MUST LOVE BLACK by Kelly McClymer

Philippa doesn’t consider herself a true goth.  She just likes wearing black.  When she sees an ad in the paper looking for a nanny for twin, 10-year-old girls with the stipulation that the applicant “must love black,” she feels like she has found the perfect summer job.  It doesn’t hurt that taking this job will get her out of going on a honeymoon cruise with her father and new step-mother.  She leaves for her new job directly from the wedding reception.  Geoff, the totally hot gardener and part-time driver, shows up to drive her to Chrysalis Cliff, the posh hotel/spa the twins live with their father.

Instructions are very clear when she arrives at work.  Philippa is supposed to keep the kids out of the way of the guests and make sure they have fun.  Fun is even scheduled into their busy day.  The problem is, the kids aren’t necessarily interested in typical fun.  They are extremely practical kids, so Philippa has to approach fun in inventive ways.

During the summer Philippa attempts to improve the kids’ relationship with their father and get to know Geoff a little better.  She isn’t quite sure if he has a girlfriend or not, but the girl that seems to be claiming him is the complete opposite of her.  Philippa’s summer turns out to be very enjoyable despite the fog-enshrouded mansion, tarot card reading twins, and possible ghosts.

Kelly McClymer, author of the Salem Witch series, has written an enjoyable and light novel.  Watching the relationship between Philippa and the girls is touching.  It would be nice to read a sequel and be able to keep up with the characters, but MUST LOVE BLACK doesn’t leave you hanging at the end.  The ending is wrapped up nicely and the reader feels satisfied.

 

SWITCH by Carol Snow

Claire can always tell when an electrical storm is brewing.  Her body is tuned in to the lightning.  Ever since she hit her teens, lightning has caused her to switch bodies with people.  She doesn’t keep the bodies long and she always gives them back.  Until one night.

Claire is an average girl.  She is a star swimmer, has a best friend, and dreams of having the perfect guy notice her.  Unfortunately, Nate thinks of her as a sister, but everything changes for her when she makes a switch with a new girl, Larissa, who is working as a nanny for a family staying on the beach for the summer.  

In the blink of an eye she is blond and gorgeous with a closet full of clothes. She feels like a Barbie doll and enjoys trying on clothes that she knows would never look right on her “real” body.  Another perk to the switch is Nate.  He notices Larissa and through Larissa’s body she experiences the beginnings of a relationship with the boy of her dreams.

There are problems though.  Swim tryouts are looming on the horizon and if she doesn’t get back into her own body she won’t make the team, her best friend is feeling completely left out, and she is missing her mother.  Claire has to figure out why she isn’t switching back automatically like she normally does and get back to her real life before it is too late.

SWITCH by Carol Snow is an interesting story with kind of a Prince and the Pauper feel.  Claire gets the opportunity to feel what it is like living the life of someone she considers to have it better than her.  She has the chance to find out if the grass really is greener on the other side.  For a fast-paced story read SWITCH.

 

SWITCH by Carol Snow

Claire can always tell when an electrical storm is brewing.  Her body is tuned in to the lightning.  Ever since she hit her teens, lightning has caused her to switch bodies with people.  She doesn’t keep the bodies long and she always gives them back.  Until one night.

Claire is an average girl.  She is a star swimmer, has a best friend, and dreams of having the perfect guy notice her.  Unfortunately, Nate thinks of her as a sister, but everything changes for her when she makes a switch with a new girl, Larissa, who is working as a nanny for a family staying on the beach for the summer.  

In the blink of an eye she is blond and gorgeous with a closet full of clothes. She feels like a Barbie doll and enjoys trying on clothes that she knows would never look right on her “real” body.  Another perk to the switch is Nate.  He notices Larissa and through Larissa’s body she experiences the beginnings of a relationship with the boy of her dreams.

There are problems though.  Swim tryouts are looming on the horizon and if she doesn’t get back into her own body she won’t make the team, her best friend is feeling completely left out, and she is missing her mother.  Claire has to figure out why she isn’t switching back automatically like she normally does and get back to her real life before it is too late.

SWITCH by Carol Snow is an interesting story with kind of a Prince and the Pauper feel.  Claire gets the opportunity to feel what it is like living the life of someone she considers to have it better than her.  She has the chance to find out if the grass really is greener on the other side.  For a fast-paced story read SWITCH.