Summer in Paris by Michelle Ashman Bell

Genre: Teen Lit
Publication Date: March 2010
One Word Review: Cute
Author Website: www.michelleashmanbell.com

First Line: “Kenzie Williams didn’t want to die.”

GoodReads Synopsis: Kenzie Williams feels like she has it all; wealth, friends, popularity and talent. But when her father tells her that he has declared bankruptcy, her whole world in New York City turns upside down. Her parents' solution while they sort through their financial and marital problems is to send Kenzie to live with her relatives in Paris...Idaho! Leaving everything she loves behind, Kenzie is forced to get up at the crack of dawn, do chores, and hang out with her cousin's loser friends. She feels like she's about to die until she meets Adam White, the town outcast, who's been accused of killing his best friend and is being blamed for some trouble that's been happening around town.

Kathy’s Review: I thought this was a fun, light story. Kenzie’s life is turned upside down when her parents send her from her privileged life in New York to Idaho. She grows and learns to appreciate the things she has and the value of hard work. I liked that she helped at least one of her new friends build their confidence and learn that it’s okay to be yourself. There is even a bit of mystery thrown in, but wasn’t really developed. I was a little disappointed in the “romance”, I didn’t feel any real connection between Kenzie and Adam. I thought they were attracted to each other and that was about it. I would have liked a little more interaction between them and more character development with Adam. I never got what Kenzie thought was so fascinating about Adam. Overall, I enjoyed the book.

Bookworm Rating: 3.5