Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City, and Scarlett lives there with her four siblings - Spencer, Lola, and Marlene. When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest called Mrs. Amberson. Scarlett doesn't quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn. Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery, Broadway glamour, romantic missteps, and theatrical deceptions. But in the city where anything can happen, she just might be able to pull it off.

First off, let me say that this book has gotten me out of my non-reading funk. The past few books I’ve read were really basic and predictable, but Suite Scarlett was an extremely unique and character-driven novel. This book had so many things going for it: a fascinating New York hotel setting, complex sibling interactions, a cute but not overwhelming romance, quirky characters, and witty dialogue. I loved the entire Martin family, especially Scarlett and her hilarious aspiring actor brother, Spencer. I am greatly looking forward to spending more time with these characters in the next book in the series, Scarlett Fever, set to be released in February of 2010. So check into the Hopewell now-I know you’ll enjoy your stay!