The Selection by Kiera Cass

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself–and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined. – Goodreads

I went into this book with mixed emotions, and now that I’ve finished it, I still have mixed emotions. I’m very confused (emotionally).

Ha, I snickered, as I downloaded this book on my Kindle. She looks like she’s sniffing her armpit on this cover. Is her name really America Singer? That’s terrible. Damn, I thought, as I struggle-read the first 40% of the book. This is an episode of the Bachelor. Seriously, Maxon is Chris. Please tell me there’s a rose ceremony so I can snarkily write about it in my review. This is going to be the worst review ever.

And then out of the blue, I actually started to care about Maxon, America, Marlee, May, and the rest of the crew. I started to root for one particular male love interest. And then I finished it. And promptly bought book two.

This is a fluffy dystopian version of the Bachelor. However, I was okay with that. The characters are enjoyable (though several *cough* Aspen and Marlee *cough* fall short and flat). Even America—who I will now refer to as Mer because her name is ridiculous–was a little bit robotic and awkward at times. The story is a bit slow, though engaging. I actually can’t put my finger on why I enjoyed it as much as I did.

Side note: I disagree with the masses of reviewers on Goodreads. This is not at all like the Hunger Games. It is not a fight to the death, though I can see how people would compare the castes to the districts. That being said, welcome to dystopian fiction.

Anyway. Guilty pleasure read for sure, and I will be finishing the series. I don’t mind the fluff once in a while, and this works for me! I rated it 3.5/5 on Goodreads.