Top Ten Clues You're Clueless: A Funny and Heartwarming Young Adult Mystery of Workplace Drama and Teenage Friendship

by Liz Czukas

Top Five Things That Are Ruining Chloe's Day

5) Working the 6:30 a.m. shift at GoodFoods Market

4) Crashing a cart into a customer's car right in front of her snarky coworker Sammi

3) Trying to rock the "drowned rat" look after being caught in a snowstorm

2) Making zero progress with her crush, Tyson (see #3)

1) Being accused—along with her fellow teenage employees— of stealing upwards of $10,000

Chloe would rather be anywhere than locked in work jail (aka the break room) with five of her coworkers . . . even if one of them is Tyson. But if they can band together to clear their names, what looks like a total disaster might just make Chloe's list of Top Ten Best Moments.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Mystery, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Christmas

309 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 9, 2014

About the author

Liz Czukas is the author of fun YA romances like ASK AGAIN LATER (2014) and TOP TEN CLUES YOU'RE CLUELESS (2014), and THROWING MY LIFE AWAY (2016). She also writes fun New Adult romances like WHEN JOSS MET MATT under the name Ellie Cahill.

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Reviews

[Aj the Ravenous Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn’t something I was expecting at all in such a good way. I thought because of the title, it would be about :

a. Overload quirky romance
b. Endless Clueless movie references (when in truth, there was just one)
c. High school cliché

It turned out, I was entirely clueless about what the story was going to be about.

I think anyone who has read this will feel the need to make a sort of list in her review because the book is written with abundant lists which made the writing really unique and enjoyable. I was really surprised I liked the story a lot.

Now, you might say, “When did she ever not like a book?” (haha! *rolls eyes *) Here, let me be clearer on the reasons I enjoyed this. Let’s limit it to ten. (“limit”-haha)

1. Main character. Chloe is adorkably real and hilarious.
”“In a movie, she’d be the foreign-exchange student and I’d be like the friend of the geek the popular guys make a bet over.” LMAO!
2. POV. The story is told by Chloe, a teenage girl, working at GoodFoods Market. How often will you read of a grocery store employee’s perspective of life in general? You’ll be amazed by her daily observations. One thing I learned from her about people. They are weird! I mean WE are weird. Lol!
” Most people speak at least one octave higher when talking to a cop.”
( I thought this was true only when people are talking to their ultimate crush. Lol!)
3. Setting. The entire story takes place at the grocery store in a span of a single day specifically the eve of Christmas.
4. Romance. It’s very subtle and only at the last few pages of the story.
5. Funny teen movie references.
6. These characters- Tyson, Gabe, Zaina, Micah and Sammi including Chloe and how they seem to perfectly represent specific stereotypes and yet strongly disprove them.
7. Plot. It’s really cute how mystery is injected in the story. It’s nothing serious. It’s more like answering who stole the cookie from the cookie jar but it’s still something that will make you tap on your detective skills.
8. The lighthearted tone of the story.
9. The conclusion that hints the start of a really good friendship.
10. The writing which is definitely cute and easy to read.

In short, I enjoyed everything about the book including that awesome cover. I bet you will too.

Super thanks to Marla's short but very convincing review which made me read the book.^^

[aimee (aimeecanread) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Check out our interview with Liz Czukas where she talks about Top Ten Clues! Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy of her other novel, Ask Again Later! Open to US residents only.



Liz Czukas definitely has the whole light, easy read thing down--I'd go far as to say she's a pro at it. But of course, despite being a hilarious and cute read, this book wasn't perfect. Let me list down three reasons why you'll love it, and two reasons why you might not.

Top Three Reasons Why You'll Enjoy Top Ten Clues You're Clueless

1.) You'll love Chloe. The main thing I'd like to commend Czukas for is how real she made Chloe out to be. Chloe really sounded like a teen, having small bits of random problems here and there, like having a crush on her co-worker, the super cute Tyson.

2.) You'll love the the entire cast of characters. I was a bit surprised to find out that this book was more focused on friendship and character development rather than the romance, but I actually enjoyed this aspect a lot! Chloe and her gang all had different personalities (and nationalities as well!), but they worked so well together. The whole group had so much chemistry together, and you'll adore their crazy antics and bonding moments.

3.) You'll love the lists--maybe. Personally, I love writing lists--I write them when I'm bored or when I have to.  Chloe made lists out of all the minor details she'd notice all day. She'd write some down and some are just in her head, but either way, each list had some entertaining content.

Top Two Reasons Why Top Ten Clues You're Clueless Might Not Be For You

1.) Not all aspects were streched to their potential. See, the main events in this book happen in the course of A DAY, so not a lot can really happen. For example, Chloe had diabetes. There was a small scene where everyone made a fuss of it, but I never really got the point of even adding the diabetes bit there if there wasn't anything important about it.

2.) The book might be too cheesy for you. The "mystery" aspect of the book was a bit predictable, and the whole stuck-in-a-grocery-store thing could be too weird.

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Overall, I would still recommend this to anyone looking for quick and funny read. But if you're looking for a story with a bit more depth, this isn't for you.

3.5 stars

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*Thank you to Harper Teen for the review copy!

[Fafa's Book Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Beware spoilers ahead!

This book was recommended to me by my dear GR friend Aj ! Click on her name to read her review. After I read Aj's review I knew that I had to read this book! After a few months I finally got around to it and I'm glad to say that it didn't disappoint!

The book begins with Chloe who is running late. It's Christmas Eve and Chloe knows that she'll have a very long day ahead of her. With all the people that tend to do shopping the day before Christmas. Chloe's mother offers to drive her to work but Chloe denies so that her mother can pick up her brother and she wants to offer to drop her crush Tyson home.

Chloe's car door has always been sealed shut. She has tried everything to open it but it won't budge. While trying to put her key in the ignition she trips and tears her jeans. The drive to work is awful. There's traffic everywhere and a lot of snow. She successfully reaches work in one piece.

When she enters she sees a list of what the employee's duties are. She explains that because it's Christmas Eve everyone is working a shift. Usually the teenagers or 'Younglings' don't get to work on the same day. But of course today (in the book) is an acceptation.

The employees all go to perform their duties. A charity comes to collect money that GoodFoods collected. Much to the surprise of the owner they have only raised about $60. Which doesn't make sense because shoppers have been donating money for months now and one of the Younglings puts $20 every time she works.

Chloe loves mysteries. Partly because she's bored during her lunch she tries to listen in on the conversation the manager is having on the phone. The manager exits his office delighted to see Chloe so he can interview her. After the interview Chloe realizes that the manager thinks the Younglings are the ones that stole the money. When she tries warning the rest of them they don't believe her. Until they are all locked in the break room until the police arrive.

This book turned out to be better than I thought it would! I was predicating a 3 or 4 star rating but I was pleasantly surprised. I really liked reading about all of the lists that Chloe wrote throughout the day. They were interesting and hilarious! Seriously some of them were eye openers.

At first I was annoyed by Chloe. I didn't understand why she kept on mentioning her 'word vomit'. I didn't see why she considered it that. So she rambled but it didn't seem stupid. She did grow on me though. Her crush on Tyson was sweet to read about. It didn't bother me and I found myself hoping that if they didn't get together, then at least become friends. It was also nice that the romance didn't take away from the plot. They were more focused on clearing their names.

The best part about this book was the interactions of all the Younglings! At first none of them really trusted each other because they don't know each other. They started getting into arguments and blaming each other about the stolen money. Then throughout the book they learnt new things about each other and became friends. Chloe broke some rules, Zaina started actually talking and getting out of her shell, and Sami was supportive and nice to the others. Throughout that crazy day they all learnt new things about each other and themselves.

Another pro of this book is that the characters are diverse. Zaina is a Muslim. I have forgotten where the rest of the characters come from. They all had their own backstories and different experiences. One of the characters Micah doesn't attend high school, he gets home schooled by his parents.

A very important thing that was brought up in this book was judging people based on their appearance and rumors. It was nice to read about the characters having that conversation with each other. And they were assumed to have stolen the money because an employee claimed that they were not trust worthy. Possibly because they were new-ish workers and teenagers.

The team work amongst the characters was awesome! I was rooting for them the entire way. I am very happy that the author decided to make the characters employees that didn't know each other and didn't go to the same high school. It was realistic as that does happen in real life. You aren't always going to know your co-workers. And you could become friends with them despite that.

I did have a few problems with it in the beginning. The stolen money situation did not make any sense. It was stupid that the manager believed the employee that claimed our main characters could've stolen the money. There wasn't any proof aside from said employees mouth. Also Zaina put $20 in everyday she worked there. Why on earth would she want to steal it all back?

I was also surprised that in the beginning Chloe never thought about who could've accused them of robbing. It did come up but much later. The mystery was somewhat intriguing. Mostly because they were all working together to nail down suspects. But I felt that it was rushed and you aren't given a reason as to why the person stole the money in the first place. This will probably worry mystery fans. I decided to let all these faults slide because I really loved the characters and their story. The only reason I typed this section is a) because I mention the likes and dislikes of books and b) I want others to be aware of this before they read it. Maybe it won't bother you.

Overall this was an awesome book! I recommend it to anyone looking for a quick and funny contemporary with a bit of mystery to it.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads

*Early review*

Top Five Reasons Why I Adored Top Ten Clues You're Clueless

1) Diverse mix of characters

I absolutely loved the diversity that was in Liz Czukas' latest novel. It's absolutely amazing to watch completely different types of people bond and grow friendships. Sammi was definitely one of my favourite side characters, she's a brick and doesn't let crap get to her. And when I say diverse, I don't only mean diverse in terms of personality, most of them are from different racial backgrounds, so yay!

2) Awesome main character

Speaking of diverse characters, the main character, Chloe has diabetes. She's rather secretive about it, not because of anything but the fact that she hates people treating her specially because of it. She also happens to be a bit of a clutz--she did crash shopping carts right into a customer's car in the parking lot and her brain seems to always be one step behind her mouth. I absolutely adored Chloe for her flaws and how realistically portrayed she was.

3) Lists. Allll the lists!

I could absolutely relate to Chloe because she is constantly making lists. And like my friends like to point out constantly, I make 'too many' lists. I don't make as many as Chloe does, but apparently 3 is considered a lot according to my friends. For example: I make one when I'm on the train, for the things I must do for homework. I even write out my schedule if I'm feeling particularly overloaded with homework. Anyhoo, Chloe is obsessed with making lists and I don't know about you but I love lists! There was about one at the start of each chapter.

4) Cute romance

I actually expected the romance to have a bigger focus in Top Ten Clues You're Clueless but that's not really the case. Sure, it's there but it wasn't one of the main plot lines like in Ask Again Later. I definitely appreciated it, and when the romance was on the spotlight, so many squeals! I admit there isn't as much banter and swooning like in Ask Again Later, but it was still very sweet and convincing.

5) A whole lot of fun

Liz Czukas is so far delivering with the amount of fun she has to offer in her novels. This read flew by quickly and I enjoyed every bit of it. It might be a little too dense for some, but it is all about the fun and fluff in these novels. Having running races around in a supermarket and zooming around in shopping carts, anyone?

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Ignoring the fact that this doesn't release until December. Also ignoring the fact that I have 5 assessment tasks due next week. And the fact that I have enough review copies coming up. MUST. READ. NOW.

[Anatea Oroz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is also posted on my blog, Anatea's Bookshelf.

Guys, this book is 304 pages of cuteness! And below are all the things you should know about Top Ten Clues You're Clueless.

TOP TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS BOOK

1. Christmas Time. When I first picked up this book I had no idea it took place on Christmas Eve, and this thing alone made it awesome since I was reading it just a few days ago and it's Christmas time now.

2. Lists, lists and some more lists. Well, this book is full of them. If you're like me, and you make lists for anything and everything, I'm sure you'll love this book. Some are to-do lists and then some are totally random.

"TOP TEN WORST MOM PHRASES
10. "Young lady..."
9. Anything including your middle name
8. "I thought you were dead! Or worse!"
7. "I worry about you!"
6. "You know, when I was your age..."
5. "You're not going out like that, are you?"
4. "Look me in the eyes and tell me that again."
3. "If all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you?"
2. "I'm not mad. I'm just disappointed."
1. "Do what you think is right. I'm sure you'll make the right choice."

3. Mystery. A lot of things in Top Ten Clues You're Clueless happen because somebody stole Charity money and the boss of the store in which Chloe works suspects someone of the young ones stole it. Because of that, she a her coworkers have to spend the rest of the Christmas Eve locked up in the store until the police come, but Chloe sets it upon herself to find out who the real thief is.

4. Chloe. She is such a great character. I fell in love with her immediately. I loved that she was dorky, that she likes making lists so much and that she was always willing to help. She was determined and when everyone gave up on finding the real thief, she kept them going.

"I'm not sure the rest of the world has gotten the memo, because I still feel like a pretty big dork compared to a lot of people at my new school. And being insecure makes me want to write more lists, which makes me feel more nerdier, which makes me write more lists... You can see my problem."

5. Characters. There was so many great characters in this book, if not all of them. Everyone was so different, but also special. Being able to see Liz Czukas create them, and then watch them grow and getting to know them is one of the best things you can take from this novel.

6. Friendships. At the beginning of the book none of the characters were good friends, more like acquaintances, fellow co-workers. But seeing them open up to each other, seeing how they slowly were becoming friends with people they usually don't hang out with, is great. This is also one of my favorite parts of this book.

7. Almost no romance. Yep, there is pretty much no romance here, at least not like in other YA books. Of course, from the blurb we know that Chloe is crushing on Tyson, but that's pretty much what is happening in the whole book. No flirting, no stolen glances, kisses or any of the usual stuff almost through the whole book.

8. Dialogue. I enjoyed the first part of the book a little bit more than the second part. There was really too much dialogue in the second part and at some points I felt like the constant dialogue is starting to bore me, but on the other thing, I believe this is the reason why all the characters were so good developed.

9. Realness. This book is so easy to relate to, and why I say book is because I think that pretty much everyone can find at least a few things they can relate to. Be it characters, or working at a grocery store, everything made this book seam so real. It's even happening only in 1 day. Yes, the whole book is taking place at the same day.

10. Cute and fluffy overload. It doesn't matter that this book is dealing with some serious problems like illness and crime, from the beginning until the end, this book was cute and fluffy.

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[Jacob Proffitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun YA kinda-romance that I just swallowed whole. It's not deep and it's probably a little formulaic but I didn't care because I liked Chloe and the other teens at her market job just worked for me. They escape being stereotypes by Czukas's care giving them a full depth of motivations and I can totally see the comparison to The Breakfast Club.

Indeed, if I step back a bit, it's a great example of breathing depth into a known framework where a forced-proximity group learn respect and bond over an unexpected adversity. You have to squint a bit to get past the instigating incident that forces the proximity, but by the time it slots together I already cared about them all in their own ways and just deeply enjoyed myself as the story rolled out from there.

And I think I'll leave it there. I'm calling this 4½ stars that I'm rounding up because I just really, really liked these characters. They're teens and messy and by turns antagonistic and really caring. And if YA is at all your thing, you could do worse than to check this out.

A note about Chaste: Cloe starts this with an acknowledged crush on her coworker, Tyson. And you can totally see why because he's just a sweetie. The forced proximity brings things forward enough that they kiss but who has time for more when cooped up in a supermarket? So yeah, this is very chaste.

[starryeyedjen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts are my own.

This review can also be found at The Starry-Eyed Revue.

This book was super adorable and features a main character who makes a lot of lists, so I thought I'd make a list of my own.

Top Ten Clues You'll Enjoy This Book:

1. You have great affection for The Breakfast Club. The cast of characters in this story definitely gave off a Breakfast Club vibe, though maybe for a slightly younger audience. (Think Disney Channel.) Unlikely friendships, FTW!

2. You enjoy holiday-themed stories. Set on Christmas Eve in a grocery store, this story had me giddy from page one. If you've ever worked retail during the holiday season, you can probably relate to a lot of the odd things Chloe and her new friends see over the course of story. And even if you haven't, I'm sure you can imagine.

3. You find yourself constantly making lists. Chloe is a list-maker, which endeared her to me immediately, being a list-maker myself. But Chloe's lists aren't just to-do lists...she makes lists for some of the most random things, a lot of which are included in this novel. The inclusion of those lists made this book even cuter, if that's even possible.

4. You don't mind when the romance isn't center stage. Even so, it was totally sweet. There aren't many swoons to be had, but what was there left my shipping heart awwwing in contentment.

5. You love a diverse cast of characters. I loved how everyone's background was taken into consideration in this story and yet it proved not to matter in the end. I mean, yes, at first they felt stereotypical and some of the characters felt like tokens, but the author does take the time to develop each of them while they're stuck in that grocery store break room.

6. You like a side of mystery with your story of friendship. The mystery of the missing charity money is the glue that binds these kids together, turning them into friends instead of mere casual acquaintances. And Chloe needs some friends. She was also desperate to solve the mystery herself, and though it was pretty easy to figure out myself, I liked that even when everyone else had give up, she was still trying to work it out for herself.

7. You enjoy light-hearted, fluffy, and totally frivolous reads. I never thought I'd say this, but I totally fall into this category now. I will definitely (finally) be checking out my copy of Ask Again Later and the soon-to-be-published NA When Joss Met Matt, written under the author's pseudonym.

8. You like a story that portrays illness realistically but isn't heavy-handed with it. Chloe has diabetes, a fact she's withheld from her coworkers. And with the stress of Christmas Eve shoppers and the theft of the charity money, she's not been taking the best care of herself. It was nice to see her new friends rallying to help her out.

9. You gravitate toward stories featuring normal kids with normal problems and normal jobs. I tend to favor characters that remind me of myself...or my younger self, anyway. I had a clunker of a car in high school. I worked at the local video rental store, back when those were still a thing. I had to worry about paying for college and why I needed to know what I was going to major in. The struggle was real, but it was also normal.

10. You've gotten up to some grocery store shenanigans of your own. Oh, the things these kids do to entertain themselves while they await judgment. Raise your hand if you've ever wanted to be pushed around in the shopping cart like a kid or race around the entirety of the grocery store. *raises hand* Raise your hand if you've done either of those things, even though you didn't work at the store AND it was still open when you did it. *raises hand*

As you can see, this book was pretty fun and so, so cute. And it's a perfect read for this time of year, considering it takes place over the course of one day...and on Christmas Eve, no less!

GIF it to me straight:

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was all kinds of cute! I read Ask Again Later early this year and really enjoyed it so I had to pick up Czukas' sophomore novel, Top Ten Clues You're Clueless. The synopsis sounded hilarious! locked in work jail? having all the supermarket to yourself? and with a couple of people you don't know and one is your crush? It was a load of fun!

I loved the main protagonist, Chloe. She really stands out in terms of contemporary main characters for me. She is diabetic (and Czukas really knew her stuff, trust me, I've done research on diabetes and artificial pancreas systems for a while). She is also a notorious list maker.. i mean she is pretty obsessed with it. I loved how each chapter began with a list she either literally wrote down or made in her head. Some of those lists were hilarious and I ended up sending to my friend for some good laughter. The one I liked the most was "Top Ten Worst Mom Phrases". More than one of those applied to my mother.

The mystery element in this book, even though it was very light, was also very entertaining. I really wanted to know who stole the money and didn't suspect anyone too much. It was a great addition to a romantic contemporary. I think the whole novel centers more around the friendship forged between the six teens than the romance or the mystery. It really warmed my heart. Each character was very unique and I totally was able to tell them apart from the beginning (you know how that's sometimes hard to do?). I definitely recommend it to all contemporary fans and fans who want a light hearted read that centers more on friendship.

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

One word: Sigh.

This is such a huge disappointment for me.

This book screams The Breakfast Club out loud, and that's why I didn't like it. I loved The Breakfast Club so much but because I read this, it felt like this was just a ripped off for me.

Also, this book was completely lustreless. The characters were plain vanilla boring; no one stood out. None of the characters get a chance to feel developed beyond their stereotypes (and, yes, the Breakfast Club approach to "You're more than your stereotype" feels trite). Plus when Chloe was pulling the Nancy Drew-ish act and figuring out the killer? That was totally hilarious! As for the thief and all that mystery...it was obvious from the start who it was. Duh, the hints were clamorous.

Overall, the writing was pretty decent though, and the story was readable in a boring way. The narrative could have addressed the racial and cultural issues with more complexity, and also could have done without some of the stereotypes it attempts to break down. That's pretty much why I'm rating this 1.5 stars.

[Jaime Arkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

You guys… I’m convinced that Liz Czukas has a talent for writing books that are light-hearted, fun, and entertaining because Ask Again Later hit all those perfect notes for me and now I can say that Top Ten Clues You’re Clueless did too!

Chloe has a habit of writing lists… I can definitely sympathize with her on that. But today, it’s Christmas Eve and she’s stuck working at the local grocery store. The only thing that is making it bearable is the fact that she gets to interact with her crush Tyson.

Have you seen The Breakfast Club? No? Then get out of here and watch it then come back to me and we’ll talk about the similarities between this story and the movie itself and how much I loved it. It was so fun seeing these characters develop and unlikely friendships happen all while this group of kids is trying to get themselves out of trouble after being falsely accused of stealing money that their store was raising for charity.

Chloe herself is an interesting character, struggling to fit in and make friends and even hopefully find the opportunity to connect with her crush Tyson. Plus we get to read about her lists which were a fun addition to the story itself.

While this story was light on the swoons and romance… I guess it’s hard to find quiet time in a busy grocery store, it leaves a lot more opportunity to get to know the many different characters we meet in the story. All completely different in appearance and background it was nice to see the friendships slowly develop along the way and have this story be about more than just our main characters.

Overall, a light, fun, and quick read. I have to say that Liz Czukas is my go-to for fluffy feel-good stories and I can’t wait to see what she gives us readers next!

[Marla Mei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full-on riot and laugh out loud. I didn't mind the lack of romance at all. I was way too busy pissing my pants off to notice the lack of swoon-factor. Liz Czukas makes the funniest stories and characters ever!

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Liz Czukas for writing books that distract me when I am stressed out and having a rough time. Read the rest of my review here

[Magan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super, super fun. Love that it takes place in one day. In a grocery store. On Christmas Eve! Just so much to love here. 4.5 stars, probably.

[Hazel (Stay Bookish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visit Stay Bookish for more book reviews!

Top Ten Clues You'll Enjoy Top Ten Clues You're Clueless

1) YOU ADORED LIZ CZUKAS’ DEBUT NOVEL, ASK AGAIN LATER

I’ve been a fan of Liz’s since I read Ask Again Later, one of the most adorable YA books ever. I was absolutely thrilled when I heard about her sophomore novel and even more so when I read it and found it to be an utter delight! So if you’ve read AAL too (if not, go do that now!!!) and liked it, you’ll enjoy this one without a doubt because Liz pretty much has perfected capturing fun and charming when it comes to her books.

2) YOU LOVE LISTS

I just completely love books with lists. I love lists, listing and listers- period. I even made a list of books with characters who write lists before. Now that I’ve read this one, I can totally say that Top Ten Clues You’re Clueless is my favourite book with lists. The lists in this book are just a) hilarious b) clever c) such a great addition to the story!

3) YOU WANT SOME CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Top Ten Clues takes place the day before Christmas and definitely has the spirit of the holidays! Chloe and her fellow teenage employees are working the Christmas Eve shift at Goodfoods, a local grocery store, and while the story doesn’t revolve around Christmas per se, the background of it offers enough holiday cheer to the reader. Christmas tunes on the grocery radio, snow outside and the holiday rush- Top Ten Clues will surely put you in a Christmas mood.

4) YOU LIKE A GOOD PROBLEM/MYSTERY TO SOLVE

Chloe wanted to get to know her coworkers and possibly make a move on her crush, Tyson, but a lockdown was not what she had imagined. Accused of stealing the money in the grocery’s charity box, the group gets locked in the break room. It’s up to them to determine who did the crime to prove they’re not guilty. Not that I was completely engrossed with this plot but I still really liked how this circumstance brought the characters together.

5) YOU LIKE THE BREAKFAST CLUB

Why yes, I’m comparing this book to one of the best movies of all time. If you’ve watched it, you’ll see that Top Ten Clues You’re Clueless’s cast of characters is very much reminiscent of The Breakfast Club’s. See #6.

6) YOU LIKE YOUR CHARACTERS DISTINCTIVE AND WITH DEPTH

I really like books that are character driven and this one was just that! The rest of the Goodfoods gang, Zaina, Sammi, Gabe, Micah and Tyson felt just as tangible and relatable as the main character, Chloe. Every one of them contributed to the book and my overall love for it. Liz knows how to express her teenage characters in such a way that it tugs your heartstrings, whether you’re a young adult yourself or already an adult. More than that, Liz knows how to break stereotypes and make her characters remarkable- you can’t help but grow attached to them.

7) YOU LIKE TO SEE DIVERSITY IN BOOKS

Our main character is a timid diabetic redhead. Tyson, her love interest, is a hardworking, kind black boy. Zaina is a beautiful, soft-spoken Muslim lebanese. Micah is a sweet, homeschooled, too-smart-for-you science nerd. Sammi is Ms. Tough Chick, oozing of snark and attitude. Gabe is the flirty, rich, athletic golden boy. YEAY for people of color and a great mix of diverse characters!

8) YOU LIKE YA CONTEMPORARY

It’s hard for me to say that someone who reads very few contemporary books will surely appreciate this- it might just be too fluffy- but I’m quite firm on my belief that anyone who like/loves the genre will certainly like Top Ten Clues You’re Clueless.

9) YOU ENJOY CUTE ANGST-FREE ROMANCES

Like I said, the book is character-driven rather and the focus really isn’t on the romance. Nonetheless, the romance is there and it’s simple and cute in the sweetest way. If you’ve ever crushed hard on someone, I think you’ll find Chloe’s crush on Tyson easy to relate to.

10) YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A QUICK LIGHT HEARTED BOOK TO READ FOR THE HOLIDAYS

In that case, pick up this book NOW! You won’t regret it!

[Catastrophe Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 glittering stars!

This is a cute book. It's light and easy to read but it also addresses serious societal and cultural issues. The story didn't dive deeper into those issues but I still consider it as eye-opening. It may not be for everyone, but for me this book is worth reading and quite memorable.

Top 10 Reasons Why I Loved This Book:
1. This book was reminiscent of The Breakfast Club film. Sure, I only saw the movie 3 times but I liked it just as much as I liked this book.

2. The cultural stereotype and labeling issues. As an Asian girl who doesn't like Math, I am all about breaking through the stereotypical labels.

3. Chloe Novak's quirky personality. From her bright red hair to her obsession with lists, I liked everything about her. She was a bit sarcastic but also innocent in a way that just made me adore her.

4. The crazy crush drama. Chloe's infatuation with Tyson and her secret pining reminded me of my old high school crushes.

5. The mystery bit. Although it was obvious who the thief was I still liked all the sleuthing and guesswork.

6. Character discovery. I liked reading as each of the younglings' lives unfolded as Chloe got to know each one of them.

7. GoodFoods. I liked the funny descriptions of the weird customers and the general idea of getting locked in a grocery store after hours. If it were me I'd make a beeline for the chocolates.

8. The hilarious lists.

9. Character growth. It was fun to see how Chloe changed throughout the book.

10. The happy ending

[Kira Simion · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 I'm clueless about why this book was given this title! (Rounded up because everyone was adorkable).

So this was a light read that I don't have very much to say about.

The story idea was pretty good, but it was the writing style that really pulled me in. It was close to 300 pages, but the pages went by quickly so that was great.

I liked the characters and the try and diversity. (I say try because I enjoyed the part it played on the mystery and other factors, but I didn't really feel it. My opinion. I wasn't really able to picture the people very well for example).

My only other problem was the mystery. I wish it was a little more developed and even though I still really enjoyed it, I felt the motive for the perpetrator was a little weak.

Overall I would recommend this as a good light read.

[Kirsty-Marie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

That. Was. Gold.

[Danielle (Love at First Page) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5 stars

Top Ten Clues You're Clueless is such an adorable, quick read, I can't imagine anyone could ever regret picking it up. It's about a girl, Chloe, who has an easier time making lists and being stuck inside her own head than making friends and connecting with others. She also has a form of diabetes, which she keeps from most people because she doesn't want them to treat her any differently. I'm now convinced that Liz Czukas writes the best narrators, because I fell in love with Heart's voice in Ask Again Later, and the same happened with Chloe. She is witty, a bit shy, clever, and totally engaging. I could have read her voice for hours and hours. I also think she experiences such tremendous growth in this book, realizing that her preconceived notions about others are just as misplaced as those about her. The story takes place entirely on Christmas Eve, perfect for the type of message and group dynamic the author is going for, and it's set within the walls of Chloe's workplace, her local grocery store. When a large sum of charity money goes missing, Chloe and her fellow young co-workers are held at the store until the thief is found. This sets the stage for Chloe to finally interact with her crush - Tyson - and befriend the co-workers she's been too shy to approach in the past.

Top Ten Clues You'll Want To Read This Book:

1. You like The Breakfast Club movie.
*It's an easy comparison to make. Five characters who couldn't be more different are stuck together until they're released by the higher-ups. Sure they can get along okay, but what do they really know about each other beyond the stereotypes and what their appearances suggest? Even though this is a tale as old as time, so-to-speak, it's still an incredibly important message for today's teens, about looking beneath the surface and not judging others before knowing them. I love how Chloe and her co-workers slowly get to know one another, whether it's having surprisingly serious discussions in the break room or completely goofing off around the grocery store. By the end of the night, the can actually call themselves friends, and it's awesome.

2. You like books with a diverse cast of characters.
*Seriously, so many different personalities and backgrounds in this group. There's of course Chloe, a shy red-head and book nerd who also has diabetes. Tyson, her crush, is African American, and her co-worker, Zaina, is from the Middle East. Then there's Micah, the home school kid who is super intelligent and sweet, and Gabe, the rich and athletic one who will surprise you later on. My favorite, though, is Sammie. Having been in foster care, she's rough around the edges and likes to dress like a tomboy, but don't let her sharp exterior fool you. That girl nearly broke my heart. The best part of the book is seeing these characters open up and reveal themselves. It's not an easy thing for teenagers to do, and their individual "confessions" tugged on my heart strings.

3. You make lists. All the time.
*I could totally relate to Chloe because I am such a list-maker. If I ever feel overwhelmed, I make lists. If I'm feeling stress or confused, I make lists. If I'm going shopping, I make lists. There's something about that type of organization that calms me. I'm not as bad as Chloe, but it made it easier to connect with her.

4. You find light-hearted, fluffy books enjoyable to read.
*This book is fluff personified, and there's nothing wrong with that. Enough said.

5. You like a cute romance that doesn't dominate the plot.
*So, this is actually the main reason I didn't rate the book higher. I have to admit, I was expecting a much higher swoon factor! Ask Again Later has one of my favorite ships this year, but there are so few sweet interactions between Tyson and Chloe. I needed more! But if you like just a small dose of romance, that's what you'll get here.

6. You've always wanted to be pushed around in a grocery cart by your crush.
*Don't deny it.

7. You've always wanted to have a race in an empty grocery store.
*See number 6. These kids get into quite a few shenanigans, and it's awesome fun.

8. You like holiday stories.
*The book is set during Christmas Eve, and while the holiday isn't hugely important to the plot, it still goes along nicely with the overall message.

9. You like characters and relationships that develop throughout the book.
*I love it when characters take me by surprise, and that's what happens here. None of them are the same people the reader (and Chloe) thinks they are at the beginning of the book, and it's wonderful to see our perception of them change. There were two or three characters I didn't care for at first, but by the end I would have called them friend right alongside Chloe.

10. A small side of mystery and crime-solving never hurts.
*You may be able to figure out "who done it" really early, but it's a fun subplot and brings everything together at the end.

It's true that I didn't love this like I did Ask Again Later, and it's hard for me not to compare since I consider the latter one of my favorite debuts. Top Ten Clues has the same cutesy fluffiness that I will always devour like cotton candy, but I missed a heavier romantic element. Ya'll know how much I like my swoon. Still, it's such a fun, entertaining book, and the characters are diverse, equally likable, and have their own distinct personalities and complexity. The things those kids get up to... I definitely recommend this one if you have a couple of hours to spare and are in the mood for a feel good story!

***Special thanks to Katie @ Polished Page Turners for lending me her ARC copy!***

This review can also be found at Love at First Page.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Earlier this year, I absolutely fell in love with Liz Czukas's debut, Ask Again Later , so when I got the opportunity to read Top Ten Clues You're Clueless, I was a bouncing bundle of joy. Though less bantery and wonderfully shippy than Ask Again Later, Top Ten Clues was feel good, happy making, and totally reminiscent of epic '80s movies like The Breakfast Club.

Top Ten Clues You're Clueless immediately captivated me due to Chloe's wonderfully refreshing and engaging voice. Chloe, I would argue, has a mild form of obsessive compulsive disorder. She goes through all her life making lists. They're entertaining and pretty clever, but also immediately reveal her difficulty to connect with other people. I could totally relate to her in these ways. I mean, my OCD is nowhere near as bad, and my social anxiety also isn't that bad, but it made her such a real, vivid character and so different from what we usually get in YA. She also has diabetes, which I don't think I've encountered before in YA literature, and living with her condition really opened my eyes to things I hadn't considered before. TL;DR: Chloe is different, quirky, and awkward, but totally lovable.



Arguably this book is also the perfect advocate for diverse books. It takes place on one day, Christmas Eve, as Chloe works her shift in a supermarket experiencing its final holiday rush. She works alongside teenagers from a wide array of backgrounds: the African American guy she has a crush on, working for his college fund, the rebel girl who gets called a "dyke" just because of her short hair and tomboy clothes, the Muslim girl working in spite of her family's beliefs that her place is in the home, the home schooled, sheltered genius boy... As you can probably tell: diversity all around. And I LOVED it.



These vivid and brilliant characters were nowhere close to being friends at the start of the book, but over the course of this eventful day, they really got to know one another. There are so many excellent messages about diversity, acceptance, prejudice, etc... Things that made me want to put the book down and CHEER. And that's why it's really like The Breakfast Club to me. These characters are all SO different, but in one day, just by being open to it (and, well, being forced together), they actually become friends, in a way. And they have so many fun adventures running around the supermarket after hours, while simultaneously, in essence, solving a crime. It was full of feel good moments and it was really entertaining.



However, this didn't quite live up to my expectations after I'd read Ask Again Later. It wasn't quite as humorous - because Chloe is more of a shy girl than an out-there sarcastic girl. It was also rather predictable, especially with Chloe's diabetes situation - though it led to feel good results. The ship also didn't really work for me. Thankfully there wasn't a heavy focus on the romance, because the story was much more about getting to know this diverse cast of characters and what on earth happened to the money for the charity, but still, I wasn't full of "NOW KISSSSSSS" emotions, like I had with Ask Again Later. Now, I know, I shouldn't really have expected that going in, because this is not a sequel - it's a standalone. But knowing that this author can write banter and romance in precisely the way I like, the absence of it made me just a tiny bit sad. But I still thought it was brilliant and I very much enjoyed it.

Summing Up:

DIVERSITY - YES. Top Ten Clues You're Clueless reads totally like a fun and quietly insightful '80s coming-of-age/slice-of-life movie. I loved getting to know these characters, and I loved being in Chloe's head. I was a bit jarred by the fact that the book takes place on one singular day, but it was an eventful day worthy of our attention. Ultimately I might have liked a bit more banter and romance, but this book was brilliant regardless.

GIF it to me straight!



Recommended To:

Umm, fans of The Breakfast Club for sure - and fans of diverse books.


*ARC provided for free by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the contents of the review.

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely characters, sarcastic voice, a bit of mystery and plenty of fun - this book is full of awesome. It is a story about life, about how easy it is to misjudge people, how easy it can be to make friends if you open up just a bit. It felt real, it was sweet and funny and I loved it from cover to cover.



THEN CLUES ON THE AWESOMENESS OF THIS STORY:

1. The cute, clueless main character

Chloe is such a vibrant character, full of quirks and awkwardness, though truly loveable. She wanted to push herself out of her comfort zone, but she never imagined discovering the magic of friendship in one short night that can change everything.

2. The lovely lists

One of the things that defined her was the list making. They were all cute (some funny, some clever) and I enjoyed getting to know Chloe through them a bit more.

3. The great cast of characters supporting clueless Chloe

This is a story about friendship (even though the settling might hint at something else) and what I loved about her soon-to-be friends is their very different personalities and traits.

4. The Christmas spirit (delivered in the middle of my summer)

I read this book in June, but it kind of made me long for the holidays to come already. It was cheery at times, though it had it’s own deep meanings too.

5. The perks of working in a grocery store (fun facts)

This book seemed to describe an authentic experience – the holiday rush with the never ending orders, the picky clients, the cleaning, pushing carts through the winter slush and also listening on repeat to holidays playlists. Of course, what really got me was the fun facts, the fun experiences, the funny clients in pyjamas or costumes and so on.

6. The plot line – a bit of mystery & tons of friendship

There is a bit of mystery in this story - predictable though entertaining, but what I did enjoy was watching the characters run around the store after it was closed, while trying to solve the ‘crime’, getting to know each other and forming an heartwarming friendship.

7. The race against the clock

This books describes an eventful day worthy of our full attention. It is fun, it seems plausible and it’s well defined in terms of plot timing and character development. I love stories that take place in such short amount of time, it’s like there is a bit of magic in them, or so I feel.

8. The cute romance

This was not a major point in the story, but it was sweet and I enjoyed the interactions between Tyson and Chloe as they balanced each other’s qualities and flaws.

9. Again, the diversity!

It’s all about perception, how you see some people, when you don’t know them at all, and how your feelings change with every discovery you make.

10. Now it’s up to you…

I could tell you how fun it was and how I liked the writing, I could tell you many other things, but I won’t. You go read the book and give us more clues about why this story is worth reading, because I’m sure you’ll find plenty.

I wish you all a happy, joyful season!
Happy midnight reading!



Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Booklikes | Blog (RO)

Reading thoughts:

This was really cute.
And I can't believe I read a Christmas book in June :))))

[Linda (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Top Ten Clues You're Clueless is a sweet, whimsical tale of six teenagers who worked in the same GoodFoods market on Christmas Eve.



Top Ten Clues You're Clueless is a fast read, which is a good thing, because we only follow the main character, Chloe, and her fellow young employees for a few hours. It's impossible to really get to know the characters very well in such a short time, and the story itself was very light, just slightly touching on some important topics before moving on to the next one. Chloe had diabetes, but didn't want her co-workers to know. She also had a crush on one of them, and that was an important part of her inner dialogues and her numerous lists.

Because it was Christmas Eve, the GoodFoods market was going to count how much money had been collected for charity, and the main plot of Top Ten Clues You're Clueless was that it was obviously quite a bit of money missing from the box. And who else would be blamed but the six teens working in the store? The unfairness of that particular way of seeing things was something that really touched me, though, and I'm sure it would have been even worse if I had been the protagonist's age.

Sweet and whimsical, but without much substance, I enjoyed the writing quite a bit, and the lists Chloe kept making were quirky as well. Written in first person present tense from Chloe's perspective, her inner thoughts were just as important as the rest of the story that unfolded around her and the other characters.



I know - it's so nerdy, right? I keep hearing that being a geek is cool now, but I'm not sure the rest of the world has gotten the memo, because I still feel like a pretty big dork compared to a lot of people at my new school. And being insecure makes me want to write more lists, which makes me feel nerdier, which makes me write more lists... You can see my problem.

So that's what I'm doing while I key in the code for my customer's giant bag of limes. It's hard to imagine what a small blond woman could do with that many limes.

I'm really working my way through my mom's paperback mystery collection, so I guess that's something. Something antisocial and vaguely depressing, maybe, but it's something.

[Gisbelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

My thanks to HarperTeen & Edelweiss

Actual Rating: 3.5

Point of View: Single (Chloe Novak)
Writing: First Person | Present Tense
Setting: N/A
Genre: Young Adult | Realistic Fiction

This one was a light, humorous book with a cozy mystery. However, it was a little boring at times when all they did sit around and talk about nothing in particular.

Being one of many who love making lists and categorizing things most of the time, I thought it was real cute that Chloe loved to do that as well because her lists were absolutely hilarious that I couldn't help but laugh. The lists added a nice touch to the story and made it more interesting.

I did adore the characters. Chloe with all her crush on Tyson and her silly list-obsessed mind, Tyson being all charming and way too good to be true, Micah being nerdy and adorkable, Sammie with all her tough exterior, and Gabs with his obsession with betting. They were one crazy bunch of kids! Most of the time, I loved their discussions, for in general they were weird in a good way. Though, it got a tad too exaggerated which made it hard to believe. Still they all were very intriguing characters.

The storyline was nice and fluffy, and I liked a nice hint of suspense and mystery added in the mix. The pace was nice in general, a little slow at times, but I thought it wasn't much of a problem. I did, however, hope for more excitement, but again, they were stuck in a grocery store and the story took place within a span of one day, so I guess the opportunity was limited.

In short, it was a nice, hilarious book that didn't take much time for me to finish. I think it's a great choice for those who are looking for a light, fluffy read.

[C. Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

TEN THINGS ABOUT THIS BOOK

1. It was something different.

I started it without knowing what was about and I was pleasantly surprised by it. It wasn't a summer romance book. It has some romance but it's like 1% of the book and it was cute.

2. It's a fun book with some mystery aspects to it. ( the missing money and how the main character discovers how done it with the help of the others).

3. Amazing, fun and smart characters.

4. It touches a lot of hard topics - acceptance, the way we see people and label them.

5. It's about making friends, accept, understand and help each other.

6. I liked the lists that the main characters makes.

7. Authentic experience from people how work in commerce.

8. Diversity.

9. Let's not forget the romance even if it wasn't the main focus of the book.

10. Cute cover. Let's be honest it's the reason that I read the book.

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this one up purely for entertainment purposes, hoping that I would have a great time and laugh out loud more often than not.

And I did. This was a fun read. It was light, had a slight romance to it and while it wasn't quite as funny as I was really hoping it would be, I really did enjoy it and did laugh numerous times.

The beginning was a little slow to start but once it picked up it was easy to get caught up in the story and the mystery of who stole the money from the donation box.

Chloe was a likable character and I enjoyed her humor and inner monologue.

This was a perfect read to pick up on a rainy day and jump right in and have some fun.

[Jasprit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Czukas debut novel Ask Again Later earlier this year. It was funny, fresh and it was exactly what I was in the mood for at the time. When I devoured her book in a few days I made the decision there and then that I would read all of her future books. So when I heard about Top Ten Clues you’re Clueless, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy. Unfortunately this story ended up falling flat for me in a few places.

Chloe was a great character, I liked how she had this obsession with compiling lists (it reminded me of myself a lot of times, but I’m one of those that never used to get hardly anything completed from my lists) and how she would notice a lot of things around her that a lot of people missed out on. Czukas was also once again able to bring in a wonderful set of characters just like in Ask Again Later; they were all unique in their own way, bringing a lot of variety and fun to the story.
I think my biggest downfall from this book was that I was expecting more from the mystery and the romance. The mystery in the story ended up being that someone had stolen most of the Christmas fund from the store. However instead of interviewing all the store staff individually, the manager decides from a tip off that only select few of the staff members can be responsible. So he ends up keeping them in the store after closing hours on Christmas Eve until the police get there and start questioning them. At first I didn’t get how he could come up with the conclusion that these youngsters could be the ones responsible, through their individual questioning, they had all denied it and none of the evidence suggested that they could have done it. Although being locked in store together sort of did bring these characters much closer together. In the past they had been quick to make assumptions of each other’s characters without having said a few words to one another. So it was great that they were able to break these judgements they had made of one another and actually form some sort of friendships. But the whole waiting around for the police to arrive sort of ended up kind of boring for me, yes it was great that they could all start over, but I sort of wanted more from this part. What was the point of keeping everyone behind without any real evidence? Also I was kind of able to guess who the real culprit was kind of early on, it kind of bugged me that not everyone else was able to realise this.

Then there was the romance, we were told very early on who Chloe had been crushing on for some time, I think because of this I was expecting to see more from it over the course of the book, however we kind of got it all in the end instead. I know so far it may seem as if I’ve just been complaining about this book, but this isn’t the case at all. I think I just went into this book with really high expectations after thoroughly enjoying Ask Again Later. However despite the irks I did have, Czukas once again was able to give us a super cute read, despite knowing who the culprit was I still found myself invested in reading until the very last page. Although this book wasn’t for me, I’m sure it will be for many other readers who are the lookout for a cute read full with many quirky characters.

This review can be found on: The Readers Den

[Andi (Andi's ABCs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Top Ten Clues You’re Clueless I know one thing about Liz Czukas, she writes a cute story. Simply put this book was adorable. It was fun with some seriousness. It had a interesting plot with a small mystery. And it made me miss working retail and want to watch The Breakfast Club.

Top Ten Clues You’re Clueless is about Chloe, a teenaged employee at the local supermarket that is stuck working on Christmas Eve. Having moved not long ago Chloe has had trouble making friends and relies on lists to help her get through lonely days. Heading into work Chloe decides she is going to get to know her other co-workers and maybe flirt a little with her crush Tyson. But when money is missing and the 6 teenagers are blamed, they get to all know each other in a way they never expected. The only question, did one of them steal it?

I really liked Chloe and her story a lot. She was one of those characters that is so easy to relate to. She’s insecure in new situations like we all are/can be and that’s why she is so easy to connect with. She so badly wants to make friends but is so scared to take the step to know people and step out if her safe, comfort zone. I also really liked the rest of the cast of characters. They were a very diverse, eclectic group which made them fascinating and The Breakfast Club like. And the romance, although a small part, was just adorable.

I must admit though, what I really enjoyed most was the setting. In high school I worked at a clothing store for my senior year. It was one of the most fun things I have ever done. I remember being stuck in the store after there was a key situation, doing inventory when the electricity was down because of an April snow storm, and general silliness we had on your average night. Top Ten Clues You’re Clueless really brought me back to those days. It made me nostalgic for that year and just made me smile.

All in all a great book that is a quick read. There are many characters to connect with and a fun story to follow along with. The mystery is a small added bonus. If you haven’t read a Liz Czukas book before, I definitely recommend you do.

[Books are TARDIS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

Anyone remember The Mallpisode from The OC, in which they're trapped in the local mall after closing hours? And of course, all kinds of mad shenanigans ensue.


Well take that, replace the mall with a grocery store. The teens stuck in the grocery store are actually employees. And there is a mystery to be solved and a falsely accused crime to get absolved of. Also, all kinds of fun, bizarre and madcap things happen.


The misfit group bonds over this shared experience, which was a bit reminiscent of The Breakfast Club.


Throw in loads of Top Ten lists. My favorite one was the teen movie list, couldn't agree with it more.

The end result will be something close to this delightful little YA contemporary read.


Read Aj's excellent review here: Aj's Review

[Bookaholic (reads every mortal thing) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Liz Czukas. I know its a little fast considering this is only my second book of hers. But she has only two published book as of the time I'm writing this, so whatever.

Her debut, Ask Again Later, was everything I wanted in YA contemporary. And while Top 10 Clues You're Clueless may not have recreated the same magic for me, its certainly nothing to scoff about.

Yes, the 'mystery' is highly predictable. Yes, the overly simple plot can make a less patient person yearn for more action.

But in despite to all this we have great reasons to love this book.

Realistic, yet slightly goofy and socially awkward MC? Check!

Hilarious antics by said MC? Check!

Adorable love interest? Check!

Great cast of supporting characters? Check!

Not bad. Not bad at all.

[Louisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) Overall: Diverse range of characters, funny shenanigans, and adorbs goings-on between Chloe and Tyson, but it felt a little too short and lacking that oomph that Ask Again Later had. Maybe because the romance wasn't as front and centre stage as it was in AAL.

I'm still getting my hands on everything Liz Czukas publishes in the future! Man, these covers are CUTE.

[Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday)]

A cute, feel-good holiday-themed book. The opening chapter hinted at more romance than actually materializes, so don't go in expecting a lot of swoon. I'd say this has a young YA, Disney channel feel -- charm, cute grocery store antics, lessons about judging (and misjudging) people, etc. A perfect light holiday read!