HALFWAY PERFECT

Romance and scandal dominate the lives of two young fashion models.

Former model Eve was on her way to superstardom when she walked away from the business. The tabloids said it was drugs, but Eve really left to get away from her abusive agent, Wes, in a sexual relationship with her although she was only 15 at the time. Now three years later, Eve studies photography at Columbia. Working with mentor Janessa, she meets 18-year-old Alex and 14-year-old Elana, both well on their way to stardom. Wes now represents Alex and insists that he pose as Elana’s boyfriend, telling everyone that she is 18, a ruse that works and leads to lucrative jobs. Meanwhile Eve and Alex secretly fall for each other, but their relationship seems doomed from the start, especially once Wes learns of it. Written in alternating chapters in Eve’s and Alex’s present-tense voices, the book works as a fascinating exposé of the modeling profession. Both the romance and the difficulties the teens face feel real, and the details the co-authors (Perini is himself a professional model) provide about the industry—working shoots  while pinned into outfits, the constant jockeying for position—lend the story an air of authenticity.

Engagingly and intelligently written, this absorbing novel should work as catnip to fashion-obsessed readers.