Review: Hush by Stacey R. Campbell

Series: Lakeview #1
Publication: November 15th 2012 by Green Darner Press
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Edition: Kindle
Rating:

             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?

When you read the above synopsis before reading the book, of course, it is a major turn-off (I guess for most.) The idea is way too common on royal family stories: The princess was lost. The princess was adopted. The princess knew her identity. The princess lives in the castle. The princess married a prince. The end. But that is old school and in Hush, the princess did not marry a prince.

For the reason (too) that the synopsis tells it all, I never knew how to review this book, so this would not be an interesting review at all because it would just be short. *Disappointed.* Sorry people.

Characters: Blakely Henry. The princess who was born from the unacceptable love of her royal mother and son-of-the-royal-family-chauffeur father and was then the first adopted daughter of the Henry's. Hush circles around her sweet life. She's loving to her family especially to her younger sister (also adopted) even though she knew that she's not from their own flesh. Also, Max Ryder. You. Freaking. Gorgeous. Can you MAXimized your hotness? (Sorry for that lame line.) This boy came from the other side of the world just to investigate Blakely's history but things went ... Uhh. Henry's! They are very cherubic. Mr. and Mrs. Henry are, well, the best parents you will ever had. They have raised their adopted daughters right — never spoiled them to eat a jar full of cookies. To the students, faculties and dorm parents — they are way too perfect and kind for a YA contemporary (?).

Plot: OLD-HAT.

Romance: This is the cutest parts of Hush! I squeal. I jump out of my chair. I grin. Whatever you do when you are kini-kilig! KILIG. noun. It is the sudden feeling of an inexplicable joy one gets when something romantic or idealistic occurs. Guys, this is the Tagalog word for the FEELS you feel! Blakely and Max are just perfect for each other. *Sighs with glittery eyes.* Just the right amount of romance.

Setting: Lakeview Academy! Oh, yes. I am imagining a modern-ish boarding school with green field and lovely students. Tamura? It's Buckingham Palace type to me. OH LONDON LOVE.

Overall: You will be in need of 'more'... Definitely more of Blakely and Max. It's a coy, fun and fast read. Hush is perfect for readers who love feels overload and quick contemporary royal reads even with a  mete of cliché.

Interested to read 'Hush'?
Purchase it at: Book Depository, Amazon, B&N

Source: Netgalley · I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content.