Publisher's Weekly Review
This melodramatic first in the 20th series from the V.C. Andrews franchise (the author died in 1986) charts the travails of Emmie Wilcox as she attempts to locate and reconnect with her rebellious older sister, Roxy. When Emmie was six, her father Norton, a conservative New York investment banker, threw defiant 15-year-old Roxy out of the house and did all he could to obliterate every trace of the girl. Five years later, according to Emmie's French mother, Norton learned that Roxy had become a high-priced call girl known as "Fleur du Coeur." Emmie, who soon discovers that her "forbidden" sister is living in a nearby Manhattan hotel, endures a series of tragedies, ranging from a friend's betrayal to her father's death and her mother's illness. Hardcore Andrews fans will best appreciate this saga of teenage angst, poverty and riches, bad fortune and good. Agent, Robin Rue, Writers House. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Library Journal Review
All Emmie Wilcox has ever wanted was to know her older sister, Roxy, but it is hard to get to know someone who was been thrown out of the house by their parents years ago, especially when the mere mention of Roxy's name is considered worse than swearing. So Emmie decides to find her sister and learn whatever it is her parents refuse to tell her. When Emmie finally finds what she is seeking, her world is turned upside down. This is your typical Andrews (Flowers in the Attic) novel: the focus is on a young girl, with lots of tragedy. Narrator Amy Rubinate does an excellent job voicing Emmie's insecure, breathy whispers, her mother's French accent, and Roxy's confident tones. Verdict Listeners who enjoy family drama, transparent plots, and teenage angst will enjoy this book. [The Pocket: S. & S. pb was a New York Times best seller.-Ed.]-Jessi Brown. Huntington City-Twp. P.L., IN (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.