Jacquelyn Mitchard usually writes for adults. Years ago she had a big hit as an Oprah book club selection for "Deep End of the Ocean," which got made into a so-so movie starring Michelle Pfieffer. This is Jacquelyn's first try at writing a book especially for teens, and I think it's excellent. Hope Shay is a drama queen. She has spent her childhood in auditions and being dragged around by her obnoxious stage mom. She gets the opportunity to attend the pretigious Starwood Academy for gifted actors. Unfortunately for Hope, she is the only girl with talent in school. Fellow students don't appreciate her acting ability until one day her teacher casts her in the lead of Juliet opposite her very own Romeo, Logan Rose. Hope and Logan start a steamy love affair while practicing their lines. All is good in the world until Logan unleashes his idea - "It would be so easy, Hope. We could get one of those voice-disguising things and use a disposable cell phone... and after the drop, I'll just be the one who finds you. You wouldn't be hurt...if we had, like, twenty thousand dollars stashed away, it would be so much easier....what would you say your parents think you're worth?" Logan and Hope plot the ultimate theatrical performance, Hope's kidnapping. All is going according to plan, until a plot twists dumps this novel inside out. I was blindsighted, intrigued and kept on the edge of my seat as the storyline unfolded....You gotta read it to find out!
