High Fashion

Sixteen-year-old Olivia "Liv" Bourne-Cecil doesn't truly know the meaning of independence. Having grown up in the posh Hampstead Heath in Britain, she has always been accustomed to "fine" living. Meaning that, while many girls her own age weren't privileged enough to wear high fashion since birth, or be waited on hand and foot by cooks, maids, and the like, Liv was privy to all of the above - and she wouldn't have it any other way. That is, until she arrives in NYC to work as an intern at FLIRT Magazine with a group of other girls her age - all from different walks of life. Suddenly, Liv sees just how over privileged her life has been, from appearing in the society pages of newspapers, and being friends with Josephine Bishop - the creator of FLIRT and a friend of the family. However, Liv truly begins to see just how different NYC is from her own humble abode, and, as an only child, finds that it will take some getting used to. Suddenly, Liv is washing her own dishes, doing her own laundry, and making her own bed; all at the same time as alienating - accidentally - her new roommates. But when her parents find that she has been appearing in Page Six - in a not-so-heavenly light - they insist that she come home immediately, or she will have to make it on her own. Independently. When she refuses, Liv truly sees what her parents met by living "independently," and must find a way to keep her head above water in the city that never sleeps, or risk going home, and leaving her to-die-for internship behind. From page one, Liv is an adorable character whose upper class ways, and, at times, prudish attitude make her an appealing character. While she has received every luxury in life, she is not a character whom you dislike, but, rather, one that readers will embrace, at seeing how clueless she is regarding many different aspects of "normal" life. Her personality shines through in every situation, and while she may, at times, appear slightly aloof, she always comes back to redeem herself, making her the apple of readers eyes. The fact that she is hard-working, and interested in making a life for herself - without her parents help - is also quite a redeemable feat; as are her interactions with the other FLIRT girls, and make Liv's character even more admirable, and lovable. Bubbly fun reminiscent of a day at the spa with your closest girlfriends! Erika Sorocco Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper