Everything but the Truth

September 1, 2015
A Cinderella story set near modern-day Seattle brings a poor girl together with a handsome, uber-rich, famous guy. Holiday lives with her mom in the ritzy Sunrise House retirement home, where her mom is the leasing agent. There, she runs into Malik, grandson of Charles Buchanan, the third-richest man in America. Jet-setter Malik has romanced famous movie stars, but he falls for Holly-except that he thinks her name is Lucy due to a misunderstanding caused by a confused resident. Thinking their acquaintance will be brief, Holly doesn't correct him, but a real romance starts to bloom, setting the stage for awkwardness later on. Meanwhile, she helps the elderly Buchanan pry himself away from his apartment and begin to live again. Although the story fits neatly into well-worn plot grooves, Hubbard keeps it fresh and entertaining. If Holly's continually evolving reasons for keeping her secret sometimes seem strained, they are nevertheless crucial to the plot. Meanwhile the two have fun on dates only a superrich (and supernice) young man can plan. Holly is given a compelling interest in antiques and art, rendering her character more individual than Malik's pleasant stereotype. Harmless wish-fulfillment for romance fans. (Romance. 12-18)

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September 15, 2015
Grades 7-10 How long can Holly keep her burdensome secret? She has met this gorgeous, super-rich, celebrity-status, nice guy whom she never expected to fall for. Trouble is, Malik happens to thinks she is someone elsesomeone richer and closer to his class, and Holly is afraid to reveal the truth. Holly lives at the exclusive retirement home where her mother is the lease manager; she is not visiting a rich grandparent, like Malik is. An interesting subplot evolves as best friend Alex, who helps Holly keep her cover, stuns Holly with a revelation of her own about a same-sex relationship. Hubbard's lighthearted romance pulls in Cinderella motifs, while using suspense and complicated subterfuge to step up the plot's pace. Both Holly and Malik have issues with their other friends, which will resonate with readers, as will their identity issues as they struggle to become comfortable with who they really are. A fun, romantic romp with just the right amount of substance.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)