Love Unmasked

Gr 8 Up–Venice is the city of love and the mythical setting of the “Elven Realms” novels, Evie Whitmore’s secret obsession. Trip to Venice with her art and architecture class: check! Cosplay complete with mask in the carry-on bag: check! Grumpy class partner: unfortunately, check. But nothing is going to put a damper on Evie’s quest to find the secret Elven Realms fan club hidden in Venice. Not class curfews or Gabe Martinez, the cute bad-boy loner she has been partnered up with, and definitely not the stranger in disguise who shares Evie’s love of the fantasy book series and calls himself Angelo. But is Gabe really so bad? Who is Angelo? And could either of them be the one person who Evie can remove her mask with? This is a sweet adventure of self-discovery, figuring out where you fit in the world, and finding the right people to share it with. Filled with characters who develop as the story progresses and have unique personalities, the novel feels comfortable as a YA romance while embracing the realms of fantasy and fandom. Evie and Gabe grow as they, and readers, gain a deeper understanding of themselves as individuals and as a potential couple. The setting perfectly supports the narrative and accurately depicts Venice, providing glimpses into the history and modern contradictions that make up the great city. The plot is well developed with layers and complex underlying themes.