I had no idea this was the second book in a series: nothing on it tells you that. Unless you go read the "previous work by the author"-section and notice that there's another book with "Scarlett" in the name, but that's the only hint.

Oh, well, just as well. I would probably not have picked it up had I known that: now I just saw an author name that I recognized but had never read, and figured it was time to give her a chance. It works well as a stand-alone, and I might pick up the first book if it ever comes my way.

I did like Scarlett, and I found the book to be mostly believable and interesting. But by the end I felt like it kinda became a bit too much, with BOTH the brother and sister plotlines. It works, but it still felt like it's a bit much happening to one family, you know?

Most of the things from the first book is explained or not relevant for it to be bothersome, but the brother's intense hatred of his sisters' love interestes kinda bugged me. Maybe he did have a reason from the first book, but it just seemed like he didn't like them because you're never supposed to like the guy who is dating your sister.

But very enjoyable and I found myself wishing I could back to reading it while I was doing other stuff, which is always a good sign. Will probably read more things by Johnson. ( )

A very simple, cute sequel that was an easy read. I enjoyed reuniting with the characters and seeing more of their lives. It was very cute! ( )

Scarlett's summer of madness has ended. The production of Hamlet they've been hosting in her family's hotel has ended and school is lurking on the horizon. But just because life has started to fall back into its regular pattern doesn't mean the craziness that is the Martin household has abated. Scarlett still has her lingering feelings for Eric to deal with, her older brother, Spencer, is going through audition hell, her younger sister, Marlene, is being weirdly nice, her older sister, Lola, is getting friendly with her ex-boyfriend again, and Scarlett's boss is driving her a bit crazy with all of the demands of being a talent agency. With all of that madness, who has time for a practically sociopathic lab partner in bio?

I was happy to once again immerse myself in the world of the Martins and their hijinks. Scarlett remains a flawed but lovable teenager whose complicated life makes for highly entertaining reading. Johnson's combination of the dramas of life with quirky humour makes the book a delight. While the book leaves many loose ends that I'd love to see followed up in another Scarlett novel, any time spent in a world of Johnson's creating is a good time. ( )

Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson is the sequel to Suite Scarlett. Although Scarlett's special charge has checked out of the family hotel, she's still tied up in her adventures. Because she's now Mrs. Amberson's personal assistant.

Scarlett already had a brother who wanted to be an actor more than anything. That's now spiraling out of control and Mrs. Amberson isn't really helping matters.

It was in the madness that is acting both for stage and screen where I started to lose enthusiasm for Scarlett Fever. The friendship that worked so well within the well defined spaces of the hotel seemed to go awry with a larger stage.

Worst of all Scarlett was obsessing like Candace for Jeremy except her boy was a complete and utter jerk who saw her as a means to an end and nothing more. I get that people do this in real life but I wanted more for Scarlett who in the previous book had seemed so on top of things. ( )

3.5 stars. Not quite as quirky as the first, but still a fun read. ( )