Review of Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

Review of Suite Scarlett by Maureen JohnsonSuite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
Series: Suite Scarlett #1
Also by this author: 13 Little Blue Envelopes, The Last Little Blue Envelope
Published by Scholastic Inc. on 2010-01-01
Genres: Contemporary, Family, Love & Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 368
Format: Paperback
Source: Won In A Contest
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four-stars

From top-selling author Maureen Johnson comes a fresh, funny novel about a girl, her hotel, and an unforgettable summer - now in paperback! Her new summer job comes with baggage Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City, and Scarlett lives there with her four siblings - Spencer, Lola, and Marlene. When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest called Mrs. Amberson.

Dear Maureen Johnson, I worship at your alter. Your books completely charm me.

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson deals with what happens to Scarlett Martin on her fifteenth birthday, when as family tradition dictates, she gets a key to a suite in the family hotel and must take care of the suite and whomever stays in the suite.

In Suite Scarlett, I met wonderful characters. I learned first impressions are not always correct. Here’s the thing, when I first meet characters in a book, I tend to make snap judgments based on the initial actions of the characters. I couldn’t stand Scarlett’s little sister Marlene, she was such a brat. Then, I found out why she was a brat. I had expected Mrs. Amberson to be sort of like wotshername in The Devil Wears Prada, Miranda Priestly. I was wrong, and turned out to love Mrs. Amberson because she’s so random, but so confident and eccentric — overall she adds a carefree factor to the story.

Another element I enjoyed was the relationship between Scarlett and her siblings Lola and Spencer. Lola is Scarlett’s older sister. Lola is pretty much a babe, she’s great with make-up and skin-care. Also, she has a rich boyfriend. So, maybe Johnson could have written more about Lola, but I suppose there’s only so much you can include within 359 pages. Spencer had lots of page space. Spencer and Scarlett are close though, not Flowers in the Attic close, but they have a great relationship and really do care for each other. Scarlett does a lot for Spencer, it’s refreshing to see siblings get along and share a bond.

The writing is not perfect. It’s simplistic, there are not passages I could see myself memorizing. However, this is an engaging read with winsome characters. I am eagerly awaiting Scarlett Fever. While reading this book drink an ice coffee. It’ll make you feel all New Yorker-ish, since you know, specialty coffee drinks are all the rage.

Other Reviews:
Reading Nook
The Book Bug
Everything To Do With Books
OMG! BOOKS!
The Book Smugglers


four-stars
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April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.
About April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

Comments

  1. ~The Book Pixie says

    I have this book sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. Your review really makes me want to get to it. Thanks for posting and glad you liked it. 😀

    ~Briana

  2. Oh, I just LOVE Maureen Johnson!

  3. Great review, you pretty much sold me on the idea to go out first thing tomorrow and pick up a MJ book! :]

    I want to read this sooooo bad! Though I'll prob read 13 Little Blue Envelopes first because my friend has a copy she said she will loan me!

  4. Michelle (Red Headed Book Child) says

    Sounds fun!

  5. Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com says

    Oooo I love your review. I recently got this for my Kindle and can't wait to start it.

  6. Suite Scarlett is one of my favorite Maureen Johnson novels. I'm glad you like it and I completely agree!

  7. nomadreader says

    I'm reading this now, and I love it! It's a free Kindle download right now, which is awesome, and I've already preordered Scarlett Fever!

  8. Isn't she amazing? I just love Scarlett's family too. All her interactions just cracked me up and I can't wait to get a hold of the next one.

  9. I love these sort of books where your initial impression of characters gets turned on it's head; it really lends life to the story. This book does seem like a really enjoyable one.

  10. I want to read this one!!!

  11. I've read several of Johnson's books and so far this is the only one that DIDN'T charming. There was too much lying in it for me. Ah well.