Title: Suite Scarlett
Author: Maureen Johnson
Series: Scarlett #1
Genre: YA Contemporary
Pages: 368
Edition Read: Paperback
Blurb: Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small Art Deco hotel in the heart of New York City. When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite. For Scarlett’s fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite and a permanent guest named Mrs. Amberson. Scarlett doesn’t quite know what to make of this C-list starlet and world traveler.
And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn.
Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery and romantic missteps. But in the city where anything can happen, she just might be able to pull it off.
Review
I love this book so much! It has everything I could possibly want: New York City, living in a hotel, eccentric people who pull you off on their adventures, a wacky Shakespeare performance. This is such a fun read, so I’m glad I chose to re-read it this year.
Let’s dig into some specifics. First off, you can’t help but love the main character, Scarlett. Despite the unusual circumstances surrounding her, she comes off as very real. She loves her family and wants to help them, but still can’t help but feel a bit resentful towards them for not being able to have a more normal life. And then there is Mrs. Amberson. This character . . . I want to know everything about her but also slap her silly. She is full of amazing ideas, but can be very shortsighted when it comes to follow through.
I also found it funny that Scarlett’s love interest, Eric, supposedly is from my hometown. Winston-Salem, North Carolina represent!
Like most books about New York City, the city is almost a character itself. It truly is a place where it feels like anything can happen, and it will be one of the first places I visit after the pandemic is under control. It’s been way too long. The Hopewell Hotel also feels more like a character with a very distinct personality. While it’s not a real hotel, I so wish I could visit it.
To sum up, this book is fun, charming, and occasionally heartwarming. A bit of a lighter read than what I typically do, which was most welcome.
GoodReads rating: 5 stars
Categories: Books I've Read
Life With No Plot 
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