Review: Hush by Stacey R. Campbell

Hush

Lakeview #1

by Stacey R. Campbell

Publisher: Green Darner Press

Publication Date: November 15, 2012

Genres: Young Adult, Romance

For small-town girl Blakely Henry, any hope of finding her biological parents died when she stopped believing in fairy tales and Disney princesses. That is, until she spots her boarding school’s new British exchange student, Max Ryder, staring at her. Why would a boy who looks like he stepped out of the pages of a magazine be looking at her? Because Max knows something Blakely doesn’t. 
Following the tragic demise of one of Europe’s most beloved royal families, Max has stumbled upon information he thinks may lead to a lost royal heir, and now he is on a quest halfway around the world to see if he’s right. 
Sworn to secrecy by his university professor and the headmaster of Lakeview Academy, Max is admitted into an exchange program with the sole purpose of finding out the truth. But will his personal feelings for Blakely get in the way? 
When a stolen email surfaces, Blakely and her friends’ lives are threatened, and Max starts to question what he is really after.
From the exclusive rolling lawns of Canada’s most prestigious boarding school to the University of Saint Andrews’ hallowed grounds, Blakely’s quiet, unassuming life is turned upside down. Is she really who she thinks she is? Can she survive long enough to help Max unearth the truth?

   -Hush on Goodreads

 First Sentence:

"James," she moaned.

  I know it's been said before, but I felt like this book mirrored the Princess Diaries. I think that's why I had such a hard time getting into it. It seemed like a story I had heard before.

  This book is more suited for young adult fans who are actually young adults/high schoolers. If I was younger, I'm sure I would have enjoyed this book much more than I did. The characters are cliche, and I had a hard time identifying with them. Blakely seemed to defy what everyone repeatedly said she would do. 

  The pacing was rapid for this story, and I think that's why I wasn't able to suspend belief. Too many things fall into place too perfectly for my taste. But as I said, I feel like a younger reader would enjoy this book so much. It has all of the elements I would have loved as a teenager. The boarding school setting, finding out that you're actually a princess, a crush; it makes for a very good book for younger readers.

  If you're still fumbling with lockers and gym class and you are a fan of Princess Diaries, you should definitely pick up this book. It's a sweet rendition of the classic tale of an unknowing princess.

**I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to NetGalley and Green Darner Press.

Find Hush on: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Connect with Stacey R. Campbell on: Goodreads | Website | Twitter