Belle Epoque by Elizabeth Ross
Hardcover: 336 pages
Published: June 11, 2013 (Delacorte Books for Young Readers)
Description:
When Maude Pichon runs
away from provincial Brittany to Paris, her romantic dreams vanish as
quickly as her savings. Desperate for work, she answers an unusual ad.
The Durandeau Agency provides its clients with a unique service—the
beauty foil. Hire a plain friend and become instantly more attractive.
Monsieur
Durandeau has made a fortune from wealthy socialites, and when the
Countess Dubern needs a companion for her headstrong daughter, Isabelle,
Maude is deemed the perfect foil.
But Isabelle has no idea her
new "friend" is the hired help, and Maude's very existence among the
aristocracy hinges on her keeping the truth a secret. Yet the more she
learns about Isabelle, the more her loyalty is tested. And the longer
her deception continues, the more she has to lose.
This is a really good stand alone book. No sequels here. It's a unique story and concept about the hiring of unattractive women to make socialites look more desirable. I wonder if this was true? It certainly seems like it could be, but I'm not sure. Anyway, this book is good. Thumbs up.
Invisibility by Andrea Cremer
Hardcover: 358 pages
Published: May 7, 2013 (Philomel)
Description:
Stephen has been
invisible for practically his whole life — because of a curse his
grandfather, a powerful cursecaster, bestowed on Stephen’s mother before
Stephen was born. So when Elizabeth moves to Stephen’s NYC apartment
building from Minnesota, no one is more surprised than he is that she
can see him. A budding romance ensues, and when Stephen confides in
Elizabeth about his predicament, the two of them decide to dive
headfirst into the secret world of cursecasters and spellseekers to
figure out a way to break the curse. But things don’t go as planned,
especially when Stephen’s grandfather arrives in town, taking his anger
out on everyone he sees. In the end, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide
how big of a sacrifice they’re willing to make for Stephen to become
visible — because the answer could mean the difference between life and
death. At least for Elizabeth.
This book was surprisingly good. I think there's going to be a sequel (or two). Bummer. Wish they all didn't have to be that way. By the time the sequels come out, I've forgotten the first one already! This is worth a read if you don't mind being left hanging at the end.
