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Plumb Crazy
Small town country girl Elva Presley Hicks is about to attend her five-year class reunion with her best friends, Shay and Margarett.
The discovery of an old fanfic manuscript stirs up memories of her summer job as a plumber’s helper in Houston the summer before senior year. She earned a lot of money that year, but was lonely as heck.
It's not like there weren't any suitors back then. Elva could have chosen between Chase, the obese pig farmer, and Wyatt, the plumber with wandering hands. But Elva yearned for something more, and found it that fateful summer, with electrician, Mitch McCall.
It was magical. Mitch wasn't turned off by Elva's name or fan fiction writing, and Elva didn't lose interest in Mitch after he cut off his nose at work.
Trials and triumphs followed including a friendship implosion, world-wide fanfic humiliation, and goat salvation. It would go down as the most memorable summer of high school.
But as these things sometimes do, the summer romance fizzled and Elva moved on to life after high school. And while she's ready to reminisce, she is unnerved when she runs into Mitch at the reunion. Can they give it another go after so much time has passed, or are they too different now to even try?
The discovery of an old fanfic manuscript stirs up memories of her summer job as a plumber’s helper in Houston the summer before senior year. She earned a lot of money that year, but was lonely as heck.
It's not like there weren't any suitors back then. Elva could have chosen between Chase, the obese pig farmer, and Wyatt, the plumber with wandering hands. But Elva yearned for something more, and found it that fateful summer, with electrician, Mitch McCall.
It was magical. Mitch wasn't turned off by Elva's name or fan fiction writing, and Elva didn't lose interest in Mitch after he cut off his nose at work.
Trials and triumphs followed including a friendship implosion, world-wide fanfic humiliation, and goat salvation. It would go down as the most memorable summer of high school.
But as these things sometimes do, the summer romance fizzled and Elva moved on to life after high school. And while she's ready to reminisce, she is unnerved when she runs into Mitch at the reunion. Can they give it another go after so much time has passed, or are they too different now to even try?
- GenresRomance
ebook
First published March 20, 2012
11 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Molly Blaisdell
30 books73 followersMolly Blaisdell is a dash of fun, mixed in with some smart cookie and a splash of capable. She started her first fan fiction group in junior high and never stopped writing. Today, she writes about geeky girls with lofty dreams and about the absolute craziness of falling in love.
When Molly's not writing, she curls up with a book, heads to a popcorn blockbuster, or kicks back to watch shooting stars. If she sees the moon in the daytime, she thinks she's lucky.
Molly is the mom of four and lives in College Station, Texas with her college sweetheart Tim and two cats – one evil and one good.
She's also the author 30 books for young children, including THE BIG FUZZY COAT (MeeGenius, ebook), REMBRANDT AND THE BOY WHO DREW DOGS (Barron’s), and THE TRUTH ABOUT UNICORNS (Capstone Press).
She also writes as Cece Barlow for teens and the young at heart.
She inspires artists of all kinds with her weekly blog:
Seize the Day -- http://www.mollyblaisdell.blogspot.com.
When Molly's not writing, she curls up with a book, heads to a popcorn blockbuster, or kicks back to watch shooting stars. If she sees the moon in the daytime, she thinks she's lucky.
Molly is the mom of four and lives in College Station, Texas with her college sweetheart Tim and two cats – one evil and one good.
She's also the author 30 books for young children, including THE BIG FUZZY COAT (MeeGenius, ebook), REMBRANDT AND THE BOY WHO DREW DOGS (Barron’s), and THE TRUTH ABOUT UNICORNS (Capstone Press).
She also writes as Cece Barlow for teens and the young at heart.
She inspires artists of all kinds with her weekly blog:
Seize the Day -- http://www.mollyblaisdell.blogspot.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 8, 2014
I will admit at the outset that this book was challenging for me to review. On the one hand, I am a mother who doesn't always "get" young adult books. On the other hand, I have a pre-teen who may ask to read this book one day. To give the fairest and most balanced review, I felt that I had to review it from both angles. I would definitely give this book and overall review of 3.5.
Speaking from a mother's perspective, I wish that the profanity had not been included. But thankfully there were no intimate scenes. I realize that the case could be made that "all" teens talk like that anyway, but if a book is considered young adult, I do tend to hold it to higher standards. While I would permit my daughter to read this book as a teenager, I would caution her about the language. The religious issues that were mentioned did not seem to be somewhat out of place, but that's merely my personal preference.
Speaking from a teen's perspective, I believe that the quirky humor and characters would resonate with most teenage girls. The book does tackle tough issues, and I am pleased that the main character works very hard at her summer job. It also was a quick read which is always a plus for young adult books!
If you have a teenage daughter who likes romance and humor, this just may be the book for her!
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine
Speaking from a mother's perspective, I wish that the profanity had not been included. But thankfully there were no intimate scenes. I realize that the case could be made that "all" teens talk like that anyway, but if a book is considered young adult, I do tend to hold it to higher standards. While I would permit my daughter to read this book as a teenager, I would caution her about the language. The religious issues that were mentioned did not seem to be somewhat out of place, but that's merely my personal preference.
Speaking from a teen's perspective, I believe that the quirky humor and characters would resonate with most teenage girls. The book does tackle tough issues, and I am pleased that the main character works very hard at her summer job. It also was a quick read which is always a plus for young adult books!
If you have a teenage daughter who likes romance and humor, this just may be the book for her!
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine
January 27, 2014
Disclaimer: I read this book in draft form. It was great then. I'm betting it's magnificent now.
I love Elva Presley Hicks. She's like a teenage Scout Finch transplanted to today's Texas--a tomboy yet captivating; tough yet vulnerable; practical yet highly imaginative. Oh yes, and romantic. This can be a bit challenging when your job is that of plumber's helper.
Life gets interesting at the work sites as the boys--especially one named Mitch--check her out.
On the side, Elva writes Star Trek fan fiction and nurtures a herd of baby goats. Her dream--to get out of small-town Texas, and to fall in love.
What I like most about Elva is that while she's hyper aware of her awkwardness, she's oblivious of her grace. This makes her all the more appealing.
Molly Blaisdell captures Texas in all its heat, starkness, beauty, and softness. And she captures the mind and heart of a teenage girl like nobody else.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I love Elva Presley Hicks. She's like a teenage Scout Finch transplanted to today's Texas--a tomboy yet captivating; tough yet vulnerable; practical yet highly imaginative. Oh yes, and romantic. This can be a bit challenging when your job is that of plumber's helper.
Life gets interesting at the work sites as the boys--especially one named Mitch--check her out.
On the side, Elva writes Star Trek fan fiction and nurtures a herd of baby goats. Her dream--to get out of small-town Texas, and to fall in love.
What I like most about Elva is that while she's hyper aware of her awkwardness, she's oblivious of her grace. This makes her all the more appealing.
Molly Blaisdell captures Texas in all its heat, starkness, beauty, and softness. And she captures the mind and heart of a teenage girl like nobody else.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
August 6, 2014
this was wonderful. Loved the humour and the look back. I loved that the characters were flawed. The growing the characters do in that summer is great to see. Elva learns to that everyone is flawed and beautiful at the same time. She also begins to see who she is and what she wants. It was sad how her and Mitch drifted away.
the book is a flashback of a summer that was important in Elva and her friends lives. The summer everything changed and they grew up. This is done as she is going to her reunion. Each girl goes through their own transformation and growing. One rebels and learns the hard way about friendship and loyalty, another to gain freedom flees into the first person who shows her kindness and love that doesn't come with strings and with this she lashes out when someone who cares about her points it out and the third gains self esteem, learns who she is and what she wants and finds that truth is best when it comes from those who care. She has first love and heartache, acceptance and joy but also learns she can stand on her own and be proud of who she is and what she does.
We see compassion and humour throughout the book. We also see how no matter what and no matter how these three act out at each other they are always there for each other. The summer before their senior year transformed them and had them become adults in ways beyond what they thought.
Once at the reunion Elva is brought to realize that sometimes love has no expiration date and will be waiting for you for when you are ready and open to it again. All you have to do is accept it and allow it in.
the characters are unique and funny. Each one you will love and with the humour that is placed throughout the book you will fall for even the dorkiest moments.
a truly wonderful funny book that has romance and growth but shows us that love is enduring and so is friendship.
the book is a flashback of a summer that was important in Elva and her friends lives. The summer everything changed and they grew up. This is done as she is going to her reunion. Each girl goes through their own transformation and growing. One rebels and learns the hard way about friendship and loyalty, another to gain freedom flees into the first person who shows her kindness and love that doesn't come with strings and with this she lashes out when someone who cares about her points it out and the third gains self esteem, learns who she is and what she wants and finds that truth is best when it comes from those who care. She has first love and heartache, acceptance and joy but also learns she can stand on her own and be proud of who she is and what she does.
We see compassion and humour throughout the book. We also see how no matter what and no matter how these three act out at each other they are always there for each other. The summer before their senior year transformed them and had them become adults in ways beyond what they thought.
Once at the reunion Elva is brought to realize that sometimes love has no expiration date and will be waiting for you for when you are ready and open to it again. All you have to do is accept it and allow it in.
the characters are unique and funny. Each one you will love and with the humour that is placed throughout the book you will fall for even the dorkiest moments.
a truly wonderful funny book that has romance and growth but shows us that love is enduring and so is friendship.
August 10, 2014
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Plumb Crazy was just that – crazy. It was quirky and awkward. But, it was also heartwarming and full of feels. If I'm honest, it did take me a little bit of time to get into this book. The characters were odd and the setting was difficult for me to imagine at first, but after a few chapters, I was pulled in and couldn't stop reading.
It is, without a doubt, the characters that make this book. From Elva to Shay and Margarett to Chase and Mitch, each of the characters brought something truly special and unique to the table. Elva was an incredible character. She was awkward and geeky and she knew it. She never pretended to be something she wasn't. I loved watching her grow over the course of the summer working the very unglamorous job of a plumber's assistant. She was determined and real. And extremely lovable. Mitch was adorable. I was rooting for them from the start. I loved the banter between them. They had great chemistry.
There were loads of funny moments, but there were also a fair number of more serious issues addressed throughout the book. Not only did it have a cute romance, but I also enjoyed the focus on family and friendships. The characters were a bit over-the-top at times, but that was part of Plumb Crazy's charm. The Star Trek references, fanfic writing and goat-saving just added even more to it.
I do feel the blurb was a wee bit misleading for this book. The majority of it is set during the flashback, with very little time actually devoted to present-day Elva. But you know what? I wouldn't have had it any other way. (Ok, I would have LOVED a bit more time with the present day characters only because, you know, swoons. But, I'm greedy like that.) Other than that, I wouldn't have changed a single thing about this book. If you like your heroines quirky and awkward and your books with a whole lot of humor and heart, you should definitely check out Plumb Crazy.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Plumb Crazy was just that – crazy. It was quirky and awkward. But, it was also heartwarming and full of feels. If I'm honest, it did take me a little bit of time to get into this book. The characters were odd and the setting was difficult for me to imagine at first, but after a few chapters, I was pulled in and couldn't stop reading.
It is, without a doubt, the characters that make this book. From Elva to Shay and Margarett to Chase and Mitch, each of the characters brought something truly special and unique to the table. Elva was an incredible character. She was awkward and geeky and she knew it. She never pretended to be something she wasn't. I loved watching her grow over the course of the summer working the very unglamorous job of a plumber's assistant. She was determined and real. And extremely lovable. Mitch was adorable. I was rooting for them from the start. I loved the banter between them. They had great chemistry.
There were loads of funny moments, but there were also a fair number of more serious issues addressed throughout the book. Not only did it have a cute romance, but I also enjoyed the focus on family and friendships. The characters were a bit over-the-top at times, but that was part of Plumb Crazy's charm. The Star Trek references, fanfic writing and goat-saving just added even more to it.
I do feel the blurb was a wee bit misleading for this book. The majority of it is set during the flashback, with very little time actually devoted to present-day Elva. But you know what? I wouldn't have had it any other way. (Ok, I would have LOVED a bit more time with the present day characters only because, you know, swoons. But, I'm greedy like that.) Other than that, I wouldn't have changed a single thing about this book. If you like your heroines quirky and awkward and your books with a whole lot of humor and heart, you should definitely check out Plumb Crazy.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2014
Blaisdell's book PLUMB CRAZY is brilliant! Working as a plumber's helper through the blazing hot Texas summer while seeking a "smokin' hot boyfriend", Elva braves humiliation on her way to emancipation. With lively language, sassy humor, and unforgettable characters, PLUMB CRAZY is a sheer delight.
May 18, 2015
This is a fun and heartwarming book. Geeky, overweight Elva is an unexpected heroine for the ages. Readers will love following along as she navigates changing friendships and the quest for love, and uncovers her own strengths as she learns to be a plumber's assistant.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews