This book is a pleasant little escape from reality. It isn't deep or anything, but it is a light, enjoyable read with enough humor to make me laugh out loud a few times. In this story, the royal family is holding a lottery of sorts which any girl in all the land may enter if she wants a chance to marry the prince. 35 girls will be selected to participate in their version of "The Bachelor." I heard this book described as "The Hunger Games" meets "The Bachelor" - and I see why the reference to that ridiculous (sorry - I do not like reality TV) television program...but this novel sooo did not have a Hunger Games feel to it - not to me, anyway. Now, having admitted that I do not like "The Bachelor" television program, I had doubts that I would want to read about something like it - but it didn't bother me in the book. Maybe that is because this fiction doesn't pretend that it isn't fiction - unlike the TV show. Or maybe it's because nobody cried and carried on and had an over-emotional exit interview when they were dismissed right away - you know, after knowing the bachelor/prince for 5 minutes. I don't know. Anyway, the whole gaggle of girls vying for the chance to woo the prince into marriage just didn't bother me like I thought it would - it actually worked for me. I really enjoyed reading this. And I could easily picture the castle in which most of the action takes place. And, so...I'm looking forward to the sequel.

Okay, so here's the deal - there is a whole caste system going on in this land, but any girl from any caste can enter for a chance to move to the top of the food chain by marrying into the royal family. America, the main character whose family is fairly low on the totem pole, does not want to participate, but she is pressured to do so - and she is selected as one of the 35 contestants. And since original boyfriend, Aspen, has just dumped her, she goes. Now, I think there is supposed to be some kind of love triangle in there, but original boyfriend was not a developed character at all for me, so I didn't care about him. On the other hand, I liked Prince Maxon. Several times while reading, I wished that all talk of Aspen would cease. However, America needs to have some inner turmoil, so... Of course, she has reservations about participating in "The Selection" over more than just the whole deal with original boyfriend. That part just seems to be the main concern. By the way, the whole love triangle thing is not resolved in this book, and although the field has been narrowed down to six contestants, the final "Selection" has not yet been made by the prince - look out for book two. The book sort of just ends. There's no real cliff-hanger. It just...stops. **Cue sequel... :)

If you are looking for something deep and meaningful to read, this probably isn't it. But if you are just looking for a quick, fun read - give this one a try. You may like it - I certainly did. ( )

Quick read and super interesting story. ( )

This is not good literature but it kept me entertained on a very long flight and I immediately continued with the sequel. Hence, I can't rate it less than 3 stars even though it probably deserves 2. The writing is full of cliches, the names of the characters are cringe (America, wtf) and the whole thing is the worst of YA, Hunger Games meets Princess Diaries meets The Bachelor etc. The main character was nothing special, the love interests were boring. There were a few interesting twists which was enough to keep going.

Junk food in the form of a book. ( )

When I first started this book, I hated it. I thought it's The Bachelor for teenagers! I only stuck with it because so many of my little girls loved and recommended it. Then it got better. Still not a great novel, but kept we wanting to read more! I really wanted to find out who he picks! Then, much to my dismay, one of my students tells me, "oh, you don't find out until the third book!" What?? She was right. The book just ended, so now I have to read The Elite! I don't really want to, but I'm going to. ( )

I love this book!! I absolutely cannot wait for the second one! ( )