Synopsis (From Goodreads):

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Review:

 Take The Bachelor, mix in a futuristic society where The United States is now a Monarchy with a rigid caste system, throw in fabulous dresses, and you've got a great, fun read!  I recently finished reading this series, devouring each book like a decadent dessert.

The series starts with the Selection, a bachelor-style competition to become engaged to the crown prince of Illéa, the predictably perfect Maxon.  But all is not what it seems.  Each girl competing has a different reason to want to be the next princess.  Some want fame, others want influence, many want to compete because, even if you lose, you get to move up the caste system and forward into a better life.

America is pressured to enter the Competition by her mother, and her boyfriend Aspen.  At the beginning of the series, it seems as though America is always trying to be a people-pleaser.  She floats around doing what others tell her to do because she can't decide what it is she wants in life.  This quickly changes as the series progresses.  America likes Maxon, but is determined to not be forced into a life-long commitment until she is sure she loves the Prince, and is over Aspen.   This proves difficult when Aspen shows up at the palace as a new guard.

Throughout the three books America, Maxon, and Aspen change and mature.  It is comforting to see this because, at first, I found America to be a doormat, and the male characters to be quite selfish.  America begins to fight to do what she thinks is right, even if it gets her in trouble.  Considering Aspen pushed America into the contest, it was selfish and dangerous for him to try and renew his relationship with her.  Especially since the penalty if they are caught it public caning.  When he and America start to mature, they can see what they had is truly over, even if there hadn't been a Selection.  Other characters (such as the Queen and the final competitors) expand and change as well.  It made for a fuller landscape of people in the story.  

The one issue I had with the premise is one that America had with Prince Maxon as well.  How can we trust Maxon when he expresses his feelings for America when he is also dating (and kissing) a dozen other girls?I suppose this is the problem with The Bachelor television shows.  How can anyone actually fall in love in these situations?  The story was so enchanting, however, that I was willing to suspend my suspicions and just go with it.  The Selection series is a lot of fun.  If you ever wanted to see behind the scenes of one of these dating shows, you will love these books!