Winter White (Belles) [Hardcover]

Jen Calonita (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 9, 2012 | Series: Belles (Book 2)

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 while Izzie and Mira have each put on a happy public face, someone is leaking their true feelings to the press. It seems as if the world is watching their every move, but at least the girls have each other.

With cotillion season right around the corner, however, 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 had an escort... Izzie, meanwhile, is still struggling to find her place in Emerald Cove, which seems ever more impossible with EC mean girls, young and old, trying to keep her down. As cotillion preparations heat up, there are dance steps to learn, manners to perfect... and secret initiations to complete?

It's time for the gowns to go on and the gloves to come off.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 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

"This is a surefire hit for teens who like stories about friendship, romance, and mean girls getting a taste of their own medicine. The second in a series, this book can be read alone but would be best enjoyed in order." (VOYA )

"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 )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Poppy; 1 edition (October 9, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316091162
• ISBN-13: 978-0316091169
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1.2 x 8.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #134,013 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jen Calonita has always loved writing. Her first published piece was in the sixth grade newspaper where she wrote about an attack snake who bothered her canoe on a class field trip. These days she writes about teen drama, relationships and romance.

An entertainment journalist for ten years, Jen interviewed everyone from Reese Witherspoon to Zac Efron. It was her work in the entertainment world that inspired her first series, Secrets of My Hollywood Life. The six-book series is about a teen starlet named Kaitlin Burke who grows weary of the fame game, but loves being an actress. The series has been published in Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Japan and Russia.

Jen has also published two stand-alone novels. Booklist called Sleepaway Girls: "The picture-perfect setting, the sweet little kids, the seductive freedom from parents, and the lure of adult-like responsibility make this the perfect read-alike to suggest to fans of Ann Brashares' Traveling Pants series."
Reality Check is about best friends who get their own reality TV show. Booklist said: "Fans of Meg Cabot's Airhead series and Calonita's Secrets of My Hollywood Life will eat this fun, timely, cautionary tale right up."

Her latest series is Belles. The series is about two Southern girls and one life-changing secret. The third book in the series, The Grass is Always Greener, will be out in April 2013.

When the self-professed entertainment junkie is not working, she can be found doing one of three things: scrapbooking, watching Once Upon a Time and Nashville, or going to the movies. Jen resides in Merrick, New York with her husband Mike, sons Tyler and Dylan, and their Chihuahua, Captain Jack Sparrow.

For more about Jen, check out her website: www.jencalonitaonline.com, follow her on Twitter at: www.twitter.com as JenCalonita, Pinterest as Jen Calonita or on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/jen.calonita

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Drama, Deceit, Heart and Heartbreak...Winter White Has it All! October 27, 2012

By Andrea Thompson

Format:Hardcover

Oh...how I love this series. With Belles, author Jen Calonita created a story with charming and infuriating characters, in a society that's perfect at first glance, and a family in which drama is an everyday occurrence. Winter White continues the story of the Belles, Mirabelle and Isabelle, and their struggle to come to terms with their new lives.

I adore Izzie and Mira. The two girls are opposite in so many ways, but thankfully, complement one another. The only worry that I had when starting this story was that Mira would be resentful of Izzie coming into the family, or that Izzie would take her hostility towards her father and Emerald Cove out on Mira. That the two girls were able to not only understand, but also embrace, their differences made Winter White so enjoyable.

That's not to say that Izzie and Mira have it easy, not by a long shot. Savannah Ingram is still furious with Izzie for being with Brayden, and she's not giving up on winning him back. Brayden's mom isn't too thrilled, either, and will not make things easy for the two. Then there's Izzie resentment of her father's secret, it's a sore spot for both her and Mira. I was surprised by my feelings for Mira in Winter White. Even though she didn't make things easy for Izzie when she first came to town, Mira really stepped up to embrace her. That choice cost her her friends, she no longer has a boyfriend, and she feels lost. Like an outsider in her own family. Kellen is still there beside her though, in the art studio and as a friend. Now if only she can get the courage to tell him she's into him!

Not only do Mira and Izzie have to deal with their personal drama, but also the fact that someone is gunning to bring down their dad's Senatorial run. Someone who is closer to the inside than they can even imagine. Oh, and this is all happening during the Cotillion preparation, the ceremony that will announce Mira and Izzie to Emerald Cove society.

Winter White has it all: Drama, Heart, Young Love, Heartbreak, and Deceit. There is nothing scarier, or more awesome, than an Angry Belle.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING. January 18, 2013

By Alyssa Suderman

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have no words to explain how much I love this series. I am on my way to the next book and I'm sure it'll be just as God if not better than the rest.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read! January 9, 2013

By Appleseed

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Enjoyable story. Love what she does with her characters. Could not put it down. Finished it in two days, and was sorry when I did, as I did not want to leave them.