Rouge will really appeal to fans of theater and Moulin Rouge. (and to people who didn't like Moulin Rouge- if there is anyone else out there besides me. I think I am the only person on the planet to not have enjoyed that movie. Someone pointed out to me on twitter that this book reminded her of Moulin Rouge, and I hadn't even thought of it at that point. I like Rouge way more than I liked Moulin Rouge) 
 There were a bunch of really great characters in Rouge. I loved Beau and Roland. (and no, they are not both love interests) I also really liked Hale. She seemed so practical and focused. She really wanted her plan to work so she could get herself and Teeny out of the corrupt theater. I respected her trying to get out of that life, but Teeny seemed so ungrateful all the time and like a little brat, so it hurt me to see Hale continuously putting so much on the line to try and help a little girl who didn't even seem to care. Hale took Teeny in from the street and shared everything she had with the girl. I know Teeny loves Hale but she was a petulant child throughout so much of the book. I also enjoyed Evie, but I wish we had seen more of her. I also wished we saw a little bit more of Gavin. I need to figure that guy out, he is still kinda a mystery to me. There are even more characters in Rouge. I loved that there was a complete cast of very different characters in this theater family. It was really cool to see how close most of them were. 
 Hale seems so practical all the time, that I really did think that she thought she would be immune to love. Sure, she thought that she could grow fond or even love Freddie, her rich suitor. But other than that, I think she thought that no other guy would be able to sweep her off her feet. But sweet ole Beau threw a wrench in her perfect plan. I loved him. He was so open about how he felt, it was nice. 
 I won't lie, I hated the ending! It seemed so final and it just made me sad. But then I saw it was a series, and I brightened up so much. Now I just see this ending as a roadblock, and it makes me want to start reading the second book asap. I need to see what is going to happen next with Hale. Knowing her, there will be some sort of situation going on. She always seems to find herself in some kind of trouble. I enjoyed Rouge. It set the stage for what appears to be a very promising series!