Jeanine Le Ny

Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com

Niki's summer plans are ruined when she finds out that she isn't able to hang out with her best friend, Blair, at Bella Island, since she isn't "mature" enough. But her parents do think it's time for Niki to learn some responsibility, and so they decide for her that she will work with them, along with her twin brothers, at their shop, making and delivering sandwiches.

But maybe working at her parents' deli isn't so bad after all, when one fateful day, Niki accidentally bumps into a boy, Daniel, with her bike. Instantly, there seems to be a click between the two, but the only problem is, Niki believes that she is the only one who feels something between them.

With these mixed-up feelings, things go from confusing to even worse when she discovers that her arch-enemy is hired by her parents to help out at the deli. If only they knew that they weren't friends anymore. But Niki will soon find out that everything happens for a reason, and this summer will be more than she could ever ask for.

The second book in the new pseudo-series I HEART BIKINIS makes you appreciate puppy love even more - and you just can't help but to feel happy once you're done reading ISLAND SUMMER. Jeanine Le Ny captures the funny side of new, teen love that just leaves you satisfied and wanting more. Another great beach read that should be located in every bag this summer.… (meer)

Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

DRESS picks up where DREAM, the first book in the ONCE UPON A PROM series, ended.

Nisha, Tara, and Jordan are all in the throws of Prom planning. The story starts out with Tara daydreaming. She has placed herself in Jordan's place. There's an unstated desire for Tara to have all that Jordan has. Everything has always come easily to Jordan, and she always seems to get what she wants. Tara resents the ease of Jordan's life.

During the two weeks that DRESS spans, underlying stresses and withheld information slowly put the friendship between the three girls to the test.

Tara is struggling to keep Jenny Brigger from running away with Prom committee planning. She is also still in the process of transforming Victor from school mascot into an unsuspected hottie. Could the makeover project be developing into something else?

Jordan has tried to convince Shane that they can't be friends anymore. But the more she tries to convince herself of that, the more she is drawn into his world. Jordan struggles with her conflicting emotions between Shane and her longtime boyfriend, Nate.

And Nisha is stuck between the two girls. Nisha is hoping that she doesn't have to choose between them. Nisha is still trying to find a way to go to the Prom with Brian, her boyfriend of six months. Her parents have set her up with Raj, a good Indian boy that they approve of. Raj is a nice guy, but he's not the boy she's in love with. And Raj seems to have secrets of his own.

The second installment of the series has a faster pace than DREAM. The girls all have struggles of their own that seem to be coming to a spiraling conclusion. This book went into more depth than the first story did and, with less than two weeks to go until the Prom, the reader is left waiting to find out if all the girls will have the Prom dates that they are expecting.… (meer)

Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

Meet Jordan, Tara, and Nisha. These three girls are best friends and seniors in their final few months of high school. Like most senior girls, before graduation, attentions turn to the Prom. Yes, Prom with a capital "P." By now, they have college sorted, and are waiting for graduation. So Prom is the last big event until then.

DREAM is the first book in a series of three chronicling their journey to get to the prom.

The story is fairly straightforward. First, you have Jordan. Jordan is the shining star of the three - cheerleader, dating the star quarterback, pretty, smart, and nice. However, after getting a less than satisfactory grade on a photography class assignment, Jordan begins to look at herself a bit more closely. A chance encounter in a movie queue line with a strange boy opens Jordan's eyes to things she took for granted or ignored.

Next you have Nisha. Nisha is the Indian girl hiding her American boyfriend from her old-school parents. Nisha wants to go to the prom with Brian, but after six months of dating, she hasn't let him meet her family yet. Nisha tries to formulate a plan that will allow her to go to Prom with Brian, without her parents finding out that the prom is a dating function.

And last you have Tara. Tara is the 5th-wheel, without a boyfriend and the chairperson of the Prom Committee. Tara starts receiving text messages from a secret admirer. The three girls try to figure out who the mysterious "K" is. Only after agreeing to meet with "K" does Tara start to put her plan to get a date for the prom into action.

The girls are in the beginning stages of getting set to go to the prom. So far, only one of them has bought a dress. Jordan is fighting attraction for her new friend. Nisha's parents have provided her with a proper Indian boy to escort her to the prom. And Tara has created a hottie from the school mascot.

The story has been left open-ended for the continuation in DRESS, book two of the ONCE UPON A PROM series, with a countdown of 3 weeks and 5 days to go.

With prom season soon upon us, the book was a nice, innocent, and refreshing story. It was easy to get into the lives of all three girls and trying to figure out how everything was going to work out. Being part of a trilogy, though, the reader is left with loose threads and the desire to have the next book in the series ready to go. Jeanine's story moves quickly and the reader is caught up in the stress and panic that surrounds what is supposed to be one of the best memories of high school. DREAM will not disappoint those that are preparing for their own Prom, or those that attended many moons ago.… (meer)