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One Smart Cookie
Sophie Dumbrowski has only gone out with three guys in her sixteen years––a moron, a liar, and a perv. She’s dying to change her Facebook status to “In a Relationship,” but how is she going to do that when Cosmo ranks her Guy-Q as category D: In Desperate Need of Help? Busia, her Polish grandma, offers to make a bargain with Dola, the Polish spirit of love, in exchange for Sophie’s agreement to get along with her man-hungry mother, who owns a bakery.
Sophie jumps at the chance, ready to meet Chicago’s hottest teenage boy. Shortly after the deal is made, Sophie and her mom get in a terrible fight, causing her mom to fire her. This prompts Busia to pronounce that Sophie's love life is now cursed. But when Sophie meets two incredibly gorgeous guys that same afternoon, she decides she’ll need to secretly date them both until she discovers if they are good luck or bad news.
When the International Gourmet moves into their strip mall, the bakery business begins to tank. Sophie can't sit by and watch her future burn to a crisp. Can the three women patch up their differences and get the bakery back in business, or will Sophie's undercover double-dating scheme continue to curse them all? Only Dola knows for sure.
Sophie jumps at the chance, ready to meet Chicago’s hottest teenage boy. Shortly after the deal is made, Sophie and her mom get in a terrible fight, causing her mom to fire her. This prompts Busia to pronounce that Sophie's love life is now cursed. But when Sophie meets two incredibly gorgeous guys that same afternoon, she decides she’ll need to secretly date them both until she discovers if they are good luck or bad news.
When the International Gourmet moves into their strip mall, the bakery business begins to tank. Sophie can't sit by and watch her future burn to a crisp. Can the three women patch up their differences and get the bakery back in business, or will Sophie's undercover double-dating scheme continue to curse them all? Only Dola knows for sure.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2014
1 person is currently reading
582 people want to read
About the author
Kym Brunner
4 books67 followers Kym Brunner dreams entire novels in her head, but needs about a year to write it all down. She wishes there was an app for this. She's addicted to tea, going to the movies, and reality TV. She lives in the Chicago area with her family and two dogs. Keep in touch by following her on Facebook (Author Kym Brunner), Twitter (@KymBrunner), or at her website, http://www.kymbrunner.com.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 15, 2014
Sophie Dumbrowski is a typical teenage girl. She wants to have a fun summer, meet a cool guy, and avoid working in her family bakery as much as possible. Her grandma, Busia, offers to help Sophie find a good boy--with a small "spell". Not really, more of a bargain with Dola, a Polish spirit. Sophie thinks it's just Busia's usual eccentricity--her grams is always praying for something, and agrees to the charm, against her mother's orders. See, Sophie's mom things her mother's Polish charms are a whole lot of hoo-ha.
Of course, in order to ask Dola to help Sophie, Sophie must agree to not fight with her mom. Which, if you are a teenaged girl, is next to impossible. Besides, her mom is total slave-driver! Almost immediately after the charm is cast, Sophie and her mom argue, to Busia's (and Dola's?) dismay. In fact, Sophie gets FIRED! How does a girl get fired from her own bakery?! Her mom doesn't budge and Sophie's on her way out to cool down/find a new job when she meets not one, but TWO! attractive boys. Giovanni is a landscaper working on a newly opened business down the block from her home, and Nick is a sales boy at the pet shop where Sophie gets hired.
What Would Dola Do? you may ask? Well, whatever Dola thinks, Sophie decides to try both guys on--to see which is the best for her. See, she's only ever had three dates, and the prospect of two suitors is pretty enticing. Not that she wants to ruin a good thing, either. It's kinda too soon to decide which guy would be better. One is kind, steadfast and fun, and the other is flashy and exciting--but not in a legal way.
One the other hand, Sophie's new job is not working out, and her mom is spending money they don't have to get new customers into the shop. A new International supermarket is stealing away their business, and Eliza, the girl she hired to replace Sophie, thinks transforming their Polish bakery into an organic eatery will bring in a whole new clientele. Still, the bakery is failing and, with all that drama and juggling two boys, it seems Sophie's in big trouble.
Busia is sure Dola is to blame. Sophie breaking her word and arguing with her mother has caused a rift they need to repair--and having two boyfriends is also bad luck, according to Busia. It takes some hard work, and some serious apologizing, but Sophie manages to repair her relationships--and build better stronger ones moving forward.
I adored this book! The Polish immigrant backdrop is so lovely, and works beautifully with the Chicago environment. The war between American assimilation and cultural identity is so lovingly detailed. Sophie is a funny narrator--her potty mouth might be too much at times, but she sounds like "Anygirl", to me. The mess she gets entangled with--between Gio and Nick--is realistic and well-considered. There are instances of teen experimentation--including alcohol and drug use--that also ring true, as well as frank discussions about sex, and sexual activity. I really liked how Sophie got her priorities together and made the best choices. In the end, I was so rooting for her, the bakery, and of course, Busia. Who doesn't love a mystic-charming granny who bakes all day long?
So fun! Plenty of humorous moments--Sophie is a classic klutz with the bruises to prove it, and the brunt of more than a few cracks on her last name. I could so imagine her, out there in the north side of Chicago hawking kolatchkies, I almost lamented not getting a recipe. ;)
Of course, in order to ask Dola to help Sophie, Sophie must agree to not fight with her mom. Which, if you are a teenaged girl, is next to impossible. Besides, her mom is total slave-driver! Almost immediately after the charm is cast, Sophie and her mom argue, to Busia's (and Dola's?) dismay. In fact, Sophie gets FIRED! How does a girl get fired from her own bakery?! Her mom doesn't budge and Sophie's on her way out to cool down/find a new job when she meets not one, but TWO! attractive boys. Giovanni is a landscaper working on a newly opened business down the block from her home, and Nick is a sales boy at the pet shop where Sophie gets hired.
What Would Dola Do? you may ask? Well, whatever Dola thinks, Sophie decides to try both guys on--to see which is the best for her. See, she's only ever had three dates, and the prospect of two suitors is pretty enticing. Not that she wants to ruin a good thing, either. It's kinda too soon to decide which guy would be better. One is kind, steadfast and fun, and the other is flashy and exciting--but not in a legal way.
One the other hand, Sophie's new job is not working out, and her mom is spending money they don't have to get new customers into the shop. A new International supermarket is stealing away their business, and Eliza, the girl she hired to replace Sophie, thinks transforming their Polish bakery into an organic eatery will bring in a whole new clientele. Still, the bakery is failing and, with all that drama and juggling two boys, it seems Sophie's in big trouble.
Busia is sure Dola is to blame. Sophie breaking her word and arguing with her mother has caused a rift they need to repair--and having two boyfriends is also bad luck, according to Busia. It takes some hard work, and some serious apologizing, but Sophie manages to repair her relationships--and build better stronger ones moving forward.
I adored this book! The Polish immigrant backdrop is so lovely, and works beautifully with the Chicago environment. The war between American assimilation and cultural identity is so lovingly detailed. Sophie is a funny narrator--her potty mouth might be too much at times, but she sounds like "Anygirl", to me. The mess she gets entangled with--between Gio and Nick--is realistic and well-considered. There are instances of teen experimentation--including alcohol and drug use--that also ring true, as well as frank discussions about sex, and sexual activity. I really liked how Sophie got her priorities together and made the best choices. In the end, I was so rooting for her, the bakery, and of course, Busia. Who doesn't love a mystic-charming granny who bakes all day long?
So fun! Plenty of humorous moments--Sophie is a classic klutz with the bruises to prove it, and the brunt of more than a few cracks on her last name. I could so imagine her, out there in the north side of Chicago hawking kolatchkies, I almost lamented not getting a recipe. ;)
August 16, 2014
One Smart Cookie is a book I've been really excited for to read. Having many Polish friends myself, I just knew I had to get my hands on this book, and man -- it definitely gave me some HIGHLY ENTERTAINING reading hours.
Summer vacation have finally started and Sophie Dumbrowski has sworn to make her summer unforgettable – such as by getting a boyfriend. Or simply having a good time with her best friend, Teegan. What she definitely does not expect is to be fired by her mother on the very first day from her workplace in their family-run Polish bakery – or to be “ditched” by her BFF for a potential boyfriend. Now it is time for Sophie to find a new job (her mother won’t pay for college which is a nightmare!) as well as her own boyfriend. And yes, this of course results in a complete mess.
There were so many aspects in the story that were simply adorable. First of all, Sophie herself. Her wit and repartee captured me from the very first page and it was so much fun seeing how she deals with the mess she’s finding herself in, especially when it comes to getting used to her new job in a pet shop. She never minces her words and always does exactly the thing she feels is right, which often results in more than hilarious situations and I really admired her for her boldness. Also, the dialogues between her and her mother: priceless!
Busia, Sophie's grandmother, was probably my favorite character in the whole book. Her Polish accent as well as her superstitious character were just freaking adorable and I can honestly say that she is one of the cutest and most endearing characters I have ever met. It was so much fun seeing her making the “deals” with Dola for Sophie! Anyway, I guess this is exactly what I liked about the book: The hilarious, yet somewhat serious clash between Polish culture and the Chicago environment which is reflected in the family dynamics in the Dumbrowski household. Needless to say, it sometimes felt like watching a ticking time bomb just about to explode; yet, you cannot deny the charm of the three generations being together.
That being said, I have to say that both love interests were rather that sort of flat characters for my taste. I would say that there is some chemistry between her and Gio (who himself has a Italian background) at the beginning and I really enjoyed reading the dialogues between them, especially since they both can relate to that “feeling sometimes out of place due to the immigrant background”-thing. Unfortunately, after a while, their relationship fades to the background as Nick comes into play, but luckily, he turned out to be quite an interesting character. I could clearly see the excitement or appeal of this love triangle but it would not have hurt if Sophie had gotten her priorities together earlier: After 50 pages or something I was into the book I knew exactly with who she’d end up. Nonetheless, the excruciatingly funny mess she gets entangled with, including many funny dialogues, made up for the predictable parts of the book.
Anyway, I can't tell you how many times my mouth got all watery each time Polish pastries such as Kolszki or Pączki were mentioned. Seriously, Kym Brunner has got some talent in describing delicious food and as a self-declared food maven and food lover myself, this definitely added to my admiring for her writing.
I loved seeing Sophie finally wake up; seeing her pulling herself together and “finding her true self”. However, the ending was a little bit too rush and I felt as if it was missing some depth. It was too much of that happily-ever-after although there were clearly some pending conflicts. Nonetheless, I really liked how smoothly things ended.
All in all, if you are looking for a quick and fun summer read with a hilarious immigrant theme, you should definitely check this book out!
Summer vacation have finally started and Sophie Dumbrowski has sworn to make her summer unforgettable – such as by getting a boyfriend. Or simply having a good time with her best friend, Teegan. What she definitely does not expect is to be fired by her mother on the very first day from her workplace in their family-run Polish bakery – or to be “ditched” by her BFF for a potential boyfriend. Now it is time for Sophie to find a new job (her mother won’t pay for college which is a nightmare!) as well as her own boyfriend. And yes, this of course results in a complete mess.
There were so many aspects in the story that were simply adorable. First of all, Sophie herself. Her wit and repartee captured me from the very first page and it was so much fun seeing how she deals with the mess she’s finding herself in, especially when it comes to getting used to her new job in a pet shop. She never minces her words and always does exactly the thing she feels is right, which often results in more than hilarious situations and I really admired her for her boldness. Also, the dialogues between her and her mother: priceless!
Busia, Sophie's grandmother, was probably my favorite character in the whole book. Her Polish accent as well as her superstitious character were just freaking adorable and I can honestly say that she is one of the cutest and most endearing characters I have ever met. It was so much fun seeing her making the “deals” with Dola for Sophie! Anyway, I guess this is exactly what I liked about the book: The hilarious, yet somewhat serious clash between Polish culture and the Chicago environment which is reflected in the family dynamics in the Dumbrowski household. Needless to say, it sometimes felt like watching a ticking time bomb just about to explode; yet, you cannot deny the charm of the three generations being together.
That being said, I have to say that both love interests were rather that sort of flat characters for my taste. I would say that there is some chemistry between her and Gio (who himself has a Italian background) at the beginning and I really enjoyed reading the dialogues between them, especially since they both can relate to that “feeling sometimes out of place due to the immigrant background”-thing. Unfortunately, after a while, their relationship fades to the background as Nick comes into play, but luckily, he turned out to be quite an interesting character. I could clearly see the excitement or appeal of this love triangle but it would not have hurt if Sophie had gotten her priorities together earlier: After 50 pages or something I was into the book I knew exactly with who she’d end up. Nonetheless, the excruciatingly funny mess she gets entangled with, including many funny dialogues, made up for the predictable parts of the book.
Anyway, I can't tell you how many times my mouth got all watery each time Polish pastries such as Kolszki or Pączki were mentioned. Seriously, Kym Brunner has got some talent in describing delicious food and as a self-declared food maven and food lover myself, this definitely added to my admiring for her writing.
I loved seeing Sophie finally wake up; seeing her pulling herself together and “finding her true self”. However, the ending was a little bit too rush and I felt as if it was missing some depth. It was too much of that happily-ever-after although there were clearly some pending conflicts. Nonetheless, I really liked how smoothly things ended.
All in all, if you are looking for a quick and fun summer read with a hilarious immigrant theme, you should definitely check this book out!
August 15, 2014
❦❦❦- 3 Floral Hearts!
We Are Totally Crushing on this Book!
http://loveineverypage.weebly.com/ya-...
THE STORY:
Although Sophie has her own plan to get a boyfriend this summer, her mother and grandmother are determined to find her the perfect boyfriend themselves. Her mother thinks that she needs to change her appearance, and her grandmother offers to consult her Polish spirits for help. When her grandmother makes a deal with Dola for Sophie, she is given the sign of the rose to point her in the right direction, but she must make sure not to argue with her mother, otherwise the deal is broken, and bad luck will follow her. But not arguing with her mother is easier said than done for Sophie, and when the deal is broken, everything starts falling apart. But amid all the bad luck, Sophie does manage to meet not only one guy but two. Giovanni is the Italian heartthrob, and Nick is the Polish bad boy. Her inability to choose one of then could be a blessing or a curse.
THE COUPLE:
So Sophie's grandmother made the deal with Dola and the sign for Sophie to look for is a rose. She meets Giovanni while he's working on the landscaping for the new place going into their mall and he's planting rose bushes. Then a little while later, she meets Nick at the local pet store and he's holding a puppy with rose ears. Giovanni is really down-to-earth and family-oriented. He works hard and is just very caring and sweet. Nick, on the other hand, is wild and just out there. He has a talent for stealing and getting into trouble and has no problem ditching Sophie at the drop of a hat. While I was reading, I felt like the choice was clear on who Sophie should choose. I loved Giovanni from the very beginning and he just seemed like exactly who Sophie needed. I like bad boys, but I also like seeing a willingness to change, and Nick showed none of that. I just knew that he would eventually do something stupid. I thought that Sophie could have been a little more thoughtful about Giovanni's feelings. She seemed really self-absorbed most of the time and that kind of bothered me.
THE ROMANCE:
Giovanni was definitely the romantic one of the two guys. Nick was more all about the next great party and where his next hit would be coming from. Giovanni planned their dates out and just thought about what Sophie may enjoy doing. I mean, who wouldn't love going for a picnic on the beach or riding a ferris wheel? It's the thought that counts, all the time, in my opinion. And Giovanni won in that department.
We Are Totally Crushing on this Book!
http://loveineverypage.weebly.com/ya-...
THE STORY:
Although Sophie has her own plan to get a boyfriend this summer, her mother and grandmother are determined to find her the perfect boyfriend themselves. Her mother thinks that she needs to change her appearance, and her grandmother offers to consult her Polish spirits for help. When her grandmother makes a deal with Dola for Sophie, she is given the sign of the rose to point her in the right direction, but she must make sure not to argue with her mother, otherwise the deal is broken, and bad luck will follow her. But not arguing with her mother is easier said than done for Sophie, and when the deal is broken, everything starts falling apart. But amid all the bad luck, Sophie does manage to meet not only one guy but two. Giovanni is the Italian heartthrob, and Nick is the Polish bad boy. Her inability to choose one of then could be a blessing or a curse.
THE COUPLE:
So Sophie's grandmother made the deal with Dola and the sign for Sophie to look for is a rose. She meets Giovanni while he's working on the landscaping for the new place going into their mall and he's planting rose bushes. Then a little while later, she meets Nick at the local pet store and he's holding a puppy with rose ears. Giovanni is really down-to-earth and family-oriented. He works hard and is just very caring and sweet. Nick, on the other hand, is wild and just out there. He has a talent for stealing and getting into trouble and has no problem ditching Sophie at the drop of a hat. While I was reading, I felt like the choice was clear on who Sophie should choose. I loved Giovanni from the very beginning and he just seemed like exactly who Sophie needed. I like bad boys, but I also like seeing a willingness to change, and Nick showed none of that. I just knew that he would eventually do something stupid. I thought that Sophie could have been a little more thoughtful about Giovanni's feelings. She seemed really self-absorbed most of the time and that kind of bothered me.
THE ROMANCE:
Giovanni was definitely the romantic one of the two guys. Nick was more all about the next great party and where his next hit would be coming from. Giovanni planned their dates out and just thought about what Sophie may enjoy doing. I mean, who wouldn't love going for a picnic on the beach or riding a ferris wheel? It's the thought that counts, all the time, in my opinion. And Giovanni won in that department.
August 6, 2014
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**
One Smart Cookie is an adorable young adult standalone read. I thought the romance in it was really cute and it ended up being a really nice family story as well, which was an unexpected perk. I loved all of the crazy characters, even though one of them annoyed me to no end, but even she ended up shaping up so all around One Smart Cookie turned out to be one heck of a cute read.
Sophie works in her mothers Polish bakery and lives above it with her guy crazy mom and very old school and very awesome grandmother. The grandmother was my favorite character in the whole story. I enjoyed Sophie as well. She is young so she does have a tendency to have some immature moments, I still thought she was wayyy better (with 3 y's) than her mother. Her mother bothered me to no end. With her rude remarks and her totally inappropriate clothes. But her and Sophie's relationship is all part of the story, so I am not going to go too much into that dynamic. I will only tell you that the mom was the low point of the book for me for probably 3/4th of it.
Sophie wants a boyfriend- her first one- this summer. Her best friend and her are determined to meet some cute guys. But throw in a spiritual and slightly eccentric grandmother and some polish gods, new jobs, and problems at the Polish Bakery and hijinks ensue and guys start popping up left and right. This book is funny. I really enjoyed Kim Brunner's writing. It was clear to me from the start what the "good" choice would be for Sophie, but I can understand the hold up. Does she choose right? The good Guy? The Bad guy? No guy at all? And just happens with the bakery. You need to read One Smart Cookie to find out! I really enjoyed this as a cute and heartwarming read.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
One Smart Cookie is an adorable young adult standalone read. I thought the romance in it was really cute and it ended up being a really nice family story as well, which was an unexpected perk. I loved all of the crazy characters, even though one of them annoyed me to no end, but even she ended up shaping up so all around One Smart Cookie turned out to be one heck of a cute read.
Sophie works in her mothers Polish bakery and lives above it with her guy crazy mom and very old school and very awesome grandmother. The grandmother was my favorite character in the whole story. I enjoyed Sophie as well. She is young so she does have a tendency to have some immature moments, I still thought she was wayyy better (with 3 y's) than her mother. Her mother bothered me to no end. With her rude remarks and her totally inappropriate clothes. But her and Sophie's relationship is all part of the story, so I am not going to go too much into that dynamic. I will only tell you that the mom was the low point of the book for me for probably 3/4th of it.
Sophie wants a boyfriend- her first one- this summer. Her best friend and her are determined to meet some cute guys. But throw in a spiritual and slightly eccentric grandmother and some polish gods, new jobs, and problems at the Polish Bakery and hijinks ensue and guys start popping up left and right. This book is funny. I really enjoyed Kim Brunner's writing. It was clear to me from the start what the "good" choice would be for Sophie, but I can understand the hold up. Does she choose right? The good Guy? The Bad guy? No guy at all? And just happens with the bakery. You need to read One Smart Cookie to find out! I really enjoyed this as a cute and heartwarming read.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
August 11, 2014
Sophie is your typical teenage girl, focused on boys and having fun-not understanding how things really work in the "real" world. She comes across as impulsive and a bit selfish with no clue how hard you need to work in life to get the things you want. The good thing though? This story will show you how she changes from that self-centered, boy-crazy kid into a young lady who finally comprehends how important hard work and family is...while still getting her HEA (well, at least for now-after all, she's not even out of high school yet).
I admit, Sophie's attitude for the first two-thirds of the story just annoyed the heck out of me. But a lot of that is her age. After all, most high school girls think their mothers don't understand them at some point, right? Unfortunately for Sophie, this attitude does get her into a bit of trouble, along with her idea of what her duties should be wherever she works.
I loved the character of Busia. She felt like the heart of the family. And as for Nick and Giovanni, Sophie's two romantic interests, well my choice was pretty easy (but I'm not going to give anything away-though I think you all will probably choose the way I did!). Sophie's mom...hmmm...let's just say I'm glad she's not mine LOL. But she does have a good work ethic which just unfortunately takes a while to rub off onto her daughter.
The story is cute, though I'd rate it more a mature YA then just YA due to language, some minor drug use and a few other things. But overall, a good story of a young girl learning the value of family and how hard work can pay off...and help you end up with the right guy ;-)
I admit, Sophie's attitude for the first two-thirds of the story just annoyed the heck out of me. But a lot of that is her age. After all, most high school girls think their mothers don't understand them at some point, right? Unfortunately for Sophie, this attitude does get her into a bit of trouble, along with her idea of what her duties should be wherever she works.
I loved the character of Busia. She felt like the heart of the family. And as for Nick and Giovanni, Sophie's two romantic interests, well my choice was pretty easy (but I'm not going to give anything away-though I think you all will probably choose the way I did!). Sophie's mom...hmmm...let's just say I'm glad she's not mine LOL. But she does have a good work ethic which just unfortunately takes a while to rub off onto her daughter.
The story is cute, though I'd rate it more a mature YA then just YA due to language, some minor drug use and a few other things. But overall, a good story of a young girl learning the value of family and how hard work can pay off...and help you end up with the right guy ;-)
September 30, 2015
{My Thoughts} – This book was amazing. I was skeptical but not in the sense I had thought it would be bad, but because I have Polish heritage and I know nothing about it. I know sad, but I wasn’t taught any of it.
Sophie is a sweet girl that wants to have a great summer vacation before her senior year. She and her friend have this goal to meet two great guys at the beach and to double date all summer. She ends up with a bad beginning to her summer when she winds up causing her mom to fire her, but in her words she more or less quit or was it the other way around? Anyways, because of that she ends up going job hunting and then so much happens.
There are two guys Nick and Geo. Both appear to be the picture perfect guy, but you know how looks can always be deceiving eventually, right? Eventually she ends up learning that things aren’t as they appear but with which boy or both? I won’t tell you! You need to read the book if you want the juicy info.
Sophie has some choices to make, some relationships to mend and make and one interesting summer vacation.
I really enjoyed this book because of it’s Polish references, it’s Italian references and that fact that it was an attention grabbing wonderful read that I highly recommend.
Sophie is a sweet girl that wants to have a great summer vacation before her senior year. She and her friend have this goal to meet two great guys at the beach and to double date all summer. She ends up with a bad beginning to her summer when she winds up causing her mom to fire her, but in her words she more or less quit or was it the other way around? Anyways, because of that she ends up going job hunting and then so much happens.
There are two guys Nick and Geo. Both appear to be the picture perfect guy, but you know how looks can always be deceiving eventually, right? Eventually she ends up learning that things aren’t as they appear but with which boy or both? I won’t tell you! You need to read the book if you want the juicy info.
Sophie has some choices to make, some relationships to mend and make and one interesting summer vacation.
I really enjoyed this book because of it’s Polish references, it’s Italian references and that fact that it was an attention grabbing wonderful read that I highly recommend.
December 17, 2015
What a treat this book was—and I’m not just talking about all the mouth-watering Polish pastries.
Sophie Dumbrowski is such a fantastic character. While she starts out a little self-absorbed and clueless when it comes to dating guys and holding down a job, she won me over with her witty zingers and her determination to do right, especially by her family and their ailing Polish bakery.
And speaking of family, the dynamic between Sophie and her mom and grandmother was amazing. There’s disagreement and conflict but also loyalty and genuine caring—oh, and the humor! These Dumbowski’s are hilarious! It’s been a long time since I enjoyed so many laugh-out-loud moments. Throw in a couple dishy guys and stellar writing, and ONE SMART COOKIE is a terrific read. In fact, I turned the last page wishing this wasn’t a work of fiction but an account of real, live people with a real polish bakery because I’d love nothing more than to hang out with Sophie, enjoy her matka's and busia’s goodnatured ribbing and of course sample all those tasty paczkis and kolaczki…yummm!
Sophie Dumbrowski is such a fantastic character. While she starts out a little self-absorbed and clueless when it comes to dating guys and holding down a job, she won me over with her witty zingers and her determination to do right, especially by her family and their ailing Polish bakery.
And speaking of family, the dynamic between Sophie and her mom and grandmother was amazing. There’s disagreement and conflict but also loyalty and genuine caring—oh, and the humor! These Dumbowski’s are hilarious! It’s been a long time since I enjoyed so many laugh-out-loud moments. Throw in a couple dishy guys and stellar writing, and ONE SMART COOKIE is a terrific read. In fact, I turned the last page wishing this wasn’t a work of fiction but an account of real, live people with a real polish bakery because I’d love nothing more than to hang out with Sophie, enjoy her matka's and busia’s goodnatured ribbing and of course sample all those tasty paczkis and kolaczki…yummm!
June 11, 2015
Sophie Dumbrowski has one goal this summer, to get a boyfriend. When Sophie lets her Polish grandmother ask the spirits to help her with her love live things get interesting. With well developed characters and realistic humor, One Smart Cookie is a fun, humorous romance that is sure to win the hearts of readers everywhere.
September 23, 2015
I
LOVED
this book with all my heart!!! It was so adorable, relatable and really gave me a sense of the Polish culture! Sophie is so goofy and makes me want to be her friend! I don't think I will ever find a book with such an uplifting message and fun storyline as I did with One Smart Cookie.
February 18, 2017
Fun-loving book about a teen-age girl who wants to find love without the help of her mom and her busia (grandma). Any girl who has disagreed with her mom - will relate to this book based in Chicago.
April 27, 2017
This book made me throw up all of the cookies that I had for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. -8/10 would not recommend.
February 22, 2021
This is a charming YA book about a teenage girl who helps her Polish mother and grandmother in the family bakery. Her grandmother helps her cast a "spell" to find a boyfriend, with the caveat that it might backfire if she can't get along with her mother. Predictably, this happens. The characters were funny and the story was cute, and I love the Polish influence as I have a Polish mother myself.
August 11, 2014
This summer , all sixteen-year old Sophie wants is a boyfriend and any guy will do but preferably a hot one that she can get on well with. Set in a polish bakery and with a polish background, I personally found this novel quite difficult to read and get into with polish words scattered throughout the book. Her grandmother is one of those women who believe in the Polish spirits and conjures up a spell for Sophie to find the perfect boyfriend but with one catch - she must not argue with her mother or otherwise it will turn the spell into a curse rather than a gift. When Sophie meets two guys with both potential to be great boyfriends on the same day ,which guy will she choose ? Because she argured with her mother about college , has the Polish gods punished her by putting two choices in front of her and a decision that she cannot make ? When the bakery starts to fail this summer , is it a consequence due to the fact that Sophie cannot make a decision about which boyfriend to choose ?
This summer , the three generations will have to open their hearts, discover love and the best things about family in order to not only save their bakery but themselves in the process and not let themselves be lost under the guy matchmaking spell.
If you are wanting a sweet teen romance to read this Winter , then check out One Smart Cookie by Kym Brunner.
This summer , the three generations will have to open their hearts, discover love and the best things about family in order to not only save their bakery but themselves in the process and not let themselves be lost under the guy matchmaking spell.
If you are wanting a sweet teen romance to read this Winter , then check out One Smart Cookie by Kym Brunner.
September 3, 2016
This book cracked me up. Reminded me a lot of when I was in high school and girls did crazy things to get boys to notice them. Super funny but also super sweet. Perfect book if you like light-hearted romance, Polish traditions, and yummy bakery goods. :)
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