In this modern-day retelling of Jane Austen's Emma, Ellie Withers struggles with love, family, and the SATs. The daughter of a single mom, Ellie grew up with few material possessions but lots of love. Her mother eventually marries Luke, a musician, and when his career explodes, Ellie and her family are propelled into an affluent celebrity lifestyle. Determined for Ellie to attend an Ivy League school, her mother hires George as an SAT tutor, but soon Ellie sees him as something more. Ellie, like Emma, is a challenging character. She is self-centered and spoiled but simultaneously devoted to her family, particularly her younger brother, and wary of those who want to befriend her solely because of her famous stepfather. Though some pieces of the story are a bit far-fetched, such as the celebrity mongering and Ellie's frequently dismissive, rude treatment of George, which at times makes it difficult to believe that he was secretly falling in love with her, this quick, fun read is a great fit for Austen fans.

Gr 9 Up-Much like its inspiration, Jane Austen's Emma , this book uses a simple story of family, friendships, and romance to make cultural observations. Ellie considers her life perfect. Her mom is married to a rich and famous TV star and musician. Ellie loves her family, adoring friends, and the cute tutor who sees a potential in her that no one else does. When she tries to control everything, however, there are unexpected consequences. Ellie often states that she is not spoiled, but her behavior doesn't always reflect that. While the overall tone is light, the author deftly weaves in story lines with depth. A handsome, charming friend gets caught up in an affair far more mature than he is. Ellie's little brother exhibits behavior on the autism spectrum, and her parents' gentle conflict over how to respond is nicely handled. VERDICT While detailed descriptions of clothing, social media, and reality TV fame will prevent this novel from lasting long, fans of LaZebnik's Austen-inspired romances and similar chick lit will be thrilled. Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK

Being the stepdaughter of a celebrity is no easy life for Ellie Withers. People tend to give her whatever she wants, but she has difficulty making true friends. Growing up in Philadelphia did little to prepare her for the extravagant, glamorous life of a wealthy L.A. teen. Ellie thinks she has got it all figured out, from the college she and her best friend, Heather, will attend to the guy she is going to marry: the handsome Aaron Marquand, also the child of a famous father. But as events unfold, Ellie begins to see that her plans might not be as perfect as she had thought, and that maybe she has misunderstood the most important people in her life.The principal advantage of reading a book written in first-person narrative is that readers are allowed an in-depth look into the narrator's thoughts. The problem here is that Ellie appears to have no inner life. She is depicted as highly intelligent and is capable of achieving academic success with little effort. It is also mentioned that she spent most of her childhood reading books, yet her thoughts barely scratch the surface of situations. She lacks both insight and a fundamental curiosity about the world. In fact, LaZebnik has offered readers a rather cynical portrayal, as Ellie displays little empathy or compassion. Fans of LaZebnik's previous works will likely enjoy her latest novel, however, as might fans of David Iserson's Firecracker (Penguin, 2013/VOYA June 2013) or Ann Redisch Stampler's Afterparty (Simon Pulse, 2013).Johanna Nation-Vallee.Limelights. Orca, 2015. $9.95 Trade pb.