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The ABC's of Kissing Boys
Parker Stanhope has played soccer practically since she could walk. And now that she’s a high school junior, everything she’s worked for is finally coming together. She’s paid her dues on the field, and as an upperclassman, she’s a shoo-in for the varsity team. But that’s not what happens.
This year, Coach Hartley moved up every JV player but two—and one of those two was Parker. Now, she’s stuck with the freshmen, her friends are cutting her loose, and her love of the game is seriously beginning to fail. But Parker is determined to get her life back. She has to get on the varsity team, and she has the perfect plan. All she needs now is the right kind of coach.
Tina Ferraro lives in southern California. You can visit her online at www.tinaferraro.com.
This year, Coach Hartley moved up every JV player but two—and one of those two was Parker. Now, she’s stuck with the freshmen, her friends are cutting her loose, and her love of the game is seriously beginning to fail. But Parker is determined to get her life back. She has to get on the varsity team, and she has the perfect plan. All she needs now is the right kind of coach.
Tina Ferraro lives in southern California. You can visit her online at www.tinaferraro.com.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
57 people are currently reading
2200 people want to read
About the author
Tina Ferraro
9 books127 followersTina Ferraro spent a lot of her childhood people-watching and making up stories. While that didn't do much for her grades, it did ultimately prove among her better life mistakes. She sold her first short story in her early 20's, launching her publishing career in the adult and young adult romance markets.
Over the years she has acquired one husband, several kids and several cats, and recently, the world's cutest grandchild. Tina and some of the aforementioned live in the foothills above Los Angeles, where her hobbies include overeating, jigsaw puzzling and chasing coyotes out of their yard (not necessarily at the same time).
A two-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America's RITA award and the National Reader's Choice award and a winner of the Marlene, she's currently working on an adult rom-com series.
Over the years she has acquired one husband, several kids and several cats, and recently, the world's cutest grandchild. Tina and some of the aforementioned live in the foothills above Los Angeles, where her hobbies include overeating, jigsaw puzzling and chasing coyotes out of their yard (not necessarily at the same time).
A two-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America's RITA award and the National Reader's Choice award and a winner of the Marlene, she's currently working on an adult rom-com series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
September 1, 2018
Cute read.
If you are looking for a cute book to read, The ABC's of Kissing Boys is a pretty good place to start. In it, you will meet Parker. She's popular, stylish, and going to be junior in high school - what could possibly go wrong for her? Well, for Parker.. her life would be in shambles if she doesn't make the girl's varsity soccer team.
So what does she do? Parker comes up with a magnificent plan to get on the team with her friends. What does this plan include? Somehow.. kissing boys? Yeah, I was a bit confused as well. When one of her friends sees her kissing a freshman boy (ewwww... cooties!) shit kind of hits the fan for her. After seeing her friends true colors, she is a bit disgusted with it. Her friends were straight of judgmental bitches. Love is love ya twats!
Throughout this book Parker is dealing with this huge decision: staying being popular or be with the guy who makes her happy (even if he is a freshman). First off, age is just a number. Love is love girl - do your thing! Second, she needs new friends stat. Third, this book was utterly adorable and super predictable. I still enjoyed every second of it.
If you are looking for a cute book to read, The ABC's of Kissing Boys is a pretty good place to start. In it, you will meet Parker. She's popular, stylish, and going to be junior in high school - what could possibly go wrong for her? Well, for Parker.. her life would be in shambles if she doesn't make the girl's varsity soccer team.
So what does she do? Parker comes up with a magnificent plan to get on the team with her friends. What does this plan include? Somehow.. kissing boys? Yeah, I was a bit confused as well. When one of her friends sees her kissing a freshman boy (ewwww... cooties!) shit kind of hits the fan for her. After seeing her friends true colors, she is a bit disgusted with it. Her friends were straight of judgmental bitches. Love is love ya twats!
Throughout this book Parker is dealing with this huge decision: staying being popular or be with the guy who makes her happy (even if he is a freshman). First off, age is just a number. Love is love girl - do your thing! Second, she needs new friends stat. Third, this book was utterly adorable and super predictable. I still enjoyed every second of it.
April 10, 2010
Imagine being a junior and falling in love with a freshman. That's the situation in Tina Ferraro's latest novel, The ABC's of Kissing Boys. Parker has everything; popularity, friends, style, and now she’s a junior in high school. Sixteen is the age when you’re supposed to be having the time of your life but it's humiliating for Parker Stanhope's life to be on a downward turn. She has spent her life being a team player and yet when she begins her junior year playing junior varsity, instead of moving up with her peers to varsity, she’s stuck with the freshman kid across the street. But Parker’s determined to get her life back and came up with a plan. It's complicated. But it involves a public kiss at the school's fair's kissing booth.
Here comes the Problem...She doesn't know how to kiss—really kiss...As a matter of fact, she has never ever kiss before. Having to make the kiss look convincing she enlists the help of her next door neighbor, Tristan, even though he's only a freshman. And like all the breathtaking novels, secrets spread. When her so-called “best friend” discovers Parker kissing a freshman, rumors start to spread. Parker finally gets to see her friends from the outside, the way others do, and it’s not pretty. Now she has to decide where she truly belongs; with the popular crowd or in the arms of the loveable freshman boy across the street.
You can never miss this book because the whole kissing aspect was hilarious and yet ingenious! Here's a one last chapter heading to give you an idea of this book's playfulness...Most reviewers who have mentioned this one as their favorite, including me: "Graduation: For many girls, great kissing is a diploma in itself; for many guys, it's a prerequisite to a bigger course of study."
Here comes the Problem...She doesn't know how to kiss—really kiss...As a matter of fact, she has never ever kiss before. Having to make the kiss look convincing she enlists the help of her next door neighbor, Tristan, even though he's only a freshman. And like all the breathtaking novels, secrets spread. When her so-called “best friend” discovers Parker kissing a freshman, rumors start to spread. Parker finally gets to see her friends from the outside, the way others do, and it’s not pretty. Now she has to decide where she truly belongs; with the popular crowd or in the arms of the loveable freshman boy across the street.
You can never miss this book because the whole kissing aspect was hilarious and yet ingenious! Here's a one last chapter heading to give you an idea of this book's playfulness...Most reviewers who have mentioned this one as their favorite, including me: "Graduation: For many girls, great kissing is a diploma in itself; for many guys, it's a prerequisite to a bigger course of study."
January 21, 2009
Can a girl fall for the boy next door even if he's a freshman...and she's a junior? That's the question in Tina Ferraro's latest novel, The ABC's of Kissing Boys. Parker Stanhope's life is on a downward turn. She plays soccer. That's who she is. Yet when she begins her junior year playing junior varsity--again--instead of moving up with her peers to varsity, she's angry, frustrated, bitter, disappointed. Dropped by her friends and former teammates, Parker is having to redefine herself. But Parker's not going to let her dreams go all of a sudden. No, Parker has a plan. And for that plan to work, she needs a man or two in her life to step up.
Luke. Her brother's friend. She's paying him to do her a favor. It's complicated. But it will involve a very public kiss at the school's sports fair's kissing booth.
Problem is, she doesn't know how to kiss--really kiss. So she needs a tutor. Enter the boy next door, Tristan--never mind the fact their families are feuding. He's tall enough and cute enough...but there's one big problem...he's a freshman. Still, despite his status, he might just be the man for the job. Can he teach her what she needs to know to get her life back on track? Maybe. Possibly. But will she be able to let him go when the job's done?
The book is a bit more involved than that--more than just the kissing bits--there's a good bit about friendship and popularity and finding yourself. You know, typical YA drama.
I liked this one. I did. I liked Tristan. It was a fun little book. A satisfying one.
© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
Luke. Her brother's friend. She's paying him to do her a favor. It's complicated. But it will involve a very public kiss at the school's sports fair's kissing booth.
Problem is, she doesn't know how to kiss--really kiss. So she needs a tutor. Enter the boy next door, Tristan--never mind the fact their families are feuding. He's tall enough and cute enough...but there's one big problem...he's a freshman. Still, despite his status, he might just be the man for the job. Can he teach her what she needs to know to get her life back on track? Maybe. Possibly. But will she be able to let him go when the job's done?
The book is a bit more involved than that--more than just the kissing bits--there's a good bit about friendship and popularity and finding yourself. You know, typical YA drama.
I liked this one. I did. I liked Tristan. It was a fun little book. A satisfying one.
© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
September 22, 2009
Here's a tip.
If you can't sleep on a school night, DON'T pick up a good book. Why? Because it leads to THIS. Staying up until 3:00 A.m, finishing a book, when you have to be up in less than four hours. Not. Smart.
But putting that aside, I liked the book a lot! Honestly, at first, and even when I checked it out,I figured it was going to suck. And for the first several chapters, the only thing I could think was, "Seriously? SERIOUSLY!?"
I mean, the book is about a junior who didn't make it to Varsity, and is stuck playing with a bunch of freshies while her friends don't just distance themselves from her, but tease her in horribly idiotic ways in school, claiming that it was "for the best"
Meanwhiles, she's devising this master plan to get her brothers college buddy and former High School Hearthrob, Luke, to pay three hundered dollars to kiss her infront of everyone for a fundraiser. Only, WAIT! He can't kiss her, for she's not on Varsity, and only varsity girls run the kissing booth, but its THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS! So if Coatch Hartley wants her kick ass parking spot and easy mornings, she's gonna kick some poor girl off the team for Parker, and BAM she's back in business and her friends lover her again.
The whole plan just made me want to punch her. Her stupid popular friends just made me want to punch anyone near me. and her huge hang-up on social status made me want to puke. So most likely, the only reason I kept reading was for Triston. the freshman who was giving her kissing lessons. Yeah, this book just gets lamer and lamer. It had so many classic crappy teen drama TV show ingrediants thrown into it, that I almost felt ashamed of myself for liking it. It's no where near my usual read, because I usually try not to read about preppy girls who's main concern is their social status, and are somewhat ditzy and never seem to notice the obvious facts, where you no exactly how it's going to end, and the plot is thinner than tissue paper. Sigh.... and yet, I liked it enough to stay up until 3:00 a.m. on a school night to finish it. What does this say about me?
If you can't sleep on a school night, DON'T pick up a good book. Why? Because it leads to THIS. Staying up until 3:00 A.m, finishing a book, when you have to be up in less than four hours. Not. Smart.
But putting that aside, I liked the book a lot! Honestly, at first, and even when I checked it out,I figured it was going to suck. And for the first several chapters, the only thing I could think was, "Seriously? SERIOUSLY!?"
I mean, the book is about a junior who didn't make it to Varsity, and is stuck playing with a bunch of freshies while her friends don't just distance themselves from her, but tease her in horribly idiotic ways in school, claiming that it was "for the best"
Meanwhiles, she's devising this master plan to get her brothers college buddy and former High School Hearthrob, Luke, to pay three hundered dollars to kiss her infront of everyone for a fundraiser. Only, WAIT! He can't kiss her, for she's not on Varsity, and only varsity girls run the kissing booth, but its THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS! So if Coatch Hartley wants her kick ass parking spot and easy mornings, she's gonna kick some poor girl off the team for Parker, and BAM she's back in business and her friends lover her again.
The whole plan just made me want to punch her. Her stupid popular friends just made me want to punch anyone near me. and her huge hang-up on social status made me want to puke. So most likely, the only reason I kept reading was for Triston. the freshman who was giving her kissing lessons. Yeah, this book just gets lamer and lamer. It had so many classic crappy teen drama TV show ingrediants thrown into it, that I almost felt ashamed of myself for liking it. It's no where near my usual read, because I usually try not to read about preppy girls who's main concern is their social status, and are somewhat ditzy and never seem to notice the obvious facts, where you no exactly how it's going to end, and the plot is thinner than tissue paper. Sigh.... and yet, I liked it enough to stay up until 3:00 a.m. on a school night to finish it. What does this say about me?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2009
You know why I love reading Ferraro’s novels..? Because when I’m finished I always feel all warm and gooey inside! While I thought this novel was just too cute and fun it also has some depth. Parker not only loses her spot on the soccer field, but also personally, her spot among her “friends.” Ferraro expertly captures the essence of an ostracized teen! And I’m glad that Parker was able to experience what true friendship meant, even though it wasn’t from the people she wished it had been. What you want is always necessarily what you need, right?
The whole kissing aspect was hilarious and yet ingenious! I find myself wondering where this summer camp was when I was a teen! I don’t think I’m an expert kisser or anything, but I thought I knew a thing or two, until this novel opened my eyes to the wild world of kissing. I didn’t even know what half of these kisses were. Caterpillar kiss, steam kiss... I mean who came up with this stuff! They are no ordinary kisses! I’ll tell you that much.
If your looking for a fun, fast, feel good novel... just think Ferraro!
The whole kissing aspect was hilarious and yet ingenious! I find myself wondering where this summer camp was when I was a teen! I don’t think I’m an expert kisser or anything, but I thought I knew a thing or two, until this novel opened my eyes to the wild world of kissing. I didn’t even know what half of these kisses were. Caterpillar kiss, steam kiss... I mean who came up with this stuff! They are no ordinary kisses! I’ll tell you that much.
If your looking for a fun, fast, feel good novel... just think Ferraro!
November 10, 2012
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
Parker's life is over.
She failed to make the varsity soccer team and now her friends are drifting further and further away, until her social life is nonexistent.
But she's not taking this lying down. She's come up with a foolproof plan to regain both her spot on the soccer field and also her former BFFs.
She's going to pay the hottest guy in town to kiss her at the annual sports fair. His only condition - the kiss has to look real.
Parker's never been kissed, but she makes a deal with her neighbor. Even though he's just a freshman, Parker knows that he might be her only hope. However, if the rest of the school finds out, her chance at redemption might be over before it begins.
With THE ABC'S OF KISSING BOYS, Parker learns the true meaning of friendship and love, as well as her own strength, in this delightful romantic tale.
Parker's life is over.
She failed to make the varsity soccer team and now her friends are drifting further and further away, until her social life is nonexistent.
But she's not taking this lying down. She's come up with a foolproof plan to regain both her spot on the soccer field and also her former BFFs.
She's going to pay the hottest guy in town to kiss her at the annual sports fair. His only condition - the kiss has to look real.
Parker's never been kissed, but she makes a deal with her neighbor. Even though he's just a freshman, Parker knows that he might be her only hope. However, if the rest of the school finds out, her chance at redemption might be over before it begins.
With THE ABC'S OF KISSING BOYS, Parker learns the true meaning of friendship and love, as well as her own strength, in this delightful romantic tale.
February 8, 2009
I couldn't put it down. And I liked the hero from the start--I guess I have a thing for guys named Tristan.
I will definitely read anything Tina Ferraro writes!
I will definitely read anything Tina Ferraro writes!
December 25, 2017
This is fun and quick read :)
I really like it.
Even tough I did not understand the first chapter at first
I really like it.
Even tough I did not understand the first chapter at first
August 25, 2010
Sometimes all a girl wants is a relatively issue free fun romp with sparky repartee and a little romance. At the moment it seems like these books are few and far between. Tina Ferraro's The ABC's of Kissing Boys was exactly what I wanted - light but meaningful fun, written well with some inventive kisses thrown into the mix. What was a little different was that the guy (the kisser in question) with the kissing goods is a little left of centre for YA. He's the younger man. I know. Shocking, right? It seems relatively minor in terms of challenging boyfriends but hey, I won't date anyone shorter than me, so who am I to judge? Tristan might be younger (he's a freshman, she's a junior) but he definitely has a way about him (and lips) that keep Parker on her toes.
It can seem trivial but in the scheme of all things high school, snogging a freshman is a social death knell. While it could be overwrought, Ferraro mixes healthy introspection with lighter moments that keep the story honest and vastly entertaining. That being said, Parker's idea to get her spot on the varsity soccer team and the impetus for Tristan's coaching, is a stretch. It is quite possibly the most laughable and ridiculous way to go about getting what she wants. While this does impact on the reader's judgement of Parker's intelligence to a degree, it is assisted by Tristan's silent recognition of the flaws in the plan. Desperation can blind a girl's judgement it seems.
The social anxiety and persecution faced by Parker is nicely played. While there are plenty of laughs, the toxicity of her friendship group and the level of judgement placed upon her are realistic. It was great to see the author have her protagonist own her choices within the school environment. Holes didn't exist to be dug deeper, Parker just needed to find other places to play. Sure she's oblivious and a little shallow but the growth this character achieves is well deserved by the end.
The ABCs of Kissing Boys won't cure cancer or grace award lists but it is well crafted with an authentic character arc and parents who are actually involved in their teen's life. It was exactly what I needed and wish there were more like it in the market. This was my first jaunt into Ferraro-territory and it is a place I am quite willing to revisit in the future.
It can seem trivial but in the scheme of all things high school, snogging a freshman is a social death knell. While it could be overwrought, Ferraro mixes healthy introspection with lighter moments that keep the story honest and vastly entertaining. That being said, Parker's idea to get her spot on the varsity soccer team and the impetus for Tristan's coaching, is a stretch. It is quite possibly the most laughable and ridiculous way to go about getting what she wants. While this does impact on the reader's judgement of Parker's intelligence to a degree, it is assisted by Tristan's silent recognition of the flaws in the plan. Desperation can blind a girl's judgement it seems.
The social anxiety and persecution faced by Parker is nicely played. While there are plenty of laughs, the toxicity of her friendship group and the level of judgement placed upon her are realistic. It was great to see the author have her protagonist own her choices within the school environment. Holes didn't exist to be dug deeper, Parker just needed to find other places to play. Sure she's oblivious and a little shallow but the growth this character achieves is well deserved by the end.
The ABCs of Kissing Boys won't cure cancer or grace award lists but it is well crafted with an authentic character arc and parents who are actually involved in their teen's life. It was exactly what I needed and wish there were more like it in the market. This was my first jaunt into Ferraro-territory and it is a place I am quite willing to revisit in the future.
February 4, 2010
After just reading a pretty intense read, The ABC's of Kissing is just what I needed to lighten the mood. I loved the setup of the book, the chapters were labeled in alphabetically order and had words revolving around kissing/kisses. I didn't even know some of these terms, they were really fun, like "butterfly kiss" and "caterpillar kiss". Not only did the book focus on the kissing aspect, but also the true meaning of friendships, popularity, and finding yourself. Parker losing her spot on the varsity team, resulted in losing her "friends". Parker will do just about anything to get her old life back, even if that means resorting to getting help from the freshman next door. I really enjoyed Tristan's character, he was cute, funny, and oddly mature for his age. The fact that their dads were feuding, added the perfect touch. When Parker's plan starts to unravel, she finds out who her real friends are and realizes that, maybe, possibly, it's worth it to to be seen with the freshman. In the end, Parker falls for the wrong guy, the last guy in fact she ever thought she’d like. Although the end, was a bit predictable, the romance was definitely real. The ABC's of Kissing was a very cute, sweet, even funny, and a very fluffy read, that well undoubtedly leave you smiling by the end. It was a short, fun book that was just prefect for relaxing with after a long day.
Taken from my book review blog at http://sarasbookjourney.blogspot.com/.
Taken from my book review blog at http://sarasbookjourney.blogspot.com/.
April 20, 2010
Parker Stanhope has been playing soccer for a long time. She is now a junior in high school and is on the soccer team. She had been playing on varsity and during junior year, Coach Hartley is supposed to move everyone from varsity to JV. But, this year it was not what happened. this year Coach Hartley moved everyone from the varsity team up to JV but two players. And, one of those two was Parker. Now, her friends are ignoring her and life is getting tough. So, she comes up with a plan to get Coach Hartley to put her on the JV team. But, while the plan is on hold, some very interesting things turns her life into a roller coaster experience...
I think that this book is very interesting and is really realistic since our lives don't always go as planned. There are many ups and downs, and there may be times when you have troubles with your friends, family, or your loved ones. I can relate to this story because once i had a fight with my friend, and we never made up.
This book is for people who like to read about teen drama and romance stories. I really enjoyed this book and I hope to read many more books like these.
I think that this book is very interesting and is really realistic since our lives don't always go as planned. There are many ups and downs, and there may be times when you have troubles with your friends, family, or your loved ones. I can relate to this story because once i had a fight with my friend, and we never made up.
This book is for people who like to read about teen drama and romance stories. I really enjoyed this book and I hope to read many more books like these.
July 21, 2010
This book was the best of the other two Tina Ferraro books that I've read. I most defiantly know my ABC's now.
Main character Parker has been downgraded from her high school Varsity soccer team to the Junior Varsity. Devasted, Parker is determined to get her old life back by tricking her coach into putting her on the team at the sports fair when a friend of her brother demands that he'd only kiss her if she was on the Varsity.
As simply unrealistic that plan was in the beginnng I totally forgot about it when Tristan, her neighbor from across the street who's a year younger, reveals that he's a kissing God when he removes the wrapper of a Starburst with just his tongue. So Parker asks for some kissing lessons and in the end gets more then she bargains for when she's suddenly feeling attracted to the very sweet Tristan.
This book was the most fun book I've read in a while. And I absolutely love love love Tristan. My favorite part in the book is Page 51 and 52 when Tristan gave Parker The See-You-Later Kiss. Now that was a kiss. This book is a great summer read, I highly recommend it. Its got laughs, heart, romance, and a good ending. What more can you ask for?
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Main character Parker has been downgraded from her high school Varsity soccer team to the Junior Varsity. Devasted, Parker is determined to get her old life back by tricking her coach into putting her on the team at the sports fair when a friend of her brother demands that he'd only kiss her if she was on the Varsity.
As simply unrealistic that plan was in the beginnng I totally forgot about it when Tristan, her neighbor from across the street who's a year younger, reveals that he's a kissing God when he removes the wrapper of a Starburst with just his tongue. So Parker asks for some kissing lessons and in the end gets more then she bargains for when she's suddenly feeling attracted to the very sweet Tristan.
This book was the most fun book I've read in a while. And I absolutely love love love Tristan. My favorite part in the book is Page 51 and 52 when Tristan gave Parker The See-You-Later Kiss. Now that was a kiss. This book is a great summer read, I highly recommend it. Its got laughs, heart, romance, and a good ending. What more can you ask for?
.
February 21, 2009
This book was sooo cute! I'll admit, at first I thought, "hmm is it gonna be one of those books that's super predictable?" but thank goodness I was wrong. It was nothing like I thought it would be and I really enjoyed it. :)
Parker is a junior who loves soccer and this year she unfortunately did not make it into varsity with the rest of her junior "friends". She and her brother Clayton have come up with the Plan that will hopefully get her back on varsity. This plan includes a hot guy called Luke and a kissing booth, wonder what's gonna happen..... :D
I thought Parker and Tristan's relationship was so freaking adowable! I'll miss them :( I really liked how Tina Ferraro did this creative thing with her chapter titles, some of them made me giggle quite a bit. :D This book is a nice, cute, funny (man there's some jokes in there that will make you laugh out loud), short read that many will find enjoyable.
Parker is a junior who loves soccer and this year she unfortunately did not make it into varsity with the rest of her junior "friends". She and her brother Clayton have come up with the Plan that will hopefully get her back on varsity. This plan includes a hot guy called Luke and a kissing booth, wonder what's gonna happen..... :D
I thought Parker and Tristan's relationship was so freaking adowable! I'll miss them :( I really liked how Tina Ferraro did this creative thing with her chapter titles, some of them made me giggle quite a bit. :D This book is a nice, cute, funny (man there's some jokes in there that will make you laugh out loud), short read that many will find enjoyable.
June 2, 2010
What makes this book so fun is, surprisingly, not the romance: it's the girl politics. When junior Parker Stanhope doesn't make the varsity soccer team, her so-called friends cut her loose. She devises a crazy plan to get back on the team which involves a kissing booth ... now all she needs are kissing lessons. You can see where this is going.
This book had some crazy, cringe-inducing make-out scenes, but I kept reading because Parker and her ex-friends turned out to be a bunch of scheming, jealous, queen bees, and I loved it. I didn't really buy Parker's reformation, but whatever. So it's far-fetched.
The book has a lot of plot--family feuds, cradle-robing crushes-- and made-up kisses like the caterpillar kiss and the steam kiss. And I like that our heroine, although she had never been kissed, wasn't a bookish prude. She was just a normal junior who hadn't had a proper boyfriend. That single bit of realism was refreshing.
This book had some crazy, cringe-inducing make-out scenes, but I kept reading because Parker and her ex-friends turned out to be a bunch of scheming, jealous, queen bees, and I loved it. I didn't really buy Parker's reformation, but whatever. So it's far-fetched.
The book has a lot of plot--family feuds, cradle-robing crushes-- and made-up kisses like the caterpillar kiss and the steam kiss. And I like that our heroine, although she had never been kissed, wasn't a bookish prude. She was just a normal junior who hadn't had a proper boyfriend. That single bit of realism was refreshing.
August 13, 2015
I'm not really sure why I bought this book, I got it in a big order I placed from Book Outlet and when I went to pick it up about 8 months later the synopsis sounded quite frankly a little ridiculous.
This book is definitely still an enjoyable, light, fluffy read but it was probably a little more "juvenile" then I normally go in for.
I also found the ending to be a little too all happily ever after, wrapped up in a nice little bow, for my tastes.
Definitely worth checking out if you enjoy light contemporaries for a younger YA audience.
This book is definitely still an enjoyable, light, fluffy read but it was probably a little more "juvenile" then I normally go in for.
I also found the ending to be a little too all happily ever after, wrapped up in a nice little bow, for my tastes.
Definitely worth checking out if you enjoy light contemporaries for a younger YA audience.
June 14, 2010
A scam to get her life back, a plan to make it look good and the moment she never saw coming.
The ABC's of Kissing Boys was a really fun read; predictable and a little to YA for me, but fun none the less.
Plus, I have a serious thing for guys named Tristan;)
Quick, cute and a very sweet read.
The ABC's of Kissing Boys was a really fun read; predictable and a little to YA for me, but fun none the less.
Plus, I have a serious thing for guys named Tristan;)
Quick, cute and a very sweet read.
August 17, 2018
Nunca había leído un libro en que la protagonista fuera mayor que el protagonista, así que este libro ha sido una novedad en ese sentido (y en el único, creo). No me gusta cómo llevan la diferencia de edad, tantos prejuicios, críticas y comentarios maliciosos y desagradables. Juzgando a Parker porque le gusta un chico que es un año más pequeña que ella, estando a dos cursos por debajo de ella. Las "bromas" con biberones y pañales, comentarios como "si sales con un novato, tendremos que echarte del equipo universitario y devolverte al juvenil jijijiijii". ¿Perdona?
Igualmente, no se salva ningún personaje. Todos son ridículos, absurdos y con comportamientos infantiles y sin sentido. Parker es odiosa, teniendo esperanzas en una "amistad" basada en hipocresía, falsedad y puñaladas por la espalda, creyendo que todos los comentarios, bromas y el que la dejen de lado son "por su bien", y después de todo todavía quiere seguir siendo amigas de ellas. Obviamente después abre los ojos, pero la incredulidad que he sentido al leer su comportamiento ha sido real. Ni si quiera me voy a molestar en decir todo lo malo de su amiga la víbora.
A Tristan también le ha faltado algo, me ha resultado soso y aburrido, aunque sí que un poco adorable. Igual que la relación con Parker, que me ha parecido rápida, forzada y sin mucha química. Aun así, el final me ha gustado, no tanto la explicación absurda del comienzo de la guerra entre las dos familias. Es rápido de leer, se lee en una tarde, pero nada de profundidad ni en personajes ni en la historia.
Igualmente, no se salva ningún personaje. Todos son ridículos, absurdos y con comportamientos infantiles y sin sentido. Parker es odiosa, teniendo esperanzas en una "amistad" basada en hipocresía, falsedad y puñaladas por la espalda, creyendo que todos los comentarios, bromas y el que la dejen de lado son "por su bien", y después de todo todavía quiere seguir siendo amigas de ellas. Obviamente después abre los ojos, pero la incredulidad que he sentido al leer su comportamiento ha sido real. Ni si quiera me voy a molestar en decir todo lo malo de su amiga la víbora.
A Tristan también le ha faltado algo, me ha resultado soso y aburrido, aunque sí que un poco adorable. Igual que la relación con Parker, que me ha parecido rápida, forzada y sin mucha química. Aun así, el final me ha gustado, no tanto la explicación absurda del comienzo de la guerra entre las dos familias. Es rápido de leer, se lee en una tarde, pero nada de profundidad ni en personajes ni en la historia.
July 2, 2024
I don't know what I expected when I decided to read an early 2000s high school romance but I got what I signed up for. It's not bad for the genre and time period. If I had read it 8 years ago it definitely would've been a five star.
However, for a college aged YA reader, it's definitely immature and has literally ALL the tropes of a high school romance:
- mean ex friend (group)
- manipulative friends
- bullying (but in an unrealistic way)
- becoming friends with estranged middle school friend
- boy next door
- forbidden romance
- feuds (don't get me started on how weird this was)
- all issues are resolved in the last three chapters
- SO CHEESEY
I could go on but I won't. Simply, it was good for the intended audience and for when it was written.
However, for a college aged YA reader, it's definitely immature and has literally ALL the tropes of a high school romance:
- mean ex friend (group)
- manipulative friends
- bullying (but in an unrealistic way)
- becoming friends with estranged middle school friend
- boy next door
- forbidden romance
- feuds (don't get me started on how weird this was)
- all issues are resolved in the last three chapters
- SO CHEESEY
I could go on but I won't. Simply, it was good for the intended audience and for when it was written.
May 26, 2009
It's the beginning of her junior year and Parker knows she's destined for great stuff. She's been playing on the Junior Varsity team and it's basically a given that she'll be headed for the Varsity team this year. That is, until it turns out that there's no space for her on the team. And her coach insists that she needs Parker where she is, the JV. With that, Parker's friends start to ditch her and publicly humiliate her based on Parker being stuck with the freshmen, leaving Parker to fend for herself.
Of course, Parker's not going to take her coach's decision sitting down. She, her brother and his friend Luke concoct a plan, a really CRAZY plan, to get her spot and her friends back.
Only, for the plan to work, Parker needs to be able to give Luke a real (and steamy kiss).
The problem? Parker has no idea how.
So she turns to her neighbor who happens to be a freshman, the son of the person her father most despised and...he happens to be a really good kisser.
But when Parker's plan starts to unravel, she finds out who her real friends are and realizes that, maybe, just maybe, it's worth the social suicide to be seen with the freshman.
When I first started reading The ABC's, I found it to be a bit reminiscent of Band Geek Love, all because of the upperclassmen/lowerclassmen romance angle.
However, as I continued reading, the ABCs proved itself to be much different. It's a small, quick read, but it's packed from page to page with laughter, friendship and more.
The characters (besides Parker) are not very well developed. However, this does not detract from the novel at all; The ABC's is about entertainment, not character devlopment. Parker, of course, was pretty developed as she is the main character. She's also a character that is easy to relate with and sympathize with, even if you don't care or know a thing about Soccer.
The plot of the ABC's was not groundbreaking or amazing but it was cute, funny AND entertaining. What more can a girl ask for?
I loved the feud going on between Parker's father and Tristan's father; it was just the perfect added touch. And Parker's scheme to get her spot on the varisty team? It was so random yet perfect for the novel.
What else can I say, really? For what it is, the ABC's of Kissing Boys manages to do exactly what it's meant to do. It's the perfect novel for winding down after a long day. I advise you to pick it up now or order it from Amazon.
Of course, Parker's not going to take her coach's decision sitting down. She, her brother and his friend Luke concoct a plan, a really CRAZY plan, to get her spot and her friends back.
Only, for the plan to work, Parker needs to be able to give Luke a real (and steamy kiss).
The problem? Parker has no idea how.
So she turns to her neighbor who happens to be a freshman, the son of the person her father most despised and...he happens to be a really good kisser.
But when Parker's plan starts to unravel, she finds out who her real friends are and realizes that, maybe, just maybe, it's worth the social suicide to be seen with the freshman.
When I first started reading The ABC's, I found it to be a bit reminiscent of Band Geek Love, all because of the upperclassmen/lowerclassmen romance angle.
However, as I continued reading, the ABCs proved itself to be much different. It's a small, quick read, but it's packed from page to page with laughter, friendship and more.
The characters (besides Parker) are not very well developed. However, this does not detract from the novel at all; The ABC's is about entertainment, not character devlopment. Parker, of course, was pretty developed as she is the main character. She's also a character that is easy to relate with and sympathize with, even if you don't care or know a thing about Soccer.
The plot of the ABC's was not groundbreaking or amazing but it was cute, funny AND entertaining. What more can a girl ask for?
I loved the feud going on between Parker's father and Tristan's father; it was just the perfect added touch. And Parker's scheme to get her spot on the varisty team? It was so random yet perfect for the novel.
What else can I say, really? For what it is, the ABC's of Kissing Boys manages to do exactly what it's meant to do. It's the perfect novel for winding down after a long day. I advise you to pick it up now or order it from Amazon.
February 27, 2009
It all started when Parker Stanhope didn’t make the varsity soccer team junior year. She was one of the only two JV players to not get moved up, and Parker sees this as unbelievably unfair. Now Parker’s where she’s been for the past two years, slumming it sees with the freshmen instead of chilling with the rest of the juniors and seniors. To make matters worse, Parker’s so-called friends, all of whom got moved up to varsity, have turned against her, determined to make her life more miserable than it already is. Enter the plan: for Parker to trick her way into a spot behind the kissing booth at her school’s annual sports fair, the varsity soccer booth. This, hopefully, will permanently place her among varsity ranks. Everything is in place except for the catch—the kiss has to look real. What’s an inexperienced girl like Parker to do? Hire a kissing coach of course!
Ferraro pulls off yet another sweet, romantic, and memorable story in The ABC’s of Kissing Boys. Parker is a girl with a plan, but predictably, the plan becomes hard to stick to once Parker falls for the wrong guy, the last guy in fact she ever thought she’d like. Parker’s world is made more realistic through friendship and high school drama, and odd family feud between her and her neighbor’s fathers, and of course, the romance. It seems like such a strange combination, but it works efficiently for this novel. In the end, I liked how it was less about the sports than it was about relationships, between Parker and her parents, her friends, and her freshman neighbor. It made the harsh treatments from her so-called friends forgettable and the ending all the more sweeter. Despite the predictability of the plot and Parker’s character, The ABC’s of Kissing Boys is still a wholly enjoyable romantic read that will leave the reader sighing in happiness.
Fans of Ferraro’s previous novels, especially How to Hook a Hottie, will enjoy The ABC’s of Kissing Boys. Readesr who like Catherine Clark’s and Rachel Hawthorne’s romances, as well as the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies, will not want to miss this cute novel either.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
Ferraro pulls off yet another sweet, romantic, and memorable story in The ABC’s of Kissing Boys. Parker is a girl with a plan, but predictably, the plan becomes hard to stick to once Parker falls for the wrong guy, the last guy in fact she ever thought she’d like. Parker’s world is made more realistic through friendship and high school drama, and odd family feud between her and her neighbor’s fathers, and of course, the romance. It seems like such a strange combination, but it works efficiently for this novel. In the end, I liked how it was less about the sports than it was about relationships, between Parker and her parents, her friends, and her freshman neighbor. It made the harsh treatments from her so-called friends forgettable and the ending all the more sweeter. Despite the predictability of the plot and Parker’s character, The ABC’s of Kissing Boys is still a wholly enjoyable romantic read that will leave the reader sighing in happiness.
Fans of Ferraro’s previous novels, especially How to Hook a Hottie, will enjoy The ABC’s of Kissing Boys. Readesr who like Catherine Clark’s and Rachel Hawthorne’s romances, as well as the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies, will not want to miss this cute novel either.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
October 9, 2009
Parker loses all her friends when she doesn't get moved up to varsity. Awesome friends right? So to get her friends back and to get on the varsity team, instead of staying on the JV with -gasp- freshman, she hatches this plan. This involves kissing a graduated hottie from the school to impress her soccer coach. Somehow, Parker enlists the help of her younger neighbor, Tristan, who's dad is in some big dramatic fight with Parker's dad. Tristan is going to teach her how to kiss.
Parker plans for this to just be learning and nothing more. No feelings or strings attached. But somehow... this doesn't go exactly like she thought.
I have to say, Tristan is adorable, and oddly mature for his age. He's definitely years ahead of Parker, although to be fair, Parker does grow up in the end. She learns a lot about friendship, about leadership, about hurting and healing others, and of course, how to kiss.
People find out about Parker and Tristan's agreement though, and as an attempt to smooth things over, they decide to pretend they're dating and in love. And so Parker and Tristan are perceived as a pair of star-crossed lovers, like Romeo and Juliet. a) their dads hate each others guts and b) that huge significant age difference; a freshman is a huge no-no, even if he is pretty good-looking. I thought this was a fun angle to it. And everyone knows star-crossed lovers are the best kind of lovers. (We all know what a huge hit Twilight is.)
Final Impressions: Pretty much the same as my first impressions. The ABCs of Kissing Boys isn't a groundbreaking novel in any means, but it's perfect for a light predictable read to make you feel good and happy no matter what.
Parker plans for this to just be learning and nothing more. No feelings or strings attached. But somehow... this doesn't go exactly like she thought.
I have to say, Tristan is adorable, and oddly mature for his age. He's definitely years ahead of Parker, although to be fair, Parker does grow up in the end. She learns a lot about friendship, about leadership, about hurting and healing others, and of course, how to kiss.
People find out about Parker and Tristan's agreement though, and as an attempt to smooth things over, they decide to pretend they're dating and in love. And so Parker and Tristan are perceived as a pair of star-crossed lovers, like Romeo and Juliet. a) their dads hate each others guts and b) that huge significant age difference; a freshman is a huge no-no, even if he is pretty good-looking. I thought this was a fun angle to it. And everyone knows star-crossed lovers are the best kind of lovers. (We all know what a huge hit Twilight is.)
Final Impressions: Pretty much the same as my first impressions. The ABCs of Kissing Boys isn't a groundbreaking novel in any means, but it's perfect for a light predictable read to make you feel good and happy no matter what.
September 12, 2012
Hace siglos que un libro no me gustaba tanto, y sin embargo, es una historia tan sencilla, tan naive que todavía me cuesta creer que lo simple pueda quedar tan bonito. Acostumbrada a historias entre chicos populares y chicas losers este relato me sorprendió por ser justo lo contario.
Parker es una linda y popular estudiante estudiante de tercer año de preparatoria que juega en las ligas mayores del futbol de su escuela. O lo hacía, hasta que la entrenadora decide pasarla al equipo de las junior, y con ello no sólo pierde el equipo de sus sueños, sino que tambien pierde su puesto en el grupo de 'chicas populares', dado que la malvada cabeza del grupo le quita su amistad hasta tanto recupere su lugar en el equipo de elite.
Para recuperar su lugar, Parker ingenia una estrategia en la cual, el popular, hermoso, y universitario Luke, debe comprarle un beso en la feria deportiva. Hasta ahí todo bien simple. El problema surge cuando, intentando llegar al momento del beso con experiencia, Parker termina practicando besos con su vecino Tristan, quien no sólo es un año más chico que ella, sino que está cursando primer año de preparatoria.
Si perder su lugar en el equipo de futbol había bajado su popularidad, el que la vean saliendo con un completo 'perdedor', definitivamente la tira por el suelo y la hace presa de toda clase de bromas a manos de su ex grupo de 'amigas'
Pero lo que ninguno de los dos puede contar es que su besos y salidas son una simple estrategia. Porque en ninguna cabeza cabría que una popular chica de tercer año pueda enamorarse de un perdedor de primero, no??
Parker es una linda y popular estudiante estudiante de tercer año de preparatoria que juega en las ligas mayores del futbol de su escuela. O lo hacía, hasta que la entrenadora decide pasarla al equipo de las junior, y con ello no sólo pierde el equipo de sus sueños, sino que tambien pierde su puesto en el grupo de 'chicas populares', dado que la malvada cabeza del grupo le quita su amistad hasta tanto recupere su lugar en el equipo de elite.
Para recuperar su lugar, Parker ingenia una estrategia en la cual, el popular, hermoso, y universitario Luke, debe comprarle un beso en la feria deportiva. Hasta ahí todo bien simple. El problema surge cuando, intentando llegar al momento del beso con experiencia, Parker termina practicando besos con su vecino Tristan, quien no sólo es un año más chico que ella, sino que está cursando primer año de preparatoria.
Si perder su lugar en el equipo de futbol había bajado su popularidad, el que la vean saliendo con un completo 'perdedor', definitivamente la tira por el suelo y la hace presa de toda clase de bromas a manos de su ex grupo de 'amigas'
Pero lo que ninguno de los dos puede contar es que su besos y salidas son una simple estrategia. Porque en ninguna cabeza cabría que una popular chica de tercer año pueda enamorarse de un perdedor de primero, no??
December 19, 2009
Taken From My Blog
My Thoughts: We are introduced to Parker who loves soccer and revolves her life around soccer. She is upset she doesn't make varsity so she hatches a plan to get kissed at the kissing booth by last years most hottest popular guy who is now in college. He is also her brother's best friend. Yes, they both are in on it. We are than introduced to Tristan. He is Parker's next door neighbor and is two years younger gradewise than Parker. He's been to camp and knows how to kiss so he offers his service to Parker. He starts to teach her all the different kisses. She soon realizes there might be more to him than she thought since she originally thought he wasn't cool enough to be in her crowd. FYI: Her crowd is the popular girls. Of course Tristan also uses his new found popularity to meet other girls. He figures he should get something out of his lessons. I really liked this book. I devoured it in one sitting. I loved Parker and Tristan together. I loved the way he was teaching her how to kiss and all the different techniques he knows. I loved the references in this book and I loved the feelings that slowly started to develop between them. I didn't like most of Parker's friends. In reality, they were snobs and I would have liked her to stay away from them and realize from the get go they weren't worth her time. I loved this book. If you want to know what happens to Parker, pick this book up now!
Overall: Loved it! I even love the title of this one! Its a fun quick read that will make you smile and want to learn more about Tristan's kissing techniques!
My Thoughts: We are introduced to Parker who loves soccer and revolves her life around soccer. She is upset she doesn't make varsity so she hatches a plan to get kissed at the kissing booth by last years most hottest popular guy who is now in college. He is also her brother's best friend. Yes, they both are in on it. We are than introduced to Tristan. He is Parker's next door neighbor and is two years younger gradewise than Parker. He's been to camp and knows how to kiss so he offers his service to Parker. He starts to teach her all the different kisses. She soon realizes there might be more to him than she thought since she originally thought he wasn't cool enough to be in her crowd. FYI: Her crowd is the popular girls. Of course Tristan also uses his new found popularity to meet other girls. He figures he should get something out of his lessons. I really liked this book. I devoured it in one sitting. I loved Parker and Tristan together. I loved the way he was teaching her how to kiss and all the different techniques he knows. I loved the references in this book and I loved the feelings that slowly started to develop between them. I didn't like most of Parker's friends. In reality, they were snobs and I would have liked her to stay away from them and realize from the get go they weren't worth her time. I loved this book. If you want to know what happens to Parker, pick this book up now!
Overall: Loved it! I even love the title of this one! Its a fun quick read that will make you smile and want to learn more about Tristan's kissing techniques!
February 19, 2009
The ABC's of Kissing Boys is a cute book worth of multiple squeals! It's a great mixture of flirting, romance, and learning who you really are.
Parker's "faux-mance" with the younger Tristian stars innocently enough. He knows how to kiss and she needs his skills to pull off a stunt to get back onto the varsity soccer team. Soon enough the line between business and actual romance starts to blur and Parker finds out that maybe she's enjoying her time with Tristian a bit more than she had expected. And holy crap it's too cute for words! Their back and forth banter and warring fathers is great. It's never boring and always entertaining!
Parker's pack of three friends headed by Chrissandra decide to cut her loose so she can bond with her new team or so they say. But really they don't think she is good enough for them anymore, at first Parker goes along with their taunts and jokes but soon enough realizes they aren't real friends and ends up reconnecting with a friend from her past. I was so glad that Parker didn't allow these so-called friends of hers to get the best of her and ended up finding a real friend. It's actually something I could relate to and I'm glad that she ended up making the same decision as me (we are both for the better!)
This is a very enjoyable book that is fun and romantic but also deals with some of the issues kids face in school. This book will surely put you in a great mood!
Parker's "faux-mance" with the younger Tristian stars innocently enough. He knows how to kiss and she needs his skills to pull off a stunt to get back onto the varsity soccer team. Soon enough the line between business and actual romance starts to blur and Parker finds out that maybe she's enjoying her time with Tristian a bit more than she had expected. And holy crap it's too cute for words! Their back and forth banter and warring fathers is great. It's never boring and always entertaining!
Parker's pack of three friends headed by Chrissandra decide to cut her loose so she can bond with her new team or so they say. But really they don't think she is good enough for them anymore, at first Parker goes along with their taunts and jokes but soon enough realizes they aren't real friends and ends up reconnecting with a friend from her past. I was so glad that Parker didn't allow these so-called friends of hers to get the best of her and ended up finding a real friend. It's actually something I could relate to and I'm glad that she ended up making the same decision as me (we are both for the better!)
This is a very enjoyable book that is fun and romantic but also deals with some of the issues kids face in school. This book will surely put you in a great mood!
February 2, 2009
I fell in love with this book cover and knew I just had to read it. It also has such a great title! Parker is a typical high school girl that goes through typical high school "stuff." I like how Ferraro gave her a what is commonly a boy's name and made her an athletic girl, not a girly girl. So many books you read have girly girls in them. I feel like Parker is a real girl that many teens will be able to relate to. What teenage girl doesn't wish she could just take Mommy's credit card and go to their favorite department store? Isn't it the goal of all teenagers to be in style? Parker was definitely in style, but she felt like she didn't belong. Teenage girls can be vindictive and there were times as I was reading this that I thought, "Don't be a wimp, Parker; stand up to those girls!" I feel like this story will show girls to stand up for what they believe and stand by your true friends, no matter what because they will always be there for you. It's a lesson that many of us learned in high school, when we hung out with the "in" crowd and shunned our other friends. I recommend this book to young girls. I feel like they will be able to relate to Parker and what she goes through.
June 20, 2009
This was a fun, quick, light read. It combines romance and sports and even a bit of mean girls. Parker is great character. I think because she's not a stereotypical jock or a typical girly girl, she'll appeal to a lot of readers.
Tristan is a great guy for Parker-he's smart, funny and confidant. I'm sure he'll be on many lit boy crush lists!:)
Parker does get a little annoying because she doesn't realize how mean her so called friends are, but I am a reader looking in, and Parker has to learn on her own. But that didn't mean there weren't times I wanted to yell at her for even thinking she needed them back!
As someone who dated a younger guy in high school and college and is marrying a guy who is younger and was a year behind in school, I loved how Parker was an older girl going after a younger guy. Now if only all guys could be as mature as Tristan is at 15!!
I think my favorite part of the book was the chapter headings that give various kissing tips. Props to Tina for coming up with a tip for every letter of the alphabet! Overall, this is a fun, simple, sweet story that's a great curl up and read the night away book. Tina Ferraro knows how to write a great romance for all ages and I look forward to what she has next!
Tristan is a great guy for Parker-he's smart, funny and confidant. I'm sure he'll be on many lit boy crush lists!:)
Parker does get a little annoying because she doesn't realize how mean her so called friends are, but I am a reader looking in, and Parker has to learn on her own. But that didn't mean there weren't times I wanted to yell at her for even thinking she needed them back!
As someone who dated a younger guy in high school and college and is marrying a guy who is younger and was a year behind in school, I loved how Parker was an older girl going after a younger guy. Now if only all guys could be as mature as Tristan is at 15!!
I think my favorite part of the book was the chapter headings that give various kissing tips. Props to Tina for coming up with a tip for every letter of the alphabet! Overall, this is a fun, simple, sweet story that's a great curl up and read the night away book. Tina Ferraro knows how to write a great romance for all ages and I look forward to what she has next!
January 26, 2009
This book can definitely be summed up in one word: cute. Honestly though, it had me squealing and giggling at almost every other page. I for one am not huge on giggling. Combine that with squealing and you have a book to be reckoned with.
What I love about this book was the chapter titles. It definitely played with the title, The ABC's of Kissing Boys, quite ingenious in a way. The short definition combined with the humor makes a wonderful chapter title.
I also love the surprise in the end involving the neighborhood feud. It was an unexpected twist which I thought later to myself, I should have seen this coming! The feud itself was so ridiculous, in a funny way though! I enjoyed reading the crazy antics and arguments between the two fathers.
What I thought that lacked in this book was in the two main characters. There wasn’t enough depth, enough development for me. What I also found slightly unsettling was the quick progressing from the really close friends to the declaration of love.
Overall: An adorable read that everyone should at least try!
What I love about this book was the chapter titles. It definitely played with the title, The ABC's of Kissing Boys, quite ingenious in a way. The short definition combined with the humor makes a wonderful chapter title.
I also love the surprise in the end involving the neighborhood feud. It was an unexpected twist which I thought later to myself, I should have seen this coming! The feud itself was so ridiculous, in a funny way though! I enjoyed reading the crazy antics and arguments between the two fathers.
What I thought that lacked in this book was in the two main characters. There wasn’t enough depth, enough development for me. What I also found slightly unsettling was the quick progressing from the really close friends to the declaration of love.
Overall: An adorable read that everyone should at least try!
August 30, 2009
I’ve wanted to read this one for awhile now. I’ve enjoyed Ferraro’s other novels and thought this one had a cute storyline. I didn’t think a lot of the scenario’s were that realistic, but that’s the great thing about fiction. Parker was a nice character, she didn’t come across as either too popular or too nerdy, just a good balance of both. She learns some good lessons (not just kissing) along the way and the story ended up being really cute. The kissing stuff was pretty strong at the beginning and died off about half-way through, hate to admit it, but I would have liked a little more in the “tutoring” department. This brings me to my one complaint, the fact that her tutor was a freshman and she was a junior, I have a HARD time buying into that one, but I understand the reasoning for the plot. The chemistry between Parker and her “teacher” was cute, and even though he is younger he really didn’t come across that way. Overall, a cute, light read.
May 24, 2011
4.5 stars - I adored this book and devoured it in one sitting. Not only is the premise terrific, the characters are well-drawn and sympathetic. I enjoyed spending time with them; and there was a comforting quality to the town that made me want to stay longer. I would've happily continued reading for a long time. I loved that soccer politics was a subplot, along with a few mysteries regarding the neighbor rivalry and whether the main character would be placed on Varsity (and if she even should be). Plus the kissing scenes were cute, fun and steamy while still being realistic -- the romance was great, and the drama of dating "a younger man" was a terrific hurdle. I remember what a big deal it was to date a grade or two above or below you in high school.
May 15, 2009
This book was short, sweet and fun. I enjoyed it a lot more than I did How to Hook a Hottie but I don't know why.
I though the whole kissing booth scam was hilarious and absolutely brilliant. I mean, who would dream up something like that? Amazing! I also loved the way Parker got to know herself again and learned to like herself the way she really was and not as the person under Chrissandra's shadow and rule.
The whole mean girl clique bullying the rest of the girls with subtlety and evil was really well handled and will resonate with lots of secondary school girls who are on the receiving end of popular girl's bullying.
I though the whole kissing booth scam was hilarious and absolutely brilliant. I mean, who would dream up something like that? Amazing! I also loved the way Parker got to know herself again and learned to like herself the way she really was and not as the person under Chrissandra's shadow and rule.
The whole mean girl clique bullying the rest of the girls with subtlety and evil was really well handled and will resonate with lots of secondary school girls who are on the receiving end of popular girl's bullying.
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