The Ivy by Lauren Kunze with Rina Onur

Title:  The Ivy

Author: Lauren Kunze with Rina Onur

Pages: 320

Genre: YA

Source: Around the World ARC Tours

Freshman year at Harvard--glamorous parties, blossoming friendships, steamy romances, and scandalous secrets. Skip the campus tour and get right to the good stuff: classes are for scoping guys (and their Facebook profiles), not taking notes. The library is for study dates (the medieval history stacks get a lot of action), not studying. And success is a 4.0 GPA... plus getting into the most exclusive parties. How will Callie--a California girl with brains, beauty, and big dreams--and her three roommates survive? [via GoodReads]

Callie is starting her freshman year at Harvard.  Not only does she have to get used to now living on the east coast (since she's a California girl), but she has had to leave her best friend and boyfriend (whom she promises to call everyday) behind,  and she also has to learn to live with three other girls (who are extreme opposites from one another), not to mention get used to college life.  She has to juggle her classes and studying with the parties ... I mean, it's hard living the life of the Harvard elite. 

For me, The Ivy reminded me a lot of Gossip Girl.  Yet at the same time, it wasn't all the crazy drama (don't take me wrong, there was plenty of that), but there were also some moments that were poignant and heart-felt.  This is Callie's story and how she deals with this new life - how she tries her best to fit in but at the same time not lose herself.  There is definitely loads of drama especially with all the new and different people coming into her life.  Her three roommates and some new boys that also come into the picture really make Callie's life a lot more interesting.

Geared more towards older YA's - this can definitely be enjoyed by adults as well.  It has the perfect blend of drama, romance and humor.  I can't 100% say how credible some of the situations that Callie finds herself in are or, how true to college life this is, but either way, it definitely makes for an enjoyable read.  

I will forewarn though, there is one major cliff-hanger at the end.  It ends just like you'd expect your favorite tv show to end at the conclusion of the season.  But have no fear, this is part of a series, so hopefully we'll get answers to our questions with the second installment in the series.  I also found it very interesting that both authors were college roommates in Harvard... but they refuse to confess to how much of this book is fact and how much is fiction.  I love that!  

My Rating: