Like many of acclaimed author Kevin Wilson’s other novels, Nothing to See Here is simply a feel-good story. Main character Lillian Breaker is a twenty-something-year-old who, at the beginning of the story, is living in the dusty attic of her mother’s house. As a child she had once shown promise, even scoring a coveted scholarship to the private high school in her town, Iron Maiden Boarding School. The school’s main purpose was to prime wealthy families’ daughters for high society, but for Lillian, it was a way out of her unhappy and poor life. Sadly Lillian was kicked out after only one year of attendance for the possession of drugs, and though they weren’t hers, she became resigned to her life as a small-town loser. That is until she is offered a job by her old boarding school roommate Madison Roberts. For more cash than she had ever dreamed of, Lillian is offered the position of governess to Madison’s two new stepkids, who since their mother’s passing were to be staying with her for the summer. Happy to hop on board, Lillian ditches her hometown for Madison’s country mansion, and for weeks indulges in five-star meals and Olympic-level relaxation. It is only when the kids arrive that Lillian finds out just why she was hired. Lillian learns that beyond their angry and aggressive mannerisms, which are already off-putting when they get upset, Madison’s stepkids quite literally burst into flames. Now she must figure out how to deal with this fire hazard of a job, or risk her future going up in smoke. I would rate this book an 8 out of 10, and an overall enjoyable read.

Review by: Chloe Zitsow

Chloe is a reading enthusiast at Granada Hills Charter High School. She greatly enjoys politics and spending her free time baking, reading, or writing.

—Cindy Holsey, Young Adult Librarian: Northridge Branch Library