Book Review: The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

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The Escape Game  by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss  opens on the set of a reality television show called "The Escape Room" where one of the season four contestants, Alicia Angelos, is found in a coffin on set ... dead. Fast forward to season five where Sierra Angelos, the murder victim's younger sister and suspected killer, has been brought back to the show and paired up with Beck, Adi, and Carter. Sierra wants to find justice for her sister, but when Sierra and her teammates start uncovering clues about the true killer, they must figure out how to survive the game. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for approving my request and providing me with a digital copy of The Escape Game  for free in exchange for my honest review. I was immediately drawn to the title and cover of the young adult novel. Throw in the plot being about an escape room, and I was completely sold on the story before even reading it. The story is told from the perspective of fou...
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Book Review: Cover Girl (Sweet Dreams, #9) by Yvonne Greene

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Cover Girl (Sweet Dreams, #9) by Yvonne Greene is the ninth installment in the popular Sweet Dreams teen romance book series, published by Bantam Books. This installment follows high school junior Renee as she embarks on a new adventure in the world of high fashion modeling in New York City. Signed by a modeling agency, Renee begins booking modeling jobs almost immediately. But there’s a catch ... she keeps her burgeoning modeling career a secret from her boyfriend, Greg, who has strong opinions about girls who wear makeup and read fashion magazines, just like his sister. The central question of the story is whether Greg will be supportive once he discovers Renee’s secret life or if it will end their relationship.

While the premise of Cover Girl is intriguing, there were a few elements that made it difficult for me to fully enjoy the book. First, Greg’s behavior felt overly controlling, even for a teenage character. He criticizes Renee’s appearance when she wears makeup and insists she not wear it around him. This dynamic comes across as more of a demand than a request, which made me want to tell Renee to rethink her relationship. Unfortunately, the story doesn’t challenge this controlling behavior enough, which may leave readers frustrated.
Another issue I had was with the portrayal of the modeling industry. Greene writes that the agency creates Renee’s comp cards or headshots directly from the photos her mother sends. In reality, modeling agencies have photographers they recommend, and the agency selects which photos will appear on comp cards. Additionally, Greene suggests that most modeling jobs happen after school. In reality, print work often occurs during regular business hours, and fashion shows or trade show events can require long or irregular hours, often resulting in students missing school for bookings. The book also implies that models can choose to work only during summers and holidays, which isn’t how the industry typically operates.
These inaccuracies about the modeling world, combined with the controlling boyfriend storyline, were major drawbacks for me. As a result, I can only give Cover Girl (Sweet Dreams, #9) two out of five stars. While the book may appeal to readers who enjoy light teen romance stories, the unrealistic depiction of the modeling industry and the problematic relationship dynamics make it a less satisfying read for me personally.
On a lighter note, the book cover caught my attention ... does anyone else think the girl on the cover resembles a very young Jennifer Garner? Also, could the pose have been any more awkward? It seems like no real model would ever pose like that!
Final Verdict: Cover Girl has its charm as part of the Sweet Dreams series, but the controlling boyfriend and misleading information about the modeling world significantly lowered my enjoyment. If you’re a fan of teen romance books or Yvonne Greene’s other works, it may still be worth a glance but approach with realistic expectations.

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