This contemporary twist on Jane Austen’s Emma features the signature wit and swoon-worthy romance of beloved author Claire LaZebnik’s other fan favorites Epic Fail, The Trouble with Flirting, and The Last Best Kiss.

Ellie Withers is definitely not spoiled, so she wishes that George Nussbaum would stop implying that she is. It’s not her fault that her stepfather became a TV star and now they live in a big house and people fawn over her wherever she goes. She doesn’t even like being fawned over. Fortunately, her two closest friends understand her a lot better than George: Heather Smith loved her before she even knew who Ellie’s stepfather was, and handsome Aaron Marquand has a father who’s just as famous.

With Aaron back in town and very much in her life, Ellie feels like things are just fine—or would be if her mother hadn’t hired George to tutor her. George has a habit of making Ellie feel a little less sure of herself, a little less on top of the world, a little less right about everything. It’s almost like he wants her to be a better person than she is.

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 . . . and whether it’s possible—or even likely—that the perfect person to teach her is the last person she’d expect.

Goodreads | Barnes and Noble

Wrong About the Guy was a pleasant surprise. Progressing through the novel, I realized it’s about far more than just a guy; it’s about family and loving people despite their imperfections.

Ellie Withers is a fun character. On the outside she appears self-centered and careless; getting to know her better, we find she’s actually an endearing girl who loves her friends and family in her own quirky way. She isn’t always thrilled about how her life changed when her mother married a television star, making her down to earth but not perfect. These traits balanced well.

One thing I liked about this book was the presence of a functioning family. They have problems you’ll find in a family, struggling together to cope with these challenges. These days, most YA books feature a teenager whose parents are absent from her life; this book is different. In Wrong About the Guy, we do see Ellie’s mother and Luke and her little brother, Jacob.

It’s good to shift the focus sometimes, because not all teenagers distance themselves so quickly. YA often makes it seem obligatory to walk away from Mom and Dad, but not everyone is like that. I asked Claire some questions about the subject of family in YA, so check back in a couple of days.

Give this book a try! It’s a heartwarming read and one you’re bound to remember.

Sadie, Darcy, and Rosanna are living together in New York City the summer before their freshman year of college begins. With no parents, no rules, and an entire city to explore, these three girls are on the verge of the best summer of their lives.

Sadie is a native New Yorker. She is hopeful, romantic, and an eternal optimist who is ready to find her soul mate. Then she meets her dream boy: cute, funny, and quirky in all the right ways. The chemistry between them is unreal. Could he be the one?

Darcy is a free spirit from SoCal with rebellious tendencies and unlimited financial resources. Moving to New York City is just another adventure for her. Darcy wants this summer to be all about boy adventures—nothing serious. But how much fun is too much?

Rosanna leaves Chicago for NYC so she can put her past behind her and reinvent herself. The only thing standing in her way is the grand total of seventy-three cents she has saved. Then she meets a guy who wants to show her the glamorous side of New York—a side that she would never get to experience on her own. If Rosanna doesn’t resist, she may find herself in city love.

Told from alternating points of view, City Love captures the moments in each girl’s life when everything is thrilling, amazing, and terrifying all at once . . . in a way it will never be again.

find on Goodreads | Barnes and Noble

Told from three alternating POVs, City Love follows Sadie, Darcy, and Rosanna as they adapt to life in New York and find love along the way. The girls are very different from one another–different backgrounds and personalities–but they’re good friends towards the end.

I liked how each character was written to stand on her own. Darcy is not Rosanna; Sadie is not Darcy. They’re different characters, very well developed, which is a feat I love in novels–coherent characters.

My favorite character was Rosanna, as she was the one with the hardest time getting used to fast life in New York. I’d probably relate to her if I moved to a big city. But other people could relate more to Darcy–that’s what’s really cool about these characters.

The setting was very well done. I could feel busy New York all around me as I turned the pages. I could hear the noise and sense the energy. This is one of those books in which a city almost becomes a character; Susane Colasanti has captured New York City fantastically, doing her justice.

If you’re looking for a good, romantic summer read, this is it. The story isn’t over yet–we have a sequel coming up! I’m excited to see what happens to these friends next.

I can’t resist making a note on the book cover. I lifted the wrap-around and saw the hardcover also had an image on it, making this book truly unique in design. It’s going up there with my shelf of pretty books!