Belle of the Brawl

Alphas #3

by Lisi Harrison

Eccentric billionaire Shira Brazille founded the super-exclusive Alpha Academy to nurture the next generation of exceptional dancers, writers, musicians, and inventors. It's a dream come true for one hundred lucky girls, but those not measuring up will be sent home at any time, for any reason. The one left standing will win worldwide fame. Who will it be?

Skye Hamilton
For Skye, breaking boys' hearts is easier than one-two-plie. But if she hurts emo-freak Sydney, Shira will send her packing. Skye's only choice? Make him dump her first! But how can she convince robo-Romeo she's not his Juliet?

Charlie Deery
Charlie's brilliant brain designed almost everything on Alpha Island, but her broken heart could never get over Darwin Brazille. Now she has a chance to get him back. But to say hello to true love, she may have to say buh-bye to her friendship with Allie A...

Allie A. Abbot
After being exposed as an Allie J. imposter, Allie A. is as worthless as a five time markdown on the clearance shoe rack. But the real stain on her suede bootie? She still hasn't found her talent. And with girls leaving faster than you can say "Beta", will Allie A. be the next to go?

If at first you don't succeed, you're not an alpha.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Drama

206 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2010

About the author

Lisi Harrison is the author of the #1 New York Times best-selling series "The Clique", "Alphas", "Monster High," Pretenders," and her first adult novel: "The Dirty Book Club" out 10.10.17. Lisi was born in Toronto, Canada, and lived in NYC for 15 years while she worked at MTV. She now lives in Laguna Beach, CA and is a member or her own Dirty Book Club.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belle of the Brawl by Lisi Harrison is part of the Alphas series. The book is about how three girls Charlie, Allie J, and Skye attend Alpha academy. Shira Brazille, the owner Alpha Academy, decides to lift the ban off her sons. Now girls can talk to them out of classes. The ban was lifted because of Skye. Shira saw that Syd, her son, was happy when he was with Skye. Skye actually doesn't like Syd. She likes his brother, Taz. Skye and her friends come up with a plan to get Syd to break up with her. Charlie has to try to set up Allie A and Darwin, even though Darwin loves her and not Allie J. She has to choose between two things: her soulmate and her new bestie. Allie A has to try her best to win Darwin's heart again after the whole revelation of her identity. In the end, Allie A ends up with Mel because they both have similar interests. She realizes that Charlie and Darwin were meant for each other, so she tells Charlie that she can have him.
I think that Charlie and Darwins love story is super cute. They have their ups and downs, but they still end up together in the end. They have to date in private because there are cameras installed all over the island. She can't risk anything because word gets around the island quickly since it's an island. Darwin gets aggravated when Charlie wont go out in public with her. I can't blame her for being scared though. She's risking losing her best friend. She lost her once, she doesn't want to do it again. I can see where she's coming from. I think that Darwin is can be selfish, but he loves her and he just wants to show the world how happy they are.
I thought that this book was good. Again, Lisi Harrison's writing amazes me with how it flows so easily. The storyline in this book seems kind of cliche though. Two girls like same guy. Guy likes one girl. Other girl gets heartbroken. Other girl finds a new love and becomes all happy again.

[Robin Donahue · Rating 3 out of 5]

She was decent, I love the writing from this author and the drama. Was eating this up in middle school and eating this up now as a 27 year old

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com

Skye, Charlie, and Allie are back, this time extremely boy crazy.

Nothing can be worse than having to attend dance boot camp - and with Triple, of all people, as the instructor. That is until Skye discovers that Shira's son, Sydney, has a major crush on her. Doesn't help that his style is anything but alpha boyfriend material, so what's a girl to do when her mind is set on the guy's brother, Taz? One thing is for sure, Skye needs to drop Sydney in a way that won't make her a beta.

After Allie was revealed to be a different Allie - Allie A., that is - her world turned upside down. On the brink of becoming a social outcast, Allie needs to find her talent, stat! Maybe Allie's recent troubles will help her channel a more dramatic side of herself.

Charlie still can't get over Darwin; however, Allie can't either. Darwin seems to still be interested in Charlie, but Charlie can't ruin her friendship with Allie, especially since it practically just began. Her only solution is to get Allie's mind onto Darwin's brother, Melbourne. But is Allie willing to move on from Darwin, or is Charlie going to have to resort to putting her friend first?

As the second to last book in the series, BELLE OF THE BRAWL continues its momentum with plenty of boy drama, finding their identities, and doing everything they can to NOT get kicked out of Alpha Academy. Fans of the first two ALPHAS books will be satisfied with Harrison's newest installment as Allie becomes more developed as a character, Charlie gets squeal-worthy scenes, and Skye gets her just desserts, all the while hoping to dance the competition away.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s nothing outstanding about this book. It was a light read. I got through it basically in one day once I got going with it. Literally about nothing other than the three main girls getting boyfriends. And then the very end they reveal a little twist that basically sounds like everyone’s going to be kicked out of the school leaving just one to be known as the “alpha”. Probably just to be like oh wait. We need them to want to read the next book.

[Rachel Weaver · Rating 2 out of 5]

love a good middle school re read but this one was quite something

[Mira · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second-to-last book in the "Alphas" series, "Belle of the Brawl" by Lisi Harrison, is just as fabulous, unique, and over-the-top as the first two books. In this novel, even more girls are getting elimaneted as the (about) 78 remaining Alphas-to-be claw to be the best of the best. Skye Hamilton is devastated when her dance instructer, Mimi, tells Skye's top riva, Triple Threat, to coach Skye for an entire week, which to both of them, feels like an eternity. The worst part? Mimi has demanded 105% focus on dancing, which means they will have to miss the first annual Muse Cruise. Charlie Deery is starting to suffer a relapse from Darwin's love, so she's determined to set up her best friend, Allie A. Abbott, by setting her up with Darwin's oldest brother, Melbourne. Allie, on the other hand, still wants Darwin, and Charlie doesn't want to risk her friendship with Allie. Even worse for Allie, Allie J. Abbott, nicknamed AJ, is STILL making hurtful songs about Allie's identity theft. Why can't she just let it go already? But the perfect oppurtunity is coming for Allie to get her revenge.

This book is amazing! Lisi Harrison uses great description to make the different characters' emotions feel almost as real as your own. It is extremely easy to make a mental picture in your head with this book, and all the Alphas books, in fact. Ms. Harrison uses similies and other descriptions to make this book really come to life. I was very surprised by this book. "Gossip Girl", "The Clique", and other such books are what I call "chic books." They often include popularity, fashion, losers, and such, and by the third book, I'm usually bored, though I keep reading anyway. When I picked up the first "Alphas" book, I had a feeling this would be another "chic book." And, I was right. The only exception, Ms. Harrison uses her words to make each book exciting and a new adventure. So if you're thinking of reading this book, read it! You will not be dissapointed!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the Alpha series.Shira Brazille runs an Alpha Academy for girls who want to be the next generation of dancers, musicians, inventors, writers, etc. Not only they have to become their dream, but they have to be on top. Anyone can go home with one mistake. The themes that are in this book are honesty, love, friendship, and drama. it was okay. I wonder how Lisi Harrison will end it, in the last book of this series.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Skye the beautiful talented dancer, Charlie the inventer, and Ally the imposter; Alpha Academy is filled with talented girls. I liked this book because Ally finally let go of her secret. She had been keeping that in way too long. And for like the first time Skye is trying to get a boy to dump HER.
A great 3rd book for the series.
If at first you don't success, you're not an Alpha.

[Chloe luvs ya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drama drama drama.. That's all I can say. If you like drama,boy problems,and backstabbing friends to get what you want, this book is perfect for you.
3 stars

[HungerGamesAddict]

This is by far the best Alpha Book so far. Plus Triple gets expelled great 4 all u Sjye lovers like me :) So with that said PEACE

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guilty pleasure books (:

[Tiffany Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belle of the Brawl (Updated)
Charlie is in the meditation garden with her holographic, mediation, yog (Tran)i, but she can’t focus. He advises her the way is not in the sky its in her heart. He tells her she’s still looking outside herself for answers. She needs to look within. She ends the session. She thinks about the things she never should have done. She never should have let Shira connive her into breaking up with Darwin. She never should have convinced Allie to date him so she could keep tabs on him. She never should have confessed to Darwin that the dump was committed under duress. And she never should have stood there when he said he wanted her back. Because she had already promised him to Allie. She adds more classes to her schedule so she won’t have time to think about her life. At the end of the chapter, she gets a text from Buddah and knows what to do, but wonders can she do it.

Ever since Allie A was outed, a girl named Olivia Dufrenidis is going out of her way to bully her. (She’s known for starting a very popular political blog). Since the real Allie J is now enrolled there, most of the girls think she’s a liar and a joke. At least she still has Charlie and Skye. Allie notices a banner that says YOU ARE INVITED TO SET SAIL ON THE ALPHA MUSE CRUISE SWIM IN THE SEA OF INSPIRATION WITH THE ALPHA MUSES OCTOBER EIGHTH, 7 P.M., THE ALPHA CRUISE SHIP! As she walks up she sees AJ announce she’s going to sing a song for the onlooking students. It’s called “Identity Thief”. Allie A thinks Seriously. Can’t we move on from this? Each word is aimed like a bullet and Allie starts to tear up. Thalia tells her “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

Allie waves at Darwin and he gives her a chin nod giving her hope of getting back with him again. At a special assembly two girls (Singh and Saylene) are sent home for inventing a special pair of glasses called SeeVDs (sunglasses that play movies) that had the potential of bringing perfect vision with technology but the lenses weren’t properly coated. Instead of fixing it they cried about it. Then Skye is complimented for making Sydney happy (even tho secretly Taz is the one she wants). So, Shira lifts the ban on “socializing” with her sons outside classes. But she says she won’t allow them to put boys before what they’re there to do. Skye makes HAD 11 to find a way to be sleeveless by next weekend (in other words to cut Sydney loose).

Darwin stops by the Jackie O house with cotton candy flowers, only Allie Abbot discovers she wasn’t the one he intended to give them too. He tells her they aren’t gonna start over. She runs off without hearing what he wants to talk to her about. Charlie goes out to meet with Darwin but can’t quite call it off with (not wanting to do that to Allie-her first real friend). Instead she gets an idea. She’ll hook Allie up with Mel (who sounds a lot to her like Fletcher). Skye confesses to “the Bunheads (Ophelia and Tweety) that Shira saw her calling it off with Taz and jumped to conclusions because he looked happy. They come up with the idea that if she makes herself undatable it’ll scare him off.

He comes up to Skye with a strawberry banana smoothie and she starts burping and pretending it taste like salami. He just compliments the burps and runs off to the cafeteria to check if they made this one bad (and probably get her another one). It’s gonna be a little harder to get rid of him than that. Allie A has been hiding out in the infirmary doing what she does best -faking- like she’s sick. Charlie pays her a visit and after seeing how she’s fooled the nurse tells her she’s found her talent (acting). Allie thinks of all the times she’s “acted” and says maybe she’s right.

She then shows her a picture of Mel in a magazine ad in Italian Vouge. Allie says she’s not a fuse box and says if she wants Darwin back to just be honest, but Charlie says she doesn’t. Then convinces her to just go out with Mel once. She can practice her “acting” and it might make Dawin jealous. Skye, Charlie, and Allie plan a picnic on the Olympic mountain with the Brazille brothers. Skye’s looks have gone from a 10 to a 2 but Sydney’s still sticking to her. While on the lift, Skye in last resort eats an onion. She’s also added zits with her eye liner. Charlie gives Allie her motivation. Pretend she’s over Darwin and into Mel. Play it cool, calm, and confident. Best case she’ll have them both fighting over her.

On the way to meet the boys, Allie asks Charlie again if she’s sure she’s not still into Darwin (because something feels off to her about this) and again she lies and says she’s not. Things start off good. Allie and Mel both love mall foods. He leds her away to look at the view. Sydney tho is stopped out and can’t smell the onions Skye’s been eating. Allie tells Charlie she was right Mel is amazing. She wants to know if Darwin seemed jealous. When Charlie says they can model together she tells her it’ll never work models and actor would fight over the spotlight to much. She asks Charlie to find out if Darwin seems jealous.

Allie finds out Triple is in her first acting class. The teacher (Careen) is doing an improve exercise. She calls her an IT and tells her it’s a compliment. She says she heard about the scandal and is honored to work with someone who has such enormous ambition. She says what a way to get into the academy and that kind of hunger can’t be taught, She tells to check out some famous bios on her A-pod that went through great lengths to get there. She’s no different. She just took a different path. Then she welcomes her home and embraces her. Allie joins in the improv and when the word is “schock” the rest of the class is acting like they’re shocked by electricity. Allie replays the moment she sees Fletcher and her best friend and the teacher calls her out and tells the class to follow her example.

When she calls “revenge” she imagines herself getting an Oscar and Fletcher watching her in his mother’s basement alone. Is it possible acting can give her back everything Fletcher took? During a routine to “Bad Romance” Skye gets a compliment from Mimi whose noticed all the practice she’s been putting in. Sydney pays the class a visit and distracts Skye who starts messing up and throwing off the others. After class, Ophelia makes a fart noise and Skye tells her to keep going. She says loudly she shouldn’t have had that burito for lunch. Skye turns white and rushes out on the elevator. Skye high five Ophelia.

Dawin and Charlie take his private plane out for some privacy. He tells her he wants to start to built their foundation again. Charlie says that’s what she wants to, but then if she wants that -he questions- why is she pulling away from him. She tells him they agreed to chill until Allie was over him and with Mel. He takes this to mean she cares about Allie’s feelings more than his. Upset, he lands the plane in a jungle (where Charlie sees he’s set up a picnic) and leaves her telling her he needs time to think. Charlie starts to think maybe she is turning into an Alpha. Maybe she and Darwin really weren’t soul mates. Darwin just leaves her there and she has to walk back to the Academy.

After dance class, Mimi tells Andrea and Skye that Andrea is now over Skye for a week. She’ll follow her dance regimen to the letter. If she doesn’t improve, they’ll both be kicked out. Sydney shows up with Gas-X for Skye but Triple calls it off with him and Skye and says she won’t be able to see him. Skye wants to just pretend they’ve done what Mimi wants but Triple says no way. Skye decides HAD No 12 is to Ditch Triple. On the double.

In “Hone It” Keifer assigns the class to write a Haiku about yellow. Allie thinks about a lot of things ow much she’d rather be onstage right now. How much she wanted Darwin to look up from his tablet and smile at her. How she wished she knew why Charlie was so preoccupied that she couldn’t take a moment to acknowledge her. How she wished AJ would take off her icky hat and begin a love affair with Ivory soap. But when the timer goes off she’s got nothing written down.

Charlie’s is about the emotion of cowardice. Allie keeps trying to get Darwin to look at her but when he finally does he looks through her. A.J’s is about a girl with yellow hair that stole her identity. Allie tells her Get Over It. I was acting okay? Move on already. Keifer tells her if it would have had two more syllables it would have been the perfect haiku and that her words have power and to work on it. Darwin’s is about a dog he rescued that was yellow. Allie decides to be the injured dog to be lure the hero.

Mel is waiting for her at the bottom of the tree and offers to walk her to acting class. She tells him she has a monologue to work on and hurries off (now focused on Operation Puppy Love). She now has inspiration and motivation. While practicing (in the water) with Triple, Skye sees that Sydney has moved on with a girl named Sarafina. She also sees Taz with the Trapezoid Twins. Allie has this idea to pretend to fall on the track, but she falls for real. But the boy that comes to her rescue is Mel. Then she *finally* sees what’s in front of her. She doesn’t even notice her bleeding knee. Mel says he wishes he had some Purrel but she has some and well that’s all folks. Mel invites her to go on the Muse Cruise with him.

After a week, Skye has nailed the routine and convinces Triple to have some fun. She’ll repay her by taking her on the Muse Cruise and showing her the art of flirting. Allie is planning to stay home when she finds out that AJ is debuting some songs tonight on the boat. But then then she finds AJ in bed sick with cramps. She takes her ipod and offers to play the songs on the boat and tell everyone they can download her new album. AJ apologizes for being so mean and says it was just apart of her “creative process”. Allie texts Mel (who was going to come take care of her) and thinks this will definitely make her Alpha. She’ll get the oldest Brazille brother and she’ll get revenge on A.J

Charlie invents something called the Heartbreak Helper. It turns out to be popular with the girls. (It gives off the scent of tangerines I think?) Allie tells Skye she and Melvin bonded. She says she’s not getting back with Darwin and they know why he’s in love with her. She says she should give him another chance. They make up and get back together. Skye introduces Triple to Dingo after failing to get Taz’s attention enough away from a crowd of girls. Not longer after they see Mimi. Triple stays behind. Skye makes a swim for it back to the Academy. Allie gets back at AJ by lipsyncing her song and making her look like the fake to everyone on the ship.

That night after the cruise, Shira pays them a visits and makes Skye and Triple stand in front of her. She has Triple’s bags brought to her (packed) and sends her home. She tells her a true Alpha doesn’t snitch. Then she leaves to send thirty odd something more girls home for prioritizing boys over their talents. The next morning only thirty girls are left. Shira makes an announcement she’ll be gone for a while and when she returns there will be a discovered leader. She’ll be taken care of for life and the rest they’ll find out. Charlie makes herself a promise to rise to the top and Shira will know about it.

My Thoughts:
I was about to make Triple the Alpha in this one. Triple before just seemed to me like a goody-goody. I didn't have any feelings for her as a character. But then in comparison to Skye, I started to admire her dedication to her craft instead of running up behind the Brazille boys like the others. But I do agree with Shira (and I was a bit surprised at her decision) when she kicked Triple to the curb and told her Alpha's aren't quick to snitch out their friends.

While I did feel brief moments of sympathy for Skye and doing her best (what she thought was her best) and it still not being good enough (Because honestly Triple's dancing seemed to be "programmed" while Skye put "personality" in hers). Skye to me still isn't what I consider Alpha material because she still is too concerned with what everyone else thinks and does. A real Alpha can stand alone. A real Alpha wouldn’t have thought twice about skipping that cruise. The cruise *did* sound fun but Since book 1 with her it's been all about proving herself. Which in a way they're all doing that, but Skye sometimes does and other times she doesn't seem serious enough. I couldn't even be too broken up about Taz playing her.

Maybe Ally was the Alpha. She really came out on top in Belle of the Brawl. She got her revenge on AJ. She got a great guy that fit her perfectly- and she found herself (her major). Then it was a real close tie with Charlie.

Charlie always impresses me because I think she's going to eventually be the last one standing. Not only is she the most talented But then she has the Alpha kind of attitude. I was worried about how the last book ended that she bounced back to Darwin as quick as she did, but in this one, despite her feelings for him, she holds out so that her friend won't be hurt and she tries to find her a love of her own-and succeeds-. YES! My vote again though neck and neck is a little more tipped in Charlie's favor.

RATING: 8 What more can I say? This book has the heart, soul, and drama of ANTM. Can't wait to see which Alpha comes out on top!

[Amory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still don't like either Allie, but I was glad that the pace of this book was quicker. More girls went home, and only 30 Alphas are left, but I don't get how there's only one book left in the series and it's only the beginning of October? I thought the 4 book series would cover a full school year, but I'm apparently wrong.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved how Lisi made a whole Alpha world in this series! It's amazing and makes me wish the island and all its technology was real!!!
Also really good lessons about independence, relationships, friendships and what it means to be a true Alpha.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like we actually get to see some character development here, so it kind of sucks that there's only one book left. It makes sense because of the competitive nature of the school, but I wish that I was invested in the characters earlier.

[Nicole | peacelovepages · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series, I don't care if it's written for younger kids. I'm excited to see what happens in the final book!

Book 18/50 (2017)

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book,lots of humor and well written.

[No, David! No! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, silly, funny. Not a bad way to kill a few hours.

[Hannah S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an interesting idea, but the portrayal was all ZZZZZZ's.

[Barbara Cryer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's really cheesy, even for a chick lit YA.

[Amber Hash · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great to read this again! Nostalgia hit me reading this book, as I haven’t read this series since high school! I still love it! Can’t wait to finish the series.

[Claire Kirscht · Rating 3 out of 5]

getting exciting!

[♡ thea ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

charlie world domination yassss

[Lalaloopey]

Why did Skye want to break up with her actually perfect boyfriend so badly?? And for Taz the womanizer??

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

justice for triple

[Andrea Guadalupe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fue un libro muy corto, estaba entretenido era muy pageturer. Me da intriga como estará el último libro.
3 estrellas de 5.

[elle !! (PLS NO POLLS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

too much boy-craziness happening. yall are freshman for crying out loud 😭

every page had something to do with a cute guy

kinda annoying rlly 💀

but honestly for a cute short book this novel wasn’t too bad. i don’t think i will finish the series.

[TJL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another considerably interesting entry in the series.

Although, I've gotta say... Shira Brazille.

Holy crap, Shira Brazille.

Shira Brazille, who blackmails a fourteen year-old girl into dating her son.

Shira Brazille, who kicks two girls out of the Academy for crying.

Shira Brazille, who lifts the ban on interacting with her sons, and follows it up by saying, "A true Alpha knows that boys are toys- only to be played with after the important things are done."

In front of her sons.

Shira Brazille is a sexist, abusive, sociopathic nightmare and has no business being in charge of a house plant, never mind a bunch of children.

EDIT: Oh, and Darwin's a piece of shit too. A holier-than-thou piece of shit who has had just about everything in life (and conceivably will in the future) who literally cannot comprehend why a girl would lie to get into an Academy that could propel her into a very good future financially.

Fuck Darwin. What a brat.

[emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

206 pages
The book "Belle of the Brawl" by Lisi Harrison is just as the other books in the series. Girls are leaving faster than you can say "Alpha." They are leaving for many reasons. Some are not being qualified to becoming an alpha and boys are getting in the way of their studies. Allie is still being hated by most people. On top of that, Darwin Brazille, one of the sons of Shira Brazille, has broken up with her. Darwin gets back together with Charlie. But, Charlie feels bad for Allie. She sets her up with another of Darwin's brothers, Mel. They have much in common. They begin to like eachother. That makes Charlie happy. Skye is still having problems with Sydney, another of Darwin's brothers. She doesn't like him but he likes her. Skye likes Taz, another Brazille boy. She and her friends try to keep him away and eventually succeed. On top of that, Mimi, the dance teacher, makes Triple, Skye's frenemy and also known as Andrea, teach her how dance because she is about to be sent home. Triple helps her a lot. Later they go on the Muse Cruise. They aren't supposed to be on it because they should be practicing. Skye doesn't get caught. But, Triple does. She blames Skye for everything. For that reason, Shira sends her home. At the end, Shira has to go on a trip. So, she said that one of the girls will become the newest leader. That girl will win everything they were there for: becoming the top Alpha.

[Fraffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

In terms of structure and writing, I loved it! Lisi Harrison has a way of making her writing addicting to read. It's just so witty, clever and most of the time totally and completely brilliant!

But in terms of plot and the story line, I semi-loved it. Don't get me wrong, it was great, but I just wish that Lisi put more 'depth' into this book. But since this is a Lisi Harrison book, this is about as deep as you'll ever get. Despite the somewhat ''shallow-ness'' of the book, I still got lessons out of it.

I'm going to be a Lisi Harrison fan forever. And being a fan from the start to end, I should already know that her books are written this way. Light, very light and not deep-thought-stirring at all. But that's just fine, her way of writing is still, as she always liked to say, 'ah-mazing!'. :)