Violet in Private

Violet in Private was wonderful. It was the only way I could think of the third book being. Melissa Walker did an amazing job of keeping the characters the same and continuing the series nicely. I was so excited to get this book - I read it a while ago, actually, but I can still remember how I felt reading it, which is amazing. One thing that I love about reading the Violet series is that I know the book will most likely turn out good. But I still feel whatever Violet is feeling at certain times. If Violet is depressed and doesn't know what to do, then I will feel that way. I will feel like there isn't a way for her to get out of her situation, that that is the end for her or her career, or whatever it may be. I really can't find anything wrong with Violet in Private. There were a few grammatical errors, but I had an ARC, so I'm sure they were fixed for the final copy. If you haven't read the Violet series, I highly recommend it. It is one of my favorite series out there right now. It really supports self-confidence, healthy body image, and just being yourself. The series really pushes just being yourself and it's a great message. Teens today need to realize that you don't always have to be perfect and you don't have to be like everyone else - it's okay to be a little different sometimes.

VIOLET IN PRIVATE MELISSA WALKER Rating: 4.5 Enchantments Teen modeling sensation Violet Greenfield's on her way to her first semester at Vassar and a surprising internship at Teen Fashionista magazine. But when Violet gets a surprise invitation to walk the runway again during fashion week at the Tracetown show, can she handle the public reaction to her `new' self? Or is model Violet a definite thing of the past? I can safely say Violet Greenfield is one of my favorite characters and I'm so glad to see her back in VIOLET IN PRIVATE. This time around, Violet's going to school, dealing with the fact her best friend turned crush Roger is still with the annoyingly perky Chloe and trying to fit into life at Vassar. School isn't quite what she expected either when she becomes the topic of conversation during one of her classes, thanks to the ad she shot in VIOLET BY DESIGN, so much for Violet laying low in her new surroundings. VIOLET IN PRIVATE is the third book in Ms. Walker's `Violet' series and probably the most revealing book about Violet yet. Dealing with the pressures of the modeling world, her feelings for Roger and balancing her internship with school and everything else has Violet growing up more than in any other of the previous two books. One of my favorite characters of the book was Violet's new friend at Vassar, Kurt. I thought he literally stole a couple scenes (especially during his trip to NYC) and made me laugh more times than I could count. It was also nice to see a reappearance of the other half of the `Double Vs', Veronica. You can visit Melissa Walker's blog at http://www.melissacwalker.com/blog/ and check out the vlog she did especially for Enchanting YA at: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view & friendID=259650449 & blogID=422760822 & Mytoken=6209A05A-6438-4124-AB92BC88779CF245226554571 Lisa Enchanting Reviews August 2008

I am a huge fan of the "Violet" series, so when Melissa Walker sent me a review copy of Violet in Private, I literally squealed with excitement, and of course, I dove in immediately. I'll admit it - my first thoughts were not the most positive. My main question was "is Violet going to continue to swear off modeling, but then run back every time she has an opportunity? Is that going to be the ongoing theme to these books?" As I read on, I felt guilty for doubting Melissa Walker's ability to craft a storyline - just as the other two did, Violet in Private really blew me away. The characters are well written, as always. As the series has progressed, we have seen less and less of Violet's best friend Julie, but it's an acceptable loss. New characters, such as Violet's hilarious friend at Vassar, Kurt, seem to fill in the gaps. Plus we see plenty of our old favorites, Roger, Aunt Rita, and Veronica. The characters are so well penned, in fact, that this is a series that I'm dying to see turned into a movie, just to see what the cast would be like! I also like that Violet really takes a stand for something in this book. We saw the beginnings of that in Violet by Design, but she really comes out of her shell in Violet in Private. She really begins to grow up and realize that she has influence over a lot of people. She begins to fight for what she believes in, even if it means dire personal consequences. While the Violet series is about every teen girl's dream coming true, Violet really begins to become a role model to these girls in this book. I realize this review sounds like gushing, and it is - these books are some of the most enjoyable books I've read. They're light and fun, but still tackle important subjects. The characters are smart and witty and you really begin to care for them. Above all, they actually seem real. A lot of books of the "crazy things happen to a normal person and their dreams come true" genre, while fun, aren't realistic in any sense of the word (Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries series comes to mind). But Violet seems like a real teen. She has all the insecurities and self-doubt, and is straight up about the fact that the amount of makeup she wears in her shoots can make anyone look good. Yes, the events are somewhat fanciful, but at the core of it is a real girl - that's what makes these books so compelling and so delicious!

Violet In Private is the third book in Melissa Walker's, Violet series. It picks up when Violet is just about to begin college at Vassar for the Winter/Spring term. She's decided maybe she doesn't really want to be a model anymore and would rather concentrate on being a normal college girl. The modeling world isn't quite ready to let her go though, her friend Veronica is constantly asking her to come to New York to go to parties and appearances with her for their Mirabella campaign and her agent, Angela is constantly calling her. Though she isn't really modeling anymore, a discussion is started in her Sociology class about her Mirabella ad and she's invited to be an Intern at Teen Fashionista magazine, she just can't shed the world of fashion. She's excited about her internship except for the fact that she has to work under Chloe, her best friend/true love Roger's girlfriend, talk about awkward. This is my favorite in the series yet, they actually got better as they went along! I loved the first one and it has just built and built on this great foundation. I really liked seeing Violet in college, enjoying dorm life, cute boys and new friends. I also liked to see her balance her college life with her modeling life and her friend's from high school/home life. It was very enjoyable to read! My favorite part was her and her best friend/true love Roger. Roger sounds fantastic, where can I find myself a Roger! The ending definitely made me hope for another in the series, if not I'll just use my imagination. It's just great! If you haven't read this series I'd recommend it. I also think this would be a great place to start for anyone that doesn't normally read Young Adult literature but is interested in trying it out. Some YA can be slightly eye roll worthy for people that are no longer young adults themselves but not this series!

Violet has become a Vassar Girl. As the spring semester rolls around, Violet finds herself in a place that's way more intimidating than a photo shoot or the runway--college. At first she's apprehensive about making friends and how her fellow students will receive her, but after befriending the flamboyant Kurt and meeting her cool new roommates, she's starting to feel like she belongs. She even lands an internship at Teen Fashionista, which is pretty cool, even if it does mean more time spent with Chloe, Roger's annoying and in the way girlfriend. But with the continuous pressure exerted on her from all directions about her weight and career, Violet is having a bit of trouble figuring out how to get what she wants. Violet in Private is Melissa Walker's most frank, profound, and honest book yet. Violet's fears concerning her new life are completely valid and within reach for many girls, even as her old life refuses to release its tenuous hold on her. The topic of weight and eating is once again breached, but this time Violet is strong in her decisions, and instead has to fend off those who would degrade her for them...with mixed reactions. It is evident that this series is evolving into something much more than simply a story of a young model and the troubles that come with being one, but is a coming of age story as Violet takes the long way to find her purpose in life and turn her short modeling career into something that is much more rewarding and positive and has a longer lasting effect than a span of a few years. Though it would have been interesting to see more character development in a few of the minor characters, Violet in Private is a shining example of how one girl can take negativity and turn it into something beautiful.