The Chapel Wars

by Lindsey Leavitt

Overview

Sixteen-year-old Holly wants to remember her Grandpa forever, but she'd rather forget what he left her in his will: his wedding chapel on the Las Vegas strip. Whatever happened to gold watches, savings bonds, or some normal inheritance?

And then there's Grandpa's letter. Not only is Holly running the business with her recently divorced parents, but she needs to make some serious money-fast. Grandpa also insists Holly reach out to Dax, the grandson of her family's mortal enemy and owner of the cheesy chapel next door. No matter how cute Dax is, Holly needs to stay focused: on her group of guy friends, her disjointed family, work, school and... Dax. No wait, not Dax.

Holly's chapel represents everything she's ever loved in her past. Dax might be everything she could ever love in the future. But as for right now, there's a wedding chapel to save.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781619632325
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	05/06/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

LINDSEY LEAVITT is a former elementary school teacher and present-day writer/mom to three (mostly) adorable little girls. She is married to her high-school lab partner and lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is also the author of Sean Griswold's Head, Going Vintage, and the Princess for Hire series.
www.lindseyleavitt.com

Editorial Reviews

03/17/2014
The chapels that Leavitt’s title refers to host weddings, not religious services, and they’re in Las Vegas. Holly’s grandfather has just left her the Rose of Sharon—which would be complicated enough, since Holly’s only 17—but the chapel’s in major debt, the rival chapel owner next door is always plotting his next move, and, inexplicably, Holly’s grandfather also left her a letter for Dax, the nasty neighbor’s adorable grandson. Leavitt (Going Vintage) is a Vegas native, and Holly is an effective tour guide not only for newcomer Dax, but also for readers who wonder what it’s like growing up in a place associated more with lost weekends than with proms. Dax is charming and a little lost, Holly’s a logical type who’s suspicious of emotion, and it’s fun to watch them fight their attraction and struggle with the feud between their families. While Grandpa Jim’s eccentricities are laid on a little thick, secondary characters like Holly’s brother James are well drawn, and Leavitt’s sense of place and ability to balance grief with hope make for an entertaining read. Ages 12–up. Agent: Sarah Davies, Greenhouse Literary. (May)

Publishers Weekly

You'll want to place your bets on Lindsey Leavitt's hilarious and heartfelt novel filled with family rivalry, forbidden love, life-changing secrets, and a hot boy dressed up like Cupid. Just like Vegas, The Chapel Wars kept me up all night.” —Elizabeth Eulberg, author of Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality

“Leavitt's sense of place and ability to balance grief with hope make for an entertaining read.” —Publishers Weekly

“Holly's story could almost be a sitcom. But the hilarity is tempered by moments of genuine feeling . . . Readers will root for her as she attempts to preserve her grandfather's dream while beginning to imagine her own.” —The Horn Book Magazine

“Leavitt creates some hilarious scenes . . . while maintaining a serious emotional tone . . . Recommend to readers who enjoy novels that blend light-hearted moments and gravitas.” —Booklist

“The Chapel Wars stands alone as a funny, realistic, heartfelt novel that teens of all ages will enjoy.” —VOYA

“Payton's alternately sarcastic, snappy, and reflective narration carries this insightful story.” —Publishers Weekly on the ALA Best Book for Young Adults Sean Griswold's Head

“Lindsey Leavitt made me want to go vintage. Readers everywhere will identify with this smart and likable heroine, as well as her yearning for a simpler and (seemingly) less complicated time.” —Meg Cabot, New York Times bestselling author, on Going Vintage

“Lindsey Leavitt's best book yet. Mallory's voice is addictive! Going Vintage is witty, hilarious, real . . . impossible not to love!” —Becca Fitzpatrick, New York Times bestselling author of the Hush, Hush saga, on Going Vintage

“With perceptiveness and several fun plot twists, Leavitt's nuanced book is filled with quirky characters that readers will root for and believe in.” —Publishers Weekly on Going Vintage

From the Publisher

2014-03-31
A teen struggles with loss and love in Las Vegas. The death of her Grandpa Jim sends Holly reeling—not just because she misses him greatly, but because he's also left her the Las Vegas wedding chapel they both loved. The Rose of Sharon Wedding Chapel employs Holly's family and friends, but it's on the verge of foreclosure if they can't make a lot of money, fast. That means compromising Grandpa Jim's values and making friends with the grandson of archenemy Victor Cranston, owner of the wedding chapel next door. Dax Cranston is different from his grandfather, and Holly finds herself falling for him. But with the chapel to save, grieving for her grandpa, dealing with her newly divorced parents and angry younger brother, and making time for school and her group of guy friends, Holly's got a lot to juggle. It might come down to a choice: saving the chapel or being with Dax. Although the threads of the various stories come together, there's just too much going on in this novel. Most characters come off as tropes instead of people, and nothing is explored deeply enough to offer new or interesting perspectives for readers to ponder. Leavitt's latest doesn't rise above the pack. (Fiction. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews