ONCE UPON A TIME ... a poor girl competes for the handsome prince in The Selection

While this sounds a bit too much like The Bachelor Gone Wild* the CW network has added two cast members to its tv show pilot,  The Selection.  The show is based on the first of a series of upcoming ya books by Kiera Cass - The Selection book won't even be released until April 24th.

Here's how the publisher describes the upcoming book:

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.

America Singer (that is a great name!) played by Aimee Teegardeen. Handsome Prince Maxon is played by Ethan Peck, his parents are Leonor Varela (Blade II) as Queen Amberly and Martin Donovan (Boss) as King Clarkson.  The script was written by Elizabeth Craft & Sarah Fain.

The idea of being "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" is so old-fashioned AND revolting but presumably the story arc turns that antiquated concept on its arse???

Please, will someone who has an ARC share their thoughts on this book?? Please tell me it's about more than pretty dresses, and handsome princes, that it's not just a fictionalized, glorified version of my imaginary *The Bachelors Gone Wild!

Check out what the author has to say at kieracass.com