Winter White

Isabelle Scott and Mirabelle Monroe are still reeling from the revelation that they share more than just the roof over their heads. The media has pounced on their story and the girls are caught up in a flurry of talk-show appearances and newspaper interviews. They've put on a happy public face, but someone is leaking their true feelings to the press, and while it seems like the world is watching their every move, at least they have each other. But with cotillion season right around the corner, Izzie and Mira have barely had time to process their newfound sisterhood. Mira has dreamed of making her debut in a gorgeous white gown forever-now, if only she could find an escort. Izzie, meanwhile, is still struggling to find her place in Emerald Cove and it's seeming ever more impossible with EC mean-girls, young and old, doing their best to keep her down. As cotillion preparations heat up, though, there are dance steps to learn, manners to perfect... and secret initiations to complete? As if sophomore year wasn't hard enough! It's time for the gowns to go on and the gloves to come off. From School Library JournalGr 7-10-Calonita continues the drama of sophomores Isabelle Scott and Mirabelle Monroe, who discover that they are not cousins after all but half sisters. Their mutual father is running for political office in North Carolina and his opponents will stop at nothing to exploit the scandal. The Monroe family is bouncing from one interview to the next, trying to rally together, despite the strained relationship between the siblings and their dad. As the girls prepare for cotillion, they face their own struggles. Mira's former best friend has ostracized her and the one boy she wants to date is clueless about her feelings for him. Meanwhile Izzie's relationship with Brayden heats up only to be sidelined by his disapproving mother. When Izzie meets Brayden's rebellious sister, she thinks she's met the one person in Emerald Cove who gets her-except that his sister has an agenda of her own. To heighten the drama, someone's been feeding lies about the Monroe family to the press. Winter White is an engaging sequel to Belles (Little, Brown, 2012) but can be read as a stand-alone. Readers invested in the lives of these characters will want to continue with this saga. Somewhat predictable, but fun.-Kimberly Garnick Giarratano, Rockaway Township Public Library, NJα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Review"Winter White is an engaging sequel to Belles (Little, Brown, 2012) but can be read as a stand-alone. Readers invested in the lives of these characters will want to continue with this saga." (SLJ )Praise for Belles:"Belles is a must-read, full of scandals, sisterhood, Southern charm, and secrets!"(Sara Shepard, #1 bestselling author of the Pretty Little Liars series )"Proving Southern belles can backstab with the best of 'em, Jen Calonita weaves a soapy tale that keeps you guessing from beginning to end." (Kate Brian, New York Times bestselling author of the Private and Privilege series )"A page-turner that has it all--tingly romance, shocking secrets, and tons of heart. You're going to love it." (Sarah Mlynowski, author of Gimme a Call and *Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have)* )"This adorable, heartwarming book is pure beach-ready fun." (Justine )