BELLES

In the first book of a formulaic new series, a lower-class girl is introduced to Southern high society in all its catty glory.

Isabelle Scott, better known as Izzie, lives in down-on-its-luck Harborside, spending time with best friend Kylie and crushing on cute Brayden Townsend. When her ailing grandmother is sent to a nursing home, Izzie goes to live in nearby, ritzy Emerald Cove with the family of Bill Monroe, a distant relation and state senator. For the weak-willed Mirabelle Monroe, nicknamed Mira, Izzie's arrival is an unwanted upheaval that comes in the middle of her father's campaign for the U.S. Senate. Due to Izzie's background, everyone at Emerald Prep freezes her out, led by queen bee—and Mira's best friend—Savannah Ingram. Predictably, Brayden is revealed to be Savannah's boyfriend, inspiring Savannah to target Izzie for ostracism. When Mira gets dumped by Savannah for defending Izzie, Mira and Izzie develop a tentative friendship, one they'll need when a family secret is revealed. Unnecessary complications arise with Lucas Hale, the campaign manager who threatens Izzie, and also a land deal by Savannah's father that would destroy Izzie's beloved Harborside Community Center.

One-note characters act as you would expect in this generic, paint-by-numbers effort.