New Girl

New Girl by Paige Harbison

Release Date: January 31 ,2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: egalley
Source: NetGalley
Intrest: Young Adult
Challenge: 2012 Reading Challenge 2012 Debut Author Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

Welcome to Manderley Academy

I hadn't wanted to go, but my parents were so excited…. So here I am, the new girl at Manderley, a true fish out of water. But mine's not the name on everyone's lips. Oh, no.

It's Becca Normandy they can't stop talking about. Perfect, beautiful Becca. She went missing at the end of last year, leaving a spot open at Manderley—the spot that I got. And everyone acts like it's my fault that infallible, beloved Becca is gone and has been replaced by not perfect, completely fallible, unknown Me.

Then, there's the name on my lips—Max Holloway. Becca's ex. The one boy I should avoid, but can't. Thing is, it seems like he wants me, too. But the memory of Becca is always between us. And as much as I'm starting to like it at Manderley, I can't help but think she's out there, somewhere, watching me take her place.

Waiting to take it back.

When I read a review of this by a fellow blogger friend of mine  I was immediately excited about it! I am a HUGE fan of the classic Rebecca, the book, the movie, I love them all! This story has always captivated me, and I really can't explain why. I'm drawn like a moth to the flame! So when I found out this was a retelling of the classic Rebecca I couldn't wait to start reading it.

I won't waste your time telling you a lot about the plot of this book. Many of you I'm sure have already read the classic, Rebecca, so you get it! For those of you who haven't read it, here's a short recap of New Girl.

New Girl is the story of a young girl who has always dreamed of getting into the prestigous Manderly Academy, and has finally been accepted when a slot unexpectedly opens up. Once she arrives at Manderly she struggles to fit in with the other students. There is her roomate, the deeply troubled Dana Veers ( Mrs. Danvers anyone? ) the wickedly handsom Max, and his best friend Johnny who is a bit of a bad boy but devestatingly handsome. Once she get's to Manderly, New Girl ( yes that is her name the entire book ) realizes she was only accepted because the queen bee of Manderly herself, Becca ( Rebbeca!) has gone missing for several months. New Girl, who even resembles Becca, is living in Becca's constant shadow. From rooming with Becca's roomate, dating her boyfriend, and having all the same friends, she is constantly being compared to the all too perfect Becca. Will the infamous Becca return to Manderly to and reclaim her queen bee status, or will the mystery and rumours surrounding her disappearance pull her and Max apart and sever ties with her fellow schoolmates? And what really did happen to Becca? Well you will have to read New Girl to find out!

I absolutely adored this book and couldn't put it down. The author did a really great job bringing the classic tale of Rebecca into the modern world. The character's were true to the original with a modern twist. Max is still the handsome gentleman that he always was, Johnny is still the good looking resident bad boy, Becca is still the quentissential mean girl (who I hated just as much as the original!) , Dana Veer's aka Mrs. Danvers is still Becca's somewhat obsessed and mentally unstable bestie who freaked me out just as much as she did in the classic! While "New Girl" who is also nameless in the original, continues to remain shy, quiet, and as always nameless, that is until the last few pages of the book.

My only complaint is that I would only recommend this book to older teens as there is "partying" going on with underage drinking, and the f word is used quite a few times.

All in all I can't express how much I loved this book! It was full of mean girls, friendships, bad boy cuties, mystery, forbidden love, and lots drama! So make sure you go check this book out when it hits stores at the end of the month, especially if your a Rebecca fan like me!