
Summary: "I think I could turn that boy bad? My two best friends--my only two friends, really--follow my gaze and laugh.
"Trevor Hoffman?" Beth scoffs. "No way, Jen."
"I bet I could," I say, shrugging.
"Why him?" Beth asks. "Why not any of the other nerds sitting there with him?"
"Because," I say slowly, "he isn't your typical run-of-the-mill geek. Trevor Hoffman is different. He would be a little more difficult to take down--more of a challenge, you know?"
Jen's life of rebelling and sneaking out is growing stale. In an effort to combat her boredom, Jen makes a bet to turn Trevor, a nice little geek, into a "bad boy." She is immediately pulled into Trevor's world of sci-fi movies, charity work, and even--ugh!--bowling. Unexpectedly, Jen discovers that hanging out with Trevor isn't so bad after all. But when Trevor finds out about the wager, all bets are off. (Book given free for review. Summary from back of the book and image from publisher.)
My Review: I don't think I've ever given a book that was given to me free for review 5 stars. I'm breaking that record today. I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. While having our regular Silent Friday Reading day with my students I kept finding myself so absorbed in the book that I forgot to remind the kids to clean up before the bell rang. Yes, I was that absorbed--which really is saying something because even slight twitching of my students during Silent Friday distracts me...teachers have a hard time turning off their second set of eyes and ears.
Jen is painted so very realistically. I felt like reading her story was like reading many of my students' stories, their journal entries in class. Teaching at a school of poverty, with many foster care kids, I see this stuff all too often. Her anger, her rejection of all things good, her pessimism, her hatred of people she cannot relate to, her lack of self-esteem, all spot on. Even her desire to defile Trevor was authentic.
Bennett does a masterful job of peeling back the layers slowly, or reeling you in and helping you understand Jen and actually take her side. She also does a masterful job of depicting a truly good person in Trevor. I think it would actually be harder to depict a guileless person than it is to depict a person with serious flaws. Yet, she pulls it off. What makes it even better is that she still makes him human, gives him real failings, ones you could believe someone as good as he is truly has.
The love story should also be of note. I'm not the gushy type of girl who loves to read romance, but this story took me in. I enjoyed the playful banter, the clean relationship, and even the demolition of their relationship when the truth unfolds. I found myself with tears slowly rolling down my cheeks and I wished for both characters that the pain wouldn't have to be--not many stories make me actually cry. I'm telling you, I really liked this book.
I think my favorite aspect to the story is the message that your past doesn't define you, that change is possible, and that you should never judge a person based on an outward appearance especially during their teenage years. I loved Jen's transformation and how Bennett made her so easy to relate to and like. I've never been a Goth girl, I don't pretend to understand her upbringing from a personal perspective, but watching it for eight years now I do believe Bennett created a believeable story and one that I'd gladly have on my classroom shelves.
Do pick this up. It's a great read.
For sensitive readers: Nothing to offend here. Jen's tragic past is disturbing, but without it you can't truly believe her anger and damage.
Rating: 5 Stars
Sum it up: A spot on read depicting a broken girl learning to trust and love.
Visit the author's blog, her website, or read more reviews of Geek Girl on Cedar Fort's blog tour.
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50 comments:
Great review!! I loved this book!!
Many thanks for this lovely giveaway and the wonderful review. Anne. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
The cover convinced me it was something that I wouldn't like, but the description and your review changed my mind. Thanks for the giveaway. My email address is readhandedlibrarian(at)gmail(dot)com.
Sounds like a great read. mcauliffej(at)gmail(dot)com.
Kari - Obviously I'm not entering the giveaway :o) but I wanted to pop in and say thank you for such an amazing review, and for breaking your record for me! I'm both sorry and glad Geek Girl was absorbing enough to distract you from your class.
So, I'm totally giving away a book - but I want one too :) lol. tillien{at}gmail{dot}com
Wow, the author commented, how fun! carrie dot hare@ gmail dot com
thanks so much for hosting this giveaway!
azn_pride_ftw@hotmail.co.nz
Sounds like a great book.
Sounds good! McGuffyAnn
McGuffy's Reader
Http://www.mcguffysreader.blogspot.com
It sounds like a great book!
Thank you for hosting a giveaway.
hellenlovesbooks (AT) gmail (DOT) com
Sounds like a good book and the cover looks great, thank you! edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom
This sounds like a great book.
kaylalovesandrew09@yahoo.com
Thanks for this giveaway!
Really looking forward to this book ^^
midnightmedley@gmail.com
Thanks for the giveaway. I really want to read this book!
bwormblogger@gmail.com
This does sound good. Thank you.
jackleen@nfc.ca
I want itttt :)
the_ish122@yahoo.com
Have seen this b ook reviewed a few times.
Would love a chance to win.
I am a follower.
forevereading at gmail dot com
Thank you for the chance to win! edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom GFC Krystal Larson
You make me want to read this book! Thanks for the great review.
suzebomb(at)gmail.com
Sounds like an entertaining read! --Corinne :)
proctsa23@gmail.com
Thank you for this giveaway! I'm joining so I can relate with the fun you had reading this book.
Nancy @ Simple Clockwork
www.nancycudis.com
enarse(at)gmail.com
Your review really sparked my interest in this book! Count me in.
laurafabiani at videotron dot ca
Thanks for the giveaway.
klepard94(at)yahoo(dot)com
This sounds awesome!
sweetheart8181@yahoo.com
My niece would love this book.
janetoney@comcast.net
This sounds like what my daughter would enjoy reading.
jenswps at yahoo . com
Sound very interesting
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katklaw777 at yahoo dot com
Sounds like a book I'd enjoy, thanks!
tweeted...
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My daughter would SO love this! (Corey Olomon)(olomon@hotmail.com)
I tweeted you at: http://twitter.com/#!/coreyTX/status/141845818431913985 (Corey Olomon)(olomon@Hotmail.com)
Thanks for the chance to win!
sarasarasweet@aol.com
Looks like a good book!:) Thanks for the chance!
trixie420247 at yahoo dot com
I would love to win this book! Thanks for the chance!
kerrie@mayansfamily.com
This totally sounds intriguing! It's also interesting that it's a girl turning a boy bad instead of the boy trying to turn the girl bad, which is what we hear more often. Way for the author to turn that trope on its ear! :D
mercedesyardley@gmail.com
Looks like a great book!
britibee@gmail.com
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/britibee/status/141986668642189312
britibee@gmail.com
Sarah Walker
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Robin Blankenship
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awesome review-would love to read this book
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google+ the giveaway
laurie1993@verizon.net
I would LOVE this book! looking to stock my shelves as a new teacher!
jessie.s.clark@gmail.com
Thanks for the giveaway! jessicapeeling@yahoo.com
Tweeted the giveaway: https://twitter.com/#!/imaroughgem/status/142092375240622083 (imaroughgem) jessicapeeling@yahoo.com
+1'd the giveaway jessicapeeling@yahoo.com
I'm excited! tristazmail @ yahoo.com
This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the opportunity!
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