shalenaimathews's review against another edition
4.0
Though I was unsure about Belles at first, I'm glad I stuck with it. It ended up being a great story about two girls with more in common than they think. With tons of family and friendship drama, vivid settings, and a lot of heart, this Southern contemporary YA is a fun one to cozy up with. I am super excited to read the sequel, Winter White.
*8.5/10*
Find my full review here.
*8.5/10*
Find my full review here.
heyitstay19's review against another edition
5.0
I feel like everyone else didnt like the book but I LOVED it. I really was surprised I liked it so much. I can't wait to read the second. I will admit it took a few chapters for me to get into it (like most books). I definatly think you should read it if you like drama books.
alexisneuville's review against another edition
4.0
REVIEW: http://theliteraturelion.blogspot.com/2013/01/review-belles-by-jen-calonita.html
Isabelle Scott knew she didn't have it all, but she was happy with that. She had friends, she had a life, and even though she didn't have her parents to guard her, she still had her grandma. Soon she is shipped to Emerald Cove to live with her uncle, who she never know about. Mirabelle Monroe lives there and Mira and
My friend was nagging me to read this for quite some time. She knew I had an ARC of it and never picked it up, and every time I rhetorically asked her what I should read, she always said "BELLES!" Finally, I gave in and picked up the novel and finished it all in one sitting.
The novel was very light-hearted in some aspects when it came to the materialistic things with Mira and her friends. Everything going on with Izzie seemed a bit more heavy and drew me in. I really liekd both of the girls as characters, but I preferred everything going on in Izzie's life over Mira's fake life.
That doesn't mean I didn't like Mira though. I actually, really REALLY liked her. She seemed like she was constantly torn between two things, and had troubles making decisions. Sometimes she would make the wrong decision, but she would soon come to her senses and make everything okay.
I think my favorite thing about the whole novel was the setting. Emerald Cove vs. the boardwalk. I liked both of them, as it pleased both sides of my fantasies. I currently live in a very chill laid back area, and I always dream of setting up a family here. I know it's not the best of places, and there are some bad things that happen here, but it's still a good place! I think that's what Izzie thinks of where she lives. On the other side, Emerald Cove is where the elite and rich live. It's not really a big city, but it's clear that it's for the upper class of society. I always wish I could live in a place as posh and wonderful as Emerald Cove, so I think that's why I liked it so much.
There were actually a lot of twists and turns in the novel! Some twists that I really liked were Izzie's romantic interest, Mira's romantic interest, and then the final outcome of the book. I think the reason I wanted to keep reading this novel was because of those twists and turns!
I'm going to give this novel four stars. It was a good novel, nonetheless, but it didn't rock my socks off. Of course I"m going to be reading Winter White soon because the next one seems even more interesting and I can't wait to get wound up in Emerald Cove again!
Isabelle Scott knew she didn't have it all, but she was happy with that. She had friends, she had a life, and even though she didn't have her parents to guard her, she still had her grandma. Soon she is shipped to Emerald Cove to live with her uncle, who she never know about. Mirabelle Monroe lives there and Mira and
My friend was nagging me to read this for quite some time. She knew I had an ARC of it and never picked it up, and every time I rhetorically asked her what I should read, she always said "BELLES!" Finally, I gave in and picked up the novel and finished it all in one sitting.
The novel was very light-hearted in some aspects when it came to the materialistic things with Mira and her friends. Everything going on with Izzie seemed a bit more heavy and drew me in. I really liekd both of the girls as characters, but I preferred everything going on in Izzie's life over Mira's fake life.
That doesn't mean I didn't like Mira though. I actually, really REALLY liked her. She seemed like she was constantly torn between two things, and had troubles making decisions. Sometimes she would make the wrong decision, but she would soon come to her senses and make everything okay.
I think my favorite thing about the whole novel was the setting. Emerald Cove vs. the boardwalk. I liked both of them, as it pleased both sides of my fantasies. I currently live in a very chill laid back area, and I always dream of setting up a family here. I know it's not the best of places, and there are some bad things that happen here, but it's still a good place! I think that's what Izzie thinks of where she lives. On the other side, Emerald Cove is where the elite and rich live. It's not really a big city, but it's clear that it's for the upper class of society. I always wish I could live in a place as posh and wonderful as Emerald Cove, so I think that's why I liked it so much.
There were actually a lot of twists and turns in the novel! Some twists that I really liked were Izzie's romantic interest, Mira's romantic interest, and then the final outcome of the book. I think the reason I wanted to keep reading this novel was because of those twists and turns!
I'm going to give this novel four stars. It was a good novel, nonetheless, but it didn't rock my socks off. Of course I"m going to be reading Winter White soon because the next one seems even more interesting and I can't wait to get wound up in Emerald Cove again!
yungokssss's review against another edition
5.0
Having read one of Calonita's other books (RealityCheck), I was skeptical about trying this one. BUT it was so good, and didn't have any of the annoying stuff that sometimes appeared in RealityCheck. I actually ENJOYED this book and wanted more!! Can't wait to read the second book!! Everyone should try this book out - they won't regret it.
shogins's review against another edition
2.0
Here's the thing: while i enjoyed this book, I assumed the twist was the true from about the second chapter. It's also pretty thematically similar to Messy and Spoiled, by the Fug Girls, and you should probably just read those instead?
kristaallysa1's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun, quick read full of all the drama we love to hate. Due to her grandmother's deteriorating condition, Izzie is forced to move in with a distant uncle's family. Her uncle is nice, but he's a politician and cares more about what his campaign manager says will look good in the press than the needs of his family. Izzie's new family is also very wealthy and spends money like it grows on trees. In addition to family drama, this book is full of private school angst and a queen bee set on ruining Izzie's existence. This plot may read like something you'd see in a gossip magazine, but Calonita writes well and keeps the story interesting. Plus, unlike many books in this category, the characters aren't super flat. Most of the characters have a variety of different aspects to their personalities and confused, sometimes conflicting motivations. Belles is a good book for when you just want to escape and not have to think. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
cleogray's review against another edition
4.0
So, this book. Honestly, I was looking forward to a fun contemp - and that is exactly what Belles is. In the beginning I was a little hesitant. The situation Isabelle is placed in is not very believable, as well as the reactions of those around her. I was skeptical about the likelihood of this whole thing really happening. At points in the book I felt like I was watching a Family Channel show, with the scenarios and the dialogue that came about. But, as I kept reading, I got really engrossed in the whole story, and I could not put this book down!
All throughout the time I was reading it, when I was doing other things, I kept looking at the book, wishing I was reading it. Jen Calonita's writing makes the book feel so effortless, and the pages just kept flipping. Izzie's former life is so different from the life she has to live now, and one can only imagine what she is going through. And Mira, who has always lived such a privileged life, doesn't know how to cope with Izzie suddenly appearing and changing everything. The book is told in third person, but we get to see things from both Mira and Izzie's points of view, which I liked.
I was a little upset that Izzie didn't connect much with Connor, the youngest Monroe child. I also wished she spoke more about her mom who had passed away a few years before. At one point, on what would have been her mom's birthday, Izzie talks about how much she misses her, and I think that scene definitely added to Izzie as a character.
Overall
This book is sweet, charming, and fun. While it is a bit hard to believe some of the things that go on in the book, if you just keep reading you are sure to get swept up in Izzie and Mira's story.
Belles by Jen Calonita gets 4.5/5.
All throughout the time I was reading it, when I was doing other things, I kept looking at the book, wishing I was reading it. Jen Calonita's writing makes the book feel so effortless, and the pages just kept flipping. Izzie's former life is so different from the life she has to live now, and one can only imagine what she is going through. And Mira, who has always lived such a privileged life, doesn't know how to cope with Izzie suddenly appearing and changing everything. The book is told in third person, but we get to see things from both Mira and Izzie's points of view, which I liked.
I was a little upset that Izzie didn't connect much with Connor, the youngest Monroe child. I also wished she spoke more about her mom who had passed away a few years before. At one point, on what would have been her mom's birthday, Izzie talks about how much she misses her, and I think that scene definitely added to Izzie as a character.
Overall
This book is sweet, charming, and fun. While it is a bit hard to believe some of the things that go on in the book, if you just keep reading you are sure to get swept up in Izzie and Mira's story.
Belles by Jen Calonita gets 4.5/5.
thereadingknitter's review against another edition
3.0
This book was very much geared towards YA which it obviously is a YA book but it was still enjoyable. When I first started listening to it I thought not another dud book but I gave it a shot and it was interesting. I did guess the plot twist before it happened though. Overall 3 stars and onto book 2 in the series.
thebumblegirl's review against another edition
5.0
Belles just flows; it is heart warming and promising - Jen Calonita just kept on giving me more and more, charming me with wonderful memorable characters and amazing scenes!
Isabelle Scott, aka Izzie, is trying to keep her little family together ever since her mother passed away when she was ten. She goes to school, teaches swim classes, takes care of her sick grandmother and all the household chores. She does everything and anything in order to keep her social worker happy so she doesn't have to be placed into foster care... but when Izzie's grandmother's Alzheimer's gets worse, the social worker has no choice but to do what is right and place grandma in a home and reveals that Izzie is going to go live with her long lost Uncle at a nearby town, Emerald Cove.
In one night, Izzie's life is turned upside down. She is taken away from her homely town on the boardwalk and thrust into a gated community, private school, thousand dollar dresses and 'mean girls'.
But Izzie is so well grounded, she knows how to handle herself and does it so well.
Izzie's cousin, Mirabelle, was a bit hard to like in the beginning. As a true southern belle, Mira put on her smile and did her best to just go through the niceties in welcoming Izzie. And of course, we all saw through that. But as the story went along, we see changes in Mira, and hope for the best.
More drama and secrets unfold - you couldn't ask for more!
I really enjoyed how Calonita would smoothly alternate between Izzie and Mira's thoughts. I got to see and hear both sides of their stories. I also love and appreciate how Calonita ended the book. Pure perfection and I cannot wait to read Belles sequel, Winter White, being released on October 9th, 2012.
Isabelle Scott, aka Izzie, is trying to keep her little family together ever since her mother passed away when she was ten. She goes to school, teaches swim classes, takes care of her sick grandmother and all the household chores. She does everything and anything in order to keep her social worker happy so she doesn't have to be placed into foster care... but when Izzie's grandmother's Alzheimer's gets worse, the social worker has no choice but to do what is right and place grandma in a home and reveals that Izzie is going to go live with her long lost Uncle at a nearby town, Emerald Cove.
In one night, Izzie's life is turned upside down. She is taken away from her homely town on the boardwalk and thrust into a gated community, private school, thousand dollar dresses and 'mean girls'.
But Izzie is so well grounded, she knows how to handle herself and does it so well.
Izzie's cousin, Mirabelle, was a bit hard to like in the beginning. As a true southern belle, Mira put on her smile and did her best to just go through the niceties in welcoming Izzie. And of course, we all saw through that. But as the story went along, we see changes in Mira, and hope for the best.
More drama and secrets unfold - you couldn't ask for more!
I really enjoyed how Calonita would smoothly alternate between Izzie and Mira's thoughts. I got to see and hear both sides of their stories. I also love and appreciate how Calonita ended the book. Pure perfection and I cannot wait to read Belles sequel, Winter White, being released on October 9th, 2012.