Well, this is a little underwhelming because after reading the first two novellas, I was excited for this first. The Selection left some to be desired, but it was still enjoyable to read. The Elite, however, has once again left me annoyed with YA novels. 
 Here's the thing, the idea of this series is good. Despite it basically being The Bachelor, it's still a fun concept. But the development of the story is so juvenile. I said in my review of The Selection that Kiera Cass seemed interested in one thing and one thing only - the Selection process and the love triangle between America, Prince Maxon, and Aspen. And to write about that, she sacrificed world-building, character development, and plot. And now with The Elite, these flaws are even more pronounced. 
 There is so much whiny, wishy-washy behavior from America that it becomes tiresome and frustrating for the reader. Just everything about this love triangle bothers me though. I actually wish Aspen was not part of the story because he is the control that creates everything I'm really disliking about this series. Instead, I wish there was a pure coming-of-age theme for America as she discovers a more important role through the Selection. I would sacrifice this lovey dovey crap for a much more developed world. Where there's a believable backstory behind the creation of Illea and where the rebels actually seem intimidating and powerful rather than nuisances that are somehow so smart that they can constantly raid a heavily guarded castle yet can never seem to kill/kidnap anyone important or steal something of power. 
 I just wish Kiera Cass had done better. That's the simplest way to put it. 
 With that said, I've already read the first two installments and two novellas from this series, so I feel like I'm in a little too deep to just give up on it. I'll see it through to completion, and I'm hoping these later installments do more for me, but I have a feeling it'll all end as something that could've been great but just wasn't.