At Your Service

by Jen Malone

Thirteen-year-old Chloe Turner wants nothing more than to follow in Dad’s footsteps as a respected concierge in a posh NYC hotel. After all, living at a hotel is heaven, and perks like free concert tickets and all-access passes to boutiques, restaurants, and attractions aren’t too shabby either.

When the spoiled brat child of an important guest is only placated by some quick thinking on Chloe’s part, Chloe is awarded the role of Junior Concierge. But she might be in over her head when tasked with tending to the every whim of three royal guests: a twelve-year-old princess who can’t stand Chloe, a cute fourteen year-old prince(!), and their ten-year-old sister, who has a nasty knack for getting herself lost. After the youngest princess slips Chloe’s care, Chloe and the remaining royals must embark on an event-filled hunt for her through NYC’s best tourist spots. 

Genres: Middle Grade, Young Adult, Childrens, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

262 pages, Paperback

First published August 26, 2014

About the author

I once spent a year traveling the world solo from Nepal to Romania to Fiji, where I learned 99.9% of humanity is pretty freaking awesome yet somehow doesn't share my love of ice cubes in a drink. I met my husband on the highway, literally. In fact our meet-cute was SO cute we had a whole story written about it in Ladies Home Journal. My twin boys placed second in the Most Identical contest at the International Festival of Twins. Their little sister placed first in the most adorable contest at the All The People In Our Living Room Festival. I once accompanied a pajama-clad Oprah Winfrey (and her puppies) through the laundry room of the Four Seasons. I have also been in a hotel room alone with a shirtless Mark Wahlberg. In both those instances, it was not what you think. Oh, and I went into early labor while on Stevie Nicks' tour bus. That is pretty much what you think.

Here's the more official bio:
Jen Malone writes fun and flirty YA travel romances with HarperCollins and humorous "girl power" MG adventures with Simon & Schuster. She once spent a year traveling the world solo, met her husband on the highway (literally), and went into labor with her identical twins while on a rock star's tour bus. These days she saves the drama for her books. You can learn more about Jen and her books at www.jenmalonewrites.com. Find her on Twitter and Instagram @jenmalonewrites.

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 13-year-old daughter and I read an ARC of AT YOUR SERVICE for an upcoming Kidliterati.com post.

Chloe Turner aspires to be just like her father, an outstanding concierge at a 5-star NYC hotel. Through hard work and some clever planning, she earns the title of Junior Concierge. But her next job won't be so easy. While giving a tour to the children of visiting royalty, the youngest princess slips off on her own into the busy streets of NYC. Chloe and the others must race to find the little princess before the end of the day.

Jen Malone's debut AT YOUR SERVICE is everything that I love about middle grade -- a pitch-perfect voice, a fresh concept, and a rollicking adventure. And sure, the cute but oh-so-full-of-himself prince doesn't hurt either.

Reasons you'll want to read AT YOUR SERVICE:
A) Enjoy a NYC adventure from your very own home.
B) Jen Malone is a new MG author to watch.
C) Chloe doesn't need a C, so neither do I.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read Jen Malone's wonderful debut three years ago, and let me tell you: it holds up. As an author of tear-jerker stories, I can tell you it's sometimes hard to find middle grade novels with heart and a sense of lightness. Jen nails the balance--not just in Chloe's story, but in her other books as well.

We join Chloe in NYC, where she's thrilled to work as a junior concierge at the fancy hotel where her father works. Unfortunately, her fun and fast-paced job of helping junior guests have fun in the city takes a turn for the worse when three royal kids arrive. They're sort of snobby, they've seen all the usual sights, and the youngest even goes missing.

Through it all, Chloe maintains her wit and her resourcefulness, showing off so many of the best hidden secrets of NYC. If you have a reader who likes fun, fast-paced novels in adventurous settings, this one's for you!

[Lee Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charming and funny book takes you into the wild world of Chloe who longs to be a concierge at a fancy NYC hotel, and gets her chance to try out her skills on actual royalty. I really loved the excitement and energy of the story, not to mention all the great New York details (not to mention all the insider info about what really goes on in a hotel)

[Christina Gagliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tweens are going to flip for this book--for the subject matter, for the main character, and for the writing style, which is spot-on, 12-to 13-year-old girl. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it myself and can't wait for my daughter, who is a reluctant reader, to dig into it. While the book is based in an atmosphere of the rich and famous, the characters are down to earth and relatable. I can absolutely see this book being made into a TV movie or series on the Disney channel.

[Carol Gordon Ekster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jen Malone wove a great plot with fantastic voice. I was impressed by her use of many similies tied into the setting of the book, New York City. (ex: "..she's all lit up like the crystal ball that drops in Times Square on New Year's Eve.") The book is tightly written and a fun read. Kids will love it!

[Patricia Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this one. While reading this book, I thought it was not my type, but after I read chapter 3 or so, it got better. I guess the middle-grade genre is my type. After a chapter, there is a note in a footer like in chapter 2, " speaking of Eloise, she might have thought of plaza was the only hotel in New York City that let you have a turtle, but she was so, so wrong. We've totally had turtles here, cats, dogs, and more. Pretty much the only New York City Animal you will not ever find in St. Michele is a rat"

It was a fast-paced book with funny and lighthearted plots. Chloe loves working as a junior concierge at an exclusive NYC hotel--but when three royal kids come to stay, her hospitality is put to the ultimate test

[Lisa Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love me a funny book, mostly because writing funny is so hard...and so wonderful to read.

I loved AT YOUR SERVICE even more. Chloe is a junior concierge, working at the hotel where she lives. She's charged with a royal trio of siblings... and then one gets away.

This book. OH I loved this book. From the opening lines, Chloe's voice is crisp, funny, and whip-smart. Jen Malone (and Chloe) takes us on a whirlwind tour of Manhattan, dropping fun trivia and interesting descriptions without ever feeling like a travelogue. It simmers with the excitement any 13 year old would feel if she had the keys to the city...and a problem to solve. It sure doesn't hurt that the problem comes with a royal pedigree :O)

[Robin Herrera]

To quote Chloe Turner: "HOLY WOW"

This is a fast-paced, riotously funny middle grade book about Chloe Turner, a "junior concierge" at the super-fancy Hotel St. Michéle in New York City, and her adventures with a family of royals. The adorable factor on this book is off the charts. First there's Chloe, whose matching pens and shirts will give you an idea of her personality. Then there's her best friend, Paisley, down-to-earth and super loyal. We've got the three royal kids, Alex (the surfer-looking cute prince), Sophie (regal, poised), and Ingrid (curious, wild). Along with the staff of the St. Michéle, who are all (with the exception of Mr. Whilpers, the sourpuss) quite fun.

It's a perfect tween book, and Chloe's voice sparkles. Highly recommended!

[Ronni Arno · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 12-year-old daughter raved about this book! Jen Malone did a fantastic job conveying the thoughts and feelings of Chloe, the daughter of a concierge at a high-end Manhattan hotel. Desperate to follow in her dad's footsteps, Chloe will do whatever is necessary to shine as a concierge in her own right... including catering to the hotel's most demanding (and younger!) guests. Chloe is adorable, the writing is full of true-tween voice, and you will truly feel like you're getting a first-hand tour of NYC with Chloe as tour guide. I highly recommend this book for your tween girls (or even yourself)!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a fun, sweet love letter to New York City. I think that kids who live there, kids who have just visited, and kids who dream about going someday will adore it equally.

Speaking of dreaming, Chloe Turner pretty much has a dream job for a 13-year old as junior concierge, escorting young guests at a 5-star hotel on adventures around town. I'm certainly partial to stories of tweens trying their hands at grown-up professions, and Chloe's story includes all of the excitement, risk, and reward that I could hope for from such a tale. I'd love to see her story continue!

[Suzanne Dix · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun romp through NYC with a cast of great kids! I think 5th, 6th and 7th grade girls will love this story which has equal parts humor, friendship and adventure (and toss in a dash of an innocent first crush to round it off)!

Looking forward to seeing my students response to this one. And a huge thank you to Jen Malone for hand delivering my ARC! So nice to be your neighbor (of sorts!):)

[Kristine Asselin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 11-year-old daughter finished in two sittings and loved this adorable middle grade by Jen Malone. She particularly loves the race across NYC and Chloe's collection of pressed pennies! This is a perfect book for kids 8+.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked it. i absolutely loved the romance/anoyance combonation!Alex and Chloe were my favorie charicters.My favorite part in the entire book, was when Alex kissses Chloe in the wax museum.It was an awesome book and i would love to read it again.

[Gail Nall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read an early version of this book, and it's one you don't want to miss! How can you possibly go wrong with a 13 year old concierge? Funny, exciting, and just a lot of fun.

[Heaven Adore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chloe Turner loves it when her Dad calls her Capable Chloe while assisting him with his concierge job at St. Michèle Hotel. But later, she tries to prove to him that she can always be that when she’s hired on at the hotel as a young concierge. What happens when she has to attend cocky Prince Alex, snooty Princess Sophie, and penny-obsessed Princess Ingrid? Read this book for a barrel of laughs and lists while running around New York City to find missing Ingrid.

Okay, this book was absolutely adorable! I really liked the character of Chloe. I’m not one who generally likes the main character of any entertainment, but this was different. The author captured her flaws, her quirks, and what brings her joy. Chloe’s character development was so well put together!

I also enjoyed how much dialogue was written. Generally, when I have to complete creative writing assignments for school or am writing fiction in my free time, they tend to be very text-heavy. Thus, I prefer books that aren’t too focused on the narrative aspect. This novel right here was just perfect in having a balance of dialogue and narrative.

Now, I must mention the one scene of the novel that made me cringe. So, Chloe was sort of going back and forth between crushing on Prince Alex and not. Anyway, the paparazzi spotted her and Alex while looking for Ingrid. Can you guess what they did to get rid of the photographer? They allowed him to take a photo of the two of them kissing would have to be taken. Oh, Middle Schoolers. And what’s worst is Alex saying, “I wanted to say, well, that usually being stalked by paparazzi is for the birds, but today, for the first time, I see how it can sometimes have its advantages.” I wanted to step on his foot so much. *facepalm* Anyway, let’s move on before I get on my soapbox.

Overall, “At Your Service” was lovely, and I would definitely reread it! This novel gets a 4.5-star rating from me! So, would I recommend this book? For sure! I would feel very comfortable handing this to a girl who is eleven years old or older.

[Grace Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting book it always brang me such joy and with the bit of problems it was also a mystery a little bit. I normally finish a long book like this in at least a month. I am surprised that I read this book in 4 days because I just couldn't put the book down. Thank you Jen Malone for making this incredible book.❤📚👱🏻‍♀️Chloe.

[Ciara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. The setting was well-done, very vividly described, and the characters were all likable and had realistic flaws. I loved reading about Chloe's clever solutions to all the problems she was presented with. Highly recommeneed if you're looking for a humorous middle-grade book with a little bit of romance and an important message mixed in.

[bunnyami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It took me a while to read because the first 70 pages where a little bit slow going, but then it got SUPER exciting!!! When I finished it I wanted there to be a continuation so badly!

[Gabriella]

I love this book! It's amazing. I don't have the words to describe it...she did a great job..

[aem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute & funny story!

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chloe knows exactly what she wants to be when she grows up, a five star hotel concierge just like her Dad. And since she lives in a hotel and helps her dad out all the time, why not get any early start on that career as a junior concierge? The hotel is a little wary at first, but after the comes away with a glowing review from the absolute toughest customer the hotel has, the owner is ready to back her up. But Chloe's real test comes in the form of three actual royal children who are visiting New York and it's up to her to remember all the rules about talking to them and show these stiff upper crusts a good time. But Chloe is good at her job, so this shouldn't be a problem, right? Well, think again. When you regularly take tours of the Sahara on camels and have tea with the Queen of England, it turns out you can be pretty hard to impress. Princess Sophie makes no qualms about letting Chloe know that New York is dirty and boring. Prince Alex seems stuck up with himself and more interested in the latest Apple gadget than New York tourism. Thank goodness little Princess Ingrid is easier to please. She gets very excited about the penny pressing machine at FAO Schwartz, but then throws a fit when Chloe tells her they don't have time to visit every penny press in the city. It turns out Princess Ingrid is not put off by a foreign city or junior concierges because the next time Chloe turns around, 9-year-old Ingrid has vanished. Prince Alex is determined to find her on their own, as he is afraid military school is in his future unless he shows some leadership skills, and what kind of leader lets a little girl escape from under his nose. Chloe also wants to prove herself to her father, so the kids agree to give the royalty's security detail the slip and set out to find Ingrid on their own. Along the way, they will all learn more about each other and themselves.

I have a group of students who regularly visit the Media Center and beg me for new realistic middle school girl fiction. They currently subsist on a steady diet of How I Survived Middle School, Allie Finkle, and the Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels. I heard about this book on a list of good middle grade books that came out in 2014, but this M!x series could be just my ticket to providing enough books to satisfy even those ravenous middle school girls. I'm super happy to have found out about this line of books. I know the girls will be all over this book and eat it up. (I should probably go ahead and get another copy or two.) And let's face it, my middle school self would totally agree. Chloe is a driven young lady who is working hard and reaching her goals, something very admirable. Her job and it's perks seems like something made up in a fantasy world. She gets to meet a real live prince, and there's even a hint of romance there. And the whole idea of royals wanting to be normal kids is probably very overdone in literature (though probably also true), but it still makes this a fun story. (Random side note: Jen Malone gets bonus points in my book for giving Princess Sophie the ability to mimic birds and cause Chloe to wonder if the whole Snow White ability to talk to birds runs in their blood. Made me laugh.) This book just gushes fun and cuteness. Of course, there's the very real problem of the runaway princess, and that stress does start to get to the kids which adds some depth to the story. The grown-up part of me was satisfied with the ending and the parents' responses to this crazy plot, and glad that the kids all seemed to learn good lessons. Oh yeah, those middle school girls better watch out or they might accidentally learn some important life lessons about teamwork and trusting adults.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There's one small kiss, but nothing more. There's a twisted ankle, but no other violence. The kids lie to some adults, including a police officer, for what they believe is a good cause. In the end, they learn their lesson about trusting others to help.

[Gabs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review (and others) can be found on My Full Bookshelf Reviews

A free copy was received from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

At Your Service was not my favorite M!X Book. I liked it, but there were things that I didn't enjoy about it as well. It was still a super cute book I would recommend to a middle school girl in a heartbeat, though!

Chloe, the main character of At Your Service, had a well thought out personality. She was basically your average thirteen year old girl...except for the fact that she lives at an upscale New York hotel. Let's be honest, almost any kid who watched The Suite Life of Zach and Cody (which is, I guess, outdated now, but they still show reruns) has dreamed of living at a hotel. It's just cool. Plus, the girl had some really funny lists.

This book also has a nice message, and I appreciate that it wasn't in your face like some books. (All the M!X Books I have read are pretty good about not making their books 'preachy.') This one was about not being scared to ask for help when you need it, and also, to an extent, about not judging a book by its cover.

Things I didn't like were:

A.) The book has lots of little asterisks and then notes on the bottom, which started to annoy me after the bit. It ended up disrupting from the overall flow of the story.

B.) The secondary characters ended up being a bit stereotypical. Chloe's best friend, Paisley, was the outgoing sidekick to the main character that everyone seems to love. Alex was the totally hot prince from a foreign country that can steal hearts with a single glance. Sophie was the preppy, somewhat prissy sister. Ingrid was the youngest sister who seems sweet but is a bit spoiled.

C.) Like Chloe says, lists always seem more complete with a C option. Also like Chloe, I do not have anything to list for C.

I would still recommend it to girls, in the range of 9-13 years old. It was a cute story and I liked it, it just wasn't my favorite!

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like her concierge father, Chloe Turner has a knack for helping people enjoy their vacations at the fancy New York City hotel where she lives. After she works extra hard to please a particularly bratty young guest, she is hired as the hotel's junior concierge, just in time for a visit from three young European royals. Chloe thinks she is prepared for the challenge of entertaining a prince and two princesses - until the youngest princess wanders off into the streets of New York on her own!

Though the events of At Your Service are pretty unlikely, the story will appeal to tween readers for a number of reasons. First is the behind-the-scenes look at the hotel industry. Kids tend to be fascinated by hotels, and this book introduces some of the lingo used by the employees as well as their day-to-day activities. Second is the mystery storyline. Though the story takes a while to get going, the main focus is figuring out where the missing princess has gone and where she will go next. This involves a lot of strategizing and quick thinking which really highlights Chloe's resourcefulness and independence and builds suspense. Finally, readers will like the subtle romance that develops between Chloe and Prince Alex. It's a very innocent relationship, with only a few instances of physical contact (holding hands, and a kiss), which will appeal to elementary and middle school readers.

Though At Your Service is from the same imprint as 30 Days of No Gossip and Best Friends... Until Someone Better Comes Along, it has an entirely different focus and will probably appeal to a totally different readership. Whereas these previous books are about girls acting catty and hurting each other's feelings, At Your Service features a girl using her wits to solve a problem and doing her best despite her mistakes.

[Christina (A Reader of Fictions) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jen Malone has pleased me to the point of epic flailing with her YA contemporary novels (Wanderlost and Map to the Stars), so I decided the time had come to give her middle grade backlist a shot. So far so good because At Your Service is cute, funny, fluffy, and has a baby middle grade ship to boot.

While the ides of Chloe being employed as a junior concierge at a majorly classy New York City hotel at the age of thirteen is laughable, I do really love that Chloe dreams of concierging. It’s always nice to read about kids and teens who dream of careers outside of the ordinary. Pop culture tends to highlight a few main ones, and everyone can’t be an actor/singer/doctor/lawyer. Books like this open kids’ eyes to the fact that there are a whole bunch of cool things that a person can do.

Chloe’s job is to help her dad, the actual concierge, out with the kids who stay at the hotel. Since she’s young, she has a better idea what her peers would enjoy out in the city. As such, Chloe gets to hang out with royalty when the royal family of a small (fictional) European nation comes to stay at the hotel. They bond, explore the city, and get up to hijinks. Also, Chloe gets to flirt with the fourteen-year-old prince! View Spoiler » The resolution is quite satisfying, and I’m impressed with the parental involvement (middle grade parents sometimes are the most neglectful unaware people ever).

Very fun! If you like fluffy, shippy middle grade, Jen Malone is at your service!

[Michelle Sedeño · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally reviewed on The Escapist.

***
*This review is based on advance reading copy. There might be some changes in the finished copy.

After the successful challenging task of making a particular guest..smile, Chloe became the Junior Concierge where she handles the younger guests on the hotel. When she thought this guest was challenging, say hello to the royal guests. What do royals need when they have everything?

Chloe is a positive and fun girl to be with (in my case, read with). She's a nice and clever girl who everyone loved--including the guests--well, maybe except for Mr. Whilpers. I have also come to like this girl. Her personality matches the cute cover and good vibes of this book.

I enjoyed At Your Service! It is fun and hilarious read. I like the adventures and the overall good story. This book is recommended to teens, tweens, and even younger audience. Prepare to be toured in NYC by Hotel St. Michele's very own Junior Concierge--it's like you are the guest!



*Thank you Rino and Simon & Schuster for the review copy!

[Brenda]

Chloe Turner has a lot in common with her favorite children's book, Eloise. They both live in a famous hotel in New York City, but Eloise was a guest and Chloe's father is an employee of the St. Michele hotel. Chloe's ambition is to be just like her father, a respected concierge for the St. Michele hotel. Her first assignment in helping her father is to find out what will make a bratty girls birthday week the most memorable. When Chloe does a remarkable job, she is promoted to junior concierge and her next task is to show three royal guests the sights around New York City. Making sure that each person is happy turns out to be more difficult than she imagined. To top things off the youngest princess disappears, leaving Chloe and the princesses siblings left to try an find her before the King learns she is lost. I especially liked the adventurous journey that the children embark on through New York City's famous landmarks, restaurants and attractions. It really gives you the feel of being in New York. I also liked the moments shared between Chloe and Alex and felt the story was resolved in a fun way.

[Victoria Whipple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chloe lives in a ritzy hotel in NYC with her dad, the hotel's concierge. Chloe hopes to become a concierge herself one day, so she asks her father if she can act as a kind of junior concierge for the hotel's young guests. Since she has proven herself capable and trustworthy, she's given that chance. Through Chloe's eyes, and the activities she plans for her clients, the reader gets an inside view of New York City--a city that Chloe (and presumably Jen Malone) loves. Chloe's carefully made plans get off track when she is escorting some Royals around the city. Malone's writing is fluid and fun, and her characters realistic and down-to-earth. The action in the story that takes the reader all over (and under) the city keeps the reader engaged and excited to find out what happens next. This book reminded me a bit of reading an Ally Carter book, in that it was a fun read, but also very well written. I will look forward to more by Jen Malone! Recommended for readers who love NYC, strong tween characters, and a sense of fun and adventure. Gr. 4-7

[J. Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Making people happy—even if it’s only for the length of their vacation—is like having a superpower."
Chloe lives in NYC at the St. Michèle with her father, the concierge of the extremely ritzy hotel. Her life's dream is to follow in her father's footsteps, and one day, become a concierge herself. When the hotel is set to host the Royal Family of Somerstein, Chloe lands the coveted job of showing off her city to the family's three children: an arrogant prince, a spoiled princess, and a tiny princess with a big love of coins. The St. Michèle's youngest-ever concierge is going to earn her "five-diamonds" on this one. Will Chloe succeed in making her three royal guests happy? I won't reveal more than this...she certainly fulfilled her duties for this reader. You cannot help but love this goal-oriented, organized, administrative, dot your "i"s and cross your "t"s little superhero!

[Dena McMurdie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is super cute. Chloe lands a job as a junior concierge after proving her stellar abilities with a difficult hotel guest. But she really meets her match when she is given the responsibility of entertaining the children of a visiting royal family. They aren't what she expected and they pose a challenge that even Capable Chloe might not be able to fix.

This is a lighthearted romp around New York City that will appeal to middle grade and tween girls. It's entertaining, fun, and clean. My favorite parts are Chloe's footnotes that were inserted every so often.

Recommended for girls ages 9 and up that like contemporary, humorous fun.

Content: Clean

Source: I received a digital galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My blog: Batch of Books

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 9 year old daughter read this book and loved it. Some nights we would only be able to read a chapter or 2 and she would beg me to keep going. (as would her younger sister) I would say she was a bit young to be reading it, She had trouble with some of the reading so it was a read aloud with Mom book for us. They laughed and giggled when Alex and Chloe shared a special moment.
Here is her review
"At Your Service was a good book. I liked it when they went to FAO Schwartz and Dylan’s candy bar and Times Square because I went to all those places when I visited NYC this summer. I especially liked it when they went to the underground Apple Store and Chloe was afraid of the stairs. LOL I would recommend this book to a friend. (My little sister even loved it, it was one of her favorite books). "