sounds cute. Perhaps not my thing, but it does have a nice premise.
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