Review: Deep in the Heart of Texas
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 28, 2013
Melanie St. John lives an enchanted life. Being the daughter of a wealthy oil attorney, she wants for nothing. She grows up traveling the world while everything is served to her on a silver platter. She's surrounded by affluence and knows she's expected to marry someone who will make her parents proud. She is more grounded, however, than her sister or most others who run her social circle. She's smart and wants more from life than marrying for money. She's fiercely loyal to her family and friends. In so many ways, Melanie is just like any other girl. She suffers through the issues all girls do...The wealth portrayed in Stupid by Choice is something I'm not familiar with. I am a Texan but I am definitely NOT from an oil family. What I enjoyed about this story is that Ms. Summers portrays these characters who have everything but are also regular people. And by that, I mean they go through all the same adolescent problems as any other person. They navigate early adulthood, etc., trying to figure out where they belong in life, just like everyone else. They just have more means with which to go through it all. The glimpse inside this glittery lifestyle is interesting, to say the least.It was fascinating to watch Melanie grow up. She, luckily, has very supportive parents (even if they don't always give they best advice) who really do want the best for her. Melanie approaches life, sometimes storming, sometimes stumbling, in her own way. She makes mistakes but, in time, learns from them. And eventually she blossoms.The supporting cast of Stupid by Choice is amazing. Melanie's dad, Oldie, is larger than life...just like a Texan. ;) Her mom ends up being her "rock". Melanie's sister, Whitney, although quite the wild child growing up, does eventually grow up into an amazing woman. Even friends like Eva (who I wanted to strangle for the life choices she made) and Victoria added so much to the story.Stupid by Choice ended up being so much more than the fun read I was anticipating. It's much more a feelgood story with lots of lessons. And it was very satisfying.