1. Join the Drama Club 2. Do Your Research 3. Provide Something She Needs 4. Make Her Feel Secure and Important 5. Pay Attention! 6. Be a Good Friend 7. Be More Attractive 8. Be Complimentary, But Not Obsequious 9. Establish Rapport 10. Be Encouraging and Supportive 11. Give Her Space 12. Admit When You’re Wrong and Apologize 13. Find the Perfect Birthday Gift 14. Tell Her How You Feel
Seventeen-year-old Oliver Wendell Holmes (Yes, his parents are just that peculiar, but his brother’s name is Sherlock, so it could have been worse) knows that he’s different. He’s quirky, awkward, and he’s okay with that. Oliver also likes making lists—meticulous procedures for achieving his goals, step-by-step. Whether it’s “How to Get an A in Chemistry” or “How to Get Accepted to MIT,” he has a process, and it’s worked for him so far. He doesn’t even care that the popular kids mock him. Oliver’s got his eye on the prize.
So when he decides it’s time to declare his feelings for Ainsley Bishop, the girl of his dreams, it’s only natural for him to make a list—a point-by-point strategy to win her heart. He knows it will take a grand gesture for her to see all he has to offer, and her approaching birthday provides the ideal opportunity for Oliver to put his plan into action.
Finding the perfect gift is a challenge Oliver meets with his usual dogged determination. He’ll need to watch her carefully for clues to pinpoint exactly what he should give her. And along the way, he might just learn that what Ainsley really needs is not quite what he expected.
T.M. Franklin writes stories of adventure, romance, & a little magic. A former TV news producer, she decided making stuff up was more fun than reporting the facts. Her first published novel, MORE, was born during National Novel Writing month, a challenge to write a novel in thirty days. MORE was well-received, being selected as a finalist in the 2013 Kindle Book Review Best Indie Book Awards, as well as winning the Suspense/Thriller division of the Blogger Book Fair Reader's Choice Awards. She's since written four additional novels and several best-selling short stories...and there's always more on the way.
HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!! I loved loved LOVED this book. There's a giveaway at the blog today, too.
Took me a while to write this review...because I wanted to find the best words to use to sum up how wonderful this book is.
I can't tell you how many times I laughed, right out loud. I was constantly nodding my head at the situations these teenage characters found themselves in. I have a daughter in high school drama...and this reads REAL.
Oliver and his lists. I loved them. He had plans for everything, including how to win Ainsley's heart. I think this book should be mandatory reading for all young males. See that list up there? Yes, that's how to be a friend...a boyfriend. Well, not ALL of them the things on the list, but enough that they should be posted in every middle school and high school hallway.
There's a scene that mentions CraigsList that made me laugh so hard, I scared the puppy sitting on my lap! Oh my gosh. REVENGE at it's sweetest!
I also loved the side theme of his parents and their relationship. And Oliver's relationship with Hank was a joy.
I enjoyed the main characters very much, but the supporting cast certainly added a depth to this story that made the reading even more enjoyable. Viney, Hank...Sherlock! Yes, Oliver's brother's name is SHERLOCK HOLMES. He was so much fun, too.
Yes, this wonderful book made me laugh...and then Ms. Franklin made me cry. There's silliness, there's growth of characters, there's sorrow, and there's joy. THIS is what one reads books for. Thank you, Ms. Franklin, you are amazing!
*Thank you, NetGalley and TWCS, for the opportunity to read this book
If this appeals to you, maybe you can add it to your shelves...and maybe click the LIKE button for me? Thanks!
Oliver Wendell Holmes set out to get Ainsley Bishop to fall in love with him. I won’t tell you if he succeeded, but I will tell you he stole my heart. When it comes to reading I’m like Goldilocks, the story has to be just right. It can’t be too angsty or too fluffy, not to to mention a pretty long list of other pet peeves that I won’t even get into.
The midway point is generally where I lose interest. Many authors use filler to get to the end. I've almost come to expect it. So last night when I looked down at my ereader and saw I was so enthralled in the plot I didn't even realize I only had 20 pages left, I felt that thrill only a true book addict could ever understand.
Oliver makes lists as I’m sure you know from the summary, but he’s much more than that. Through his POV we live out his hopes and fears. As he learns lessons older folks such as I already learned, the hard way, you can’t help but to want to cheer him on at his victories and hug him when things don’t go quite as planned.
I’m a big fan of authors creating secondary characters that add to the story. Oliver’s parents, his absolutely hysterical little brother Sherlock and Hank a wise old friend were much more than the typical roles they were cast in. I remember them and their names very clearly a day later. With the amount of books I read and my horrible memory, for me that is a sign of an author gifted at crafting her characters. Memorable characters and good banter are two items at the top of my list: How to Get a Reader to Fall in Love with Your Book.
Yes, I’m a list maker myself.
My cell phone is full of them. I don’t want to spoil one of my favorite scenes in the book, but I will say Oliver’s mom not only helped her son remember who he was, she actually reminded me as well. I think most readers will take something away from that scene.
Ainsley Bishop has some tough decisions to make. Watching her make them through Oliver’s eyes is compelling; their banter from the very first moment was fun and infectious. Everything a first crush should be.
I’m quite finicky about leading ladies. When I fall in love with a book boyfriend the heroine must be worthy of him or my claws come out, catty Woman that I am.
Yet, even when Ainsley made wrong choices I wanted to help her instead of hurting her. She’s someone I would actually want as a friend. How I love when that happens.
I've refrained from writing down a list of why you should read this book, it would be far too long. As a Golidlocks reader I can honestly say this author's recipe is just right.
Hurry up and DIG IN!!
**Thank you TWCS for giving me the opportunity to advance read this book***
I’m a big fan of T.M. Franklin, so when I heard that she was writing a new YA book back in January, I was very excited. But then I read the summary...and went from excited to DESPERATE. It reminded me of all the awesome 80s/90s teen films I love, like Can’t Buy Me Love and Can’t Hardly Wait. And with a main character named Oliver Wendell Holmes, I was pretty sure T.M. had created something entertaining. When I finally got ahold of my copy, I was not disappointed. I devoured this book in about 8 hours--once I started, I couldn’t put it down. But as I got closer to the end, I was dying to savor every moment for as long as possible.
How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love With You is a brilliant example of why Young Adult literature (rightly) has such a broad appeal. This story is well-written with relatable characters who experience life’s challenges in ways that are realistic quite compelling. I adore this book and give it all 5 stars!
Oliver Wendell Holmes (YES, LOL--named after the poet...or maybe the Supreme Court Justice) is a man with a plan! Well, to be honest, Oliver has several plans (like maintaining his 4.0 GPA and getting into MIT). But as he begins his junior year in high school, there’s one thing in particular Oliver wants to achieve: he wants to get Ainsley Bishop to fall in love with him. Oliver has liked Ainsley since they first met in 5th grade, and now that high school is rounding up, there’s no better time to make things happen.
With help from his best friend Viney and advice from his parents and Hank (a friend from the Senior Center where he volunteers), Oliver puts together detailed list of steps for convincing Ainsley that he’s the one for her. And it all starts with joining the Drama Club, which is in the process of putting on one of Ainsley’s original plays. As Oliver carries out his list, he gets to know Ainsley and is even more sure of his affection for her. However, there are several obstacles Oliver has to overcome and hard lessons to learn--getting Ainsley to love him may be more difficult than he initially thinks…
I LOVE Oliver! He’s incredibly sweet, considerate, and generous. Oliver knows exactly who he is and is unapologetic about it. He’s a self-proclaimed nerd who loves video games and computers. He loves his family--even though his mom sometimes makes him watch RomComs against his will (*cough* Pretty Woman*cough*) and his little brother Sherlock (YES!) carries around a notebook, solves mysteries, and says things like “Elementary!”.
I thoroughly enjoy that we get to hear this story from Oliver’s perspective, and T.M. does a great job of articulating his voice. It reads and sounds like a teenage boy who’s crushing on a girl in school. There are several “awwwwwwwww” moments where I just want to give Oliver a big hug--like every time he talks to Ainsley and gets so nervous that he can’t really form a coherent sentence and stumbles into things; or when he asks his Mom and Dad how they fell in love so he can get some tips...
This story also has fantastic secondary characters. It’s great to see Oliver’s parents rekindle their love. And one of my favorite LOL moments is when Sherlock (incorrectly) deduces that Oliver is gay. Viney and Hank are great wing-men. And I really like Ainsley! She and Oliver are quite similar in terms of their selflessness and generosity. I’d actually LOVE to get into Ainsley’s head--perhaps some sort of outtake or futuretake from her POV...just saying!
Mostly, I love how Oliver pursues Ainsley--he’s so caring and thoughtful about learning who she is and what she likes. Oliver believes that Ainsley deserves the world, and he’s determined to prove it to her. In fact, this leads to some of my favorite scenes: --Oliver tutoring Ainsley in algebra and discovering her love of boybands --Oliver helping Ainsley improve her play --Oliver’s exhaustive pursuit of the perfect birthday present for Ainsley
But the best thing is watching Ainsley start to fall for Oliver too... --Ainsley giving Oliver a haircut (BTW Aunt Dora is HILARIOUS!) --Oliver and Ainsley’s paint-fight
As I said in the beginning, both Oliver and Ainsley have to overcome obstacles, including issues with self-esteem...but when they do…
This book is such a MUSTREAD, especially for those who like YA and romantic comedies. I’ll be purchasing my paperback ASAP and begging T.M. for an autograph! So go ahead and get your copy too; I promise you’ll love it!
*Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Perfect for teenagers and the young-at-heart. An advanced copy was provided via NetGalley in lieu of an honest review.
I fell in love ... yes, I did ... I fell in love with Oliver. I am enchanted and thoroughly enamored.
Oliver is a bright (A student) high school student. He is very well versed in computers and gaming, has a best friend, Viney, volunteers at a retirement home, and oh, he loves to make lists. For anyone who gets the satisfaction of seeing a check mark against a task in his/her list, then you will understand Oliver's penchant for making them. I make lists, and I love seeing those check marks. Oliver has a list of everything -- how to get to MIT, how to get good grades, and yes, how to get Ainsley Bishop to fall in love with him. One big drawback to his plan, good looking star football player with muscles-in-all-the-right-places, Ian, Ainsley's boyfriend. Clint's presence does not dissuade Oliver from his plan, and how he executes it will have you in parts giggling, clutching your chest with cuteness, shedding tears, and overall rooting for his success.
T.M. Franklin has written as very successful story that will keep you enthralled. The storyline and pacing makes a whole lot of sense, and each scene is crucial to the development of the plot. There are no 'fluff' chapters. Each scene is integral to the development of the story. The pacing is crisp, and the editing is very well done.
The book is written from Oliver's point of view, which is perfect in my opinion, as you get to savor and experience Oliver's self-deprecating humor, his frustrations, his disbelief and his "aha" moments. The book's organization follows Oliver's list -- from joining the drama club to finding a birthday give -- no scratch that -- finding the PERFECT birthday gift. And Oliver attacks this list much like how Patton strategized to help win World War II. And interspersed with the action tasks are gems of a young boy's understanding of what it would take to get the girl of his dreams to notice him. And if you'll notice, it's not rocket science, but it does lead to self-discovery for Oliver and the people he loves.
T.M. Franklin successfully created a protagonist who I found endearing and unforgettable, but she didn't stop there. Her secondary characters, and Oliver's interaction with them make the story come alive. The pages pulse with the energy, angst, and frustration that permeates teenage life. I guffawed out loud when the name of his annoying brother was revealed, and it made absolute sense why his brother was doggedly observing Oliver. Oliver's friend Viney is the perfect foil for Oliver as Viney brings reality and understanding to Oliver's plans. And Oliver's parents are wonderful ... and as much as they impart what they know and learn to Oliver, they get so much more in return. Let's not forget Ainsley Bishop -- the object of Oliver's attentions -- as she is described in the book, I do now wonder why Oliver had such a big crush on her.
And Hank ... how can I not mention Hank? Oliver's very special relationship with Hank will touch your heart as it definitely touched Oliver's.
How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You is one book you MUST MUST MUST read. It is a book that I know I will read over and over and over again -- and truly, I think this one will make a wonderful movie.
I was offered (okay, I begged) for an advanced copy of How to Make Ainsley Bishop Fall in Love with You. From the moment I saw the cover and book trailer, I couldn’t wait to read about Oliver and Ainsley.
Oliver is super smart and just a little nerdy. For teens, that’s typically a recipe for attracting bullies, and Oliver faces his fair share. But he also accepts the fact that he’s not a typical teenage guy, and most of the time, that’s just fine with him. I loved that about him. His friendship with Hank made me laugh (and cry). Their scenes together were some of my favorites.
Ainsley Bishop is the object of Oliver’s affections. Pretty, popular, and dating a jock, Ainsley is seemingly pretty unattainable. Watching Oliver obsess over what to buy Ainsley for her birthday made me love him even more. He had to really pay attention to her in order to figure out the perfect gift (or in his case, gifts). Isn’t that what all girls want? No matter what age? Just a nice guy to actually pay attention to us and listen to what we have to say?
The secondary characters were just as great. Oliver’s nosy little brother, Sherlock, lived up to his name and made me laugh out loud many times. And I loved the parents. As they gave their son advice about his first love, it made them realize how much they’d drifted apart over the years. It was nice to see little glimpses of them falling in love with each other all over again.
This is T.M. Franklin’s first YA book that doesn’t include fantasy elements. I certainly hope it’s not her last. Definitely recommended for anyone who wants a sweet and fun afternoon read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review
4/5 stars
I LOVED this book! Oliver is such an easy character to relate to. I'm sure we all have weird quirks and insecurities just like him. I was so happy with the banter between all the characters that I didn't even notice when I was almost finished with the book. It was that good!
I think my favorite characters would have to be Viney. I don't think the book would've been that amazing without him. I have a thing for supportive friends that know you even more than you know yourself. Is it wrong if I want Viney to have his own story? I would like to get into this character's head to know him better. I want to know what Viney would be like if he ever fell in love.
In this book, we meet Oliver, who has a thing for lists. He's decided to make a list on How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with you (hence, the title) but there's the whole issue of Ian (Ainsley's boyfriend). I don't like the concept of going after someone else's boyfriend or girlfriend, so I was really scared that I was going to end up hating this book, but I was totally wrong. It helped that Ian was a jerk. I don't feel bad for jerks! :P Oliver is so ridiculously awkward and flustered around Ainsley that it was hard not to laugh at his antics. I also loved the family dynamics in Oliver's household. Sherlock (Oliver's brother) is hilarious!
This is the type of book that makes you go Aww... at almost every page. I definitely recommend it to anybody who is interested in reading YA novels. I dare you not to like it! It's an amazingly written book with fun characters! :D
What a fantastic first YA debut novel by the always fabulous T.M. Franklin. This is the story of Oliver, who is a bit nerdy, a bit shy, a bit funny but all kinds of adorable and good. Oliver is for sure the kind of boy I hope my daughters bump into in life because he is one of the good ones. Actually, scratch that, he is a GREAT one. He is loving, sweet, encouraging, ambitious, funny, mature but at the same time a kid that still needs his family and friend ( even if his friends are a teenager that goes to school with him and an old man in a nursing home!) He stole my heart pretty much from the very beginning. He has a crush on this girl Ainsley and he has decided that he will make her fall in love with him, and will do this with his methodical approach that has proved time and again reliable to achieve his objectives. But what he really discovers is that he is pretty awesome himself and he should never stop reaching out for his dreams. A lesson that many of us should remember. Overall, a great read, engaging, funny, tender, sad at times (yes, I cried a little but I'm a cryer) with fantastic characters, well rounded and developed. Loved it!
Adorable, engaging, realistic, heartwarming. There was not one thing that happened that I didn't love. And that is a rarity for me, I am not a fan of YA. I am just to old to get on board with teenage angst, over the top drama, situations beyond youth reality, and the dreaded "misunderstanding" story line. I always find myself thinking, in what reality do theses things happen. Certainly not mine.
How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love With You was a story of teenagers I could relate too. The antics, situations, loves, frustrations, and hurt were realistic. The friends, family, interactions and behaviors, this was high school that I remembered. Just day to day hopes, dreams, failures, and loves.
The secondary charters were a huge wow for me too! I love when they are written with as much love and care as the main characters. Nothing drives and supports a story like well written secondary characters.
So what's the story and why am I raving like this?
Oliver is a 17 yr old geeky boy who has been in love with Ainsley forever. They've known each other from grade school and have some interaction, but are not really friends. But to Oliver, Aisnley is the epitome of perfection and he has decided he going to get her to fall in love with him.
And how does Oliver go about that? With his "How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love With You" list.
You see, Oliver is a very methodical type of kid. Everything he does he does with a list so he can check off items all the while seeing his goal closer and closer with every check off.
I loved Oliver. Quirky, super smart, kind, a good friend. Everyone knew an Oliver in HS.
Then we have Viney, Oliver's best friend and cohort in the lists and life in general. Viney is a great secondary character and plays off of Oliver spectacularly! Their banter is hysterical as is their friendship. It just makes sense.
There is Ainsley. She's pretty, popular, a nice person, but not written in a way where she is ridiculously unattainable. Kudos to T.M. Franklin for writing another believable character and not the typified cheerleader type out of everyone grasp.
I could go on forever about all the characters. They were all superbly written and not a single one of them perfect. Very flesh and blood real with quirks, issues, and problems. But nothing overtly over the top to drag the story under with. Everyone blended so well making the story just so believable.
The story line too. Though simplistic, there is a ton of humor, a lot silly antics, and a good dose of angst and tears.
L O V E D I T !!!
Such a good story! Amazing flow, characters that were completely engaging, a simple story line that carried chapter after chapter with no lull or hiccups.
T.M. Franklin's writing is magical. I was completely carried away and felt like I was there in the story watching everything unfold. Amazing color and texture with every word! Just good honest to goodness story telling!
I am still bubbling over the excitement the story made me feel.
How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love With You is why I love to read and why it is one of my 2014 favorite reads.
**Thank you to Netgalley and TWCS for giving me the opportunity to advance read this book***
I'm a HUGE fan of T. M. Franklin, and when this book became available on netgalley, I snapped it up! Then, I got bogged down and completely forgot about it. Until yesterday... I started it late in the evening and finished it this morning. I think, overall, it took me about 6 hours to fly through this story.
Firstly... any book where a character is called Sherlock Holmes should be read by anyone. Especially a Sherlock as precocious as this one. Secondly, being given the opportunity to get inside the head of a teenage boy is one any woman has to take, regardless of her age.
Oliver... he's got his entire life planned (and the lists to prove it). He knows where he's going to college, he knows what he's going to study, and he knows that he wants Ainsley Bishop. Problem... She has a boyfriend. Does he back away? No, with the help of Viney, he's going to make her realise he's the boy for her. What follows is a funny (yes, I laughed out loud - earning me strange looks from the family) and sweet story about love and trying to get the girl to notice you.
Oliver comes across as a genuinely nice kid, but isn't annoyingly so. He's a real character who doesn't particularly like to piss people off (except Nathan - believe me, the craiglist scene is sheer brilliance). Viney, his best friend, tries to get him to be a little more vindictive, but it never really works. I have to say, the secondary characters in this book are brilliant, and Oliver's relationships with them come through the words as extremely real! I particularly loved the realtionships with Viney and Hank. They are polar opposites, but they show all sides to Oliver which is great to see.
Ainsley herself is a very relateable character. She's flawed and has problems that we learn about gradually. At the beginning of the book, she's high on a pedestal (we've all done it with the objects of our crushes), but as the story moves along, she becomes a real person as we sympathise with her and cheer for her as she makes particular choices in life.
Once again, T. M. franklin has sucked me in. I adore her books, yet I did have one niggly problem... As I read this book, I kept expecting a hint of supernatural or paranormal to hit me as all of her other books have this element. But no, as she said to me herself (and this is a direct quote) "the only magic in this one is luuuurve..." Which is not a bad thing, believe me!
I had the pleasure of an advanced copy of How To Get Ainsley Bishop To Fall In Love With You, I can’t even begin to tell you how much I loved this book. It is the epitome of everything that I fell in love with when I first started reading young adult fiction. I feel like Ainsley is one of those books that I will purchase and put up on the shelf to pass to my own girls. T.M. Franklin has such a gifted voice; she can take you from laughter to tears to laughing so hard you’re nearly crying.
Oliver is known for his lists from everything on how to get into MIT to the infamous list about getting Ainsley for his own. Oliver is just this quirky, funny who not only is smart, but loves fiercely in all aspects of his life. He’s just a good guy, without it being so obnoxious or cliche that it feels like he can’t be real. Ainsley is just as charming as Oliver, getting to know her through Oliver’s eyes was a lot of fun. Even in the moments that she made the wrong choices I wanted to stick with her.
I don’t want to spoil the book, because it’s so worth reading and discovering for yourself, but watching this young love story play out was absolutely enchanting. What I will say is I feel like often times authors use unimportant characters you’ll never remember again to help with plot devices and filler. T.M. Franklin doesn’t do that at any point in this book, every character you meet is unique and has a purpose in this story. The secondary story lines with Oliver’s parents and his friendship with Hank. They all hit that right note of touching, but realistic.
This book is an absolute joy and you will enjoy every minute of the ride with Oliver and Ainsley.
I just finished reading this wonderful story. The story is told from Oliver's point of view .He's great. He is a teenage boy who likes to make lists.He sets a goal and checks things off as he accomplishes them. Ainsley Bishop is his new goal. Come along and join Oliver as he navigates this thing we call life and see if he can get Ainsley Bishop to fall in love with him. Real and believable characters that will draw you in and keep you there.The point of view from this story is an unique one for me ,not many books I have read lead from a male point of view as this one does. Laughter, crying,best friends ,new friends ,annoying brother , cool parents love and life,are what you will get in this heartwarming story. 5 stars for sure.
Can I give this 100 stars??? One of the best books I have read this year, without a doubt. I loved nerdy Oliver and his lists, Ainsley and her quirky tennis shoes, Oliver's brilliant family, and the characters of Viney and Hank were just perfect. I laughed out loud, almost cried, and definitely cheered a few times during Oliver's journey to win Ainsley's heart. This is just perfection wrapped up in an oddly shaped box with a boy band CD inside. Buy this book!
I was given an arc copy of this book. I LOVED it. It brought back so many memories from my high school days. It was a great story, strong writing and great characters.
First, I have a confession to make. I first learned about T.M.Franklin via a release party by another author where I won a great SWAG package. I received my wonderful coffee mug, bookmarks, and button (that were properly stolen by the teenagers in my home) which prompted me to purchase the book. My only regret is that I had not read it sooner.
*Contains Spoilers * When I read the summary of “How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You”, I thought “Cute…typical boy meets girl romance”. Boy, was I wrong! Oliver Holmes is the typical high school student with the exception that he’s a “Nerd”. He’s owns his own stereotyping label with such heart and genuineness that you can’t help but like him. He is super smart and acknowledges that he will never be “popular” or a “jock”. He has plans for his future when he gets to escape high school and go on to college. Of course, his goals besides making straight A’s, hanging with his best friend Vine, being a great big brother, and working at the retirement home includes his dream girl Ainsley Bishop to fall in love with him.
Oliver sets about his goal with the same determination that allows him to take AP classes…he makes a list and set his plan in motion. Some of his heartfelt thoughts and detailed plans take the reader on detailed emotional ride. Along the way, the reader is introduced to his mom, dad, and little brother Sherlock. It is obvious that mom and dad are good parents who are dealing with real life struggles with work and home. Luckily Oliver’s journey to catch Ainsley involved them rediscovery themselves. Btw, Oliver’s relationship with Sherlock was what cemented his place as one of my favorite young adult male heroes. When their parents were having a disagreement, Oliver allowing Sherlock to sit in his room demonstrated his commitment to his brother without words.
Ainsley Bishop has been Oliver’s dream girl for a while. However, she’s “popular” and has a “jock” as her boyfriend. In some young adult novels, I cringe at the heroines because they feel like they are Barbie doll fake. Ainsley isn’t the typical “popular” girl. She’s smart, nice, and creative. However, she has her own insecurities and is trying to do what everyone else wants her to do. Enter, Oliver who is different from the other people around her and is actually concerned about her. Oliver uses his smarts and heart to try to figure out how to get Ainsley to like him. However, I think he’s detailed suggestions and plan has much merit that could be utilized by all of us.
T.M. Franklin made all the characters real and I was completely invested in them. The scenes between Oliver and Franklin had me laughing out loud and my family asking me “what’s so funny?”. I also had some emotional scenes as Oliver and Ainsley both has to work through some difficult real life issues. I’m not going to spoil what those are…but I needed tissues.
As a fan of young adult romances that don’t make everyone a victim, I applaud T.M. Franklin. As a school counselor, I see many Olivers and Ainsleys in my hallway. My wish is that they can also find their way in life and realize that no matter if they are “nerds”, “jocks”, “populars”, and etc. they deserve at great future.
P.S. I really hope Sherlock gets his own book in the future.
How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You was exactly what I was expecting it to be - a light, sweet YA romance that hit all the right notes. Since I really enjoyed Franklin's other books (the first two books in the MORE series), I was eager to get my hands on this one. I wasn't disappointed!
The synopsis describes the book pretty well, so I'll just get right to my review.
What I loved:
Oliver's lists. I really loved the concept of Oliver's lists. He had a list for everything with a step-by-step checklist to help him accomplish his goals. And they work for him. I've gotta say that even his list for Ainsley was pretty spot-on. With great advice like "Make her feel secure and important," "Pay attention" and "Admit when you're wrong," he's got a solid foundation for a good relationship. I mean, what girl doesn't want someone to treat them like they're important and pay attention to them? I was really glad that his list wasn't all silly little things to get her attention (though there were a couple of those too!).
The gifts. The best thing about this book was the many gifts that Oliver bought for Ainsley while he was trying to come up with the perfect birthday present. In order to come up with gift ideas, he had to get to know her better (and write another list!) - this prompted him to really try to understand Ainsley in a way that no one had understood her before. Ainsley spent her life pleasing other people and Oliver was the first person to really put effort into finding out what she wanted. Because of this, a really sweet friendship developed between the two, and I was completely rooting for them as a couple!
The play. Part of the book revolves around a play that Ainsley has written for her drama class. It's horrible - so horrible that it's hilarious. I loved the concept of the play (a girl joins the football team to get the attention of the quarterback) and how they adjusted it to make it into something great!
The male perspective. You don't see too many YA romances written from a male POV. I think Franklin did a great job at writing a somewhat geeky teen boy's perspective!
The negatives:
Nothing groundbreaking. This isn't the type of book that you read if you're looking for something completely unique or incredibly impacting. It's just not that sort of book. We've all read something similar to this before, but Franklin does manage to give the story her own fun twist and make it stand out from the crowd.
How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You is the perfect summer YA read. Pick it up if you're looking for something funny and sweet. You won't be disappointed! I give it 4/5 stars.
***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by NetGalley and The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own***
If you’re in the mood for something quirky then pick this! Ainsley Bishop is a witty, funny, engaging and cleverly written story about a very geeky and slightly awkward guy who’s in love with a girl who he doesn’t think notices him. He devises a plan to get closer to her and ropes in his best friend Viney to assist him. And as these things go, some things go according to plan while a few surprises lay ahead.
Oliver is one of my favourite protagonists. He has a clear head on his shoulders and is incredibly self-assured for his age. He has no qualms about who he is and couldn’t care less what other people think of him. His habit of making lists to direct every aspect of his life may seem obsessive but I choose to see him as focused. He joins the drama club with Ainsley and soon learns that there’s more to her than this idea of her that he has built in his head. She may seem all cozy and content with her boyfriend to everyone else but Oliver reads her differently.
When he offers to help her fix her play, he discovers a different Ainsley, one who’s not quite as put together as she appears to be and someone who’s bogged down by other people’s expectations of her. Oliver knows that her loyalty to her boyfriend and father are holding her back from discovering her own potential. He takes it upon himself to oh so delicately encourage her to take care of herself and remind her that her dreams should be equally as important.
Here's what makes Ainsley Bishop spectacular. We have this kid who’s put his dream girl up on a pedestal, and rather than being disappointed by her, he sees all that she can be and stands by her side. He doesn’t tell her what to do but works diligently at bolstering her confidence in herself. In the process, Oliver also begins to stand up for what he wants.
This book is just pure brilliance. I was at the beach when I read this and many times I was laughing out loud! Thankfully not too many people were around me to see me during my laughing fits. But there were lots of them especially during Oliver and Viney’s banter. They have such typical teenage boy moments then they also show remarkable maturity in parts. Viney is a treat and a true friend. Not to be outdone is Oliver's brother, Sherlock. The kid is hysterical!
How To Get Ainsley Bishop To Fall In Love With You is more than just about high school crushes and school plays. This time the guy loves everything about the girl and wants her to see just how freaking amazing she already is!
In high school, I had a terrible three-year crush on a guy we’ll call “John.” Though unrequited, my epic crush on John prompted me to do things like spell his name in syrup atop my pancakes, memorize his volleyball serving technique (ten ball bounces then two steps forward), and spend the first weeks of post-freshman year summer break dissecting his cryptic message in my yearbook. But for all the energy spent loving John from afar, I never thought to put my brain to good use and draft a list of things I could do to make him fall in love with me.
And that’s the difference between me and Oliver Wendell Holmes, the endearing protagonist in How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You.
While the title might be a mouthful, the story goes down sweet and easy. This perfect beach read is engaging, touching, and laugh-out-loud hilarious. I inhaled the novel in a few hours and would gladly reinvest that time doing so again for the pleasure of spending more time with Oliver. Delightful, insightful, and adorably awkward, he’s the type of guy you wish you knew in high school.
Or college. Or right now.
If Oliver weren’t enough, Ainsley Bishop also boasts a fantastic supporting cast, among them Oliver’s skeptical yet supportive best friend Viney who keeps Oliver sane but not too serious as he pursues his lofty goal, and Oliver’s younger brother Sherlock Holmes, who is interesting beyond his noteworthy name and deserving of his own book (hint, hint, Ms. Franklin). The subplots and secondary storylines are an apt spice to this delicious story, adding just enough richness to fully satisfy the reader’s palette.
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise lies in the title character herself. Ainsley Bishop is more than a pretty girl with an impressive collection of tennis shoes. Her flaws endear her to both Oliver and the reader, and as their relationship buds and blossoms, so does our hope to see it in full bloom before the story ends.
You’ll have to read Ainsley Bishop yourself to learn if Oliver gets the girl. Either way, T.M. Franklin’s heartwarming, smile-inducing novel won this girl over, and I have no doubt it will do the same for you.
I hate referring to a book as "cute." I just do. I don't want the author to think I'm demeaning their work or dismissing them in any way and cute just has that connotation in my mind. I could look up a thousand synonyms to use to describe How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love With You, but the fact is, it's a cute book... and I mean that in an entirely positive way.
The characters were charming. I just wanted to squeeze Oliver's nerdy, ridiculously adorable self. I could gush endlessly over Oliver. He was such a rich character. I love his lists! He was so thoughtful and the lengths he went to for Ainsley were sweet – and they didn't go unnoticed. Popular girl Ainsley could have easily been a jerk, but she wasn't, regardless of whether she was with Oliver or her other, more popular friends. The usual stereotypes don't apply. Even though Oliver thought he knew Ainsley and had been crushing on her from afar, it was still fun for me to read about how they slowly built a friendship that started to have hints of something more. There was no instalove here, just a sweet and believable story about two people coming together, finding their similarities and looking past the fact they're from two completely different circles.
How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love With You has a ton of heart. There's also a healthy dose of humor – and some high school drama. But it isn't angsty drama. This book has a great message about taking the time to look past the stereotypes and outward appearances and get to know the person underneath and it tells it in a completely realistic and engaging way that isn't preachy. Anyone who ever roots for the underdog – or has been one themselves – will love this book. It's a great read that should definitely be on your summer reading list.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This was a cute story of first love and how one of the school's smart, somewhat nerdy guys goes about getting the girl. Honestly, I found Oliver to be sweet and there is nothing wrong with lists....I use them myself for planning purposes.
Oliver has had a crush on Ainsley Bishop for like forever, and finally decides to do something about it. Unlike most guys, he's a planner and likes to use lists for everything. The problem? He isn't just a normal teenager. He's smart, nice, and not one of the popular kids. He only has one close friend, Viney, and they are either invisible to the other kids or the ones who are always picked on. And, well, Ainsley does have a boyfriend, and he's a football player. How will Oliver compete with that? He starts by making a list of what he can do to show her his potential. His plan is to get close to her, become her friend, then show her that he thinks about her and what is important to her. With Viney's help, he comes up with a list of areas to start, including taking an interest in what she likes, the Drama Club, finding her the perfect birthday gift, and just being that thoughtful guy that listens to her and encourages her without looking like he is competing with Ian. Since he hasn't had a girlfriend before, and he's never been in love, he looks to those around him who have and seeks their advice, starting with asking his parents and his actor friend Hank what they did to get their significant others' attention. Or in the case of his mother, what she found made her fall in love with his father.
Oliver will go to a couple of extremes, but he'll slowly begin to build that relationship with Ainsley until one misunderstanding will shake his confidence and cause him to lose faith in himself and his chances to win the girl. This is definitely a YA book, so if that is not your thing, well, that's ok, but I think anyone could read it and still find some enjoyment of remembering what it is like to crush on that one person you think you'll never have a chance with.
T.M. Franklin has written a charming, involving, adorable story about an imaginative, methodical teenage boy with goals, dreams, and the determination to make them happen.
My first feeling after reading this fantastic YA is that EVERY girl should have someone like Oliver at some point in their lives. Someone who cares enough about them to be purposeful in getting to know them. Sure, Oliver has a list—I myself am a firm believer in using lists for projects—but he makes lists because things matter to him and he is a thorough fellow. And Ainsley Bishop totally matters to Oliver Holmes.
The course of true love never did run smooth, Lysander says in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and that is the case here. Ainsley, while pretty awesome, has issues of her own that she has to struggle with and Oliver doesn't get to stand idly by while that happens.
It isn't easy, but as he acknowledges to himself, she is worth it.
I so appreciate that Franklin gives Oliver a stable family. Perfect? No, but it's real and honest and sweet. His best friend is a great guy without overwhelming issues, too. Ainsley's issues are lessened when she starts acting on them. So, this is a group of young people without enormous amounts of drama. They're just young and growing up and finding that they can affect their own destinies.
A terrific story. I laughed. I cried (serious sniffling and cleaning of my glasses were necessary). I completely enjoyed this story and will do so again and again, I'm absolutely certain.
High Schooler Oliver is a nerd. He's a list-maker and a straight-A student. And he wants to win over the lovely Ainsley. Using advice from his family and friends as well as his sure-to-succeed list, Oliver attempts to win Ainsley over. The only problem is that she already has a boyfriend!
Boys will be boys… Wrong! Oliver broke that mold completely. He is sensitive and thoughtful and adorably awkward. Girls won't always be girls either because Ainsley appears to be shallow at first, but as Oliver gets to know her so do we and everyone can see why Oliver has a crush to end all crushes on her. This novel featured realistic characters, even the 'bad' boyfriend. Ainsley isn't an airhead, she has substance to her, even if she is dating the 'bad' boyfriend.
The dialogue is absolutely clever and Oliver's awkwardness and inner thoughts are hilarious. This book shows such a great, and what I think of as accurate, insight into young men and women in high school.
I love how Oliver received a lot of good dating advice… from mothers and fathers and friends and siblings. Make her feel important. Listen to her. Find what's meaningful to her. All good advice! And Oliver actually puts it to use!
Absolutely cute! I have no other way to describe this book. It was so refreshing, and novel, to see a YA written from the perspective of a guy, you know. Made for some definite awkward and totally funny and again, absolutely cute moments.
I cheered for Oliver throughout, amid the laughs and chuckles and giggles, because this is like a trainwreck happening...in the most beautiful and entertaining sense, though. The secondary characters alone could've had their one-man show and we'd have remained hooked. But the author combines them all together and creates this amazing, fantabulous ensemble that will have you in stitches when you are not nodding your head and totally agreeing with the conflicts and dilemmas going on in this book.
And yes, the Craigslist moment - the book is worth it for that alone!
Definitely a YA to read, to savour, to devour. Well worth the time that totally flies when you're reading.
This book is absolutely fantastic! It reminded me a bit of early Gordon Korman. I was laughing at some of the things Oliver said and did.
This is the type of YA novel I really enjoy (not that I don't enjoy the more serious stuff too; I do, or I wouldn't read it). Sometimes all you want is a bit of fluff that makes you laugh and believe in happiness. That's this book, for sure.
Oliver is the type of guy I might have crushed on in high school; he's definitely the type of guy I married! Of course, he's also the type of guy I would have made friends with, crushed on, and never actually gotten anywhere with because I was never the type of girl Ainsley is.
I did nearly cry, so it's not all laughs and giggles, but I didn't feel manipulated and that's important.
Overall, an enjoyable read and definitely one I'd recommend.
Oliver is so endearing and sweet. He loves making lists and he has his eyes set on the prize: Ainsley Bishop. The problem is that Ainsley has a boyfriend already. Obstacles are everywhere. Between his younger brother, who thinks he's a detective, trying to figure out what Oliver is up to, an upcoming school play, figuring out the perfect gift for Ainsley's birthday, and Ian-Ainsley's boyfriend wising up to Oliver's antics, will Oliver be able to make her see what she's missing?
I loved this book because it brought back all those feelings of first love, the uncertainty, nervousness, and giddiness (yes-Oliver gets giddy and it's so cute!) This book is the perfect combination of humor and romance. Buying it for all my nieces!
I loved this book! Oliver Holmes is a geeky kid who is in love with one of the popular girls in school. Oliver is a list-maker for everything he does, so he makes a list of how he can get Ainsley to fall in love with him. He sticks to this list, mostly, but he also finds out that you can't plan everything out. We also get to know his best friend, his brother (Sherlock), and a wonderful cast of others. I read this book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down and I laughed out loud. It is a great take on teenage love written from the boy's perspective. T.M. captures the essence of what it's like to be an adolescent trying to navigate the social expectations while fumbling to find your own way in this world. 5 out of 5!!
I'm not even going to lie. I ended with book with a happy sigh. I seriously sighed happily and with so much satisfaction. That's a first.
I don't think I've ever laughed so much and felt so connected to the characters at the same time. I laughed out loud a lot. And then, something would happen, and I was, "Aw...Poor kid." It was adorable, touching, hilarious, and simply one of those feel good books. I loved every single character. The family, friends, almost everyone really was unique and lovable.
I probably wouldn't have discovered this book if not for my blogger friend, Kristalyn, so thanks, girl! You were right. It was a fun book, and such a perfect one to kick off my reading-binge.
LOVED How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You. So many happy feels!
Oliver is such a sweetheart, he truly made me swoon, it didn't take me long to fall in love with the geeky nerd. All the characters in this story are believable and very relatable, they each added to the story.
I'm a huge fan of T.M. Franklin, she's given us readers another wonderful read with How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You.
I highly recommend this book, you too will fall in love with Oliver :)
Thank you to NetGalley and to The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
How adorable was this story? Like the old family sitcoms I used to watch on Nick at Nite.
Oliver is a geeky, list making, nerdy guy. Ainsley is a popular drama queen. No seriously, she was in huge drama club. This story is how Oliver plans to win Ainsley's heart. Through a series of lists and observations, he tries to win her heart. With the help of his parents, and Hank, an elderly gentleman who lives at the senior center where Oliver works, he receives valuable life lessons and advice about love gained and love lost. Such a sweet, refreshing read.
And his brother Sherlock makes for some great laughs. Really great laughs!