July 24, 2009

Review: Simply Irresistible

Book Cover

By Jennifer Banash

I was apprehensive picking this one up. As far as I know, it's the last book in the Elite series. I enjoyed the first two, and was thus wary of the goodbye. The ending is open, ripe for a fourth book. Some characters do not end the story happily. But others are moving up and moving on. Casey McCloy's arc does come to a kind of conclusion, and I imagine she has a satisfying life, since she has a good personality. I likewise imagine good things for Phoebe and Sophie, and hope Madison one day figures out how to express herself better.

But. oh. my. stars. Drew annoyed me so much in this book. It really is hard to imagine how much distance is between twenty and seventeen, but . . . I know I had a different view of open relationships then. (Still can't imagine one for myself. Just, no.) But there's a much bigger difference between two married adults who know and do nothing about the other having an affair and cheating on your girlfriend. I'm not trying to glorify Drew's father by any means. I'm just trying to point out how much of a douchebox with wings Drew is in SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE.

Of course, this makes me take some issue of the fact Madison and Casey are still girlfighting over him. Both of the girls deserve better. (Luckily, Casey has a totally adorable rocker boy waiting for her to drop Drew.) As for Madison . . . well, she's getting her comeuppance. And ouch. Jennifer Banash has always done a great job of getting in Madison's head and fleshing her out instead of leaving her motivelessly malicious. It makes it painful to see her get hurt even as you know she needs to take a few knocks to facilitate a personality adjustment.

So here's my goodbye to the Elite series. I vote it a member of the "good trash." Yeah, there's brand-dropping and ridiculously rich teens. But there's also a reality: parents, bargain racks, and being too awkward to tell the guy/girl what you're feeling. (Just jumping into SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE might be confusing. I do recommend starting at the beginning, with THE ELITE. Three books won't kill you.)

LINKS:
Jennifer's blog
SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE trailer
Review of THE ELITE
Review of IN TOO DEEP
Interview with Jennifer
Jennifer guest blogs on IBWB about her 20s
Jennifer guest blogs on IBWB about her favorite purse

23 comments:

  1. I want to read this so bad! I haven't read any of the series yet - I just haven't gotten to a book store in a loooonng time.

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  2. Sounds good.
    I've been wanting to read these for a while too! :)

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  3. I've been hearing great things about this book.Looking forward to reading it.

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  4. I've never heard of this series before! Thank you for the review. Now I have an excuse to go buy more books :)

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  5. I haven't read the first two yet, but I'm going to start those soon!

    Great review!

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  6. I'll have to pick up this series. It sounds interesting!

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  7. I'd like to read this.

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  8. This book sounds wonderful.Have a great weekend.

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  9. Good trash! That's a good one!

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  10. I've heard so many good things about this book. I really wan to read it!

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  11. I've heard so much about this series! Can't wait to read this one:)

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  12. I love the cover for this and I can't wait to read it. Great review! :)

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  13. Sounds great! Thanks for the review.

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  14. I am intrigued by the series and I love how you call it "good trash" -- I really need to read it soon!

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  15. I've heard good things about the series. I agree with Marie, love the "good trash" comment! Nice review,

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  16. Aaargh I want to read this book! And I still haven't got the chance to read In Too Deep! I'm so behind :(

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  17. I wasnt sure if this was my kind of book but ill give it a try

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  18. I've heard so much about this series I can't wait to read it!!

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  19. "douchebox with wings" no I know I have to read this so I can use phrases like that.

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  20. Shawna Lewis
    weloveourdogs@juno.com
    Very nice review I liked it alot it made me want to buy this book

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  21. "Good trash"! Hilarious, and so appropriate for many books. I haven't read any of the books in this series, but I'm intrigued... and going to investigate!

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  22. I cannot wait to read your book! It sounds great!

    speckldharted22(at)aim(dot)com

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  23. I still need to read In Too Deep but I'm excited for Simply Irresistable,

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