Customer Reviews

Hotlanta, No. 1

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It seems like Hotlanta would be a cool place to grow up, especially if you're one of the Duke twins. Sydney and Lauren Duke live the life. They live in the exclusive Buckhead community, attend a high-profile private school, and wear clothes and drive cars most of us will only dream about. And they take it all for granted, until a series of events force them to take a cold, hard look at themselves and the lives they're living.

What happens when you find out the parents you believe are flawless are really people you don't know at all? Why is love so hard? Who are the people you call friends? And why can't secrets stay buried? These are all questions the twins ponder at some point in HOTLANTA. Denene Millner and Mitzi Miller portray teenage angst and drama realistically and expertly, creating a world any teenager can relate to. Adult readers will find themselves reminiscing about the good old days, when the slightest happening meant the end of the world and everything was exciting and new. This is a page-turning, engaging, two-thumbs-up read and I, for one, am sincerely hoping there's a part two in the works. I wasn't quite ready to leave the Duke twins to their own devices just yet.

Reviewed by T. Shelly B.
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Atlanta just wouldn't be anything without the Duke twins.

First there is Sydney, the twin who knows exactly what she wants in life, which is to get out of high school at the top of her class, go to an Ivy League college, and develop the perfect family. Sydney's hobbies include planning social events, making sure she has enough extracurricular activities, and hanging out with her wonderful boyfriend.

Then there is Lauren, who wants to become the biggest super-model ever, trying to grab the attention of those who can take her places. Her hobbies include reckless driving and getting in the hottest music video ever made.

Even though they are totally different from one another, they both share the same story. Their biological father was sent away to prison but their mother married soon after that, making the girls' lives go from rags to riches.

Their lives were pretty sane after adapting to their new lifestyles. Then they receive a phone call that their father is finally out of prison, and chaos breaks loose. Sydney, who still cares for her father, doesn't mind seeing him again, but Lauren regrets ever knowing him. Soon enough the girls' worlds are turned upside down as crimes are committed and their new family name is in trouble. Everyone they know has a secret, and the only ones they can turn to are each other.

Thrilling and very entertaining, HOTLANTA gives another perspective on how the lives of the wealthy have major flaws. The best part is, the story of the Duke twins isn't over yet, since the sequel, IF ONLY YOU KNEW, will be releasing in the fall!

Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

With Hotlanta, you realize money doesn't always buy happiness. Lauren & Sydney have there world turned upside down when their fathers gets out of jail and are requesting to see them. Not to mention the many secrets their mother and step father have been keeping for them. On the outside they seem to have the perfect life, but that couldn't be furthest from the truth.

The book started out slow but it did have some exciting points and did make you question how easy, is it to be wealthy. I would give it three out of five stars.

Diva Reviewer - Robyn Fletcher
www.divasread2.com

I loved this book, I read it and then pass it on to my two nieces. One 13 and the other 17.

Extremely funny , there was an anectode for every one of my female friends to apreciate

I began reading Hotlanta on a Saturday with a million things to tackle on my to-do list. But as soon as I delved into the novel, I found the time flying by along with the pages. The breezy plot of the twins and their fabulous high school lives turns into a nail-biting story, told from their different perspectives each chapter. Surprising and unexpected sides of the characters surface along the way, making for an unpredictable chain of events. I couldn't put the book down and my errands went by the wayside. It's a dramatic and exciting swirl of love, power and respect.

While not initially enticed to read a young adult novel, I had previously read two other books by these authors and was impressed by the conversational tone of their writing style, and therefore decided to give it a read. I must say I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

The authors had a profound understanding of the influence of materialism embedded in the lives of teenagers, and gave it its due attention with numerous references to the clothes, music, and interests that entrance many young adults. At the same time, the book intricately weaves lessons indicating that the value of true friendship and trust far outweigh those material items, without the captation of a preachy morality book.

I was surprised at how engulfed I became in the intricate murder plot and in the development and maturation of the characters. I am anxious to read any forthcoming books in the series!

This book is an exciting easy read. I think we all know someone who acts like the main characters in this book, I could truly relate. This is a great gift for a teenage book worm.

Great read overall. Ideal for young adults and teens - a perfect gift if you don't have any of your own :-) Sydney and Lauren's lives are filled with enough fabulousness to make you envy them but enough drama to make you pity them. Can't wait for number two...

Really, really, good. I should be more sophisticated and say something clever, but all I can say is--buy this book, read it, then pass it on to daughter, friend, or niece. ENJOYABLE. Can't wait for the next one in the series.