Airhead Book 3: Runaway

Em Watts thought that things were finally taking a turn for the better when she learned that Christopher (her best-friend-slash-crush-slash-boy-she-wants-to-marry-and-spend-the-rest-of-her-life-with) was in love with her - not the girl whose body her brain is currently lodged within...stunning supermodel Nikki Howard. She should have known better. Em has never been on the receiving end of a happy ending; and her current predicament is indicative of that. Nikki Howard? The beauty whose body Em currently inhabits? Yeah...she's alive, and she wants her body back...now! Em would love to do nothing more than to runaway and forget everyone and everything from her past, but, as tempting as it sounds, it's downright impossible; for while Nikki knows all of Stark's secrets, Em is completely in the dark. During the time Em has been leading Nikki's life, Nikki has been hiding out, uncovering everything shady about Stark Enterprises. Now that she has the information she needs to expose them for what they've done to her, she is ready to make her grand entrance and reveal it to the world; Em just knows that the day in question will be the Stark Angel event - a live fashion show that will take place on New Year's Eve - but there's nothing she can do to stop it...except lie in wait until the day of reckoning arrives. Patience, however, has never been one of Em's strong points. Action is more her style. With the help of Christopher, Lulu, and Gabriel Luna, Em is determined to get to the bottom of the science fiction fairytale that has become her life; but on top of the adventures in computer hacking, and a series of unbelievable events that require some serious quick thinking, Em will have to face the facts regarding her mother's take on beauty head on to give her the courage to return to her normal life and continue on as the nerdy girl she has always been. I can honestly say that the thing I loathe most about Meg Cabot's book series' is that they must always come to an end which can be devastating to diehard readers; however, when they are as fast-paced, action-packed, and full of answers as Runaway (Airhead) is, you can't help but to welcome the conclusion with open arms. As per usual, Cabot's trademark self-deprecating humor, and penchant for the unexpected and fantastical is found in large quantities within the pages of Runaway (Airhead); yet so is a lot of heart. After three books, you can't help but to find yourself attached to these characters, and cheering them on as you devour each paragraph. Em has grown up right before our eyes, transforming from nerdy girl to a confident individual with the ability to stand up for herself, speak her mind, and steal the spotlight - whether in Nikki Howard's body or her very own. Whereas Nikki, who has forever been viewed as vain, vapid, shallow, and unintelligent is portrayed in a cunning, conniving new way which adds more depth to her personality; making her more relatable to readers. A thrilling conclusion whi

Emerson Watts is on the run. Everyone she loves is mad at her because of something she can't explain, and doesn't totally understand herself. All she has to look forward to is the Stark Angel fashion show on New Year's Eve. Christopher has discovered something bad. Project Phoenix. And even though he isn't positive on what it is about, he has a feeling it has everything to do with Em. I have enjoyed the AIRHEAD series so very much. I'm sad to see it come to an end, but this ending was great. This book was the kind that you hate to put down because you want so badly to know what is going to happen. The chemistry between Em and Christopher is fabulous. All of the characters have been interesting in their own special way, and you can see the changes in Em and especially the changes in Nikki. The only problem I had with the book is the ending. It all happened so fast; almost too fast! But, overall, RUNAWAY was a wonderful ending to the AIRHEAD series, and if you haven't read both AIRHEAD and BEING NIKKI, you definitely should check them out! Reviewed by: Ashley B

Em Watts is still stuck being Nikki Howard, but she is getting closer to discovering the reason why her brain was transplanted into Nikki's body...because the real Nikki is alive, and she knows everything. The only problem is, she's quite unwilling to talk unless she gets what she wants--her own body back. Em needs Christopher's help if they are going to discover the reason behind Stark's secret themselves, but unfortunately Christopher isn't exactly happy with Em right now. With everyone wanting so much from her and her sort of boyfriend hating her, is it really any wonder that Em feels like running away? Runaway, the conclusion to the Airhead trilogy, is a snappy and smart read that goes by far too quickly! The novel picks up only days after the tension-filled conclusion of Being Nikki, and dives into the action right away, with all of the drama surrounding Brandon Stark's attempt at whisking Em and the Howards away to his summer home. They are quickly rescued, but when they return to New York, it is evident that they aren't any safer there. Lulu and Gabriel Luna quickly join the group as Em and Christopher attempt to get to the bottom of the mystery through a series of fast paced action scenes, complete with plenty of quick thinking, computer hacking, and romantic tension. Meanwhile, plenty is happening with the large cast of supporting characters--people a hooking up, breaking up, and making up. Nikki, who comes off as horribly vain and shallow throughout most of the series, gets a makeover and a drive for revenge, making her more likable and more ruthless. Em is dealing with her own issues concerning her mother and how she taught Em and her sister to perceive beauty, which adds a bit more depth to the plot. Cabot gives readers hints at Stark's insidious plan throughout the book, which may be predictable to some readers, but not any less surprising or suspenseful once all is revealed--including the true reason behind Em's brain transplant. But even after the big reveal, Em must work fast to outsmart Stark and see that justice is served. Finally, the book culminates in a highly satisfying confrontation readers have been looking forward to since Airhead. In her trademark style, Cabot proves once again that being smart and being fashionable don't have to be mutually exclusive and that by being yourself, no matter how hard it may be, you will always come out on top. Cover Comment: I think the model's position looks a little awkward, but I really like that she is in the act of running away. I've always found the design of the Airhead covers pretty neat, and I just love how the same model has been used for all three books. Very neat cover!

As Meg Cabot's newest release "Runaway," opens, we see that Em Watts is hiding, from the paparazzi, from her family, from her friends, and even from her own life. Forced into an unhappy partnership with her non-boyfriend (who just happens to be the power hungry son of her evil employer), Em is at her breaking point. Now she's just waiting her time out, but the waiting is taking to look. She is, in fact, waiting for the live Stark Angel fashion show and for the real Nikki to stand up and reveal what she found out about Stark Enterprises, as well as what led to this whole predicament. Her dilemma is that she is stuck between the desire to protect those she cares about and the determination to expose Stark's wrongdoings. Em will have to decide if she can take a stand, or if she's better off running away from it all. "Runaway," third in the Airhead series, was preceded by "Airhead" and "Being Nikki" and closes this trilogy off nicely. The storyline was fascinating and Cabot still managed to surprise her readers with tidbits. I don't like to reveal anything substantial about the book, its progression, or its ending, but this one does end happily ever after. Em's character goes through quite a bit and with this last book of the trilogy, readers will applaud her ability to hang in there. Also, a big driver of this book was the background discussion about business ethics, identity theft, and even reclaiming a new identity. It's the gift that Christopher gives to Em at the end that is so thoughtful and touching, and it reminds readers that we are who we are, not matter what crosses our path in life.

***Spoilers for books 1 and 2*** Just when things had started looking up for Em Watts (Christopher knows she's Em not Nikki! Christopher loves her!), they took a turn for the unexpected at the end of Being Nikki, the second book in this trilogy. Nikki Howard, it turned out, was not really dead. She also wanted her body back. In an attempt to save Christopher and her family, Em agreed to break things off with Christopher and pretend to be in love with Brandon Stark. That's the situation that we find her in at the start of Runaway. Everything that was great about the first two books in this series continues to be fun here. Em tries to do the right thing while protecting her family, only this doesn't go over so well with Christopher when he tries to rescue her. Her parents are also having a hard time dealing with the tabloid reports of Em's antics, and Nikki (the real one) is driving everyone crazy with her complaints about her new, less attractive body. Can Em save the Howard family and herself? Can Christopher handle it if she does? I love Meg Cabot's books, and Runaway doesn't disappoint. Sure, the premise only gets more ridiculous as the book goes on, but she sells it. Meanwhile, her characters are always funny and likable, and she writes heroines that are to be admired. Em might have to walk the runway in bra and panties, but she's nobody's victim, and she saves herself more that once. This is a very satisfying conclusion to a very fun trilogy. I can't wait to see what Meg Cabot comes up with next.