Paper princess

An orphan enters a world of privilege and decadence after she's taken in by a wealthy family in this debut YA romance. Seventeen-year-old Ella Harper is determined to overcome a difficult childhood. Raised by a single mother, she's never met her father; however, she has a few clues as to his identity: his name is Steve and her mother met him while he was in the U.S. Navy. After her mother's death, Ella moves to a small town in Tennessee, enrolls in school, and takes a job as a stripper. One day, a man named Callum Royal comes to her school and tells her that Steve died and he's her new guardian. They served together in the Navy, he says, before they built a successful aviation company. He's helping to settle Steve's estate and support the daughter whom Steve never located. Wary of his motives but hoping to learn more about her father, Ella accompanies Callum to his estate, where she meets his five sons, Gideon, Reed, Easton, and twins Sawyer and Sebastian. Their mother died under questionable circumstances and they have a strained relationship with Callum. They're also openly hostile toward Ella, particularly Reed. Ella soon discovers dark undercurrents in the family while also discovering her attraction to the sullen Reed. They fall in love but secrets from the past soon threaten their relationship. Watt's novel moves along at a brisk, enjoyable pace, and it's built on an intriguing premise with well-developed characters. She doesn't overplay her hand by revealing too much too soon; instead, small details, such as a mysterious bruise on Reed's face, lead to shocking revelations later in the story. Ella is a dynamic, sympathetic protagonist who appreciates Callum's generosity while trying to remain grounded. Although her relationship with Reed begins on an antagonistic note, it gradually evolves into one that crackles with passion. However, some of their scenes together are more erotic than many written for adult novels, so they might be more appropriate for an older YA or adult audience. A compulsively readable YA novel that seems like an adult romance, which may appeal to older teenagers looking for something in the vein of Gossip Girl. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

"Ella, you're wanted in the principal's office," Ms. Weir says before I can step inside the Precalculus classroom. I check my watch. "I'm not even late." It's one minute before nine and this watch is never wrong. It's probably the most expensive item I own. My mom said that it was my dad's. Besides his sperm, it's the only thing he left behind. "No, it's not about tardiness...this time." Her normally flinty gaze is soft around the edges, and my gut relays a warning to my sluggish morning brain. Ms. Weir is a hard ass, which is why I like her. She treats her students like we're here to learn about actual math instead of some life lesson on loving your neighbor and crap like that. So for her to be giving me sympathetic looks means something bad is cooking down at the principal's office. She should save her sympathy for Justin Slade, the captain of the football team, who is unironically sticking his tongue between his fingers and waggling the wormlike thing at me. He bragged about his tongue the day we'd met, when he cornered me in the hallway, informed me I was hot, and graciously offered to give me the best sex of my life. I'd said thanks, but no thanks. Since then he's been hounding me to reconsider, but it doesn't matter, because I won't have to deal with him for much longer. He's going to college next year and will be in for a sore surprise when he realizes the best days of his life were in high school. His pathetic attempt at mocking me doesn't deserve acknowledgement. "Fine." It's not like I can give any other response. I offer a nod and redirect myself to the school office. "I'll email you the course assignment," Ms. Weir calls after me. Again with the sympathy. I should be worried. The implication behind her statement is that I won't be returning to class, but there's nothing Principal Thompson has to say that could faze me. Before enrolling in George Washington High School for my junior year, I had already lost everything of importance. There isn't anything else anyone can take from me. Even if Mr. Thompson has somehow found out I'm not technically living in the GW school district I can think of some lie to stall for time, and if I have to transfer, which is the worst thing that could happen to me today, then I'll do it. If he brings up the fact that my mother is a stripper? Well, I'll call him a liar and remind him that having a stripper for a mother isn't grounds for suspension or dismissal. "How's it going, Darlene?" The mom-haired school secretary barely looks up from her People magazine. "Take a seat, Ella. Mr. Thompson will be right with you." Yep, we're on a first-name basis, me and Darlene. One month at GW High and I've already spent way too much time in this office, thanks to my ever-growing stack of late slips. But that's what happens when you work nights and don't see the smooth side of the sheets until three a.m. every night. Excerpted from Paper Princess by Erin Watt, Jen Frederick All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.