Halfway Perfect

May 11, 2015
Nineteen-year-old Eve Nowakowskiâonce an up-and-coming teen supermodel known as Eve Castleâabandoned that career for college at Columbia and a future in photography. While shadowing a famous photographer, Eve is unexpectedly thrust back into the industry she left behind. Meanwhile, Alex Evans, the male model of the moment, is paired up for a photo shoot with Elana, an underage French model; Alex's sleazy, predatory agent (who dated Eve when she was underage herself) expects him to fake a romanceâor have an actual oneâwith Elana for publicity. As Eve follows her artistic dreams, Alex stumbles through a modeling career he doesn't love while trying to pursue a clandestine relationship with Eve. Cross (the Tempest series) and Perini (a model making his debut as an author) zip between the perspectives of Eve and Alex in fast-paced, play-by-play scenes, with multiple conflicts that threaten to derail their romance. Eve and Alex's integrity in the face of ethical dilemmas, combined with the book's commentary on the exploitation of young models, adds dimension to this love story. Ages 14âup. Agent: Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency.

March 1, 2015
Romance and scandal dominate the lives of two young fashion models.Former model Eve was on her way to superstardom when she walked away from the business. The tabloids said it was drugs, but Eve really left to get away from her abusive agent, Wes, in a sexual relationship with her although she was only 15 at the time. Now three years later, Eve studies photography at Columbia. Working with mentor Janessa, she meets 18-year-old Alex and 14-year-old Elana, both well on their way to stardom. Wes now represents Alex and insists that he pose as Elana's boyfriend, telling everyone that she is 18, a ruse that works and leads to lucrative jobs. Meanwhile Eve and Alex secretly fall for each other, but their relationship seems doomed from the start, especially once Wes learns of it. Written in alternating chapters in Eve's and Alex's present-tense voices, the book works as a fascinating expose of the modeling profession. Both the romance and the difficulties the teens face feel real, and the details the co-authors (Perini is himself a professional model) provide about the industry-working shoots while pinned into outfits, the constant jockeying for position-lend the story an air of authenticity. Engagingly and intelligently written, this absorbing novel should work as catnip to fashion-obsessed readers. (Fiction. 12-18)

March 1, 2015

Gr 10 Up-Eve Nowakowski knows all about the ups and downs of the modeling lifestyle. Just a few years ago, she was internationally known cover girl Eve Castle-but the life became too much to bear, and she slipped into anonymity. Now a freshman at Columbia University, she discovers that photography is her passion, and through a twist of fate she becomes an assistant to a famous fashion photographer, which puts her right back in the world she tried so desperately to escape. At her first fashion shoot, Eve meets rising modeling star Alex, and sparks immediately fly. However, Alex's agent has cooked up a plan for Alex and another ingenue, underage French model Elana, to become fashion's new hot couple. Eve and Alex have real chemistry, though, and they know that Alex and Elana's contrived relationship is not only dishonest: it is illegal. Eve and Alex are then faced with a series of tough decisions that will put their new relationship to the test. Presented in dual perspectives, switching between narrators Alex and Eve, this title is well written but suffers from a weak plot. The instant love connection between the protagonists is unrealistic and the central conflict between Eve and Wes, Alex's evil talent agent, is not enough to carry the story. Mature subject matter, including alcohol use, eating disorders, and domestic violence, makes this a title suited to an older teen audience. VERDICT An additional purchase for libraries that can't keep any "Gossip Girl" or "Pretty Little Liars" (both Little, Brown) installments on the shelf.-Morgan Brickey, Marion County Public Library System, FL

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