Popped

by Elizabeth Stevens

Paige is Mitcham College's Silver Spoon; she can have any guy she wants. Or can she? When her friends bet she can’t get a bad boy to fall for her, she agrees to the wager. Enter Bash Baker; Mitcham High’s cherry popper. He’s the most egotistical, stereotypical jerk in the whole school. Either Bash’s fragile male ego is popped by the formal, or Paige has to give Mia’s nerdy cousin his first French kiss.

Bash is Mitcham High’s Cherry Popper; he’s popped more cherries than Casanova in all of Venice*. But there’s one cherry his mates bet he’ll never get. Enter Paige Nicholls; the school’s ‘it’ girl. Never one to shy away from a bet, Bash agrees to his mate’s wager. Either Paige’s cherry is popped by the formal, or Bash gives up his title to the nerdy band geek in the year below them.

It’s War of the Romance as Paige and Bash try to seduce the other one without falling for the ruse themselves. Usual tactics don’t seem to be working, so the two of them might need to switch things up. Otherwise they might find they’re the one who’s popped.

*possible exaggeration.

This satirical rom-com is not recommended for younger readers due to mature content. Please be aware that this story is set in Australia and therefore uses Australian syntax and grammar.

Genres: Young Adult, Rom Com, Romance

400 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2019

About the author

Writer. Reader. Perpetual student. Nerd.

I started out writing fantasy. But, I like to write anything, honestly. These days, I mainly stick to YA and there's always at least a sprinkling of romance, if not a 'whoops, I dropped the whole packet in'. Almost all my books are set in my home state of South Australia, either in real or fictional places - gotta write what you know - with Netherfield being the only current exception.

Like most writers, I love to read. Although, time for reading at the moment is hard to come by. When I'm not too busy writing, I'm usually reading a number of authors. Some of my favourites are Rick Riordan, Jane Austen, Kate Forsyth, Cecilia Dart-Thornton, Kasie West, John Flanagan, Terry Pratchett, Isobelle Carmody, Christina Benjamin, Emily Rodda, and many more.

I'm an avid fan of Marvel, DC, Doctor Who, Supernatural, Red Dwarf, IT Crowd, and pretty much anything similar. I've recently discovered Richard Ayoade's Travel Man and it's brilliant. I love watching soccer (go Gunners) and thoroughly look forward to seeing Eurovision every year. Celebrity crushes include Anna Kendrick and Chris Evans, because they are wonderful.

I live in Adelaide with my husband and a menagerie of animals – a cat reliving her (sixth) youth, a cowardly Beagle-Cavalier who thinks he’s smaller than he is, one meeping guinea pig who thinks any plastic bag has his greens in, two chickens who are terrified of free-ranging, and a turtle with a penchant for sticking her head up her filter pipe.

I have a Master of Arts (Writing) from Swinburne University of Technology. I also have a Master of Arts (Editing and Publishing) at University of Southern Queensland and, am now working towards my PhD. I also hope to one day undertake a PhD in Creative Writing - perpetual student, am I.

I also organise the Sleeping Dragon Emerging Fantasy Writers’ Collective writing group. The group self-published their anthology Tales from the Sleeping Dragon in 2012.

You can also find me on:
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NB: I'm usually happy to discuss review copies of my books. A track record of reviewing is preferable, but not completely necessary.

Reviews

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute read and I really enjoyed the positive attitudes toward sex and strong women. Paige is the school's queen bee, everyone loves her and the guys want her. She hasn't slept with any of her boyfriends because she thinks as soon as she does, they'll dump her and move on. Bash is a prime example of this, he sleeps with girls and pops their cherries, then goes on to the next girl. Paige and Bash make bets with their friends, Paige is going to get Bash to fall in love with her then dump her to pop his ego. Bash is going to pop Paige's cherry.
The story had some funny and sweet moments. Their friends were fun and the pacing was pretty good. It's Australian so there were a few times I didn't really understand what they were saying, but I liked the cultural difference.

[Mayra Biggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a funny romance story , reminds me of How to loose a guy in 10 days( except they have 4 weeks). Fun story of strong personalities, good friends and lots of making out. They both have their issues that helps them work towards stability.

[Angela Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Set in high school two senier both set a bet with their friends. Not spoiling any more of the story. All the characters are great and the banter is really funny. Plenty of sex talk and some action. Would recommend.

[Raka Majumdar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it, specially cos how gender balanced it was, progressive attitude to sex, emotions etc without being preachy!! Taking a much cliched plot to a level of happy fluff and tons of cuteness thrown in! Heartwarming to say the least!

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too funny!

This was a hilarious story! The friends on both sides cracked me up! I loved how balanced the main couple was! Yes to badass Virgins! The girls were the guys, the guys were the girls! I really enjoyed this!

[lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[cierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the ending, but the whole story was amazing from start to finish. I need an audiobook for this please?

[No name girl the quiet one · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very surprised I liked this as much as I did. I really liked Paige and her friendships. Another thing I enjoyed was how these girls were not ashamed they they like sex because why should girls be? “ More Power to the vag” anyway the romance was great I really felt Paige and Bash chemistry. Bash it the type of guy I love reading in books he might be cocky and a ladies man but he sure knows what to do in the bedroom 🤣 thanks to Elizabeth Steven for writing another book I’ve enjoyed.

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a first time for everything.
Every first is a cherry to be popped, not just sexually. Popping that big ego and pride cherry. Popping the cherry for learning to trust and to love. And the hardest cherry to pop of them all is finding your own truth.
We meet the boys in the first chapter and it's very 'Grease' T-Birds. Danny (which would be Bash) telling his boys about all the chicks he can get. Chapter two is the girls and it is very 'Clueless' with Cher (Paige) telling her girls how pathetic teenage boys are.
Casanova Bash makes a bet with his boys that he can do what no other boy has been able to do: pop Princess Paige's pristine cherry. Fed up with heartbreaking boys, Paige makes a bet with her girls that she can get Bash to fall in love with her so that she can ultimately break up with him spectacularly, popping his huge ego cherry.
Because bets dealing with relationships, sex, and love never backfire, right? Yeah, sure.
As Paige and Bash get to know each other I came to know them as well and realized we weren't just dealing with crude boys and complaining girls but people with big hearts and lots of insecurities - that goes for their friends as well. It became easy to root for them and want them to be together for real.I
This book was really cute, fun with hints of 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days' in it, funny, and heartwarming. Not my favorite from Elizabeth Stevens, but I liked it a lot!

Even though this book is YA and about high schoolers, I feel like it's a bit mature for that age group to read. I mean, let's face it, we know that a lot of kids have sex in high school, but still... my opinion is that it's a bit too much.

[Loyalhistorian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good one, very cute. It hit all the things I enjoy about a Stevens book.

Stevens always does a good job of taking what seems like a tired troupe (in this case, making a bet about sex) and turns it on its head. She doesn't follow a predictable pattern, and she always gives you more than you bargained for, adding insight or a morale to the story that you don't always get from a romance book.

Yes, as it mentions in the synopsis, this is a mature-themed book for a YA book. It talks about sex. But, I appreciated that this was a positive attitude toward sex for young people. It was all about consent, and being sure, and being responsible/safe, and being conscious of the needs of the other person. It was a healthy attitude, I guess is what I was getting at. So many books for younger people seem to focus on unhealthy romantic obsessions that glorify destructive or harmful sexual exploits. This wasn't the case, so it was nice to see .

It also focused on a strong female role in a positive light; being yourself; letting your guard down and not worrying what others think about you. That was all good. I also liked that it showed that both guys and girls can be horrible in the dating world with the way they can treat their significant others. Not just guys treating girls bad. It can go both ways.

Anyway, this was a good read, quick and easy to get through, and enjoyable.

[Lexee Toste · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this story. It took me a couple of chapters to really connect to the characters but they were fantastic and well worth reading. At first both Bash and Paige come off as jerks with the bets they are making and the way that they each talk about the other group and the way Bash's group talks about women. It made it harder for me to connect at first. Once you actually get to see a little bit of who the character actually is, you start connecting to them and fall in love the more you get to know them. I absolutely adored Bash and Paige, especially them together. This book is full of great wit and I loved the teasing between Bash and Paige. I loved that they could both take it and enjoy it. They have both made a bet with their friends involving the other person. I loved the way that they grew together. This book doesn't exactly fall into the clean category. There is sex, a lot of making out and touching throughout the book and a lot of talk about sex and popping cherries so not what I would consider clean. I do think that it fit the story and I really enjoyed it and thought it was done well. Overall, I absolutely adored this story and I can't wait for the next one in the series to come out! Hopefully we get to see more of Paige and Bash along with their two sets of friends!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Mimia The Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Elizabeth Stevens’ books really have a way of being fun and everything and leaving you with a warm feeling of coziness inside (I don’t know what this means either, but it’s true). This was, of course, no exception. I really really liked it and wished I had picked it up before!
I really like this take on the clichéed bet and I find the characters to be so different from most YA books in a way that's good and refreshing.
And I really like the cover and that also counts.
I hear this is going to be a series and that makes me so excited you have no idea!

My only problem with this book (and when I say problem I mean something that I didn't like that much - hence the half star missing) was the existence of intimate scenes, even if they were quite tasteful and didn’t ruin the book for me which has happened countless times before. I was aware they would be there before reading so thank you, author, for the heads up, that is always very nice.
[If you know me, you know I can’t help myself and not say anything about this topic. If you are getting angry or have had enough of my prudishness, I’m sorry but I have to do what I have to do.]

I received an ARC of this book and I’m so glad I did.

[Anna Theurer (Anna's Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every time I read one of this author’s sweet and fun mature YA romances, I always think that it would make a great teen movie. Popped is no different as I found the storyline to be entertaining and the characters were endearing. This coming of age story features two characters who engage in making a bet among their friends and how in the process, they each learn a bit about themselves. There is a lot of humor involved as Bash and Paige go about fulfilling their side of the bet because what could possibly go wrong? I really enjoyed how as the story progressed as Bash and Paige each experienced a bit of self discovery and matured as characters. The dynamic between the friends, especially the witty banter was entertaining and I loved the humorous exchanges between Bash and Paige. True to this author’s previous works, Popped is full of a fun cast of characters complete with a positive message at the end, thus making it a quick, fun, and engaging read. I received an early complimentary version of this book and I look forward to more works by this author.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings on this book. In the first fourteen chapters, all they talked about was "popping her cherry" over and over and over and over again. You get the idea. Also "popping her cherry" was ridiculously redundant. If the author could have used some other synonyms or phrases it would have been better, but she beat that phrase dead. Based on the first half of the book I would give the book a 1 star. It was so painful to get through the first half.
Now the second half of the book I thoroughly enjoyed. Maybe because this is where the story came alive and progressed, versus "popping her cherry" conversation non-stop. I started to warm up to the main characters. It played out like a teen movie but it was really sweet how the hero and heroine opened up to each other. If I could cut out the first half of the book, I would gladly give this book 3.5 stars. It was a cute teen story. If you want to give the book a chance, I would read the first two chapters, then skip to chapter 15.
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Stacia Vega · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am voluntarily reviewing this book after receiving a free copy.

Paige is the most popular girl at school, who can get any guy she wants. Bash is the school cassanova who can hook up with any girl he likes. So what happens when bets are cast?

This plot is a popular one for a reason. It is entertaining, funny and heart warming. And Popped did not disappoint! Even though the back story for the main characters could have possibly used a tiny bit more flushing out I did immediately connect with them and stayed interested throughout. I loved the flirty banter they had and the ending was very cute. Also the sarcastic jokes they had with their friends was pretty hilarious.

Overall was very satisfied with this book and gave it 4 stars!

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who will win, the princess or the casanova?
Totally loved it. As always with this author, I found the book amusing.

Paige is the girl every guy wants in the pants of but she never lets them get that far. Her friends bet her to either get the school's very own Casanova to fall in love with her or to kiss one of their geekiest cousins.

Bash is the guy every boy wants to be, the one who gets laid all the time and never does the relationship thing. His bet him to pop Paige's cherry or surrender his title to a band geek.

This is a must read to find out who wins their respective bets and the consequences of each bet.

I would have to say for 16 and up readers.

[Danielle Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an Arc copy of this book for an honest review

I found this book too be a young adult version of a combination of the films She’s All That and how to loose a guy in 30 days
The book characters were real and inspiring showing the nature of what it’s like to be young and play the field until you realise that actually playing the field is boring when you meet the one
I also liked the way the authour brought in the real feelings underneath the characters rather than just paste over them and expect you to kind of feel in the blanks
I would definitely recommend this book for younger readers

[Indigo Iversen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s giving She’s All That meets John Tucker Must Die. Truly the epitome of 90’s high school movies, but make it Australian. It was a fun and easy read and totally enjoyable. Everything from the bet made on either ends, to the fake dating, to the pure lust and romance between Paige and Bash.

Favourite Quote: “Real love was the way I felt like I’d stood up too quickly every time I saw her. Real love just is.”

[Ali Oop · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it

I feel Elizabeth kept the characters’ dialogue and actions true to their ages (I feel a lot of YA books have them coming across as jaded thirty year olds). I did find some of the Aussie slang heavy at points, which made the dialogue harder to follow. I do wish that Elizabeth’s epilogues were a bit more extensive.

[Char ღ Denae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these characters and LOL’d a few times due to their banter. Cute story featuring teenagers who think they know everything about feelings, love and sex. Bets are made to teach lessons and prove prowess but the lessons learned are not just the ones intended. Enjoyable with a satisfying ending.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit it took me a little to really get into the story, but the characters and their witty banter pulled me in. Bash and the "Baker Boys" were well matched by "Princess" Paige, Georgie, and Mia.
Bonus points for the family shenanigans with Bash's little brother and mum. :)

[Kelly Bugler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love elizabeth stevens books. All of them. Once again this was a fantastic read! I could not put this down.