Leavitt, Lindsey. The Chapel Wars. New York: Bloomsbury, 2014. 978-1-59990-788-8. 292p. $17.99. Gr. 9-12.

Holly Nolan’s world changed the day her Grandpa Jim died.  Now Holly, a 17 year-old high school student, is owner of the Rose of Sharon wedding chapel in Las Vegas.  Not only has Holly inherited the chapel, but she’s also inherited the enormous debt that is about to sink the chapel, and her family, if she doesn’t find a way to pay back the loan. If that wasn’t enough, Victor Cranston, owner of Cupid’s Dream, the chapel next door, and Grandpa Jim’s arch-nemesis is determined to bring down Holly and her family.   With only a few months until the bank forecloses on the chapel and Holly’s future, she turns to Dax Cranston, grandson of the awful Victor Cranston, to help her navigate her new life.  As Holly and Dax try to figure out their relationship, Holly tries to save her family, Grandpa Jim’s legacy, and her future, while still navigating life at 17 in Sin City.

The Chapel Wars is a fabulous, light read about the ups and downs of a family, teenage relationships, loss, and responsibility.  Although somewhat unrealistic to non-Vegas folk, I loved the peculiarities of the novel because they are totally Vegas.  As someone whose family lives there (which means I’m there often), I loved knowing where Holly and Dax were or picturing the craziness of Vegas (and the costumes people wear on the Strip).  It’s so Vegas.  I can only hope that Lindsey Leavitt begins (or continues) a Vegas-based series or at least sets all of her stand-alones in Vegas.  I can’t think of a setting that is more fun.  This is a great pick for students interested in real problems without the heaviness that often occurs in YA fiction.

Realistic Fiction   Erin Parkinson, Lincoln JSHS, Ellwood City