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Scarlett Fever (Scarlett #2)

by Maureen Johnson (Goodreads Author)

3.88 of 5 stars 3.88 · rating details · 3,112 ratings · 317 reviews

Ever since Mrs. Amberson, the former-aspiring-actress-turned-agent, entered Scarlett Martin's life, nothing has been the same.

She's still in charge of the Empire Suite in her family's hotel, but she's now also Mrs. Amberson's assistant, running around town for her star client, Chelsea - a Broadway star Scarlett's age with a knack for making her feel insignificant.

Scarl

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Hardcover, 352 pages

Published February 1st 2010 by Point (first published December 19th 2009)

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Dec 02, 2011 Rain Misoa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Once again, to people who can handle stupid girls.

Recommended to Rain by: Library

Shelves: must-own

This book... really made me upset. There was so many times when I actually wanted to bang my head against the wall and other acts of self-mutilation because of how angry I got! (Also, note that I am only kidding. Hurting yourself is not the way to go... even if the book really does piss you off.) It's a little sad to say this because I genuinely enjoyed Suit Scarlett. I thought it was a well-thought out book: I enjoyed the plot, the characters (minus two), and the all-around humor to the story....more This book... really made me upset. There was so many times when I actually wanted to bang my head against the wall and other acts of self-mutilation because of how angry I got! (Also, note that I am only kidding. Hurting yourself is not the way to go... even if the book really does piss you off.) It's a little sad to say this because I genuinely enjoyed Suit Scarlett. I thought it was a well-thought out book: I enjoyed the plot, the characters (minus two), and the all-around humor to the story. This one? Yeah... it was a bit painful to get through. I was so close to wanting to burn the book (Hyperbole: get used to it kids! It's something I love using!) because of everything the plot seemed to be centered around, which is basically nothing. Absolutely nothing. I basically read about some chick who's obsessed with some guy who couldn't give a crap about her... wants her back... what kind of bullcrap is that? (More on this later.) I was very disappointed in this book. My expectations was a bit high because I LOVED the first book. Now... I'm just... deflated. And that ending! ARGH! THAT ENDING!!! HOW DBJFHKLSJJFODDOKFVDJIJDSIFHDUHFVDHUIHOLAZJ! YES! I WAS THAT UPSET WITH IT!!! >_<

There's no doubt in my mind that Maureen Johnson knows how to write a book. I can see it. It is very apparent. Her writing style is so fluid and, boy, does that girl know her vocabulary words! I'm serious! I am blown away with how it just seems to come so easily to her when writing out her books. It's so captivating! I love the way she writes. Also, she knows how to keep a book moving along. I like that about her. She doesn't let things stay still for too long but neither does she let it go by so fast that you have no idea what is going on. It's a nice balance and something I thoroughly enjoyed about her books. However, there are two things I didn't like about her book: Scarlett being an obsessive, pathetic freak and the fact that Eric plays up that "Southern" role way too much. It's enough to make you want to shove someone into traffic. Other than those two elements, I have no complaints towards Johnson's ability to tell a realistic story about her characters' lives and trying to make it out there in the world of suck. (Because, let's face it, life loves to kick people in the balls then point and laugh at you with malice.)

Going back to what I was talking about before. Scarlett. I have grown to loathe this character with a burning hatred... so much so that if I was to see this poor excuse for a female walking down my street, I would beat the living crap out of her! She's so dull; she does absolutely nothing worthwhile throughout the entire series. (Yes, including Suite Scarlett.) All she does is suggest a few things and then let everyone else execute her meager plans. At first, I didn't mind her because unimpressive girls are not that big of a deal... but then she got stupid when she got together with Eric. Eric is a douche who really just wanted to fool around with her (I hate him, too) but she seemed to be alright with that because she has no spine. Even after they broke up (That's in the first book so it's not a spoiler. If you haven't read that yet, then what are you doing reading this review to begin with?), she was still chasing after him. In fact, that's why I hate her in this book a whole lot more than the first (and that's saying something considering what she did to her brother!!!). She spends the majority of the book being OBSESSIVE over him when clearly he made no attempts to be with her. Checking her phone and seeing that stupid video over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over... are you tired yet? Because I was! I WISH I was exaggerating. She saw that damn video so many times throughout this book that I swear, if it were possible, I would have jumped into the book and slam her head against that blasted computer screen of hers! Ugh!

The other parts of the book, she spent it hating Chelsea for no apparent reason and pretending to "hate" Max (the reader is totally aware of her attraction to him). From what I read, the girl did nothing to Scarlett. She merely hated her because she was trying to please her mother. Mind you, I don't think what Chelsea did was right but it's not her fault. Her mother is one of those parents that want their child to do the career of their choosing... poor Chelsea... But Scarlett was just being a bloody bitch. When she was arguing with Max, I was actually happy because someone was getting on her nerves. It was so blissful! *Happy sigh* Downside, the reader knows they are going to hook-up. The signs are there. So obvious. Don't get me wrong. I like Max. I love how much of a jerk he was. He wasn't just someone who gave into people. But he was the typical "bad boy" that most YA nowadays have. He was just a character that brought a lot of fun... until he started liking Scarlett. But... I suppose... I approve of this relationship more than the Scarlett and Eric one. Which brings me to said bastard. I bloody hate Eric. He annoys me. He tries to play up the fact that he's from the South so he has manners and cares about girls and bullshit like that. Really? I'm not buying it! He's a prick that just wanted to have a good time and wanted to use Scarlett (but seeing as how she's a dumbass, I guess I can't really expect much). The way he went on and on about being "Southern" got really old really fast. I could just shoot him. Literally, shoot him... if he was right here next to me, that is. Jesus! I literally yelled at the book for him to shut up! What even makes me more upset was him trying to get back into Scarlett's life... and she letting him! WHAT AN IDIOT! *Inhales/exhales* I have to stop reading books that make me upset... I'm going to get an ulcer at this rate. -_-"

Can we talk about things I actually have no problem with? Or minimal problem with? Let's start with Lola. I can sympathize with Lola. She has no goals set out for herself, life is crumbling down, and she has little going for her. I understand how that feels. Some people just don't have the many options others have. Some of us are trapped doing things we just don't want to do and believe me, it sucks big time. However, I don't understand how someone could just go and throw their life away because they don't have enough money. I felt that Lola, because she saw herself in a desperate situation, did something completely stupid. I can't understand that. She should have taken the time out and actually thought things through but... she didn't. I don't hate her but... I feel that she's making a huge mistake. Marlene was a little bit better in this book. She still has a LOT of growing to do but at least she wasn't as annoying as in the first book. My only complaint about her is that... she has a big mouth. Someone needs to teach her the concept of keeping a secret. Blah... this book was dull... my only highlights were Mrs. Amberson and Spencer. Especially Spencer. Mrs. Amberson wasn't in this book as much as she was in the last but when she was, she made it so much more enjoyable. I love her antics and her ability to lie leaves me in awe! She's my idol! XD Spencer! God, he's so hilarious! So much fun and very caring! I love how he's just soooooo amazing! Even if he's upset with his sisters, he still manages to look out for them and care for them. He does something so epic for Lola that I felt like running up to him and giving him a huge hug!!! Things don't go too well for him in this book. I found his story much more appealing than what was going on with Scarlett. He has real issues and a real engaging plot. I was so taken in by it. He goes through a lot of misfortune... it's a shame, really. He's so gentle and honest... you wish he wouldn't have to go through so much hell... and didn't have such dumb sisters. Although, I will say this, I love his relationship with Scarlett. They are hilarious together. I even love it when he interacts with Lola. They are always fighting! XD But you can tell they love each other completely. Even with Marlene. I may not like all of his sisters, but he's definitely a great brother!

What am I trying to say? I'm trying to say the book was... okay. Definitely not the worst book ever written but not the best either. I was disappointed to see that it took the route it did but... *Shrugs* ...what can I do? I did enjoy the book for the parts stated above and that's really what made me decide that it deserves a three. (Spencer saved the book, really.) However, Scarlett was just too pathetic for my liking. *Groans* Somebody put that girl in cold water! >_< I hated the ending, mostly because it ends on this HUGE cliffhanger. There were a lot of questions left unanswered which pissed me off. BAH! That is to say... I like the series and I will probably pick up the next book when it comes out. However, I think it's one of those books you should check out of the library if you are curious enough about it. Scarlett is not a very likable character. *Shrugs* Eh, who knows? You might like her. I encourage you to read it, if only for Spencer. He's such a doll~ Anyway, go ahead. Check it out. You might actually like it. If anything, it is a good read. That makes it count for something, right? I hope so! Enjoy!(less)

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Apr 11, 2010 Meghan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is a three and a half. I want to round up but you'll see why I can't.

Liz's review (it has spoilers, careful) of the first book in this series made a really good point, which is, Maureen Johnson's New York City is the best of Maureen Johnson's anythings. I would also say that her theater is very strong, and she writes about it in a way that you know she knows about it but she's not showing off or anything, and at this point it seems like Scarlett is on the path to become a director, right?...more

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Oct 30, 2009 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: autographed, arc

ARC rocks :)

I can't say anything since it doesn't come out until February 2010, but if you liked Suite Scarlett you will love Scarlett Fever! The characters are as lovable (or some as annoying...) as ever, and since you already know them, you can jump straight into the story. The new characters are just as appealing and by the end of the book you are torn between loving it all and hating that you still have to wait for another book to finish the story!!

[Team Max FTW!:]

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Jan 16, 2013 Annie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, chick-lit, friendship, girl-heroine, life, romance, school-life, series, truth, young-adult, acting-or-drama

Actually, I began this book on Sunday, the thirteenth of January.:) Just want to clear that up, in case anyone's wondering.

Ooooookay. Hm, how should I begin this? Ah, I know! Okay, well this is a okay read for me, it's not really the best, and clumps more around the okay area, than it does in amazing. So anyways, I didn't read the first book (Didn't even acknowledge their was a first book until I got into the back jacket and read about the author, really.) but I got caught up when Scarlett be...more

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Oct 16, 2012 Bonnie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-contemporary, young-adult

THIS IS A TRILOGY. GODDAMMIT JOHNSON. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A DUET.

I was perfectly happy leaving the series in the first book. I mean, it was pretty good, but nothing making me want to rush out and get the next book. And then. Max. Why am I such a sucker for these second love interests??? Gahhhhh. And he was so much more interesting than Eric.

I did spend a lot of the book wanting to shake sense into Scarlett. Her friend is a saint. Scarlett is being that girl that you’re like I LOVE YOU BUT YOU NE...more

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Jul 18, 2012 Clarissa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-read, ya

I have a bone to pick with the publishing world. I picked up a copy of Scarlett Fever from my library. There was NO mention on the book that this was book number 2 in a series. Not even one clue. Ok so there was one clue. It mentioned Johnson's other works and one of them was Suite Scarlett. It was really confusing. I think I got the gist of what happened in the first book though, so props to Johnson for catching me up so quickly. Jerkface made out with Scarlett and she developed an unhealthy cr...more

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Feb 08, 2012 Amy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Once again Maureen Johnson flings her amazing talents down upon us. The sequel, just like Suite Scarlett, is beautifully written, fantastically funny, and very relatable.

Scarlett is still neck-deep in crazy. It wasn’t just for the summer, it’s during the school year too. Mrs. Amberson has started a business, and she has Scarlett helping her out by getting to know clients. One, named Chelsea, has a brother named Max, who is in Scarlett’s school and is driving her insane. Spencer is having some pr...more

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Sep 16, 2010 Maureen E rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: humor, young-adult

by Maureen Johnson

So, this will be less of a review and more of a reaction, because I just put the book down and AUGH!

Don't get me wrong. It's great. I love Scarlett and her kooky family (remember my thing about families?). I adore Spencer (especially the scene at the party where he attempts to eat an entire bottle of maraschino cherries).

BUT...how long until the next book comes out? I'm not sure I can make it. I'm really not.

Like Leila, I'm totally Team Max, which surprised me quite a bit. Usu...more

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Sep 11, 2010 YA Reads Book Reviews rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: morgan

Poor Scarlett. It’s the start of her sophomore year, and instead of escaping into her schoolwork and friends in an effort to get over her breakup with college student/actor Eric, she’s stuck sucking up to her boss’s new client, Chelsea, who comes with an overbearing stage mom and a brother who’s making Scarlett’s life even more miserable.

Scarlett Fever is the sequel to Suite Scarlett, a charm of a read from Maureen Johnson, which follows Scarlett and her family (older brother Spencer, an actor;...more Poor Scarlett. It’s the start of her sophomore year, and instead of escaping into her schoolwork and friends in an effort to get over her breakup with college student/actor Eric, she’s stuck sucking up to her boss’s new client, Chelsea, who comes with an overbearing stage mom and a brother who’s making Scarlett’s life even more miserable.

Scarlett Fever is the sequel to Suite Scarlett, a charm of a read from Maureen Johnson, which follows Scarlett and her family (older brother Spencer, an actor; older sister Lola, who’s taking a year off of college to figure out her life; and younger sister Marlene, a cancer survivor who makes no secret that Scarlett is her least favorite sibling) as they run a failing, falling-apart Manhattan hotel. It’s okay if you haven’t read Suite Scarlett, though, as Scarlett Fever fills the reader in nicely with the important backstory and still manages to succeed as a standalone title.

Here’s what you need to know: Scarlett works for Mrs. Amberson, a woman-about-town who’s now established her own agency for actors and has Scarlett at her beck and call. Meanwhile, Scarlett is still obsessed with Eric, the actor (who worked with Spencer) and ended up breaking her heart. And now, as Mrs. Amberson courts a new client, Scarlett is forced to “keep an eye on” Max, the would-be client’s older brother. Too bad he’s a total pain in the neck.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of the Scarlett books is Scarlett’s relationship with Spencer. They are allies, and their banter and tension rings really genuine. Spencer also provides some serious LOLs in Scarlett Fever, including a notable scene involving a boat-shaped cake. His plotline plays an important role in the book, too, though: having just finished a successful run as Hamlet (staged in the lobby of the hotel), Spencer spends the first third of the book auditioning for everything his agent – Scarlett’s boss – can get for him until finally landing a plum guest spot on a beloved television show. Unfortunately for him (though fortunately for us readers), his acting gig makes him the target of every television fan in New York.

I liked Scarlett Fever a lot, as I like all of Maureen Johnson’s work. Scarlett is accessible and easy to like; her sisters each have credible back stories that are easy to sympathize with; and of course, Spencer and Mrs. Amberson are hilarious. That said, this sequel kind of left me hanging. It ends a bit abruptly (there’s a planned Book 3, last I heard, so that explains that) and it feels really obvious that the real character arcs are being saved for the next book. But overall, Scarlett Fever is a light-hearted, smart read, and you’ll find yourself looking forward to spending more time with the Martin family and their bleak hotel.(less)

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Aug 02, 2010 nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010

Disclaimer: I didn't like the first book. Even though I love Maureen Johnson and worship the comedic YA ground she walks upon. She's the funniest, most honest teen voice in years, but something about the first book rang hollow for me. In hindsight, I blamed the concept of life in a hotel, but looking back my original review of the book claimed the characters were the problem.

Semantics.

This book just hit the spot. I found it to be a much tighter story than the first part. I liked reading about ch...more

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Feb 23, 2010 Runa rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Martins are back in full force in this sequel to Maureen Johnson's 2008 release, Suite Scarlett! Scarlett Martin and her spectacularly quirky family are up to their usual funny business, snarky and sharply witty as ever. You thought Maureen Johnson was done with characterization? You were very, very wrong indeed. Characters that seemed to be developed to death got even more complex in their new storylines. I was especially glad to see more of Marlene, even though I found her "big reveal" to...more

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Feb 12, 2010 Laianna rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

All I can say is that wow, I'm really impressed!

Maureen Johnson is always so funny and awesome in her blogs and in person, and her sense of humor really came through in this book. I feel like if I know too much about an author, I tend to apply this knowledge to my opinion of their books and so I was really pleasently surprised when this book turned out far better than my expectations.

I expected something light, average-y, but still fun to read all the same...

Just... wow. I thought the plot was g...more

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Jan 08, 2010 Rachael rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Scarlett Martin’s life is just as crazy as ever. Working for the eccentric agent Mrs. Amberson, formerly a resident of Scarlett’s family’s hotel, is a little like working in a circus. Tending to an insecure dog, a prissy Broadway star her own age, and all of her boss’s whims has Scarlett feeling like a professional juggler. And unfortunately, her work isn’t the only thing that’s all over the place. Between everything that’s going on with family and boys, it seems there’s hardly any room left in...more

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Nov 26, 2009 K. Bird rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

****I read an ARC of this book***

I jumped into Scarlett Fever without knowing that it was a continuation of Suite Scarlett. However, the story of Suite Scarlett acts more like a deep, detailed backstory for each of the main characters rather than keeping back information a reader needs to enjoy Scarlett Fever.

And I did enjoy Scarlett Fever. Scarlett's family, the Martins, are a wonderful family to read about. I fell in love with all her siblings; her loving, crazy actor brother Spencer, her per...more

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May 12, 2010 Khicks rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Book Review
Young readers can get a good sense of what it is like to live and to go to school in New York City by reading Maureen Johnson’s Scarlett Fever. A resident of New York City, Maureen gives detailed descriptions of places and events that you only see and experience in New York. In this book, the main character is Scarlett Martin. She and her family have to move to New York City and Scarlett has to start attending a new high school during her freshman year. Maureen Johnson gives many det...more Book Review
Young readers can get a good sense of what it is like to live and to go to school in New York City by reading Maureen Johnson’s Scarlett Fever. A resident of New York City, Maureen gives detailed descriptions of places and events that you only see and experience in New York. In this book, the main character is Scarlett Martin. She and her family have to move to New York City and Scarlett has to start attending a new high school during her freshman year. Maureen Johnson gives many details about how Scarlett feels about attending a school which was very different than her previous school in the south. It turns out Scarlett makes many friends and she gets a job for a movie agent named Mrs. Amberson.
Some facts about Maureen Johnson; she was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but now lives in New York City. Living in the city really helps her write books because she can just look out the window and see what events are happening and incorporate them into her stories. Johnson has written nine other books including Suite Scarlett. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a major in writing. If you would like to learn more about her, I recommend going to http://www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com which includes her biography and summaries of her other books.
What I like about this book is that although it is fiction, it actually reads like a true story. I have read many fiction books and Scarlett Fever is one of my favorites. Maureen’s ‘voice’ is very strong but also easy to read. She does a good job of capturing a teenager’s mind. For example, she has Scarlett talk about why she doesn’t like school. “Day two of school, and it was already tiring. Scarlett was jealous of Spencer and Lola. They didn’t have to go through this anymore.” Many teenagers can relate to that because they don’t like going to school and are envious of their older siblings.
The best part in the book is when Scarlett’s older brother, Spencer, had doughnuts thrown at him. I can picture that happening because he is a movie star and they are frequently harassed by strangers. Spencer isn’t very happy being targeted by a doughnut throwing man because unfortunately Spencer was wearing all white which couldn’t hide the big blotches of jelly and cream. “The cream doughnut that immediately followed didn’t rupture in quite the same way as the jelly had. It got him low on the torso, leaving a cream blotch on his hip.” In this scene, Johnson does a good job of enabling the reader to picture what is going on in the book.
I strongly recommend this book to readers between the ages of 12 through 30. Maureen Johnson provides her readers with an intriguing story about the adventures of Scarlett as she adapts to living in New York City. Johnson captures the minds of typical teenagers and keeps her audience engaged to the very end.
(less)

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Jun 27, 2011 Jen (Almost Grown-up) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

MAUREEN JOHNSON, YOU ARE KILLING ME! I did not know this was a planned trilogy and could have cried when I reached the end of this book. I, like Scarlett, am still confused as to my feelings for Eric, but I know that, at least in this book, I DO NOT LIKE MAX. Yes, he has problems, but he's still a jerk.

I felt the same attachment for the Martins that I felt in the last book, although I connected with Scarlett a bit less this time around. I felt like there wasn't quite as much at stake as there wa...more

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Apr 20, 2010 Audrey (holes In My brain) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My Expectations: so-so, kind of in the middle type of book. I expected something similar to Suite Scarlett (which I thought was around average)

Delivery: above my expectations! I liked it more than the first, and was even more fun than I thought it would be.

Put-down-ability: LOW! I read it non-stop :) probably a 3/10

**
My Thoughts:

I’m not sure if this would be the right comparison, but Scarlett Fever was everything I wished Coffeehouse Angel would be. It was fun, charming, light, funny, and had an...more My Expectations: so-so, kind of in the middle type of book. I expected something similar to Suite Scarlett (which I thought was around average)

Delivery: above my expectations! I liked it more than the first, and was even more fun than I thought it would be.

Put-down-ability: LOW! I read it non-stop :) probably a 3/10

**
My Thoughts:

I’m not sure if this would be the right comparison, but Scarlett Fever was everything I wished Coffeehouse Angel would be. It was fun, charming, light, funny, and had an awesome protagonist and a cast of strong supporting characters.

I loved Scarlett, she is a perfect mixture between the people pleaser pushover, and the strong and witty girl. I mean, you can’t be strong and witty all the time. I enjoyed this book more than the first, and felt that the plot was interesting and the writing was laudable.

Maureen Johnson has her signature unique prose in the book, with just a fluent and funny style. I do wish it was more in a first person POV, because sometimes the third person got distracting. The writing is refreshing, and extremely enjoyable.

The plot itself was a bit all over the place, but I think it works for this book. There are just so many side plots of the Martin family that it all fuses together around Scarlett really well. From Lola and her beau, to Spencer’s evil villain job, to Marlene’s sudden behaviour change, to Ms. Amberson’s non-behavior-change (still demanding as always) it was all just so chaotic but smooth at the same time.

The way Scarlett is caught in the middle of so many things, along with dealing with boy problems of her own made the book exciting, and never boring. It could easily have felt like too much- and a couple times it did, but overall it was a great plot. I felt Scarlett’s personal character growth was well done, and I just loved seeing more of Spencer! I do wish there was more Spencer-Scarlett moments! I felt that midway through the book, Ms. Amberson kind of disappeared until the end-ish, and I was a bit confused by it; there were just a ton of other stuff going on I guess.

4.3/5 – Because it was just a charming read. I loved Scarlett, her family, the writing style, and Max (not Eric!). I can let the third person POV slide, although it can be distracting, but the fact that the plot was everywhere could have been tidied up a bit more. Seriously, I swear there are more that 5 side plots that basically add up to become the main plot.

This is definitely a recommended read if you enjoyed Suite Scarlett or other Maureen Johnson books, and if you’re looking for a fun read with an admirable protagonist and a crazy family! Go dysfunctional families! (less)

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Jul 15, 2011 Mary rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011

Though I had previously read the Scarlett series's first book, Suite Scarlett, I couldn't wholly recollect the details of the plot. This, however, proved not to be a damaging problem because while Scarlett Fever is a sequel, it is not completely imperative to know the first book in order to easily follow the second one.

My expectations for Scarlett Fever were reasonably high, and while I enjoyed the entertaining nature of the book, it didn't exactly impress me. Scarlett Fever is certainly a good...more

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May 31, 2012 Clarabel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

C'est un tel bonheur de retrouver la famille Martin, de s'immiscer dans leur vie pas ordinaire et de suivre leurs aventures essentiellement tournées autour du théâtre et de la comédie (les affaires de l'hôtel sont passées au second plan).

Mais c'est aussi et surtout une histoire qui met en avant la famille, les coups de tête, les coups de coeur, les doutes, les pardons, les interrogations, les solutions... bref, un formidable portrait d'amitié et de solidarité, toujours dans l'humour et la joie...more

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Mar 09, 2011 Terri rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, fiction

Scarlett’s family owns a hotel, but not a fancy hotel like a Ritz Carleton or a Four Seasons. The Martin family owns and operates the Hopewell Hotel in the heart of New York City. It’s more than a little rundown but packed with historical and architectural significance and tons of personality. When Scarlett turns 15, she is given a room in the hotel and it is her responsibility to take care of the room and any guests who might inhabit it. Her friends are all off for the summer on exotic adventur...more Scarlett’s family owns a hotel, but not a fancy hotel like a Ritz Carleton or a Four Seasons. The Martin family owns and operates the Hopewell Hotel in the heart of New York City. It’s more than a little rundown but packed with historical and architectural significance and tons of personality. When Scarlett turns 15, she is given a room in the hotel and it is her responsibility to take care of the room and any guests who might inhabit it. Her friends are all off for the summer on exotic adventures to foreign lands or exciting summer camps, but Scarlett finds herself the personal assistant to a wealthy, eccentric woman named Mrs. Amberson, whose strange habits keep our heroine on her toes all summer. Add to this a thespian brother who has to find an acting job or give up his dream, a pair of sisters (one good and one evil), and a confusing boy, and Scarlett’s summer is suddenly a whole lot more interesting than she thought it was going to be.

Johnson’s literary voice is a delight to read. Her characters are intelligent and well-written, and fun to follow around in the world MJ has created. Spencer, the aforementioned thespian brother, reminds me of Donald O’Connor and his talent for physical comedy. (Ie, he runs into doors and falls down flights of stairs and somehow, he does not die.) This and his tight relationship with his sister won me over immediately. Johnson lives in New York City, and quite obviously loves it. Scarlett often describes tourists and various sightseeing hot spots with the same attitudes shared by native NYC-ers.

Scarlett is thrown into some insane situations, but one of the more normal ones is her relationship with Eric, her brother’s co-star in the play Hamlet. Eric seems to genuinely like Scarlett, and she’s awkward (which I found delightful). Sometimes, though, Eric sends mixed signals, which in turn send Scarlett spiraling into what can only be called obsession. As an obsessive person in my own right, I got a little irked with Scarlett in the same way that I get irked with myself. Just stop thinking about him! You have more important things to do! I would mentally scream at her.

All in all, I loved Suite Scarlett, and I’m planning to buy it. (This was a library book kids, because libraries are awesome.) 3.5 stars for a book that did not disappoint! It had me laughing, the characters were completely fun, and I was itching to get home from work so that I could keep reading. Tomorrow, I’ll post the review for the sequel, Scarlett Fever.(less)

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Sep 14, 2010 Rose rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 24, 2011 Sandy Polhemus rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

You know those books that are so amazing as your reading them that you can’t stand to put them down, but then are furious when you finish them because it’s part of a series and now you have to wait for the next book? Yeah, I’m there.

I just finished reading Maureen Johnson’s latest book, “Scarlett Fever”, which is the middle book in a trilogy that began with “Suite Scarlett”. The first book was fantastic and the second was equally so.

For those unfamiliar with the story it is important to note tha...more

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May 24, 2012 Valerie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Scarlet Fever is the next installment to the Suite Scarlet Series. It takes place in modern New York at the Hopewell Hotel run by Scarlet’s family. The book begins as Scarlet’s friends are returning from lavish vacations while she has spent her summer working for the eccentric Mrs. Amberson. Together, they have opened the Amy Amberson Agency , or AAA for short. At the moment, they have only one client. That client also happens to be Scarlet’s brother, Spencer.
Scarlet is still pining away after E...more

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Feb 07, 2010 laaaaames rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Gosh I loved the first one, but this one, not as much. And to be fair, I think it's really more of the same, so it's funny to make these complaints?

So charming. So sweet. So cute. So fun!

But here are the people who had really interesting arcs in Scarlett Fever:

1. Spencer (of course, he is clearly Johnson's favorite character and she's practically prose-fucking him at every turn, just, please, Johnson, keep it down, he's the protag's BROTHER OK)
2. Lola geez, Lola!
3. Marlene even!
4. Chelsea gossh...more

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Mar 22, 2010 Meg rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, read-in-2010

Maureen Johnson’s Scarlett Fever, sequel to 2008’s Suite Scarlett, is a fun, light look at teenage Scarlett’s attempts to heal her broken heart, mend friendships and keep her screwball family up and running. The Martins, eccentric though they may be, are a hard-working crew I’ve come to love and appreciate through two novels’ worth of focus.

With the razor-sharp wit for which she’s known on Twitter, Johnson approaches the never-ending drama rampant in her Scarlett books with humor — and tendernes...more

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Jun 11, 2011 Kiirsi Hellewell rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another fun Scarlett book! I loved the first one so much that I was thrilled to find a second one. Though I didn't love this one quite as much, it still had plenty of action, thrills, humor, and emotion. Scarlett still has a wonderful relationship with her two older siblings that really makes this book shine. Marlene's still annoying, and the parents are even more non-existent. :) There was a bit too much drama at times about Eric, but it was realistic to how girls feel when they're teens.

My on...more

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Feb 07, 2010 Merry rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was likeable enough....just not great. A bit of fluff, a light read. I got the impression that author Maureen Johnson probably had a LOT of fun writing it, which somehow makes the book more enjoyable.

Something a bit disturbing is imbedded in the story, though. Scarlett's brother, Spencer, falls into an acting part that has him "murder" a character who's become a national treasure during the show's 15-year run. This (fake, of course) murder is taken seriously by people who spot Spencer on t...more

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May 20, 2013 Keri rated it 4 of 5 stars

I loved Scarlett Fever almost as much as I loved Suite Scarlett. There are all of the quirky characters from the first novel, with a few more additions, including a love interest that is way better than Eric.

In this novel, Scarlett is working for Mrs. Amberson, Lola has made some serious strides in her relationship with Chip, Marlene has a mysterious change of heart, and my favorite character, Spencer, lands a role in Crime and Punishment, New York's favorite drama. Needless to say, chaos ensues...more

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Feb 02, 2013 Hannah rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

To start off with, I want to clarify: I certainly count Maureen Johnson among my favourite authors, I think she is incredibly witty, clever with her words, and an all-round good author. However, I was generally disappointed in Scarlett Fever.

I felt as though the book was very much a 'Then this happened. Then this happened. Then this happened.' without much of substance happening at all. The book lurches forward in plot in leaps and bounds, rather than a graceful arc as Johnson usually manages,...more

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Mar 17, 2010 stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, young-adult

my oh my, i remember why Maureen Johnson is always on my "read as soon as possible" list.

(Key to the Golden Firebird is still my favorite, but this definitely redeemed Devilish for me.)

this can stand alone, but it is a sequel to Suite Scarlett. and the martins are such a crazy lovely family that i think you'll want to read everything you can about them.

i love new york, and the scarlett books love new york too.

(more to come, i have to go fall asleep now.)

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About Maureen Johnson

Maureen knew from an early age she wanted to be a writer. She went to high school at an all-girls' Catholic school and graduated from University of Delaware with a degree in writing. She now lives and writes in New York City.

Many of the adventures Maureen's characters face in her books are based on real-life stories. Maureen has traveled all over Europe, and is a Secret Sister to vlog brothers Han...more

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Books by Maureen Johnson

13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelope, #1)

The Name of the Star (Shades of London, #1)

The Last Little Blue Envelope (Little Blue Envelope, #2)

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“New start or not, there was a line to be drawn, and that line was singing musicals to yourself as serious psychological motivation.” — 5 people liked it

“Lies are a tremendous karmic setback. Keep it up and you'll come back in the next life as something without a spine. You're not fine. And you don't have to be fine.” — 5 people liked it

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