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30 Guys in 30 Days
Practice makes not-quite-perfect.
Claudia Clarkson just cut the cord from her high school love-you-forever boyfriend. Sure, she misses Drew. But with so many eligibles on her new college campus, why study ancient history?
Problem is, CLaudia's lived in la-la-loveland for so long that she's completely forgotten how to meet boys - and how to flirt.
Then her roommate proposes a solution: Meet one new guy every day for thirty days. Consider it "target practice" for when Mr. Perfect comes along. Claudia's game, but she definitely hasn't got game. In fact, Flirting 101 could be her toughest course to pass...
Claudia Clarkson just cut the cord from her high school love-you-forever boyfriend. Sure, she misses Drew. But with so many eligibles on her new college campus, why study ancient history?
Problem is, CLaudia's lived in la-la-loveland for so long that she's completely forgotten how to meet boys - and how to flirt.
Then her roommate proposes a solution: Meet one new guy every day for thirty days. Consider it "target practice" for when Mr. Perfect comes along. Claudia's game, but she definitely hasn't got game. In fact, Flirting 101 could be her toughest course to pass...
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 31, 2005
18 people are currently reading
1529 people want to read
About the author
Micol Ostow
78 books392 followersMicol Ostow has been writing professionally since 2004, and in that time has written and/or ghostwritten over 40 published works for young readers. She started her reign of terror with Egmont with her novel FAMILY, which Elizabeth Burns named a favorite of 2012 on her School Library Journal-syndicated blog, A Chair, a Fireplace, a Tea Cozy. Micol's graphic novel, SO PUNK ROCK (and Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother), was named a 2009 Booklist Top Ten Arts Books for Youth Selection, a Booklist Top Ten Religion Books for Youth Selection, and a Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Teens. She received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Her young adult horror novel, AMITY, will release from Egmont in August 2014, and her first chapter book series, LOUISE TRAPEZE, will debut in Spring 2015 from Random House.
She lives and works in Brooklyn, NY, alongside her Emmy Award-winning husband, their daughter, and a finicky French bulldog. Visit her at www.micolostow.com.
Her young adult horror novel, AMITY, will release from Egmont in August 2014, and her first chapter book series, LOUISE TRAPEZE, will debut in Spring 2015 from Random House.
She lives and works in Brooklyn, NY, alongside her Emmy Award-winning husband, their daughter, and a finicky French bulldog. Visit her at www.micolostow.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 21, 2014
This just wasn't my sort of thing. Aside from the fact that Claudia was an idiot and kind of a bitch, I hated the weird email crossed with normal first person story telling format style. And there were errors and typo's. And the ending was predictable from the beginning. All in all, I didn't hate it but it just wasn't for me.
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April 26, 2010Can you say clingy? Well yes, I can, because she is. She broke up with her long term boyfriend of 4 years right before she went to college. But yet she still manages to find herself a boyfriend that has the same personality as her ex so she is still in the comfort zone. The ending was very predictable, not the best, but it wasnt the worst book ever.
Read
August 19, 2023you want me to believe they had a full DAILY campus paper with a couple of students taking writing jobs whenever they felt like it?
June 2, 2021
this was so fun and gave me all the fun 2000s vibes i needed. it was surprisingly less problematic than i thought it would be for a book from the early 2000s, and i was also surprised at how relevant alot of the pop culture references were (beyonce, eminem, etc.). they werent THAT many pop culture references but the ones that were there were all relevant and could be placed in the current time. ik it hasnt been that long but this just reminds me why im so opposed to overusing and just generally using overly specific pop culture reference in current novels i read. anyway all that to say that i think early 2000s rom coms are now my go to for slumps or slumpy moods. im so happy is stumbled upon this whole genre of books
December 20, 2010
It's a light read that is somewhat pleasurable, although after finishing it I got the impression that it was kind of a waste of my time. The main character had sex with someone, which was unnecessary to the storyline, but thankfully no details were given. That lowered the rating of this book by one star. The storyline sounds interesting, but in reality the whole plot seemed like it was about the main character going around in a circle with her relationships. You will see what I mean if you decide to pick up this book. It's not bad, but there are better books out there that are more worth your time.
January 15, 2012
My first book read of these series-like books.
The beginning was a bit slow and made me bored, but the rest of the book was quite nice. I loved the ending!
The beginning was a bit slow and made me bored, but the rest of the book was quite nice. I loved the ending!
August 15, 2015
Hahahha wow !!! this book got me laughing XD! Definitely enjoyed it and it deserves a big fat 5★ rating :))))))
December 25, 2021
Very funny cute story
October 22, 2009
couldn't relate.
February 20, 2020
1.5 stars. Close to hating this but the writing was OK so that got it an extra half star.
Read it because it looked like a quick read and I needed that, but after a while I was starting to hate read. The heroine (Claudia), starting college for the first time, gives herself an assignment to chat with one new guy a day for a month to make herself comfortable with flirting and maybe get a new boyfriend. What follows is supposed to be humourous but it was an endless slog of embarrassing situations until she finally ends up with the guy you knew she would. I felt so much cringe reading it and every new encounter I was bracing myself for whatever new fresh hell the writer was going to bestow (her pants split exposing her underwear at one point?? I can't even). Utter cringefest.
On top of this it had some stupid and immature logic about relationships and I just...I contemplated chucking this book across the room. Also clearly had no idea what computer science classes are like in college.
Read it because it looked like a quick read and I needed that, but after a while I was starting to hate read. The heroine (Claudia), starting college for the first time, gives herself an assignment to chat with one new guy a day for a month to make herself comfortable with flirting and maybe get a new boyfriend. What follows is supposed to be humourous but it was an endless slog of embarrassing situations until she finally ends up with the guy you knew she would. I felt so much cringe reading it and every new encounter I was bracing myself for whatever new fresh hell the writer was going to bestow (her pants split exposing her underwear at one point?? I can't even). Utter cringefest.
On top of this it had some stupid and immature logic about relationships and I just...I contemplated chucking this book across the room. Also clearly had no idea what computer science classes are like in college.
June 16, 2017
What a cute little read :). Well not very little, but still. I liked seeing someone struggeling with their guys issues and the idea of 30 guys in 30 days was quite cute. I didn't see the end coming quite like it had (maybe I'm as blind as a bat because I should have) but I loved it.
If you want to read about someone else having love issues to get you're mind off you're own read this one!!
If you want to read about someone else having love issues to get you're mind off you're own read this one!!
June 26, 2017
cute chick lit, predictable
July 18, 2017
3.5 stars
It took me a little bit to get into it, but once I did it was a cute book
It took me a little bit to get into it, but once I did it was a cute book
April 20, 2020
This book was pretty good. It was honestly better than I thought it was going to be, and it was entertaining.
September 24, 2012
Not my favorite of the romantic comedies. There were a few consistency errors (Brett vs Jesse in comp sci) and the prevalency of alcohol to underage college students made me ill. Yes, I am in college and have several underage friends who drink, but I was really uncomfortable with all the businesses who supplied alcohol to minors. That's not how it works. Also, I felt like the number of guys was a little off. Maybe I counted wrong, but it seemed like Claudia's numbers weren't completely accurate. My favorite character is Charlie because she actually has real conflict and resolution.
Claudia seems a little immature. It's frustrating to watch the main character remain flat. She breaks up with her 4-year high school boyfriend (but makes sure to have break up sex), becomes obsessed with startinging a relationship with one of her "targets" (because it's apparently really weird to talk to a different member of the male gender on a daily basis, but if you're going to do it, obviously you'll start dating one of them immediately), actually starts dating one of said targets who happens to be exactly like her high school boyfriend (down to the nickname and tendency to kiss on the forehead), then breaks up with the new guy after one month, then is sad her crush is hurt by her having a boyfriend, then ends up with said crush. Claudia clearly DOES need to be single because she has no idea how to not define herself without a boyfriend. Her feminist sister should be appalled, rather than blandly supportive.
That being said, the premise is interesting and the execution isn't terrible. I think if Claudia were a stronger character, the book would have been much better, but it's a short, sweet read regardless. Bravo to Ostow for creating a fairly realistic college atmosphere with classes, homework, activities, weird Greek happenings (both pro and con), and a busy coffee shop: all essential to the way college is actually experienced.
Read it: if you like short high school/college contemp rom coms, especially the Simon Pulse
Skip it: if you're looking for something with round characters or "real conflict"
Similar books:
Getting to Third Date: Simon Pulse RomCom set in college. Characters are members of the newspaper staff. Main character is forced to revisit old dates to see if she is too picky with her two-date rule. Of course, things don't go as planned. Romantic hijinks ensue.
Boycotts & Barflies: Three girls set up a boy boycott because they are tired of dating losers. They go outside their comfort zone to expereince new things or new people. Three boys bet they can outlast each other in a no-sex bet because they are tired of hooking up with low-class girls they meet at their bartending job. Romantic hijinks ensue.
Claudia seems a little immature. It's frustrating to watch the main character remain flat. She breaks up with her 4-year high school boyfriend (but makes sure to have break up sex), becomes obsessed with startinging a relationship with one of her "targets" (because it's apparently really weird to talk to a different member of the male gender on a daily basis, but if you're going to do it, obviously you'll start dating one of them immediately), actually starts dating one of said targets who happens to be exactly like her high school boyfriend (down to the nickname and tendency to kiss on the forehead), then breaks up with the new guy after one month, then is sad her crush is hurt by her having a boyfriend, then ends up with said crush. Claudia clearly DOES need to be single because she has no idea how to not define herself without a boyfriend. Her feminist sister should be appalled, rather than blandly supportive.
That being said, the premise is interesting and the execution isn't terrible. I think if Claudia were a stronger character, the book would have been much better, but it's a short, sweet read regardless. Bravo to Ostow for creating a fairly realistic college atmosphere with classes, homework, activities, weird Greek happenings (both pro and con), and a busy coffee shop: all essential to the way college is actually experienced.
Read it: if you like short high school/college contemp rom coms, especially the Simon Pulse
Skip it: if you're looking for something with round characters or "real conflict"
Similar books:
Getting to Third Date: Simon Pulse RomCom set in college. Characters are members of the newspaper staff. Main character is forced to revisit old dates to see if she is too picky with her two-date rule. Of course, things don't go as planned. Romantic hijinks ensue.
Boycotts & Barflies: Three girls set up a boy boycott because they are tired of dating losers. They go outside their comfort zone to expereince new things or new people. Three boys bet they can outlast each other in a no-sex bet because they are tired of hooking up with low-class girls they meet at their bartending job. Romantic hijinks ensue.
November 13, 2009
Y'see, I've been reading mistly horror books since I was like 13 or so (with mysteries and a few other things put in there within the last 3 years and the sprinking of the List Of Shame authors). So I've been lately on a kick of "let's try something new". That could be anything (except straight up harlequin romance, I will never do that. The romantic comedies, that's fine. Luanne Rice's family-drama with romance IN it, that's fine. Straight up romance novels- NEVER).
But I digress, this book CRACKS ME UP.
It's about a girl named Claudia Clarkson who started her first year at Woodman University (a small college outside of Boston). She just broke up with her high school sweetheart Drew and is feeling lonely and socially awkward. She joins the newspaper staff, meets a guy named Gabe Flynn who she falls head over heels in love with but BAM he has a (picture perfect model type) girlfriend, who's so sugary sweet you sort of want to punch her. So her roomie (a hilarious southern belle beauty queen sorority girl with a surprisingly dirty mind) decides Claudia needs to get some target practice, (get her flirt on, in modern-day girl speak). So she decides to try to chat/flirt with/etc 30 guys in 30 days. What follows is a month of hilariously embarrassing moments in which the socially awkward and shamefully clumsy Claudia tries to flirt with the cute guys she sees- with results that had me (and yes even Bree; who has to suffer through my reading or summarizing excerpts constantly) rolling on the floor laughing.
And what I like about it, is the main character is so LIKABLE. Being that the book isn't written for my crowd (the socially rejected goth crowd) she's the normal all American girl (from northern New Jersey, go figure). She wears Old Navy, listens to top 40 music, has a shameful familiarity with Brittney Spears (but at least likes Eminem). But she's .... normal. She's not super pretty, super suave, etc as many girls are in chicklit (see VC Andrews). She's just an average girl with low levels of confidence, jeans & tshirt Old Navy/Gap type who has a crush on a cute (but sort of music snobby type) indie guy (Gabe). She's so LIKABLE. And she's fucking hilarious, witty as all hell. And if there's one thing I love it's self deprecating humor.
SO in short; I am glad I decided to branch out.
AND I am glad I grabbed another book by Micol Ostow to read when I finish this one
But I digress, this book CRACKS ME UP.
It's about a girl named Claudia Clarkson who started her first year at Woodman University (a small college outside of Boston). She just broke up with her high school sweetheart Drew and is feeling lonely and socially awkward. She joins the newspaper staff, meets a guy named Gabe Flynn who she falls head over heels in love with but BAM he has a (picture perfect model type) girlfriend, who's so sugary sweet you sort of want to punch her. So her roomie (a hilarious southern belle beauty queen sorority girl with a surprisingly dirty mind) decides Claudia needs to get some target practice, (get her flirt on, in modern-day girl speak). So she decides to try to chat/flirt with/etc 30 guys in 30 days. What follows is a month of hilariously embarrassing moments in which the socially awkward and shamefully clumsy Claudia tries to flirt with the cute guys she sees- with results that had me (and yes even Bree; who has to suffer through my reading or summarizing excerpts constantly) rolling on the floor laughing.
And what I like about it, is the main character is so LIKABLE. Being that the book isn't written for my crowd (the socially rejected goth crowd) she's the normal all American girl (from northern New Jersey, go figure). She wears Old Navy, listens to top 40 music, has a shameful familiarity with Brittney Spears (but at least likes Eminem). But she's .... normal. She's not super pretty, super suave, etc as many girls are in chicklit (see VC Andrews). She's just an average girl with low levels of confidence, jeans & tshirt Old Navy/Gap type who has a crush on a cute (but sort of music snobby type) indie guy (Gabe). She's so LIKABLE. And she's fucking hilarious, witty as all hell. And if there's one thing I love it's self deprecating humor.
SO in short; I am glad I decided to branch out.
AND I am glad I grabbed another book by Micol Ostow to read when I finish this one
October 8, 2012
The book was okay. It made me smile in a few parts and definately had the romance factor that I like in my books. It was so funny what happened to Claudia in the gym for "target practice" when her target was Tad. That would have been awkward for both Claudia and Tad although I'd rather have been Tad in that situation instead of Claudia. I just knew something bad was going to happen when she got all over-confident and said she could hold her own when Tad asked. At least Tad was nice enough to let her wear his sweatshirt back to her dorm room. Also I could totally see myself making the mistake of what she did with Jesse when she assumed that he was straight and had a girlfriend when in fact he was gay and had a boyfriend. My gay-dar isn't that good either, so I would probably do that. At least it helped boost her comp-sci grade up. I was so happy when Sean Brightman asked her out, but unfortunately he was just a comfort zone, but he was so cool with them breaking up; it was so unreal. I'm so glad that Gabe and Claudia got together though. Kyra totally had me and Claudia believing that they were actually going out. It was so sweet how Gabe made up to Claudia with them meeting in front of Bringham Hall with all that stuff. The nerf board for "target practice", the deck of cards, and the proposal of just staying in and playing games. It was so ironic and cool how he connected his gifts and his apology to the whole game/"target practice" idea. I'm glad it all worked out for them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2010
I have to give the book 4 stars just because of the amount of laughs I had from reading this book.
Claudia is starting college. She has had this remarkable boyfriend for the past 4 years. She decided that they should part ways. But after 4 years of dating the same boy she realizes she doesn't know how to talk and flirt with a boy. Thus comes the challenge from her roommate to practice. She is suppose to talk to 30 guys in 30 days to help her adjust. Along the way there are some pretty funny parts but the most humorous parts are while she is emailing her sister.
***Spoiler Alert from here **** Now my complaint, the main love story is completely lame. So she meets this really cute guy at the newspaper. But it seems that he is in a relationship with this girl. He never says he is interested or acts like he is interested. So in the end when he gets angry with her and storms off and then they get back together to kiss and he invites her to spend the weekend with him I was wondering what in the world was up with that. So for the romance of the story I would give it one star but because of the humor I still enjoyed the book. There were other things that frustrated me about the book but I thought it was funny!
Claudia is starting college. She has had this remarkable boyfriend for the past 4 years. She decided that they should part ways. But after 4 years of dating the same boy she realizes she doesn't know how to talk and flirt with a boy. Thus comes the challenge from her roommate to practice. She is suppose to talk to 30 guys in 30 days to help her adjust. Along the way there are some pretty funny parts but the most humorous parts are while she is emailing her sister.
***Spoiler Alert from here **** Now my complaint, the main love story is completely lame. So she meets this really cute guy at the newspaper. But it seems that he is in a relationship with this girl. He never says he is interested or acts like he is interested. So in the end when he gets angry with her and storms off and then they get back together to kiss and he invites her to spend the weekend with him I was wondering what in the world was up with that. So for the romance of the story I would give it one star but because of the humor I still enjoyed the book. There were other things that frustrated me about the book but I thought it was funny!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2011
I laughed my self silly. I mean seriously I was laughing so hard I cried.
If all her books are this way I'll have to read more.
This one made me wish I'd gone away to college I mean seriously I think even if this is nothing like real life the experience of being on own is key to like yourself and becoming who you are meant to be.
Cute book; adore Claudia and her "Georgia Peach" roommate (probably because I'm a GA Peach) and the gym scene; read and you'll know what I mean almost had me falling in the floor. Gabe is such a dork for not noticing what Kyra was up to...You'll see what I mean. I understand the dynamic between her and Drew (comfort zone) and her and Sean but was glad to see what she was doing before too long.
This isn't a edgy read or anything just lots of fun which is a nice refreshing change.
If all her books are this way I'll have to read more.
This one made me wish I'd gone away to college I mean seriously I think even if this is nothing like real life the experience of being on own is key to like yourself and becoming who you are meant to be.
Cute book; adore Claudia and her "Georgia Peach" roommate (probably because I'm a GA Peach) and the gym scene; read and you'll know what I mean almost had me falling in the floor. Gabe is such a dork for not noticing what Kyra was up to...You'll see what I mean. I understand the dynamic between her and Drew (comfort zone) and her and Sean but was glad to see what she was doing before too long.
This isn't a edgy read or anything just lots of fun which is a nice refreshing change.
February 2, 2011
Claudia was headed off to college and decided she needed to find herself while away. She figured if she has a boyfriend that she has been with for over 4 yrs she won't be able to figure out what she wants and who he is. You really had the idea of what Claudia's character was like. You also could easily fall in love with Gabe. The idea of the plot was great but the execution of it not so much. I really felt the ending lacked. I didn't quite know how it ended like it did. The ex-boyfriend you really felt for. I never felt there was a reason why they should have broken up. So I will take the good with the bad. 30 Guys in 30 days was a light and fun read. I recommend this for car reads & office wait reads. I liked that the book was small enough to stuff in my purse. It's quick and easy read.
April 28, 2013
The book is good enough for light reading... you might think the girl's a bitch cause the title is '30 guys in 30 days' it kinda sounds like she had sex everyday with different guys for 30 days in a row. Well let me tell you that its's not. It's actually a story of a girl who just broke up with her boyfriend (whom she loved so much) and just can't get over him, so her best friend at her new college gave her this training sort of game to talk to one guy per day for 30 days.
I also like this book because the guy's name is Gabriel Flynn, almost identical to mine XP
Don't judge a book by its cover, in this case, don't judge it by its title.
I also like this book because the guy's name is Gabriel Flynn, almost identical to mine XP
Don't judge a book by its cover, in this case, don't judge it by its title.
February 23, 2008
This book was okay for me because it took me quite a while to read. It wasn't one of the best because I have read better. But this book was about college people partying and finding guys. But this one girl named Claudia had an ex who is in a different school as her. Her roommate encouraged her to move on and to find another guy. One day her ex came to the bar and saw her and he heard lots of weird stories about her trying to find other guys.
This book has gave me a clear idea of college life and all the partying they do.
This book has gave me a clear idea of college life and all the partying they do.
June 30, 2019
Not terrible, but you won't miss out. I like a book, that plays with the format, but reading to this as an e-book was confusing because of the format, so if you do decide to read it, I would recommend picking it up as a physical book. Maybe that is easier?
However, Claudia, our main character was really quite hard to identify with - I really didn't like her at all and I really do think that the premise of this book could have been better. Chicklits usually don't get five stars from me, but I do enjoy them and I really struggled to get even get through this.
However, Claudia, our main character was really quite hard to identify with - I really didn't like her at all and I really do think that the premise of this book could have been better. Chicklits usually don't get five stars from me, but I do enjoy them and I really struggled to get even get through this.
January 24, 2014
I have read several of the Simon Pulse romantic comedies by now. This one is one of the best. Yes, it's still funny and innocent, but without bordering on silly like some of the other books in this collection. The writing style doesn't feel like it's targeted to a middle school reading level. I would consider this one on a quality level similar to the offerings by Jen Echols. A short, fun, enjoyable read.
November 12, 2011
This was cute, entertaining, lighthearted read. Bets part is reading some of the things that happens to Claudia on this journey. Her embarassing moments is what made the book in my opinion. I couldn't help but laugh at some of the things she did or would say. Makes me think back to some of my more humiliating moments that I now laugh at.
November 24, 2012
A cute, fun, entertaining, quick read, and sooooo relatable! There wasn't much awe-inspiring content or character growth, the plot was pretty simple - find a boyfriend, and there was some unnecessary swearing and content I could have done without, but it was perfect for reminiscing girl-talk about boys, dating awkwardness, and all that fun stuff :)
February 1, 2015
I gotta say this was the best out of the three buffer books I've read compared to the others. This book was kind of everywhere and I kept trying to find the focus of it... Kinda hard to tel when the emails would end or when Claudia was talking to someone in real life.. Really thought she was gonna end up with John ft. His abundant amount of freckles tbh Hahhaha
October 28, 2016
I thought this book was going to be about something nasty but when you actually read it you will realize that it is not you just get twisted in the heading of the book. It's actually about a girl who seeks out to find the man of her dreams the book is very descriptive and I love the characters personalities it is a very good and I think you should read it to find out what happens.
December 5, 2009
A very light read. You almost know the end halfway through the book. You want to finish the book to know the ending and how it happens. Great teenager, fresh easy read. Something to read in an evening.
April 29, 2011
Skinny vanilla decaf extra foam latte -- sweet, frothy angst free w/o a whole lotta substance. A fun & quick read. I did have to wonder if real girls ever talk/think like this, e.g., "I was a smitten kitten?" Take it for what it is, and enjoy the cuteness.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews