Isabelle is taking care of Grams, competing on the swim team, and relaxing with her friends, Brayden and Kylie. Except for her chronic concern about her grandmother's health and the poverty that they live in, everything seems to be going fine at Harborside... until her world is turned upside down by a visit from Barbara, Grams' social worker. It doesn't help that Grams mistakes Izzie for her mother, Chloe, during her visit.

Barbara informs the girl that Grams is going to live in a nursing home, and she will go to live with North Carolina senator, Bill Monroe, a cousin of hers, and his family. Things are a bit different in Emerald Cove than they were in Izzie's home town. Her cousin, Mirabelle, is about the same age as her, and she makes an effort to show Izzie around Emerald Prep (EP). It quickly becomes apparent, however, that Mira's friends only grudgingly accept Izzie's presence.

Living in a sprawling house with her aunt, uncle and three cousins is luxury that she would never have imagined sprawling in, but Izzie longs for her old friends and life. She finds some solace in Violet and Nicole, who are on scholarship to attend EP.  The Belles struggle to work out their troubled relationship.

Belles by Jen Calonita, 2012

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