Cherry Bomb: The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Better Flirt, a Tougher Chick, and a Hotter Girlfriend--and to Living Life Like a Rock Star

by Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna

Not for the faint of heart, Cherry Bomb is an A-to-Z reference for everything awesome a girl needs to know, including the obvious (style, beauty, dating, and sex tips) and the not-so-obvious (instructions for preparing absinthe, how to hit on a celebrity). It's a girl's guide with a one that shows readers how to identify, go after, and get whatever they want in life -- be it a hot guy, a great job, a mind-blowing orgasm, or a sexy new look -- all while marching to her own (rock) beat.

Bona fide rock chick Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna's tips are smart, funny, edgy, and will empower women to veer away from the pack, work every situation to their advantage, and look cool while doing it. She's also recruited a rocking list of contributors who offer advice on all things cool,

The perfect guide for the female who prefers black nail polish to French manicures, who would only be caught in pearls if they were paired with a cool black tank top, and who prefers Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier to any Klein (Calvin or Anne), Coach, or Kate Spade, Cherry Bomb will have readers taking chances and daring to be different.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Music

240 pages, Hardcover

First published August 5, 2008

About the author

Carrie Borzillo (formerly Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna) is an American music and entertainment journalist and author of three books on aspects of the entertainment industry and of one advice book.

Reviews

[Ashly Nagrant · Rating 2 out of 5]

The thing is, this book confused me. Some of the advice was fantastic: Betsy Johnson on taking risks and finding your personal style, tips on confidence, travel advice, great! However, just as I was getting into the groove, I'd run across something that punched me in the gut: "How to be a Hotter girlfriend in 30 days" was basically "giving your man stereotypical guy things without question." Cosmo-esque quizzes for "are you bisexual or not?" that rate your sexual orientation by how you feel about Gwen Stefani's voice. And the kicker "How to tell if your boyfriend is gay" chart which ends with a quote from Katy Perry, a pop star who wrote a hit song confessing that she believes if a man bathes more than once a month he's clearly s-ing some serious d.

There was so much potential good here that it's crap to see it pulled down by what basically comes down to dumb gender stereotypes and heteronormativity, especially given the book's basis in rock and roll. The genre that gave us Bowie and Queen has no room for that noise.

[Michaela Osiecki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heternormative bunk geared towards grooming impressionable young women for the male gaze.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The contributions by real life rock stars, designers and all-around cool chicks of the likes of Terri Nunn, Tori Amos Dita Von Teese and others were four star-worthy, full of practical and interesting suggestions and anecdotes (Von Teese's included step-by-step instructions on how to do a top-notch strip tease and included information on the best places to find the perfect lingerie). Unfortunately, the quizzes and general tips and tricks Borzillo-Vrenna supplied herself really didn't supply much that the average girl couldn't have come up with herself. Overall, it sounds more like an outsider's guide to the rock scene than the insider's guide it claims to be, but the guest contributor's pieces are fun and worth checking out.

[Gevera Piedmont · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not the target audience for this. If you are young, thin, single and care a lot about what others think of you, you'll enjoy it.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Crap I already knew but thought it would be a fun confidence booster and quick read! I did enjoy!

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this book really had advice for just about every girl out there. Is every piece of advice for everyone? Of course not. Loved that she brought all sorts of voices in. Everyone from Kat Von D to Dita Von Teese to Katy Perry. Definitely an entertaining read!

[Autumn Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found on a Goodwill shelf during a 50% off weekend so this lovely was only 99c and is now a permanent addition to my shelves. Best part? Band member descriptions were SPOT ON.

[Shirin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is really dumb, but it's also one of my guilty pleasures.

The best parts are the contributions from Terri Nunn, Betsey Johnson, Jessicka Addams, Dita von Teese, Lisa Loeb, Samantha Maloney, Tori Amos, Anna Sui, and Louise Post.

But it's dragged down by really aggressive heteronormativity and the contribution by Kat von D, who is, imo, one of the most insufferable human beings on this planet next to her former bestie, Jeffree Star. Also, the section about waxing is full of irresponsible misinformation. (In brief: removing pubic hair is not "more hygienic". Indeed, there are no health benefits to hair removal of any kind.)

[Pandora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations, but the only useful thing in here was Tori Amos' life advice about plugging into creativity instead of chaos. The rest of it might appeal to Cosmo readers and under-18's, but this isn't going to teach anyone else anything new.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a good, light, fun read.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like it. Tips on how to look graceful when sloshed off your tits, and witty advice from rock stars/fashion designers/tattoo artists/burlesque performers etc.

[Tifinie · Rating 4 out of 5]

its a good book for all the bad ass girls out there. i learned so much from this book it wow. i will give this book for any girl who wants to learn how to be kick ass and sexy at the same time

[Regina Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun fun fun

[Kryssy G · Rating 2 out of 5]

kind of corny.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't take it seriously though but was definitely a confident booster to me.