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Mon, April 8, 2013

The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise Review

The Boyfriend App
By Katie Sise
Publication date: April 30, 2013
Balzer + Bray, 320 pages
Source: Publisher

In The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise, super-smart, somewhat geeky Audrey McCarthy can’t wait to get out of high school. Her father’s death and the transformation of her one-time BFF, Blake Dawkins, into her worst nightmare have her longing for the new start college will bring.

But college takes money. So Audrey decides she has to win the competition for the best app designed by a high schooler—and the $200,000 that comes with it. She develops something she calls the Boyfriend App, and suddenly she’s the talk of the school and getting kissed by the hottest boys around. But can the Boyfriend App bring Audrey true love?

— Goodreads.com description

As a girl who has spent the past five years working at dot-coms, I love that The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise shows girls a wicked smart, techie main character. I think so many young readers are going to read this book and relate.

The Boyfriend App is one of those contemporary reads that is definitely predictable and a bit “oh my gosh I see this bad thing coming from a mile away, OMG why don’t the main characters see it whyyyy”….but is cute and readable nonetheless.

So I appreciate the concept and the techie angle, I appreciate the fun, but I did find myself skipping over a few paragraphs here and there to move it along.

Thu, April 4, 2013

Also Known As by Robin Benway Review

Also Known As
By Robin Benway
Publication date: Feb. 26, 2013
Bloomsbury Juvenile US, 320 pages
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Being a 16-year-old safecracker and active-duty daughter of international spies has its moments, good and bad. Pros: Seeing the world one crime-solving adventure at a time. Having parents with super cool jobs. Cons: Never staying in one place long enough to have friends or a boyfriend. But for Maggie Silver, the biggest perk of all has been avoiding high school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations.

Then Maggie and her parents are sent to New York for her first solo assignment, and all of that changes. She’ll need to attend a private school, avoid the temptation to hack the school’s security system, and befriend one aggravatingly cute Jesse Oliver to gain the essential information she needs to crack the case . . . all while trying not to blow her cover.

— Goodreads.com description

Trapped in an airport during a four-hour (!!!) flight delay, I was thrilled to remember I had Also Known As by Robin Benway awaiting me on my Kindle. And it was the perfect book to help the time pass quickly — fast-paced and fun. Needless to say, I finished it all in one sitting.

If, like me, you grew up longing to be Trixie Belden or Harriet the Spy, you’ll love this book. Fans of Heist Society particularly will want to check it out.

Passing my time with Robin Benway’s Maggie Silver in Also Known As was an absolute treat and, in my case, a sanity-saver. If you’re not familiar with Robin Benway, also be sure to check out Audrey, Wait!, a book I called “non-stop entertaining” and “soooo me!” Love it.

Tue, April 2, 2013

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt Review

Going Vintage
By Lindsey Leavitt
Publication date: March 26, 2013
Bloomsbury, 320 pages
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

When Mallory’s boyfriend, Jeremy, cheats on her with an online girlfriend, Mallory decides the best way to de-Jeremy her life is to de-modernize things too. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in1962, Mallory swears off technology and returns to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn’t cheat with computer avatars).

The List:
1. Run for pep club secretary
2. Host a fancy dinner party/soiree
3. Sew a dress for Homecoming
4. Find a steady
5. Do something dangerous

But simple proves to be crazy-complicated, and the details of the past begin to change Mallory’s present. Add in a too-busy grandmother, a sassy sister, and the cute pep-club president–who just happens to be her ex’s cousin–and soon Mallory begins to wonder if going vintage is going too far.

— Goodreads.com description

Cute.

That’s the best word for Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt. Cute main character. Cute concept. Cute romance. Cute family. Loved, loved, loved it.

Bonus factor: A great message for teens about the contrasting sides of technology. It’s scary when it’s overused and misused, but…it’s also sort of a blessing when it comes to doing your homework, as Mallory comes to discover. And, trust me, I remember having to use encyclopedias for homework (OMG I AM OLD), and it was a pain in the you-know-what.

For a fun and light but ultimately meaningful contemporary story — with a cute romance to boot! — absolutely check out Going Vintage.

DOUBLE BONUS FACTOR: The boy sings her Jimmy Eat World! Teenage Anna would have died!!!

Mon, March 25, 2013

The Elite by Kiera Cass Review

The Elite
By Kiera Cass
Publication date: April 23, 2013
HarperTeen, 336 pages
Source: Borrowed from a lovely friend

In America Singer’s world, a bride is chosen for the prince through an elaborate televised competition. In the second book of the Selection series, America is one of only six girls left in the running. But is it Prince Maxon—and life as the queen—she wants? Or is it Aspen, her first love?

— Goodreads.com description

Is it possible to hate every single character in a book?

And, furthermore, still like a book?

Apparently, yes.

Okay, I’m getting ahead of myself. If you recall, I really loved the first book in this series, The Selection. I got caught up in the story and could not put the book down. Sure, I got other readers’ complaints about the simplicity of it all and the lack of world-building. But I was enjoying myself, so I really didn’t care.

Same thing with The Elite, except replace “enjoying myself” with “was so mad at all the characters I didn’t have time to care.” LORD. These fools made some poor decisions! Team Aspen? Team Maxon? Team America? Who cares; they’re all idiots. But I can’t help myself…I love reading about them.

If you didn’t like book one, book two probably won’t change your mind. If you loved The Selection, like me, prepare for some serious Book Two Syndrome*, but know that I was still entertained and can’t wait to find out what happens next in this dramarama series.

*AKA you know the author is going to do the exact opposite of what you want her to, but heck, that’s part of reading a trilogy so just roll with it, prepare to have your heart ripped out and pray it’ll all work out by book three.

Thu, March 21, 2013

The Trouble with Flirting by Claire LaZebnik Review

The Trouble with Flirting
By Claire LaZebnik
Publication date: Feb. 26, 2013
HarperTeen, 288 pages
Source: Publisher

Franny’s supposed to be working this summer, not flirting. But you can’t blame her when guys like Alex and Harry are around. . . .

Franny Pearson never dreamed she’d be attending the prestigious Mansfield Summer Theater Program. And she’s not, exactly. She’s working for her aunt, the resident costume designer. But sewing her fingers to the bone does give her an opportunity to spend time with her crush, Alex Braverman. If only he were as taken with the girl hemming his trousers as he is with his new leading lady.

When Harry Cartwright, a notorious flirt, shows more than a friendly interest in Franny, she figures it can’t hurt to have a little fun. But as their breezy romance grows more complicated, can Franny keep pretending that Harry is just a carefree fling? And why is Alex suddenly giving her those deep, meaningful looks? In this charming tale of mixed messages and romantic near-misses, one thing is clear: Flirting might be more trouble than Franny ever expected.

— Goodreads.com description

So apparently The Trouble with Flirting is a retelling of Mansfield Park. Well, I haven’t read Mansfield Park, but at least I get the odd name choice of “Franny” now. Anyway, who cares! You don’t have to be familiar with the source material to find this book funny and sweet. Just what I was in the mood for.

So Franny loves acting, and she ends up getting to go to the most prestigious summer acting program there is. Only, she’s not a student in the program…she’s working with her aunt to make the costumes. Aww, poor Franny. But luckily for Franny, there was no shortage of BOYS BOYS BOYS in the program…which certainly helps her get through all the sewing.

My favorite of the boys was, of course, Harry — a very rakish flirt. Is it bad and creepy old lady that I totally pictured him as Harry from One Direction? Or that I know who Harry from One Direction is?

Whatever! Cute, fluffy, fun — definitely recommend this book for anyone in the mood for some contemporary goodness!