It did get far better and into the groove, but I could feel that choppiness hard in the beginning part that kind of had me struggling in the start. However, I felt like this book was a bit choppy and disjointed in those beginning pages.

Melleby has an incredible voice that makes it easy to read and easy to dive in over and over and over again. The biggest issue that I had with this book was actually the writing. It’s a complex but amazingly vivid cast of characters that just leaves you feeling good even in the darkest parts of the story. You see yourself, you see your family, you see your friends, and more in this story. The story was filled with so much heart, and the characters are sympathetic, real, and dynamic. Even though Brie and I differed in a lot of ways, I saw myself in her, and I connected with her so hard. What I love the most about Melleby’s writing is the heart that she infuses throughout the story. But when I saw a lot of my childhood in the summary – the love of soap operas, Catholic school where I never really jelled, and more – I knew that I had to get my grabby hands on it. It was an incredible book that made me cry many times, took an amazing in-depth look into middle grade mental health, and had so much heart that I was convinced of Melleby’s incredible ability to craft a story. I mean, I was going to read it anyway, because I loved Nicole Melleby’s first book, Hurricane Season. I knew I had to read this the moment that I saw it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and based solely on the book. I am grateful for the opportunity to review an ARC for my readers, but this will not influence my final rating. Juggling her confusing feelings with the rapidly approaching May Crowning, not to mention her hilarious non-star turn in the school play, Brie navigates truth and lies, expectations and identity, and how to-finally-make her mother really see her as she is.ĭisclaimer: I received this ARC courtesy of Algonquin Young Readers through a giveaway. But sometimes just looking at Kennedy gives Brie butterflies. Worse, Brie has almost no chance to get the job, which always goes to a top student.ĭesperate to make her lie become truth, Brie turns to Kennedy, the girl everyone expects to crown Mary. Brie’s mom is distracted with pride-but Brie’s in big trouble: she has not been chosen. But when Brie’s mom walks in on her accidentally looking at some possibly inappropriate photos of her favorite actress, Brie panics and blurts out that she’s been chosen to crown the Mary statue during her school’s May Crowning ceremony. She’s going to be the star of the school play and convince her parents to let her go to the performing arts high school. Introducing Brie Hutchens: soap opera super fan, aspiring actor, and so-so student at her small Catholic school. Book Princess Reviews receives a percentage of commission from purchases you make after following Book Depository links on our site.

In the role of brie hutchens