Cruel Summer: Fast Girls, Hot Boys Series

This book is part of the Fast Girls, Hot Boys series put out by MTV Books. It follows five friends who live in South Beach Miami with storylines that play into current pop culture and trends. The book starts off with some murder mystery and is enough to keep the reader lightly entertained while on the beach or a short car trip.

These are the characters of Cruel summer, appropriately dubbed the Fabulous Five: Vanity is the daughter of a highly successful music executive. She's a model who questions her role as a celebutante. Having a distant father who can give her material things but is emotionally absent doesn't help her figure it out. Dante is the aspiring hip hop artist whose father passed away while serving in the military. He has been accepted on scholarship to MACPA, a performing arts school that the other characters in the book attend. He has feelings for Vanity but does not want to act on them because her father can give him his big break. Max is the son of a movie star. In a typical movie star kid way, he is a spoiled rich kid that never hears the word no. He's used to getting everything he wants and would like to be a comedian but knows he wouldn't be taken seriously. Will he betray one of the Fabulous Five in his quest for more money and fame? Pippa is a British import living with her single American mom. She's beautiful and grew up in a privileged household courtesy of her father. He loses the fortune in such a disgraceful manner that Pippa and her mom have to sell all of their materials and flee London like thieves in the night. Living in Miami on her mother's laughable budget is not Pippa's style. She's determined to make money even if she may get hurt doing it. Christina rounds out the Fabulous Five. She's the daughter of a Latin Republican mother running for office. Christina is in the closet and not only has to deal with the issues of living a secret life but also living with a mom who's considering anti-gay issues as a political platform. Christina may also be in love with one of the girls in the Fabulous Five. This book is good if you need something to slip in your beach bag. The only reason I gave it a 4 instead of 5 is because the jacket summary and first chapter kept referencing one of the character's dying before the book's end. This death was not a focal point of the book, but maybe it will be resolved in the sequel due August '06. Nevertheless, this is a very quick read. You'll have various pop references and if you read UsWeekly, Star, or any other gossip/fashion mag, this book is for you.

If you are looking for a book to take to the beach as the summer weather settles in look no further than Cruel Summer by Kylie Adams. This book is a title in the MTV Books series Fast Girls, Hot Boys. Cruel Summer is a cinematic novel set in scenic South Beach, Miami. The book is about five friends who all have big dreams. They are all A-listers and have access Unfortunately, one of them isn't going to live until high school graduation. The lives of Bijou, Pippa, Vanity, Dante, Max and Christina is glamourous. Cruel Summer is a cool teen/college age read that seems as if it's snatched out of the headlines of In Touch magazine. It's a vivid read that teens will enjoy. It's one of the best fiction books in the MTV Books series. Teen Editor Bellaonline

good book...it was a little crazy at first, but if you are looking for a good summer read, i suggest you get this book to read it. It will amuse you throughout the whole book. I enjoyed it