Book Review: The Chapel Wars by Lindsey Leavitt

The Chapel Wars
Author:  Lindsey Leavitt
Publisher:  Bloomsbury USA Childrens, 304 pages
Publication Date:  May 6, 2014

From Goodreads:
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.

Review:
This book is freaking adorable.  I loved it and here's why:

1.  Holly.  She's an amazing main character.  Her voice is funny and fresh.  She's smart, witty, with a dry sense of humor.  

"What was there even to tell so far?  We'd kissed twice.  We'd exchanged a few texts.  I thought about him constantly.  I'd named our first three children."

"Shirtless, I fully believed he had the manly capacity to chop down trees, wrestle a bear, and eat three steaks in one sitting."

2.  Dax.  So darn cute.  A good guy, but with some flaws so he felt real.  

"Really, numbers girl.  You couldn't count all the ways you have my heart."

3.  Holly and Dax together.  Their banter.  I laughed out loud so many times.  
Best. Dialogue. Ever.

"Moths are also the most intelligent winged insect."

"Have you heard the expression, 'like moths to a flame'? They're idiots."

"You're a dream crasher."

4.  Family.  It's such an important part of this book.  Holly loved her grandfather so much and his chapel means everything to her.  She's loyal and will do whatever it takes to keep the business going.  The family dynamic in this book just works.  The mom and dad…divorced but still working together.  Holly's little brother…ignored by his parents and having some anger issues.  It's messy, but oh so real.

5.  It's set in Las Vegas.  Loved that.

Writing this review just makes me want to read it again.  

Posted by:  Pam