Never Sit Down in a Hoopskirt... by Crickett Rumley

Title: Never Sit Down in a Hoopskirt and Other Things I Learned in Southern Belle Hell
Author: Crickett Rumley
ISBN: 9781606841310
Publisher: Egmont
Page #: 296
Source: ARC from the publisher (to be released June 2011)

Summary:
"Expelled from thirteen boarding schools in the past five years, seventeen-year-old Jane Fontaine Ventouras is returning to her Southern roots, and the small town of Bienville, Alabama, where ladies always wear pearls, nothing says hospitality like sweet tea and pimento cheese sandwiches, and competing in the annual Magnolia Maid Pageant is every girl's dream.

But Jane is what you might call an anti-belle - more sarcasm and cynicism than sugar and spice. You can be sure that the last thing on her mind is joining the Magnolia Maid brigade and parading around town in an enormous dress and frilly bonnet. So when she finds herself up to her ears in ruffles and etiquette lessons, she's got one mission: Escape.

What's a girl to so? Will Jane survive Bienville boot camp intact or will they - gasp! - make a Southern belle out of her yet."
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First Lines:

"There's a whole chapter in the Magnolia Court Orientation Handbook titled 'Manners befitting a Maid Upon Announcement of Selection to the Court.' It goes something like this, but not exactly like this because I've added a few flourishes to jack up the entertainment value:"
Page 1
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Review:

This book was given to me by one of my coworkers because he knew I'd love it. Totally right. And it's completely because of the whole Southern thing. Thems my roots! :)

Jane is our leading lady who has had trouble in a ton of boarding schools, so has been sent back to her hometown to be the perfect Southern belle. She's more snark and funny than remotely girly. I loved that about here. All of it was totally a joke - even in times of stress. It just made for a really fun look on the whole thing.

I loved the concept of a belle contest - mostly because it's hilarious and I would have laughed my way through it... even if nothing out of the ordinary happened. It helps that you have a few characters who think the whole thing is bunk. The girls chosen for the court are awesome - I'd love to know Zara. She seems cool as a cucumber, but she's got a lot of depth.

There's also a bit of romance thrown in for good measure. Long lost love stuff. And the other girls have their own guy problems. You don't get a whole ton of information about them, so they are kind of a side story. But I think the smattering of boy stuff gives the story a boost.

I think all of those girls who love chick lit will really get into this one. Especially if you love Southern stuff. I do wonder if I got a few of the jokes more than someone who isn't from there. But I can't judge that. I really do plan on recommending this one to anyone looking for a funny, girly story. I look forward to it coming out in a couple months.
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Other Blog Reviews:

YA Book Nerd
Danyelle Leafty
Okay, so the book isn't out yet - so not many reviews. Let me know when you do and I'll link ya :).