Crazy Hot

Love this series even in my 20s. So fun!

CRAZY HOT MELISSA DE LA CRUZ Rating: 4.5 Enchantments Eliza, Jacqui and Mara never thought the three of them would end up spending yet another summer together in the Hamptons; after all, they all had separate plans for the summer-Eliza is busy opening her boutique on Main Street; Jacqui thought she'd be spending the summer working for the Perrys, and Mara was certain she'd be spending the next few months traipsing across Europe with her boyfriend, writing articles on the hostels and enjoying the sights. But plans change and now the three girls are thrown back together in their old stomping ground. The title CRAZY HOT describes the girls' summer perfectly. When Eliza realizes her father's new girlfriend needs a couple au pairs to take care of her kids, who better to call then her best friends Jacqui and Mara? It'll give them the perfect opportunity to hang out together for one last summer since they'll all be living in the same mega mansion. But hanging out is pretty well the last thing that happens. Eliza ends up with a ring on her finger, one she can't decide if it's a promise ring (she's hoping that's the case) or an engagement ring; Jacqui's being hounded by two of the hottest fashion photographers in the world, and Mara's left alone, playing au pair with the kids and trying to ignore the fact her ex-boyfriend is only a strip of beach away. I really liked CRAZY HOT and thought it was a great wrap up to the AU PAIR series. Even though the girls' friendship is faced with numerous ups and downs, with each girl feeling alienated from the others at some point in the story, by the end Eliza, Mara and Jacqui are at the right place in their lives and the friendship between them is as strong as ever. The Au Pairs: CRAZY HOT is the fourth and final book in Ms. De La Cruz's popular AU PAIRS series. Visit her online at Lisa Enchanting Reviews April 2008

I thought this was the perfect book that I believe ends the series. It had all the ingredients needed for an amazing Hampton summer: parties, boys, spice, and the occasional mishaps. Easy read and a great beach book.

High school is over. While our favorite au-pairs, Mara Waters, Jacqui Velasco, and Eliza Thompson have all endured trying years at their designated educational institutions (Eliza at Parsons, Mara at Columbia, and Jacqui forced to suffer through a fifth year of St. Grace in order to meet the requirements for NYU), they're all psyched for the summer. But this year, as much as they'd love to relive the days of summer's passed, the girls certainly won't be spending it together in the Hamptons. Or so they thought. Eliza Thompson always knew that she had an eye for fashion, but she never realized that it would land her at the top of her class at Parsons. After her designs received rave reviews at her Fashion Week debut, Eliza knew that it was time to unleash her creations to the public; and she plans on doing just that in the Hamptons. On Main Street, to be exact. The store, eliza thompson, will be situated right across from Scoop and Calypso, and feature all white clothes and accessories, in a giant pink space reminiscent of cotton candy. Eliza just knows that her new boutique will be the talk of the Hamptons; but her relationship with the debonair Jeremy Stone may just garner a little press, as well. But with their relationship moving so fast, Eliza wonders if she'll be able to keep up with it, in addition to running a hip store. Mara Waters thought that her summer was going to be a blast. After acing her finals at Columbia, she just knows that everything will be smooth sailing. Sure, she won't be lounging around the Hamptons in a Gucci bikini with her gal pals; but she'll be doing something equally amazing - traveling the world with her handsome boyfriend, David. David and Mara have snagged jobs as travel-writers, and will be carousing Europe on a budget, writing about their many misadventures. But when Mara makes the mistake of a lifetime and loses her job, David hits the road, and Mara ends up back in the Hamptons. While chasing around a group of kids for the summer isn't the glitz and glamour she was looking for, it pays the bills, and gives her a chance to check out the locals - namely her ex-boyfriend, Ryan Perry. Jacqui Velasco has worked hard over the past year. She's determined to be taken as a serious, studious, brainy babe; as opposed to a curvy airhead who can be bought with diamonds and truffles. But being good isn't always the simplest of tasks - especially when you're a bombshell from Brazil, with a hot Aussie following your every move. As an au pair, Jacqui is supposed to be minding her charges, but when the Aussie in question begins taunting Jacqui with talk of becoming the next international supermodel, Jacqui can't help but fall for his charms. After all, she needs enough money to pay for NYU; but she'd also like to have a little fling, or maybe something more, and the saucy Aussie is offering her the chance for both. Jacqui's just not sure if she's ready to take him up on his offer. I don't know if it's possible, but somehow,

melissa de la cruz is a fabulous writer. I have never read a book that had a lot of meaning through the characters. I wish there was more interaction with the kids, but overall, this book was really good.

It's always hot in the Hamptons, but this year it's CRAZY HOT with the three girls together again. Just when they thought they would be separated for the summer, once again fate brought them together. Mara and Jacqui are actually au pairing for Eliza's father's new wife. Eliza herself is busy opening up her own store, filled with her fabulous clothes. Of course, her two best friends agree to model for the opening and Jacqui catches one photographer's eye. Before the girls have time to process the possibilities, the photographer decides that he wants to shoot Eliza's clothes with Jacqui as the premiere model for Vogue. Jacqui's not too sure she wants to be in the modeling business, but Eliza begs her. And soon enough the two girls are off to parties and shoots, leaving Mara to deal with the kids alone. Mara's feeling left out. Eliza feels crazed with the store, and Jeremy's wishes for the future leave her feeling scared and confused. Jacqui feels like this summer is shaping up the rest of her life, but it isn't the life that she thought she wanted. Sisterhood means knowing your friends and sharing the truth with them, even if the truth is something they're not yet ready to hear. When the girls have a bang-up fight, it's time for them to find steady footing on their own and to trust in themselves. Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel