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Dork Diaries #12
Dork Diaries: Crush Catastrophe
Nikki Maxwell’s adventures continue in the twelfth installment in the blockbuster #1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries series!
In Nikki Maxwell’s newest diary, it’s the countdown to the end of the school year, and Nikki’s juggling some big questions about how she’ll spend her summer. She’s also facing an unexpected crush catastrophe—there’s a new kid interested in Nikki, but the last thing she wants to do is accidentally hurt Brandon! It all comes down to a big decision Nikki has to make, and drama like she’s never faced before!
In Nikki Maxwell’s newest diary, it’s the countdown to the end of the school year, and Nikki’s juggling some big questions about how she’ll spend her summer. She’s also facing an unexpected crush catastrophe—there’s a new kid interested in Nikki, but the last thing she wants to do is accidentally hurt Brandon! It all comes down to a big decision Nikki has to make, and drama like she’s never faced before!
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
2041 people are currently reading
7685 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Renée Russell
119 books7,271 followersRachel Renee Russell is the #1 New York Times Best Selling author of the book series, DORK DIARIES, and the upcoming, THE MISADVENTURES OF MAX CRUMBLY to be released on June 7, 2016.
For more about Nikki's world visit www.DorkDiaries.com
For more about Max's world visit www.MaxCrumbly.com
For more about Nikki's world visit www.DorkDiaries.com
For more about Max's world visit www.MaxCrumbly.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 536 reviews
June 22, 2023
brandon roberts walked so other golden retriever boyfriends could run
July 8, 2018
So much drama and way over the top but kids love drama and they will love this book!!!
My daughters grew up on the dramas of the Kardashians and younger sisters Kylie and Kendall Jenner so young teens having their own reality TV show and angsting over trips to Paris is all pretty believable.
The book spans two weeks of Nikki’s diary entries where every day she seems to have mini disasters, many of them featuring her cute and naughty dog Daisy.
The story is not all written word. Part of the story is told in illustrations. Adorable black and white pictures that bring the story to life.
With light themes of crushes on boys, cyber bullying, friendship and doing the right thing, most young girls will relate.
Easily addictive, one book will not be enough; luckily Dork Diaries come in boxed sets.
Suitable for ages 7 – 12 years.
This review is part of the Beauty & Lace Bookclub
To read the original review on Beauty & Lace please visit http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...
My daughters grew up on the dramas of the Kardashians and younger sisters Kylie and Kendall Jenner so young teens having their own reality TV show and angsting over trips to Paris is all pretty believable.
The book spans two weeks of Nikki’s diary entries where every day she seems to have mini disasters, many of them featuring her cute and naughty dog Daisy.
The story is not all written word. Part of the story is told in illustrations. Adorable black and white pictures that bring the story to life.
With light themes of crushes on boys, cyber bullying, friendship and doing the right thing, most young girls will relate.
Easily addictive, one book will not be enough; luckily Dork Diaries come in boxed sets.
Suitable for ages 7 – 12 years.
This review is part of the Beauty & Lace Bookclub
To read the original review on Beauty & Lace please visit http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...
January 10, 2024
Although it’s not the last book in the series, Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-so-secret Crush Catastrophe feels like a culmination of all the Dork Diaries books. I found this book’s plot to be the most interesting out of the entire series, and I loved the introduction of the new characters. This book has a couple of plot twists and character arcs, which I enjoyed. Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-so-secret Crush Catastrophe is perfect for tween and teen girls who grew up watching cheesy rom-coms and reading Dork Diaries. - Sophia D., Teen Volunteer
November 17, 2017
SECOND QUARTER SECOND CHOICE BOOK
I thought this book was so pointless. All the other books leading up to this were OK, but, this was so ridiculous. Basically, the point of this book was that this transfer student that had a crush on Nikki. Next, Mackenzie started to post pictures of them together and say they were dating. Nikki's crush got jealous then couldn't decide whether or not to go to Paris or her concert. LIKE HELLO NOBODY CARES. But, if you were like a third grader, I would recommend this book to you because it is a simple topic to understand and a short read. Also I think that third graders pretty much love crush drama. Anyway, I found myself getting bored reading this super predictable book. I don't think I am going to read this again like ever. So now, here is a list of the pros and cons of this book that I did not state yet or have stated. Pros: It was addicting I have to admit I couldn't put it down, I think other people might like it, it made me feel certain things like being sorry for her, and I thought the illustrations were hilarious. Cons: The point of the book was absolutely pointless, it was too easy, it was very immature, and it was somewhat boring. I think you have to be the right age though. But I mean...COME ON. I HAVE READ BOOKS WHERE PEOPLE ARE ON THE VERGE OF DEATH AND SHE IS WORRYING ABOUT HER TINY REPUTATION. It's so pointless. But, like I said, it was addicting I have to admit I read almost the whole book in one night because I just couldn't put it down. So in conclusion, this book was good if you are the right age to read it or else you will find it pointless and boring.
I thought this book was so pointless. All the other books leading up to this were OK, but, this was so ridiculous. Basically, the point of this book was that this transfer student that had a crush on Nikki. Next, Mackenzie started to post pictures of them together and say they were dating. Nikki's crush got jealous then couldn't decide whether or not to go to Paris or her concert. LIKE HELLO NOBODY CARES. But, if you were like a third grader, I would recommend this book to you because it is a simple topic to understand and a short read. Also I think that third graders pretty much love crush drama. Anyway, I found myself getting bored reading this super predictable book. I don't think I am going to read this again like ever. So now, here is a list of the pros and cons of this book that I did not state yet or have stated. Pros: It was addicting I have to admit I couldn't put it down, I think other people might like it, it made me feel certain things like being sorry for her, and I thought the illustrations were hilarious. Cons: The point of the book was absolutely pointless, it was too easy, it was very immature, and it was somewhat boring. I think you have to be the right age though. But I mean...COME ON. I HAVE READ BOOKS WHERE PEOPLE ARE ON THE VERGE OF DEATH AND SHE IS WORRYING ABOUT HER TINY REPUTATION. It's so pointless. But, like I said, it was addicting I have to admit I read almost the whole book in one night because I just couldn't put it down. So in conclusion, this book was good if you are the right age to read it or else you will find it pointless and boring.
December 16, 2017
Once upon a time, Dork Diaries was a lovely series about adorkable Nikki, her BFF’s Chloe and Zoey, her crush Brandon, and her arch-nemesis Mackenzie. With misunderstandings between friends, deep and meaningfuls in the janitor’s closet at school and an abundance of embarrassing moments, I found this series relatable, appropriate for its target audience and really cute.
Recently Nikki’s had her own reality show and in this book she has the hugest problem! She has to choose between going on a national tour with her band as an opening act or go to Paris, plus two boys have crushes on her. Girl, the plebs that don’t live in your ivory tower wish we had your problems.
I’m not sure if it’s just me but it seems like the boys in this series are becoming prettier than the girls. But that’s an aside because I basically adore the sweetness of the illustrations in this series.
Yes, I’m whingeing about this instalment. Yes, I’m going to read the next one. I just want it to get back to its roots, being a positive influence for adorkable girls trying to find their way in a super awkward time of their lives.
Favourite sentence: “Why is my life such a giant bucket of puke?!!”
Recently Nikki’s had her own reality show and in this book she has the hugest problem! She has to choose between going on a national tour with her band as an opening act or go to Paris, plus two boys have crushes on her. Girl, the plebs that don’t live in your ivory tower wish we had your problems.
I’m not sure if it’s just me but it seems like the boys in this series are becoming prettier than the girls. But that’s an aside because I basically adore the sweetness of the illustrations in this series.
Yes, I’m whingeing about this instalment. Yes, I’m going to read the next one. I just want it to get back to its roots, being a positive influence for adorkable girls trying to find their way in a super awkward time of their lives.
Favourite sentence: “Why is my life such a giant bucket of puke?!!”
October 20, 2017
First off, I started reading this series when I was younger and just moved along as the books kept coming out. I just want to know how it endsssssss, anyways:
I have to say, I was really disappointed with this book. Firstly, it was really short. Second, it had almost zero substance. There are many 200 page books that have stronger plot and climax. I understand that its not a YA book but still, there wasn't much content and I felt most of it was page fillers. The series is just dragging on now because it's been 12 books and the school just finished and Nikki and Brandon have been talked about for years but STILL are not together. The author started the Max Crumbly series and while I'm not going to get into that one, maybe that one is better. The earlier books have been better by FARRRR! This one was really short and also, not much happened...the whole book spans a week and it was just a let down.
Some may view my opinion as the difference of age/intended audience and while it may be that, only partially. Rachel Russell's writing was significantly better in the earlier books when they were first picking up momentum.
I have to say, I was really disappointed with this book. Firstly, it was really short. Second, it had almost zero substance. There are many 200 page books that have stronger plot and climax. I understand that its not a YA book but still, there wasn't much content and I felt most of it was page fillers. The series is just dragging on now because it's been 12 books and the school just finished and Nikki and Brandon have been talked about for years but STILL are not together. The author started the Max Crumbly series and while I'm not going to get into that one, maybe that one is better. The earlier books have been better by FARRRR! This one was really short and also, not much happened...the whole book spans a week and it was just a let down.
Some may view my opinion as the difference of age/intended audience and while it may be that, only partially. Rachel Russell's writing was significantly better in the earlier books when they were first picking up momentum.
September 9, 2022
it was about at Wechester country day (this is the name of the school. There was a student ambassador. Nikki thought it was a girl when it wasn't. Brandon had to sit with Makenzie Hollister who hated nikki. My favourite part was when nikki realised that she spelt his name wrong, she thought it was andrea when it was Andre!! I love the glittery heart cover and when Nikki got a new dog called daisy. I like the characters in the book because they are funny and they make me laugh! I really love the Dork Diary series and have put 2 new DD books on my Christmas list. I read this one really quickly!
June 12, 2021
throwback to the time my best friend and i fought in the school library over this copy the day it came out
November 10, 2017
This book was super cool! The drama at the end was too mind blowing! Too much to believe! And the beginning just reveals Nikki's life, bit by bit! This book was a lot to take in but I really liked it! I can't believe Nikki was blackmailed by someone she thought was her friend! This Dork Diaries book is by far one of the best ones! At first, I was half bored to death but, I needed to finish this book!I kept on reading and once I reached the middle, all the action blew in! I guess I didn't really realize Nikki's life was unfolding in the beginning but, I definitely realized it in the end! Awesome book!
May 6, 2018
Who will Nikki choose? Brandon or Andre? Will she ditch her original crush for a new student?
What will Nikki choose? A chance to go to Paris or tour with her band as the opening act for a wildly popular boy band? A trip of a lifetime or a tour of a lifetime?
What kind of 8th grader has this life.
This is called dork diaries? More like diva diaries.
What will Nikki choose? A chance to go to Paris or tour with her band as the opening act for a wildly popular boy band? A trip of a lifetime or a tour of a lifetime?
What kind of 8th grader has this life.
This is called dork diaries? More like diva diaries.
October 21, 2017
I wasn’t going to read anymore in this series but then I found it available on the library ebook site and I was bored at work so I gave it a try. Not terrible but Nikki is starting to annoy me. I don’t know why her and Brandon just don’t start dating already.
April 23, 2023
Brandon still gets to me
October 18, 2017
So, I probably bought this book for The Kid for her birthday, but, um...I really like reading about Nikki and all of her goofiness. I knew I had to read it before I gave her the book today after school and it got lost in the jungle that is an 8 year old's bedroom. Instead of grading I read and finished it this morning.
These books are light and fun and hilarious and I don't mind that The Kid reads them at all. If I was her age I wouldn't be able to stop myself from emulating Nikki and, really, that's not a bad thing!
These books are light and fun and hilarious and I don't mind that The Kid reads them at all. If I was her age I wouldn't be able to stop myself from emulating Nikki and, really, that's not a bad thing!
January 5, 2021
i love these books and i have just read the whole book at one time. :) i have been reading for 2 hour straight and in total i have read 4 hours today!!!!!!
March 14, 2025
brandon is the very stereotypical white boy that everyone loves and i agree with that 🎀
April 20, 2022
Too many weird twists 👀
March 31, 2018
It’s been twelve books and Nikki and Brandon have obviously liked each other for all of those books to no avail. There have been so many moments where I thought they would finally make their relationship official, but instead this series is determined to stick with the “Nikki is always referring to Brandon as a good friend like their entire romance hasn’t actually happened.” It’s frustrating at this point. I don’t know if it’s because they’re only in middle school and the author thinks a series about middle schoolers is no place for a serious relationship, but by the next book Nikki will be a high schooler. I know people who dated in high school and got married. My parents were high school sweethearts. It’s not totally unrealistic to finally make the ship sail instead of dragging it out for silly plot drama that would never actually happen in real life. Okay, that rant over, I have to say this book just felt like filler. Like it’s all leading up to the next book which will focus on Nikki’s summer of possibly trying to balance Paris and the Bad Boyz tour but the publisher wanted thirteen books so they needed to think of a plot real fast- boom, sudden transfer student from another school even though there’s only like two weeks left. That definitely would never happen either. Plus the drama is eye-rollingly predictable, the characters are dumber than elementary school students when it comes to talking to other people, and MacKenzie isn’t even an interesting antagonist anymore, just an overblown stereotype of the typical pretty mean girl who I’m pretty sure doesn’t actually exist. No really, at least in my school the popular girls were mostly nice. Maybe my school was an anomaly, I don’t know. I feel bad that this review is mostly critiques, but maybe this is the point where I realize this series is no longer for me. I’m only still reading because there are occasional cute moments and Brianna’s antics, while annoying, can be funny and typical of a child. Not to mention the gorgeous covers that look beautiful on my shelves. But I’m starting to realize I’m just not in the mindset of a middle schooler anymore and maybe it’s time I put this series down. I probably won’t though in the hopes that there is an occasional gem and because I’ve stuck around this long that I’d feel like a traitor if I gave up so soon.
January 10, 2020
As a Dork Diary, naturally this book was an enjoyable read.
But before the end, I expected two things to happen:
1. Brandon, after all the drama, will finally ask Nikki to be his girlfriend (so Nikki can finally stop saying things like, "Wait? What are we anyway? Friends? MORE than friends? SQUEEEEEEEEEEE! I don't even know!" That's not a direct quote, thank goodness)
2. The e-mail about the Paris trip will turn out to be a fake sent by Tiffany, Mackenzie, or both. That would explain why Nkki got it so early and also solve her problem of conflicting summer plans. (Actually, I am now glad this didn't happen. Not every problem in Nikki's life should be blamed on a CCP.)
But neither of those things happened, and the book ended way too soon with a picture of Brandon and Nikki holding Daisy the dog.
So, I'm kinda mad!
Waaaaaaaaah! (That's me crying because I expected so much from you, #12! But you were still so good! Also I love Andre's hair! Okay, I'm ending this review now. It's turning into nonsense.)
But before the end, I expected two things to happen:
1. Brandon, after all the drama, will finally ask Nikki to be his girlfriend (so Nikki can finally stop saying things like, "Wait? What are we anyway? Friends? MORE than friends? SQUEEEEEEEEEEE! I don't even know!" That's not a direct quote, thank goodness)
2. The e-mail about the Paris trip will turn out to be a fake sent by Tiffany, Mackenzie, or both. That would explain why Nkki got it so early and also solve her problem of conflicting summer plans. (Actually, I am now glad this didn't happen. Not every problem in Nikki's life should be blamed on a CCP.)
But neither of those things happened, and the book ended way too soon with a picture of Brandon and Nikki holding Daisy the dog.
So, I'm kinda mad!
Waaaaaaaaah! (That's me crying because I expected so much from you, #12! But you were still so good! Also I love Andre's hair! Okay, I'm ending this review now. It's turning into nonsense.)
January 12, 2021
Dorktastic
April 23, 2021
Amazing!
February 16, 2024
The memories this book holds
March 3, 2024
Sadly they don't date 😭😭😭😭😭😭
Fun book to read not to long not to short
Fun book to read not to long not to short
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 13, 2024Era isto tipo de livro que eu deveria estar a dar na faculdade
May 25, 2025
It was really good but made me want to scream at some points!
April 20, 2025
I really, really hated this book. Basically, there's a student exchange week and Nikki gets this boy named André. Then Brandon gets mad at Nikki for spending time with him and starts being super rude to him. André likes to call Nikki Nicole, which she said was fine. But then Brandon starts arguments over whether her name is Nicole or not, even though she said it was fine. Brandon just seems like the antagonist in this book.
The two boys both fight over Nikki (which is very annoying) and they never show any development whatsoever. The relationships have no chemistry, and they barely spend any time together. And also, there's someone editing photos. At this part I was hoping that there would be a new antagonist to actually make me read this series for some other reason besides hate-reading.
But no **SPOILER ALERT** it's just MacKenzie and Tiffany. Wow. So unexpected.
Neither of the boys have any depth, and Nikki toys with their emotions and is a horrible person throughout the book. She basically tosses Brandon in the trash and ditches him for some other nice, rich boy (Andre) and then proceeds to try to go back to Brandon, while toying with both of their emotions, and obviously Brandon doesn't talk to her, which hurts both her and her crush. AND then Nikki finds out that someone is editing photos of her and Brandon and making her and Andre look like a couple. This undermines their relationship further. Guess. What. Happens. Next. BRANDON AND HER END UP IN THE END. After she constantly toys with his emotions and undermines their relationship through the entire book, and he still has the nerve to choose her over someone who would be much healthier?!
Not to mention, their obsessivness with each other is truely horrifying. If Brandon is going to get so worked up over a student exchange then maybe it's best if he and Nikki split up. In my opinion, he was giving more stalker vibes than actually being respectful and acting like he actually cares about her, he blows the whole thing out of proportion and gives her the cold shoulder for the rest of the book and refuses to talk to her. I still do not understand how he can stand her after she's been such a terrible person to him throughout the seriess.
In book seven, she yelled at him for being sad because his scholarship got denied, she insulted him in book 9, and he was obviously not showing interest in book 6, but of course, she just had to be a creep and pursue him.
Bottom line: Horrible book. It deserves a 0. I will NEVER understand people who like this book.
Rating: -100,000,00/5
The two boys both fight over Nikki (which is very annoying) and they never show any development whatsoever. The relationships have no chemistry, and they barely spend any time together. And also, there's someone editing photos. At this part I was hoping that there would be a new antagonist to actually make me read this series for some other reason besides hate-reading.
But no **SPOILER ALERT** it's just MacKenzie and Tiffany. Wow. So unexpected.
Neither of the boys have any depth, and Nikki toys with their emotions and is a horrible person throughout the book. She basically tosses Brandon in the trash and ditches him for some other nice, rich boy (Andre) and then proceeds to try to go back to Brandon, while toying with both of their emotions, and obviously Brandon doesn't talk to her, which hurts both her and her crush. AND then Nikki finds out that someone is editing photos of her and Brandon and making her and Andre look like a couple. This undermines their relationship further. Guess. What. Happens. Next. BRANDON AND HER END UP IN THE END. After she constantly toys with his emotions and undermines their relationship through the entire book, and he still has the nerve to choose her over someone who would be much healthier?!
Not to mention, their obsessivness with each other is truely horrifying. If Brandon is going to get so worked up over a student exchange then maybe it's best if he and Nikki split up. In my opinion, he was giving more stalker vibes than actually being respectful and acting like he actually cares about her, he blows the whole thing out of proportion and gives her the cold shoulder for the rest of the book and refuses to talk to her. I still do not understand how he can stand her after she's been such a terrible person to him throughout the seriess.
In book seven, she yelled at him for being sad because his scholarship got denied, she insulted him in book 9, and he was obviously not showing interest in book 6, but of course, she just had to be a creep and pursue him.
Bottom line: Horrible book. It deserves a 0. I will NEVER understand people who like this book.
Rating: -100,000,00/5
January 6, 2018
The short version of how I feel about the book: 😊😉❤️️
The long version of how I feel about the book:
Dork Diaries was a huge part of my childhood because I absolutely fell in love with Nikki and Rachel Renee Russell. As I've grown older and the story has grown, I still have respect for Rachel and the series [while still reading the entire series].
I'm certain that the series is out of my age range, but this one is one of my favorites out of the series. It definitely captures that certain charm about having a crush and deciding between two hot guys [not that I would have any relation because I am still a single pringle].
It was short and sweet, but I definitely know that I'm going to be reading the next book because IT'S BEING SET IN PARIS. Let me say it again: PARIS.
with love,
Reenie
💋
The long version of how I feel about the book:
Dork Diaries was a huge part of my childhood because I absolutely fell in love with Nikki and Rachel Renee Russell. As I've grown older and the story has grown, I still have respect for Rachel and the series [while still reading the entire series].
I'm certain that the series is out of my age range, but this one is one of my favorites out of the series. It definitely captures that certain charm about having a crush and deciding between two hot guys [not that I would have any relation because I am still a single pringle].
It was short and sweet, but I definitely know that I'm going to be reading the next book because IT'S BEING SET IN PARIS. Let me say it again: PARIS.
with love,
Reenie
💋
June 21, 2017
I love it! I have every single dork diaries book in my room. I just love it, it's preparing young primary students on what might happen when they get in middle school or high school.
Read
December 7, 2017Not sure how to rate it. It was a good story but no longer my type of book. I just read it for the nostalgic feeling of when the first books came out.
July 31, 2018
Hilarious I love these books 📚
Displaying 1 - 30 of 536 reviews