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Smart Girls Get What They Want
Gigi, Bea, and Neerja are best friends and total overachievers. Even if they aren't the most popular girls in school, they aren't too worried. They know their real lives will begin once they get to their Ivy League colleges. There will be ivy, and there will be cute guys in the libraries (hopefully with English accents)! But when an unexpected event shows them they're missing out on the full high school experience, it's time to come out of the honors lounge and into the spotlight. They make a pact: They will each take on their greatest challenge—and they will totally rock it.
Gigi decides to run for student rep, but she'll have to get over her fear of public speaking—and go head-to-head with gorgeous California Will. Bea used to be one of the best skiers around, until she was derailed. It could be time for her to take the plunge again. And Neerja loves the drama club but has always stayed behind the scenes—until now.
These friends are determined to show the world that smart girls really can get what they want—but that could mean getting way more attention than they ever bargained for. . . .
373 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2012
148 people are currently reading
10979 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Strohmeyer
26 books1,270 followersSarah Strohmeyer is the award-winning, nationally bestselling author of 18 novels for young adults and adults, including the Bubbles Yablonsky mystery series, SMART GIRLS GET WHAT THEY WANT and THE CINDERELLA PACT, which became the Lifetime Movie, LYING TO BE PERFECT.
Her first mystery, BUBBLES UNBOUND, won the Agatha Award and Romantic TImes Award for Best First Mystery. THE SLEEPING BEAUTY PROPOSAL was nominated for a prestigious RITA™. Her books have been translated into German, French, Italian, Turkish, Taiwanese and a bunch of others.
BUBBLES REBOOTS - #7 in the Bubbles Yablonsky mystery series - will be published June 26th in Kindle, Nook and Kobo (pre-order now!) It is an homage to her dearly departed high-school friend, Josh Simon. So 10% of the profits will go to organizations he approved: The Cancer Research Institute & Planned Parenthood.
Her first mystery, BUBBLES UNBOUND, won the Agatha Award and Romantic TImes Award for Best First Mystery. THE SLEEPING BEAUTY PROPOSAL was nominated for a prestigious RITA™. Her books have been translated into German, French, Italian, Turkish, Taiwanese and a bunch of others.
BUBBLES REBOOTS - #7 in the Bubbles Yablonsky mystery series - will be published June 26th in Kindle, Nook and Kobo (pre-order now!) It is an homage to her dearly departed high-school friend, Josh Simon. So 10% of the profits will go to organizations he approved: The Cancer Research Institute & Planned Parenthood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 817 reviews
March 19, 2012
Heck...I wrote it!
October 11, 2017
Bonding with people in high school isn’t such a bad thing and I’m speaking from personal experience. Like the girls in the story, I was a certified high school “dork” who chose to sit on a corner and bury my head in books so I wouldn’t have to mingle with other people because one of my greatest fears was (and still is) physical social interaction. It’s why I’m so adept at online social interaction. Hehe.
But during graduation practices, I was given a chance to interact with a lot of my classmates and I realized that getting to know them (even though they’re not really “my crowd”) was a great experience. A lot of them were surprised that I could be funny and that I talked at all (lol!) and somehow this novel reminded me of those days which was why I was able to closely relate with it.
Smart Girls Get They What they Want is a generally good story with wonderful, inspiring messages which I enjoyed a lot. I laughed a lot too. It also has relatable themes about friendship, about getting out of one’s shell and striking out stereotypes making this one of the better YA contemporaries out there. Recommended! ;)
But during graduation practices, I was given a chance to interact with a lot of my classmates and I realized that getting to know them (even though they’re not really “my crowd”) was a great experience. A lot of them were surprised that I could be funny and that I talked at all (lol!) and somehow this novel reminded me of those days which was why I was able to closely relate with it.
Smart Girls Get They What they Want is a generally good story with wonderful, inspiring messages which I enjoyed a lot. I laughed a lot too. It also has relatable themes about friendship, about getting out of one’s shell and striking out stereotypes making this one of the better YA contemporaries out there. Recommended! ;)
July 18, 2012
I admit, I had my doubts about this book at first. The summary makes this sound like light fluff, right? And the first few chapters, well, they're kind of shallow. I mean, an academically obsessed girl accused of letting a dumb jock cheat off of her decides she's had enough of it and figures she'd rather be a social climber? Oh boy, I could see where this was headed, cheesy fun maybe but otherwise not much of a plot. But I seriously underestimated this book, turns out Strohmeyer was only using the light fluff as a cover to explore a lot of deeper issues about identity, perception, public personas, so while the book provides some very good laughs, it also didn't fall into the obvious traps I'd expected and ended up giving me a lot to chew on as well - Smart Girls Get What They Want really surprised me.
It helps too that I really liked Gigi even when I thought she didn't have more dimensions than just the outcast smart girl angle. She's fun, not entirely accurate - I'm pretty sure a competent AP Chemistry teacher would've taught Avogadro's number before the midterms, but she's an odd yet interesting mix of brains and pop culture, talking about US magazine and Fermat's Last Theorem in the span of a few pages, or Anna and the French Kiss and then House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende (one of my favorite books!). Really cute. Plus she's witty, gets some really good lines, and has a ridiculous dog to boot. But what I really liked was how her character developed, she does things she didn't think she could do, learns things about herself and other people in the process, and basically ended up being this really well rounded, well developed character I totally rooted for.
Speaking of well developed, her friends Bea and Neerja, aren't they great too or what? They're both awesome supporting characters in their own right - they're not just Gigi's best friends, but they have their own things going on, so even though this book is nominally about Gigi, it really feels like three best friends going on an adventure, where they do things together but get their own little things on the side too. And of course, a lot of that is because the three of them are the kind of true friends that are fun to read about too, friends who stick together, have fun, and aren't bitchy or anything even when they have their disagreements.
But the part that really won me over was Gigi and her friends discovering things about the other students, about themselves, as they're going for it. Like Ava, she's not the typical villain character, she sort of gains all these extra dimensions as Gigi learns more about her. Or Will, there's stuff to like about him and obviously stuff that makes him a huge ass. Or Mike, down to the reasons he needs a sports scholarship. It's all pretty predictable, but because Strohmeyer does an excellent job fleshing out almost every single character, not because any of them are really flat. Well, except Justin, but that can't be helped. And of course, it all ends with Gigi, Bea, and Neerja figuring out things about themselves that makes this book all the more satisfying.
I'm surprised myself how much fun I had with Smart Girls Get What They Want. It's a light, fun read, but at the same time hits quite a few serious notes. Basically, a book anyone can enjoy.
It helps too that I really liked Gigi even when I thought she didn't have more dimensions than just the outcast smart girl angle. She's fun, not entirely accurate - I'm pretty sure a competent AP Chemistry teacher would've taught Avogadro's number before the midterms, but she's an odd yet interesting mix of brains and pop culture, talking about US magazine and Fermat's Last Theorem in the span of a few pages, or Anna and the French Kiss and then House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende (one of my favorite books!). Really cute. Plus she's witty, gets some really good lines, and has a ridiculous dog to boot. But what I really liked was how her character developed, she does things she didn't think she could do, learns things about herself and other people in the process, and basically ended up being this really well rounded, well developed character I totally rooted for.
Speaking of well developed, her friends Bea and Neerja, aren't they great too or what? They're both awesome supporting characters in their own right - they're not just Gigi's best friends, but they have their own things going on, so even though this book is nominally about Gigi, it really feels like three best friends going on an adventure, where they do things together but get their own little things on the side too. And of course, a lot of that is because the three of them are the kind of true friends that are fun to read about too, friends who stick together, have fun, and aren't bitchy or anything even when they have their disagreements.
But the part that really won me over was Gigi and her friends discovering things about the other students, about themselves, as they're going for it. Like Ava, she's not the typical villain character, she sort of gains all these extra dimensions as Gigi learns more about her. Or Will, there's stuff to like about him and obviously stuff that makes him a huge ass. Or Mike, down to the reasons he needs a sports scholarship. It's all pretty predictable, but because Strohmeyer does an excellent job fleshing out almost every single character, not because any of them are really flat. Well, except Justin, but that can't be helped. And of course, it all ends with Gigi, Bea, and Neerja figuring out things about themselves that makes this book all the more satisfying.
I'm surprised myself how much fun I had with Smart Girls Get What They Want. It's a light, fun read, but at the same time hits quite a few serious notes. Basically, a book anyone can enjoy.
July 2, 2012
SQUEEEEE!!!!! (That one's for you, Mitch. And you better not call my review "girly" because I'll throw it right back at you.)
This book was just what I needed - a cute, fun read that just leave you with a happy feeling. Yes, this book was cliche, and yes, it was totally predictable. But I liked the pacing of the book, and I thought Strohmeyer did a great job developing her characters and providing entertaining dialogue.
I love Gigi's personality. She had a sarcastic spunk to her, but not in an annoying way like how some authors try TOO hard to make their MCs witty. And Neerja and Bea are the perfect BFFs, and I like how they weren't written in as your typical "OMG" type of girls.
As for the guy, I can't say much because I don't want to give the story away. However, I will say I think I'm a sucker for cute, smart boys that makes the chase more fun with the "I like you so I'm going to tease you" type of banter.
Overall, a very delightful read that leaves you with a smile.
This book was just what I needed - a cute, fun read that just leave you with a happy feeling. Yes, this book was cliche, and yes, it was totally predictable. But I liked the pacing of the book, and I thought Strohmeyer did a great job developing her characters and providing entertaining dialogue.
I love Gigi's personality. She had a sarcastic spunk to her, but not in an annoying way like how some authors try TOO hard to make their MCs witty. And Neerja and Bea are the perfect BFFs, and I like how they weren't written in as your typical "OMG" type of girls.
As for the guy, I can't say much because I don't want to give the story away. However, I will say I think I'm a sucker for cute, smart boys that makes the chase more fun with the "I like you so I'm going to tease you" type of banter.
Overall, a very delightful read that leaves you with a smile.
June 30, 2012
Smart Girls Get What They Want has become the only YA contemporary novel that has finally reached the same love I have for Anna and the French Kiss. This is saying ALOT. I loved every single page of SGGWTW. It was full of laughs, such likable and flowing writing, realistic plot, amazing secondary characters, a kick-butt protagonist that is SMART and is independent, an enjoyable plot, and finally a cute boy to giggle about! That being said, beware, this review will be full of praises, gushing, and outright infatuation over Sarah Strohmeyer's debut novel!
The protagonist, Gigi, is nicknamed "Einstein". That should give you an understanding of her level of smartness. Along with her other two best friends, Neerja and Bea, they are the three smartest girls in their sophomore year. However getting tired of not being noticed or leaving an imprint during their high school years, they decid to try out for different things. Neerja for the play Romeo and Juliet, Bea for the Skiing team, and Gigi for Student Rep. However Gigi, at first, is only running for Student Rep to win and be able to remove the accusations of cheating that were filed against her and Mike at the beginning of the year, even if they were exonerated. What Ivy League school would take a possible cheater? Here enters Mike. The guy that is all fun and Jokes. He is not the usual hot jerk, even with his constant teasing of Gigi, he is truly goodhearted and sweet. I really loved Mike! however the other side of the love triangle, Will, I can't say the same about. He ticked me off, and I'm glad the protagonist is smart and follows her head, and not only her heart.
The secondary characters (her best friends) were amazing! I am so glad the protagonist had such loyal friends. A great change from the 'mean best friend' we see in YA novels. You also get a glimpse of their high school struggles and also you see their strong friendship. Also, they all make new friends. There is no evil witch, or a mean girl. Even Mike's ex-girlfriend. I was totally invested in not only the protagonist's life, but also all the secondary characters! including Mike's ex-girlfriend! Sarah Strohmeyer knows how to grab the readers and immerse them into her characters' lives and make us become totally involved in their lives!
The only way to describe Smart Girls Get What They Want is that it is a totally feel good novel. A contemporary that would appeal to all YA readers. All I can say, at the beginning the synopsis didn't make me that excited for this novel, but when I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. So in my opinion give it a try! This novel is amazing. I can not wait to see what Sarah Strohmeyer has in stores for her next novel! I will definitely be picking it up!
The protagonist, Gigi, is nicknamed "Einstein". That should give you an understanding of her level of smartness. Along with her other two best friends, Neerja and Bea, they are the three smartest girls in their sophomore year. However getting tired of not being noticed or leaving an imprint during their high school years, they decid to try out for different things. Neerja for the play Romeo and Juliet, Bea for the Skiing team, and Gigi for Student Rep. However Gigi, at first, is only running for Student Rep to win and be able to remove the accusations of cheating that were filed against her and Mike at the beginning of the year, even if they were exonerated. What Ivy League school would take a possible cheater? Here enters Mike. The guy that is all fun and Jokes. He is not the usual hot jerk, even with his constant teasing of Gigi, he is truly goodhearted and sweet. I really loved Mike! however the other side of the love triangle, Will, I can't say the same about. He ticked me off, and I'm glad the protagonist is smart and follows her head, and not only her heart.
The secondary characters (her best friends) were amazing! I am so glad the protagonist had such loyal friends. A great change from the 'mean best friend' we see in YA novels. You also get a glimpse of their high school struggles and also you see their strong friendship. Also, they all make new friends. There is no evil witch, or a mean girl. Even Mike's ex-girlfriend. I was totally invested in not only the protagonist's life, but also all the secondary characters! including Mike's ex-girlfriend! Sarah Strohmeyer knows how to grab the readers and immerse them into her characters' lives and make us become totally involved in their lives!
The only way to describe Smart Girls Get What They Want is that it is a totally feel good novel. A contemporary that would appeal to all YA readers. All I can say, at the beginning the synopsis didn't make me that excited for this novel, but when I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. So in my opinion give it a try! This novel is amazing. I can not wait to see what Sarah Strohmeyer has in stores for her next novel! I will definitely be picking it up!
did-not-finish
April 8, 2013Being as that I've read several books lately featuring extremely dumb girls (actually, the girls have been smarter than the women I've read lately), I was quite interested in a book which was touting smart girls in the title.
I thought was I going to be all rawr girl power. You know - GET SOME, BITCHES. WE DON'T NEED TO TRIP OVER OUR SHADOWS, OR GIGGLE AND BOUNCE LIKE IDIOTS TO GET WHAT WE WANT.
Truth be told, I couldn't get into it. This might very well have been a cute book, but it read too much like a day in the life of...go here, talk about this, do this, etc. It just wasn't what I was in the mood for. I didn't read enough to know if the book itself was good or bad.
Something about the writing style reminded me a little of a Ruby Oliver or Confessions of an Angry Girl type of book (which were both cute books in their own right), so if you're into that type of storytelling, you might find that Smart Girls will work for you.
I thought was I going to be all rawr girl power. You know - GET SOME, BITCHES. WE DON'T NEED TO TRIP OVER OUR SHADOWS, OR GIGGLE AND BOUNCE LIKE IDIOTS TO GET WHAT WE WANT.
Truth be told, I couldn't get into it. This might very well have been a cute book, but it read too much like a day in the life of...go here, talk about this, do this, etc. It just wasn't what I was in the mood for. I didn't read enough to know if the book itself was good or bad.
Something about the writing style reminded me a little of a Ruby Oliver or Confessions of an Angry Girl type of book (which were both cute books in their own right), so if you're into that type of storytelling, you might find that Smart Girls will work for you.
March 11, 2015
"…friends should have the right to adopt one another after age thirteen."
Powerpoint presentation, the hot new boy, homework and friends.
All the reasons why high school is an experience you could never forget. You might have loved it or hated it but you can't deny that was a simpler time when the worst it could happen to you was having a crush over your best friend or doing your best for higher grades.
Smart Girls Get What They Want hit very close to home in my case. I was one of those almost nerdy girls who were always getting straight As, effortlessly (College is a different world). I loved studying and had amazing friends who felt the same way. But as Gigi, we knew we were not having the whole experience and that's when awesome mistakes happened.
This book is super sweet, I really liked Gigi even if she was a little snobby sometimes. I get it, they were smart and had their priorities set but that didn't mean she had to eat in the library. I could understand that if she were trying to protect herself from being mocked but as she realized in the end, those not so smart girls were actually pretty cool and supportive.
Her relationship with Mike was a total win. I loved them together and I had to confess Mike is my kinda guy... smart, social, self confident, funny and sometimes when no one is noticing, caring and sweet.
Einstein. Where did you learn to kiss like that?”
I laughed. “Would you believe books?”
“No. I would not believe books. Let’s try that again. I want to see what you’ve been reading.”
My teenager self is so happy to have read this one. Sweet and funny for rainy days.
Powerpoint presentation, the hot new boy, homework and friends.
All the reasons why high school is an experience you could never forget. You might have loved it or hated it but you can't deny that was a simpler time when the worst it could happen to you was having a crush over your best friend or doing your best for higher grades.
Smart Girls Get What They Want hit very close to home in my case. I was one of those almost nerdy girls who were always getting straight As, effortlessly (College is a different world). I loved studying and had amazing friends who felt the same way. But as Gigi, we knew we were not having the whole experience and that's when awesome mistakes happened.
This book is super sweet, I really liked Gigi even if she was a little snobby sometimes. I get it, they were smart and had their priorities set but that didn't mean she had to eat in the library. I could understand that if she were trying to protect herself from being mocked but as she realized in the end, those not so smart girls were actually pretty cool and supportive.
Her relationship with Mike was a total win. I loved them together and I had to confess Mike is my kinda guy... smart, social, self confident, funny and sometimes when no one is noticing, caring and sweet.
Einstein. Where did you learn to kiss like that?”
I laughed. “Would you believe books?”
“No. I would not believe books. Let’s try that again. I want to see what you’ve been reading.”
My teenager self is so happy to have read this one. Sweet and funny for rainy days.
December 26, 2016
This was such a sweet, frustrating at some point(I'm looking at you Gigi) but still an enjoyable book that reminds me of how much I took my high school life for granted.
Reading about Gigi, Bea and Neerja's high school life is making me super jealous. I love how this 3 smart friends are unaware of how unpopular they are in their school. They are clueless and innocent and adorable I would totally love to be on their circle of friends.
Smart girls get what they want is not only about 3 girls conquering high school. It also involves friendships, relationships and dating, importance of family support and sorting out your priorities. It was refreshing really.
What I hoped is that the book should have had a different POV for Bea and Neerja as well because the book was solely told on Gigi's POV so we get to know her better. I was kinda hoping that there might be a separate book for Neerja and Bea's as well because, how awesome would that be right? I guess we can't everything we could ask for.
Overall, this book, although not an easy read(for me), is an enjoyable one. I totally recommend this book to everyone to help you look back on the things you did back in high school. I hope that everyone had an amazing High school life just like Gigi, Bea and Neerja had.
Reading about Gigi, Bea and Neerja's high school life is making me super jealous. I love how this 3 smart friends are unaware of how unpopular they are in their school. They are clueless and innocent and adorable I would totally love to be on their circle of friends.
Smart girls get what they want is not only about 3 girls conquering high school. It also involves friendships, relationships and dating, importance of family support and sorting out your priorities. It was refreshing really.
What I hoped is that the book should have had a different POV for Bea and Neerja as well because the book was solely told on Gigi's POV so we get to know her better. I was kinda hoping that there might be a separate book for Neerja and Bea's as well because, how awesome would that be right? I guess we can't everything we could ask for.
Overall, this book, although not an easy read(for me), is an enjoyable one. I totally recommend this book to everyone to help you look back on the things you did back in high school. I hope that everyone had an amazing High school life just like Gigi, Bea and Neerja had.
February 2, 2015
This book is really sweet and fluffy, it makes my stomach do all sorts of knots <3 everything about this book was amazing :D
July 18, 2012
I chanced upon this book at the bookstore, saw the title, read the blurb and then bought it immediately.
“Smart Girls Get What They Want” is the kind of book I wish I read back in high school. I suppose that’s because I was considered as a “nerd” back in high school, so I could totally relate to Gigi, Neerja and Bea. I really enjoyed all of the characters in this book – they were believable, smart (obviously) and funny, but also a bit clueless about everything. I especially loved the wonderful friendship between the three girls.
This wasn’t an “instant transformation” kind of story, and I really appreciated that. It’s one where the characters slowly learned to go outside their comfort zones without compromising who they were and what they believed in. I was rooting for all of them the whole way, and wanted to hug all of them by the end.
It was a fun read, and the very last lines had me laughing out loud.
“Smart Girls Get What They Want” is the kind of book I wish I read back in high school. I suppose that’s because I was considered as a “nerd” back in high school, so I could totally relate to Gigi, Neerja and Bea. I really enjoyed all of the characters in this book – they were believable, smart (obviously) and funny, but also a bit clueless about everything. I especially loved the wonderful friendship between the three girls.
This wasn’t an “instant transformation” kind of story, and I really appreciated that. It’s one where the characters slowly learned to go outside their comfort zones without compromising who they were and what they believed in. I was rooting for all of them the whole way, and wanted to hug all of them by the end.
It was a fun read, and the very last lines had me laughing out loud.
August 30, 2015
This book is fluffy and sweet and smart. Just perfect.
For once, the main character isn't a popular girl who doesn't like to read and who never studies for her exam. Instead, she and her two best friends accumulate near-perfect grades in hopes of getting into the college of their choice, all of it by studying until late at night and even early in the morning. If that isn't different from most YA novels, than I don't know what else it could be. I could see myself a lot in these characters, because I'm a workaholic, too, and having good grades has had the same effect on me than it had on these girls. I don't know what it is about good grades, but it seems to push people away, to make them see you as a cold person or, simply, to make them hate you. I loved relating to the characters in that way, because it's so incredibly different from my usual cheesy novels.
I really liked the fact that while this novel's main character is Gigi, the story is about her and her two best friends. I cared a lot about their lives and their friendship, since they're almost as important and known to the readers as the main characters. Their friendship is adorable and I love their strength and fierceness.
There are some characters I didn't understand - I'm obviously talking about Will. I really didn't like him, but his sudden change of attitude at the end perplexed me. It felt way too happily-ever-after to me, because let's be real, some people just never change.
Although it's predictable, the romantic aspects of this novel are adorable. I loved the relationships and the characters who are in them, because it was just too cute to be true. I chose this novel as a cheesy and easy read and it was definitely what I expected - and needed.
If you're tired of never reading about smart characters in YA, pick this book up. It's original and refreshing, making it the perfect novel to read between study books.
For once, the main character isn't a popular girl who doesn't like to read and who never studies for her exam. Instead, she and her two best friends accumulate near-perfect grades in hopes of getting into the college of their choice, all of it by studying until late at night and even early in the morning. If that isn't different from most YA novels, than I don't know what else it could be. I could see myself a lot in these characters, because I'm a workaholic, too, and having good grades has had the same effect on me than it had on these girls. I don't know what it is about good grades, but it seems to push people away, to make them see you as a cold person or, simply, to make them hate you. I loved relating to the characters in that way, because it's so incredibly different from my usual cheesy novels.
I really liked the fact that while this novel's main character is Gigi, the story is about her and her two best friends. I cared a lot about their lives and their friendship, since they're almost as important and known to the readers as the main characters. Their friendship is adorable and I love their strength and fierceness.
There are some characters I didn't understand - I'm obviously talking about Will. I really didn't like him, but his sudden change of attitude at the end perplexed me. It felt way too happily-ever-after to me, because let's be real, some people just never change.
Although it's predictable, the romantic aspects of this novel are adorable. I loved the relationships and the characters who are in them, because it was just too cute to be true. I chose this novel as a cheesy and easy read and it was definitely what I expected - and needed.
If you're tired of never reading about smart characters in YA, pick this book up. It's original and refreshing, making it the perfect novel to read between study books.
April 9, 2015
When it comes to this review, I won't be a boxer, I'll keep it brief: Gaga for Gigi! Like for Mike!
August 21, 2014
So Sweet and Cute!
I don't know about your high school, but in my school it wasn't cool to be smart. The popular kids were solid "B" or "C" students who didn't take advanced classes. I remember lying about my test grades a time or two due to embarrassment that they set the curve.
So when I came across a Goodreads friend's review of Smart Girls Get What They Want, I was definitely intrigued. Can smart girls have boyfriends and fun social lives too?
Gigi is a 10th grader who spends all her time with her bffs Bea (who's red-headed and feisty) and Neerja (who's Indian and calm). They enjoy their somewhat nerdy obsession with getting into an Ivy League university until they run across Neerja's older sister Parad's 12th grade yearbook, which nobody has signed. Parad is brilliant but doesn't appear to have any high school friends, which appalls the three girls. Is that how they'll end up?
So they set out to create more balanced lives and run into many hijinks along the way. It all starts when Gigi and Mike Ipolito (a lacrosse player who somehow attends the same AP classes as Gigi) get accused of cheating on their AP Chemistry test. Mike claims he has secured a scholarship to Amherst (one detail that's incorrect in this book--there are no athletic scholarships to Ivy League schools) so he seems unfazed by the accusation, but Gigi freaks out that her future is ruined.
The kooky principal makes Gigi and Mike collaborate on a presentation of the Periodic Table as a means of proving their knowledge (the poor things--that sounds like an AWFUL assignment to me). At first Gigi thinks Mike is a dumb jock mooch but perhaps there's more than meets the eye for this cocky boy with brown eyes and shaggy brown hair.
Meanwhile, hottie Will moves to Boston from California, and he seems to have a thing for Gigi of all people. School plays, ski team, and dances all line up in this fun coming-of-age story.
I really enjoyed Gigi's voice. She's funny and endearing.
Parad was the type who carefully saved her tests in color-coded files. (Love her!)
It was like their parents couldn't do enough for Parad now that she'd made the Ivy League. They let her drive their new Mercedes...and never asked her to babysit the eight-year-old twins, Shiva and Shari, who we secretly nicknamed Thing One and Thing Two.
"What I'm saying," I went on, "is nothing worthwhile comes easy." I'd read that somewhere. Maybe on the back of the Pop-Tarts box "This is probably the advantage of being stupid. Stupid people just do. We tend to overthink."
Today Neerja's mom was wearing a bright pink shalwar under a kameez of purple etched in gold and matching pink. I think it is totally unfair that the rest of us don't get to wear these. I would kill to walk around all day in flowing purple and pink lounge wear.
She usually fell for the brooding artists, like Rolf the German exchange student, skinny pale guys in black leather jeans whose pain the rest of us mortals couldn't begin to fathom.
And when Gigi has an angst-ridden moment like this, I swear she lives inside my head:
I focused on the passing houses filled with couples who'd somehow survived this teenage craziness of he-like-her-but-she-likes-another-guy-who-likes-somebody-else. How did they do it? How did they end up in their golden, warm, and cozy living rooms with their 2.3 children and dogs and cats? Because getting from where I was to where they were seemed millions of light-years away.
Yep.
I smiled so much at the ending that I didn't even mind the lack of realism involved in the resolution to the school budget cut crisis. This is my first read by Sarah Strohmeyer and it won't be my last.
I don't know about your high school, but in my school it wasn't cool to be smart. The popular kids were solid "B" or "C" students who didn't take advanced classes. I remember lying about my test grades a time or two due to embarrassment that they set the curve.
So when I came across a Goodreads friend's review of Smart Girls Get What They Want, I was definitely intrigued. Can smart girls have boyfriends and fun social lives too?
Gigi is a 10th grader who spends all her time with her bffs Bea (who's red-headed and feisty) and Neerja (who's Indian and calm). They enjoy their somewhat nerdy obsession with getting into an Ivy League university until they run across Neerja's older sister Parad's 12th grade yearbook, which nobody has signed. Parad is brilliant but doesn't appear to have any high school friends, which appalls the three girls. Is that how they'll end up?
So they set out to create more balanced lives and run into many hijinks along the way. It all starts when Gigi and Mike Ipolito (a lacrosse player who somehow attends the same AP classes as Gigi) get accused of cheating on their AP Chemistry test. Mike claims he has secured a scholarship to Amherst (one detail that's incorrect in this book--there are no athletic scholarships to Ivy League schools) so he seems unfazed by the accusation, but Gigi freaks out that her future is ruined.
The kooky principal makes Gigi and Mike collaborate on a presentation of the Periodic Table as a means of proving their knowledge (the poor things--that sounds like an AWFUL assignment to me). At first Gigi thinks Mike is a dumb jock mooch but perhaps there's more than meets the eye for this cocky boy with brown eyes and shaggy brown hair.
Meanwhile, hottie Will moves to Boston from California, and he seems to have a thing for Gigi of all people. School plays, ski team, and dances all line up in this fun coming-of-age story.
I really enjoyed Gigi's voice. She's funny and endearing.
Parad was the type who carefully saved her tests in color-coded files. (Love her!)
It was like their parents couldn't do enough for Parad now that she'd made the Ivy League. They let her drive their new Mercedes...and never asked her to babysit the eight-year-old twins, Shiva and Shari, who we secretly nicknamed Thing One and Thing Two.
"What I'm saying," I went on, "is nothing worthwhile comes easy." I'd read that somewhere. Maybe on the back of the Pop-Tarts box "This is probably the advantage of being stupid. Stupid people just do. We tend to overthink."
Today Neerja's mom was wearing a bright pink shalwar under a kameez of purple etched in gold and matching pink. I think it is totally unfair that the rest of us don't get to wear these. I would kill to walk around all day in flowing purple and pink lounge wear.
She usually fell for the brooding artists, like Rolf the German exchange student, skinny pale guys in black leather jeans whose pain the rest of us mortals couldn't begin to fathom.
And when Gigi has an angst-ridden moment like this, I swear she lives inside my head:
I focused on the passing houses filled with couples who'd somehow survived this teenage craziness of he-like-her-but-she-likes-another-guy-who-likes-somebody-else. How did they do it? How did they end up in their golden, warm, and cozy living rooms with their 2.3 children and dogs and cats? Because getting from where I was to where they were seemed millions of light-years away.
Yep.
I smiled so much at the ending that I didn't even mind the lack of realism involved in the resolution to the school budget cut crisis. This is my first read by Sarah Strohmeyer and it won't be my last.
June 15, 2012
Review originally posted here.
What attracted me to Strohmeyer's first YA effort is obvious: the title. I want to live in this magical world where being smart will get me precisely what I desire. Of course, nothing's really that simple, and the girls spend a lot of time NOT getting what they want. SGGWTW (long-ass title even when abbreviated!) isn't so much about how being smart will open every door for you; it's about understand others and discovering yourself in the process.
The most powerful theme for me was this one of first impressions and their general inaccuracy. Throughout the book, Gigi learns things that surprise her about people she's known for years. For example, she is shocked to find out that one of the popular girls not in top level classes, who she thought only cared about boys and shopping, is obsessed with Anna Karenina. As time passes and she gives people a chance to be get to know her, she discovers hidden depths, forms new kinships with people she always stereotyped, and learns that people aren't necessarily what they appear to be. This realization helps her to overcome her own stereotype of being 'the smart girl,' freeing her to just be Gigi.
For roughly the first half of this book, I thought Strohmeyer had written hackneyed teen chick lit. In fact, it was reminding me a lot of Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink, with the supposedly smart girl obsessed with a hot, obviously douchey guy. I was not particularly into the book until about half way through when I realized that Strohmeyer was going to overthrow all of that. If you're frustrated in the beginning, do not give up, because, if you're like me, you will all of a sudden be SO INTO IT.
Strohmeyer ultimately does some things here that I really do not see in enough YA fiction. First and foremost, I was thrilled to see a real friendship. In a lot of YA, the friends serve only as a receptacle for the plaintive cries of the heroine about how X is so hot and she can't help wanting him despite the fact that he is an asshat. The heroine never thinks of her friend except when SHE needs something, and we never learn anything about the friend's life.
Bea, Neerja and Gigi are not like that at all. Throughout the novel, they are constantly watching out for one another, supporting one another, and hanging out. They clearly love one another so much, and are always ready to offer a comforting shoulder after a breakup. Gigi joins a sports team to support Bea (even though she's really not good at it) and tries out for a play to support Neerja (even though she's so afraid of public speaking she often throws up). They will do anything for one another, and no boy could ever stand in the way of that. They are straight up 'hos over bros,' which is so REFRESHING.
As I mentioned, Gigi does have a jerk that wants her or at least pretends to, and she wants him as well. However, what makes Gigi different is that, despite her hormones saying yes yes yes, she doesn't make any rash decisions. She questions his motivations and considers whether he would be a good idea. She moons over him a little, but she does so privately. You can't really help who you're attracted to so much, but you CAN help how you react to it, and I'm so glad to finally see a YA heroine who is not overwhelmed by her lust.
SGGWTW totally charmed me in the end, proving to be much deeper than I was anticipating. If you want to read some realistic fiction that's actually realistic (but still happy and romantic), this is a good one. This is a wonderful summer read, so grab a copy for your vacation! You will not regret it!
What attracted me to Strohmeyer's first YA effort is obvious: the title. I want to live in this magical world where being smart will get me precisely what I desire. Of course, nothing's really that simple, and the girls spend a lot of time NOT getting what they want. SGGWTW (long-ass title even when abbreviated!) isn't so much about how being smart will open every door for you; it's about understand others and discovering yourself in the process.
The most powerful theme for me was this one of first impressions and their general inaccuracy. Throughout the book, Gigi learns things that surprise her about people she's known for years. For example, she is shocked to find out that one of the popular girls not in top level classes, who she thought only cared about boys and shopping, is obsessed with Anna Karenina. As time passes and she gives people a chance to be get to know her, she discovers hidden depths, forms new kinships with people she always stereotyped, and learns that people aren't necessarily what they appear to be. This realization helps her to overcome her own stereotype of being 'the smart girl,' freeing her to just be Gigi.
For roughly the first half of this book, I thought Strohmeyer had written hackneyed teen chick lit. In fact, it was reminding me a lot of Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink, with the supposedly smart girl obsessed with a hot, obviously douchey guy. I was not particularly into the book until about half way through when I realized that Strohmeyer was going to overthrow all of that. If you're frustrated in the beginning, do not give up, because, if you're like me, you will all of a sudden be SO INTO IT.
Strohmeyer ultimately does some things here that I really do not see in enough YA fiction. First and foremost, I was thrilled to see a real friendship. In a lot of YA, the friends serve only as a receptacle for the plaintive cries of the heroine about how X is so hot and she can't help wanting him despite the fact that he is an asshat. The heroine never thinks of her friend except when SHE needs something, and we never learn anything about the friend's life.
Bea, Neerja and Gigi are not like that at all. Throughout the novel, they are constantly watching out for one another, supporting one another, and hanging out. They clearly love one another so much, and are always ready to offer a comforting shoulder after a breakup. Gigi joins a sports team to support Bea (even though she's really not good at it) and tries out for a play to support Neerja (even though she's so afraid of public speaking she often throws up). They will do anything for one another, and no boy could ever stand in the way of that. They are straight up 'hos over bros,' which is so REFRESHING.
As I mentioned, Gigi does have a jerk that wants her or at least pretends to, and she wants him as well. However, what makes Gigi different is that, despite her hormones saying yes yes yes, she doesn't make any rash decisions. She questions his motivations and considers whether he would be a good idea. She moons over him a little, but she does so privately. You can't really help who you're attracted to so much, but you CAN help how you react to it, and I'm so glad to finally see a YA heroine who is not overwhelmed by her lust.
SGGWTW totally charmed me in the end, proving to be much deeper than I was anticipating. If you want to read some realistic fiction that's actually realistic (but still happy and romantic), this is a good one. This is a wonderful summer read, so grab a copy for your vacation! You will not regret it!
August 11, 2016
3 1/2
This started lamely. Three supposedly smart young girls talking about a plan to gain fame and all the things they were missing out in high school just because they were big nerds. That didn't sound appealing at all, it even seemed like it was all a big mock to this kind of girls.
Luckily I did push me to read on, and after a couple of chapter I was all in. The characters end up being really likable and that stupid premise was replaced for an actual good one: a story about how three girls who thought they were better than everybody else end up coming out of the shell and realizing people doesn't always suck.
A fun, cute and light read.
Note to the author: This book is so much better than Anna and the French Kiss. At least Gigi has the morals Anna won't ever have!
This started lamely. Three supposedly smart young girls talking about a plan to gain fame and all the things they were missing out in high school just because they were big nerds. That didn't sound appealing at all, it even seemed like it was all a big mock to this kind of girls.
Luckily I did push me to read on, and after a couple of chapter I was all in. The characters end up being really likable and that stupid premise was replaced for an actual good one: a story about how three girls who thought they were better than everybody else end up coming out of the shell and realizing people doesn't always suck.
A fun, cute and light read.
Note to the author: This book is so much better than Anna and the French Kiss. At least Gigi has the morals Anna won't ever have!
October 4, 2019
Es tan tiernito este libro... quería leer algo lindo y feliz para equilibrar Battle Royale y no pude haber elegido una mejor opción.
Tengo que admitir que el prejuicio que siempre tuve con el género chick-lit se está tambaleando (gracias a mi amiga que me presta libros y al Literary Exploration Challenge). Esta no es la primera vez que me encanta una novela de ese estilo. Todo depende de quién la haya escrito.
Tenía un cierto temor de que a pesar del título la autora no lograra hacer protagonistas inteligentes. Afortunadamente Sarah Strohmeyer tiene un gran ingenio y la dosis exacta de nerdismo para hacer una historia protagonizada por chicas con cerebro, personalidad y humor que resultan absolutamente queribles. Adoré este libro en cuanto vi que Gigi, la protagonista, no es la típica Mary Sue (aunque en principio pensé que lo sería) que se desvive y deja todo por un chico. Todo lo contrario.
Realmente no catalogaría este libro como romántico, si bien el amor tiene una cierta importancia en la historia, es una cosa más de las tantas dificultades/anhelos de Gigi y sus dos mejores amigas.
El argumento en sí es bastante simple, pero está bien llevado así que resulta muy entretenido. Gigi tiene 16 años y es una estudiante excelente. Está en todas las clases superiores, y junto a sus amigas Bea y Neerja sueñan con un futuro de éxito académico... hasta que se dan cuenta de que nadie sabe que ellas existen.
Pero esta no es una historia sobre las chicas perdedoras que quieren ser populares a toda costa. Es sobre las chicas inteligentes, dulces y desconocidas que quieren hacer amigos y que las quieran por quienes son. Así que uniendo cerebros comienzan una estrategia para ampliar sus horizontes, sin perder de vista el máximo objetivo: entrar en una buena universidad.
Nada va a ser sencillo, y eso obviamente es lo divertido del libro.
Hay algo muy curioso y a la vez lógico en esta novela. La autora no trata de tontas a sus lectoras. En absoluto.
Se sabe que en este tipo de libro el final es siempre feliz, y para colmo el título de la novela ya nos dice que las chicas inteligentes consiguen lo que quieren... así que Sarah Strohmeyer optó por "contar" el "final" al principio del libro. No entra en detalles, pero ya nos anticipa que Gigi conseguirá su objetivo. Lo interesante es el proceso y en qué consistirá ese éxito.
Pero lo que más, más me gustó fueron los personajes. Gigi es muy querible y a medida que transcurre la historia me fue demostrando que además de inteligente e ingeniosa, se sabe hacer respetar. También tiene una muy divertida tendencia a hablar de más.
No quiero anticipar nada, pero hubo ciertas escenas en que me dieron ganas de ponerme de pie y aplaudir sus decisiones. Hacen falta más personajes con una buena personalidad en los libros juveniles, y en éste hay de sobra. Además tiene una evolución personal con cierta moraleja.
El grupo de amigos que tiene es fantástico también y tienen sus historias bien desarrolladas. Me gustó mucho que una de sus mejores amigas sea hindú y la otra ejerza la abogacía aún antes de estudiarla.
Y creo que la madre de Neerja debería ser apodada La Sabiduría, porque cada consejo y comentario que hace esa mujer es para ser repetido.
Me estoy olvidando de lo más importante: el humor. Está plagado de comentarios graciosos e irónicos, además de diálogos simpáticos y personajes queribles. Pasado un punto directamente leía sonriendo, porque ya me había reido tantas veces que por lo visto mi cara optó por ganar tiempo.
Es una novelita para no perderse, me alegra mucho haberla leído.
Reseña de Libros junto al mar
Tengo que admitir que el prejuicio que siempre tuve con el género chick-lit se está tambaleando (gracias a mi amiga que me presta libros y al Literary Exploration Challenge). Esta no es la primera vez que me encanta una novela de ese estilo. Todo depende de quién la haya escrito.
Tenía un cierto temor de que a pesar del título la autora no lograra hacer protagonistas inteligentes. Afortunadamente Sarah Strohmeyer tiene un gran ingenio y la dosis exacta de nerdismo para hacer una historia protagonizada por chicas con cerebro, personalidad y humor que resultan absolutamente queribles. Adoré este libro en cuanto vi que Gigi, la protagonista, no es la típica Mary Sue (aunque en principio pensé que lo sería) que se desvive y deja todo por un chico. Todo lo contrario.
Realmente no catalogaría este libro como romántico, si bien el amor tiene una cierta importancia en la historia, es una cosa más de las tantas dificultades/anhelos de Gigi y sus dos mejores amigas.
Vivo con Marmie porque mi madre pasa la mitad del año al otro lado del océano trabajando como física en el Large Hadron Collider de Suiza, donde, crucemos los dedos, no está creando agujeros negros por accidente.
El argumento en sí es bastante simple, pero está bien llevado así que resulta muy entretenido. Gigi tiene 16 años y es una estudiante excelente. Está en todas las clases superiores, y junto a sus amigas Bea y Neerja sueñan con un futuro de éxito académico... hasta que se dan cuenta de que nadie sabe que ellas existen.
Pero esta no es una historia sobre las chicas perdedoras que quieren ser populares a toda costa. Es sobre las chicas inteligentes, dulces y desconocidas que quieren hacer amigos y que las quieran por quienes son. Así que uniendo cerebros comienzan una estrategia para ampliar sus horizontes, sin perder de vista el máximo objetivo: entrar en una buena universidad.
Nada va a ser sencillo, y eso obviamente es lo divertido del libro.
Hay algo muy curioso y a la vez lógico en esta novela. La autora no trata de tontas a sus lectoras. En absoluto.
Se sabe que en este tipo de libro el final es siempre feliz, y para colmo el título de la novela ya nos dice que las chicas inteligentes consiguen lo que quieren... así que Sarah Strohmeyer optó por "contar" el "final" al principio del libro. No entra en detalles, pero ya nos anticipa que Gigi conseguirá su objetivo. Lo interesante es el proceso y en qué consistirá ese éxito.
"Me estás empezando a gustar mucho. Ahi tienes. Esa es la verdad"
Bueno, eso definitivamente me hizo callar.
(Nombre) se acercó. Tanto que pude detectar el suave olor a jabón y al perfume de su desodorante.
"Y" agregó "eso es realmente, realmente malo"
"Gracias," dije. "Trataré de no sentirme insultada".
Pero lo que más, más me gustó fueron los personajes. Gigi es muy querible y a medida que transcurre la historia me fue demostrando que además de inteligente e ingeniosa, se sabe hacer respetar. También tiene una muy divertida tendencia a hablar de más.
No quiero anticipar nada, pero hubo ciertas escenas en que me dieron ganas de ponerme de pie y aplaudir sus decisiones. Hacen falta más personajes con una buena personalidad en los libros juveniles, y en éste hay de sobra. Además tiene una evolución personal con cierta moraleja.
El grupo de amigos que tiene es fantástico también y tienen sus historias bien desarrolladas. Me gustó mucho que una de sus mejores amigas sea hindú y la otra ejerza la abogacía aún antes de estudiarla.
Y creo que la madre de Neerja debería ser apodada La Sabiduría, porque cada consejo y comentario que hace esa mujer es para ser repetido.
Me estoy olvidando de lo más importante: el humor. Está plagado de comentarios graciosos e irónicos, además de diálogos simpáticos y personajes queribles. Pasado un punto directamente leía sonriendo, porque ya me había reido tantas veces que por lo visto mi cara optó por ganar tiempo.
Es una novelita para no perderse, me alegra mucho haberla leído.
Reseña de Libros junto al mar
July 31, 2012
*Review published on Mundie Moms on August 4, 2012*
I’m always on the lookout for books I want my girls to read. They’re in 4th and 2nd grade now, but I know how fast years will pass and before long, they’ll be glancing through my shelves for reading material. And Smart Girls Get What They Want is a book I definitely want them to read.
These characters hit such a personal note with me and I know that my high school self would’ve fit in easily with Bea, Neerja and Gigi. I, too, could hardly wait to get through high school and go to a good college. But much like the three of them, I had a wonderful group of friends who kept me a little more balanced with after-school activities that didn’t include reading ahead in AP English.
Oh, how I loved their story! The girls, especially the protagonist Gigi, were so very real. She’s surrounded by smart women: her absentee, scientific mother who is off saving the world, one atom at a time and her French speaking grandmother who lends a sweetness to key moments in the story. And then there are her equally intelligent friends, Neerja and Bea. The girls are taught a lesson by Neerja’s older sister who excels academically, but not socially, in high school. After finding her yearbook, the girls realize that they want a different high school experience. So they get out of their Honors-Roll-Advance-Placement mindset and challenge themselves to be more plugged into the social aspects of high school by running for student government, trying out for a play and joining the ski club.
There are moments in the story that made me smile so much. Sarah focuses on the permanent bonds of friendship and it's such a good reminder to us all to treasure those relatioships. I loved that, no matter what, the girls stuck together even as they embraced their new adventures.
As for romance, well, over-achievers usually don’t have room for that or do they? Again, Sarah gives us these perfectly plausible scenarios – a long-time crush, the boy next door, a new boy who suddenly everyone wants and the dumb jock who manages to get into AP classes. I felt like I knew them all. I won’t spoil it for you, but I will say that the girls, in the end, use their brains and choose well, but first, they all learn some very important lessons. The sweetest moments occur between Gigi and Mike, the jock. His insights into the teenage boy mind are spot-on perfect. I just adored him and how he would call Gigi out on her geekish-awkward tendencies. Every geek girl needs a Mike in her life.
If you were that girl, that studious, quiet girl who people (outside your classes) may not have noticed, you will love this story. If you weren’t that girl, you will love the glimpse inside the life of a high school over-achiever. I’m not sure which one of these girls my daughters will be, but I know this, I’m saving Smart Girls Know What They Want for them to read because it’s a story that may just open their eyes to not being so single focused in high school and to not label people so quickly.
I’m always on the lookout for books I want my girls to read. They’re in 4th and 2nd grade now, but I know how fast years will pass and before long, they’ll be glancing through my shelves for reading material. And Smart Girls Get What They Want is a book I definitely want them to read.
These characters hit such a personal note with me and I know that my high school self would’ve fit in easily with Bea, Neerja and Gigi. I, too, could hardly wait to get through high school and go to a good college. But much like the three of them, I had a wonderful group of friends who kept me a little more balanced with after-school activities that didn’t include reading ahead in AP English.
Oh, how I loved their story! The girls, especially the protagonist Gigi, were so very real. She’s surrounded by smart women: her absentee, scientific mother who is off saving the world, one atom at a time and her French speaking grandmother who lends a sweetness to key moments in the story. And then there are her equally intelligent friends, Neerja and Bea. The girls are taught a lesson by Neerja’s older sister who excels academically, but not socially, in high school. After finding her yearbook, the girls realize that they want a different high school experience. So they get out of their Honors-Roll-Advance-Placement mindset and challenge themselves to be more plugged into the social aspects of high school by running for student government, trying out for a play and joining the ski club.
There are moments in the story that made me smile so much. Sarah focuses on the permanent bonds of friendship and it's such a good reminder to us all to treasure those relatioships. I loved that, no matter what, the girls stuck together even as they embraced their new adventures.
As for romance, well, over-achievers usually don’t have room for that or do they? Again, Sarah gives us these perfectly plausible scenarios – a long-time crush, the boy next door, a new boy who suddenly everyone wants and the dumb jock who manages to get into AP classes. I felt like I knew them all. I won’t spoil it for you, but I will say that the girls, in the end, use their brains and choose well, but first, they all learn some very important lessons. The sweetest moments occur between Gigi and Mike, the jock. His insights into the teenage boy mind are spot-on perfect. I just adored him and how he would call Gigi out on her geekish-awkward tendencies. Every geek girl needs a Mike in her life.
If you were that girl, that studious, quiet girl who people (outside your classes) may not have noticed, you will love this story. If you weren’t that girl, you will love the glimpse inside the life of a high school over-achiever. I’m not sure which one of these girls my daughters will be, but I know this, I’m saving Smart Girls Know What They Want for them to read because it’s a story that may just open their eyes to not being so single focused in high school and to not label people so quickly.
June 26, 2012
I chose to review Sarah Strohmeyer's young adult debut because of its irresistible title: SMART GIRLS GET WHAT THEY WANT. Combined with the excellent blurb, I was sold. (I'm not big on the cover though. No smart girl would wear those unflattering frames.)
Gigi, Bea, and Neerja become friends in elementary school. It's a friendship that's still holding steady in high school. It's good for them, since they support each other's endeavors and are in no way frenemies. But it's bad because they've never had to risk themselves by going outside of their little circle. Then they read Neerja's older sister's yearbook and realize that none of their idol's classmates knew who she was. Gigi, Bea, and Neerja want more. They want social lives and to leave a mark on their high school.
I love that the girls don't have to compromise who they are to get what they want. Strohmeyer's novel is a tale of stretching yourself and doing things that you want to do even though they scare you. It's a tale of getting to know new people and being surprised to how much more there is to them beneath the surface. (Or realizing that the surface is nice but shallow.) It is not a tale of dumbing yourself down to get a guy or ditching your old friends in pursuit of new ones.
Despite their closeness, the girls don't want exactly the same things. Neerja wants to act in the school play and finally make a move on Justin, the guy she's been crushing on forever. Bea wants to join the endangered women's ski team even though she had to give the sport up after her brother had a serious accident. Gigi wants to run for student rep to change a policy that's threatening her Ivy League future and to prevent budget cuts that would cripple the school's Art programs and reduce the librarian to part time. But even though their dreams are different, they're willing to help each other reach their goals.
SMART GIRLS GET WHAT THEY WANT is funny and clever with romance that is predictable but well-done. (And, wonderfully, the Indian girl gets just as much or more romance as the blonde white girl.) Strohmeyer's adult fans will enjoy this novel and it should bring her a legion of teen fans as well. I absolutely love this book and hope you will too. It's everything I could want in contemporary YA. SMART GIRLS GET WHAT THEY WANT, and they want books written about them that are this good.
Gigi, Bea, and Neerja become friends in elementary school. It's a friendship that's still holding steady in high school. It's good for them, since they support each other's endeavors and are in no way frenemies. But it's bad because they've never had to risk themselves by going outside of their little circle. Then they read Neerja's older sister's yearbook and realize that none of their idol's classmates knew who she was. Gigi, Bea, and Neerja want more. They want social lives and to leave a mark on their high school.
I love that the girls don't have to compromise who they are to get what they want. Strohmeyer's novel is a tale of stretching yourself and doing things that you want to do even though they scare you. It's a tale of getting to know new people and being surprised to how much more there is to them beneath the surface. (Or realizing that the surface is nice but shallow.) It is not a tale of dumbing yourself down to get a guy or ditching your old friends in pursuit of new ones.
Despite their closeness, the girls don't want exactly the same things. Neerja wants to act in the school play and finally make a move on Justin, the guy she's been crushing on forever. Bea wants to join the endangered women's ski team even though she had to give the sport up after her brother had a serious accident. Gigi wants to run for student rep to change a policy that's threatening her Ivy League future and to prevent budget cuts that would cripple the school's Art programs and reduce the librarian to part time. But even though their dreams are different, they're willing to help each other reach their goals.
SMART GIRLS GET WHAT THEY WANT is funny and clever with romance that is predictable but well-done. (And, wonderfully, the Indian girl gets just as much or more romance as the blonde white girl.) Strohmeyer's adult fans will enjoy this novel and it should bring her a legion of teen fans as well. I absolutely love this book and hope you will too. It's everything I could want in contemporary YA. SMART GIRLS GET WHAT THEY WANT, and they want books written about them that are this good.
July 19, 2012
May I just say, this is another book I've dived into this week and emerged utterly and positively surprised. I seem to be judging more books by their covers these days, much to my demise. If I hadn't opened this book, I would've missed out on a great experience. Everything in it fit together perfectly, and flowed smoothly. I didn't want to put this book down, and when I did, there was a magnetic force that was pulling me back towards it. I almost heard it calling to me, saying "Shreyaaaa, come on, you know you want to read one more page." The fact that this one book brought out such feelings in me told me it was a keeper. While I was reading it, the realization that I was becoming a couch potato because of this book occurred to me. But STILL, I just could not put it down. Should I blame my stubbornness or the book? ZING! The book. It was that good. Miss Strohmeyer, I sincerely approve.
After reading the summary, I was a little put off because I don't take to different POV's very well, the max being 2. The summary made it seem as if this book was about the lives of three best friends, and the first thought that popped into my head was: "THREE different POV's?!" Leaving the book to catch dust on my shelf. But ladies and gentlemen, once I picked it up and read the first couple of chapters, I realized it was about 3 different girls, but told only from the POV of one of them, this being Gigi, and I absolutely loved her. She's smart, funny, kind, and stands up for herself (most of the time). Plus, she's the most loyal friend I've ever read about. I couldn't, not that I tried, find any one flaw in her. So it made me, the reader, just want to keep reading more. Gigi maybe a genius, but she's not your average, chip-off-the-block genius that you come across your high school hallway. I wish there were people like her in my school, we'd connect instantly. That's another big reason I fell in love with this book, because of how much it reminds me of me. Stressing about grades? Check. Overnight cramming? Check. Known as the "smart one"? Umm, yeah, basically my whole life, ha ha. So when reading about Gigi, it was like I was reading about my life, expect with cuter boys, and a much more lively high school.
The other characters, such as Gigi's best friends, Bea and Neerja, were also an important part of the book. I loved each of these three best friends for many different reasons. Bea is someone I would look up to in real life. She's smart (of course), funny, loyal, and VERY supportive of her friends. She wasn't afraid to throw a sharp remark or even a punch is someone insulted her best friend. Then there's Neerja, the shy and sweet girl who always looked out for the best in everyone, no matter how despicable they may be. These three girls, joined at the hip, couldn't have been more perfect for each other. I really do admire friendships like this one. OK, before I start on the hotties, might I just say there were a LOT of guys involved, because, well, duh, there were three girls, ha ha. I didn't know who to cheer for, and was horrified once I got to the middle of the book when I realized I was rooting for the wrong team, but quickly corrected myself. I can't talk about Gigi's romantic life without giving away spoilers, but let's just say that in the end, she made the right and perfect choice. As for Bea and Neerja, they found their match alongside Gigi as well. It was a heart-warming an squeal-worthy ending.
The one major aspect about this book that I loved the most was that these girls had each others backs. When all three were determines to be known/seen in their school as anyone other than just "nerds" or "geeks" or even "nobody's", they looked out for each other, and by the end, they proved everyone wrong. Sarah Strohmeyer captured the essence of high-school life for three teenage girls perfectly. She has created a charming, sweet, funny, and irresistible read that rendered me speechless. Throw in a smokin' hot guys, Romeo and Juliet, extreme skiing, and a Christmas miracle, and you've got yourself a great read.
My Rating: 5/5 stars
Perfect flow, flawless, and a sweet read that'll make you disappointed you finished it in a matter of hours.
After reading the summary, I was a little put off because I don't take to different POV's very well, the max being 2. The summary made it seem as if this book was about the lives of three best friends, and the first thought that popped into my head was: "THREE different POV's?!" Leaving the book to catch dust on my shelf. But ladies and gentlemen, once I picked it up and read the first couple of chapters, I realized it was about 3 different girls, but told only from the POV of one of them, this being Gigi, and I absolutely loved her. She's smart, funny, kind, and stands up for herself (most of the time). Plus, she's the most loyal friend I've ever read about. I couldn't, not that I tried, find any one flaw in her. So it made me, the reader, just want to keep reading more. Gigi maybe a genius, but she's not your average, chip-off-the-block genius that you come across your high school hallway. I wish there were people like her in my school, we'd connect instantly. That's another big reason I fell in love with this book, because of how much it reminds me of me. Stressing about grades? Check. Overnight cramming? Check. Known as the "smart one"? Umm, yeah, basically my whole life, ha ha. So when reading about Gigi, it was like I was reading about my life, expect with cuter boys, and a much more lively high school.
The other characters, such as Gigi's best friends, Bea and Neerja, were also an important part of the book. I loved each of these three best friends for many different reasons. Bea is someone I would look up to in real life. She's smart (of course), funny, loyal, and VERY supportive of her friends. She wasn't afraid to throw a sharp remark or even a punch is someone insulted her best friend. Then there's Neerja, the shy and sweet girl who always looked out for the best in everyone, no matter how despicable they may be. These three girls, joined at the hip, couldn't have been more perfect for each other. I really do admire friendships like this one. OK, before I start on the hotties, might I just say there were a LOT of guys involved, because, well, duh, there were three girls, ha ha. I didn't know who to cheer for, and was horrified once I got to the middle of the book when I realized I was rooting for the wrong team, but quickly corrected myself. I can't talk about Gigi's romantic life without giving away spoilers, but let's just say that in the end, she made the right and perfect choice. As for Bea and Neerja, they found their match alongside Gigi as well. It was a heart-warming an squeal-worthy ending.
The one major aspect about this book that I loved the most was that these girls had each others backs. When all three were determines to be known/seen in their school as anyone other than just "nerds" or "geeks" or even "nobody's", they looked out for each other, and by the end, they proved everyone wrong. Sarah Strohmeyer captured the essence of high-school life for three teenage girls perfectly. She has created a charming, sweet, funny, and irresistible read that rendered me speechless. Throw in a smokin' hot guys, Romeo and Juliet, extreme skiing, and a Christmas miracle, and you've got yourself a great read.
My Rating: 5/5 stars
Perfect flow, flawless, and a sweet read that'll make you disappointed you finished it in a matter of hours.
July 2, 2014
Get smart. Get everything.
Three best friends Gigi, Bea, and Neerja thought that high school is nothing. When they get into one of Ivy League colleges, they would have anything they want: the cute boys, the grades, and the happy-ever-after. Who needs high school when they can have Ivy League college waiting?
But when the girls see the empty year book of Neerja's genius older sister, Parad, a bunch of questions about success versus happiness raised up. Now it's their mission to ensure they got everything they deserved from high school, whether that was grades, fame, guys, a totally full yearbook. After all, if they were supposedly so smart, this should have been a piece of cake... right?
Oh my goodness. I think this book might be one of the most brilliant contemporaries ever. Plus, it has such amazing title that I want to put it on my shirt! I love this book so much to the point I want to marry it. Er… figure of speech.
This book is unlike any other contemporaries I’ve ever read! It’s witty, funny, adorable, romantic, and so smart! If you multiply each good point I mentioned one hundred times, then you finally get the result: this book!
Gigi is my newest favorite heroine. She’s super smart, beautiful, and funny. She’s just what I need after reading too much self-proclaimed smart heroines who keep making reckless choices. I really like Gigi because she’s very relatable. The friendship she has with Neerja and Bea is very adorable too. They are clearly best friends for life! I’m the happiest person when Gigi learns to speak up in public. When she still runs for student representative although it means she has to become opponent with her crush Will, I was so proud of Gigi!
Now, Mike. Mike is the guy who gets involved with Gigi in cheating scandal. At first, I thought he is just like other jocks. But then I see the other side of him, and I fell in love. Mike is smart, funny, protective, and sweet beyond words. I swooned every time he appeared. I rooted for Will at first, but afterward, my heart belongs to Mike and his brilliant mind.
I don’t think I can recommend enough of Smart Girls Get What They Want. Fans of contemporary would heart this book, but I think anyone with love of books would find this book very entertaining. I know that this is hardly a review, more likely a gushing, but when you love a book too much… you can’t help it, right? ;)
“Dude,” Bea said. “So true. I say we go for it. Ski team. Student rep. The play. Gigi’s right. Let’s not think and, for once, just do.”
We squeezed our hands together. We could do this. We had to. Because high school only comes around once, and I would hate to look back and think I didn’t make the most of every moment because I was scared of what other people thought. Other people never think that much about you anyway.
Eleanor Roosevelt said that.
Read other reviews in my blog! :)
Catch the Lune
Three best friends Gigi, Bea, and Neerja thought that high school is nothing. When they get into one of Ivy League colleges, they would have anything they want: the cute boys, the grades, and the happy-ever-after. Who needs high school when they can have Ivy League college waiting?
But when the girls see the empty year book of Neerja's genius older sister, Parad, a bunch of questions about success versus happiness raised up. Now it's their mission to ensure they got everything they deserved from high school, whether that was grades, fame, guys, a totally full yearbook. After all, if they were supposedly so smart, this should have been a piece of cake... right?
Oh my goodness. I think this book might be one of the most brilliant contemporaries ever. Plus, it has such amazing title that I want to put it on my shirt! I love this book so much to the point I want to marry it. Er… figure of speech.
This book is unlike any other contemporaries I’ve ever read! It’s witty, funny, adorable, romantic, and so smart! If you multiply each good point I mentioned one hundred times, then you finally get the result: this book!
Gigi is my newest favorite heroine. She’s super smart, beautiful, and funny. She’s just what I need after reading too much self-proclaimed smart heroines who keep making reckless choices. I really like Gigi because she’s very relatable. The friendship she has with Neerja and Bea is very adorable too. They are clearly best friends for life! I’m the happiest person when Gigi learns to speak up in public. When she still runs for student representative although it means she has to become opponent with her crush Will, I was so proud of Gigi!
Now, Mike. Mike is the guy who gets involved with Gigi in cheating scandal. At first, I thought he is just like other jocks. But then I see the other side of him, and I fell in love. Mike is smart, funny, protective, and sweet beyond words. I swooned every time he appeared. I rooted for Will at first, but afterward, my heart belongs to Mike and his brilliant mind.
I don’t think I can recommend enough of Smart Girls Get What They Want. Fans of contemporary would heart this book, but I think anyone with love of books would find this book very entertaining. I know that this is hardly a review, more likely a gushing, but when you love a book too much… you can’t help it, right? ;)
“Dude,” Bea said. “So true. I say we go for it. Ski team. Student rep. The play. Gigi’s right. Let’s not think and, for once, just do.”
We squeezed our hands together. We could do this. We had to. Because high school only comes around once, and I would hate to look back and think I didn’t make the most of every moment because I was scared of what other people thought. Other people never think that much about you anyway.
Eleanor Roosevelt said that.
Read other reviews in my blog! :)
Catch the Lune
November 2, 2012
Guys, this book was SO SO CUTE. Like I love it a lot. This book was MADE for me, I swear. Not only did the cover & title attract my attention, but I instantly knew that I would be able to connect with the characters in the book, because, well, I'm a nerd, too. I'm so glad to say that my hypothesis was correct; I completely understood the characters and thoroughly enjoyed Smart Girls Get What They Want.
I'm not even quite sure if there is anything that I didn't like about this book. As I mentioned before, the characters were so awesome. ALL three main protagonists were fresh, funny, and sweet. I so need a group of supportive friends like Bea and Neerja! I loved all of them equally.
And let's not forget about the boys of the book. Will was totally swoon-worthy, in the beach boy type of way. But towards the end, I decided to fall for the other boy, Mike. In contrast, Mike was annoying in the beginning, but his sweet side shines through in the end it's just freaking cute.
The plot was extremely fun as well! The concept was pretty simple but Sarah Strohmeyer was capable of making it interesting. I wasn't bored for a second! Just the everyday lives of the high school girls were entertaining to read about. There were just so many elements in the novel that was so relatable that made it smooth and easy to read through (it freaking scared me how similar Gigi's life is to mine! i.e. We both want British husbands, we're both taking advanced chemistry, etc.).
That said, I would reread it again without hesitation. Smart Girls Get What They Want is an adorable contemporary that readers will enjoy (especially if you're a smart girl yourself! ;)) If you're looking for a fun, light, cute read, this one is highly, highly recommended!
4.5 Teacups for Smart Girls Get What They Want!
THIS REVIEW WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED ON A Reading Daydreamer:
http://a-reading-daydreamer.blogspot....
For more reviews by me, check out the blog!
I'm not even quite sure if there is anything that I didn't like about this book. As I mentioned before, the characters were so awesome. ALL three main protagonists were fresh, funny, and sweet. I so need a group of supportive friends like Bea and Neerja! I loved all of them equally.
And let's not forget about the boys of the book. Will was totally swoon-worthy, in the beach boy type of way. But towards the end, I decided to fall for the other boy, Mike. In contrast, Mike was annoying in the beginning, but his sweet side shines through in the end it's just freaking cute.
The plot was extremely fun as well! The concept was pretty simple but Sarah Strohmeyer was capable of making it interesting. I wasn't bored for a second! Just the everyday lives of the high school girls were entertaining to read about. There were just so many elements in the novel that was so relatable that made it smooth and easy to read through (it freaking scared me how similar Gigi's life is to mine! i.e. We both want British husbands, we're both taking advanced chemistry, etc.).
That said, I would reread it again without hesitation. Smart Girls Get What They Want is an adorable contemporary that readers will enjoy (especially if you're a smart girl yourself! ;)) If you're looking for a fun, light, cute read, this one is highly, highly recommended!
4.5 Teacups for Smart Girls Get What They Want!
THIS REVIEW WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED ON A Reading Daydreamer:
http://a-reading-daydreamer.blogspot....
For more reviews by me, check out the blog!
January 25, 2015
This review is originally posted on www.candythebookishgirl.wordpress.com
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I still had 10 pages to go when I decided to put it down, for I didn't want it to end!
10 minutes later, I couldn't wait any longer because I seriously needed to know the ending. Ugh, the struggle was REAL.
"Get Smart
Get everything."
With a tag line and title like that, how could you resist this book?
Gigi, Bea and Neerja are best friends and total scholars. Even though they are not popular at school, they are not worried since they aim for a better life when they get into Ivy League colleges. However, an unexpected event happens and the girls decide that they need a change! With smart brains like theirs, they are determined to rock their school!
Honestly, I didn't expect myself to enjoy this book that much. I was filled with prejudice that this was gonna be another cheesy high school drama, so I was surprised to see how amazing this book was!
Starting from the beginning, I found myself grinning and laughing. The characters are so adorable and humorous and easy to relate to. Gigi, our main protagonist, is strong, smart yet girly. I feel motivated and connected with her because she inspires me to do better at school and at the same time, she proves that a girl who loves to study could also care about fashion and beauty!
Also, I love one of the male characters so much! I'm not gonna reveal his name now because you'll know who I'm referring to after you finish the story *wink wink*
Have you ever read a book that you didn't know who the male lead was until nearly the end? I haven't so I was intrigued by it. It adds magic to this book. I guess I'm not that stupid, but right from the beginning, I kept guessing who Gigi would end up with. This made the whole reading experience unique and I just couldn't put it down.
"Things may not be what they seem." Look deeper and you may discover something you could never imagine. This is what the book has taught me. A truly delightful, motivational, funny and sweet high school romance.
--Get this book on Bookdepository ;)
------------------------------------------------------------------
I still had 10 pages to go when I decided to put it down, for I didn't want it to end!
10 minutes later, I couldn't wait any longer because I seriously needed to know the ending. Ugh, the struggle was REAL.
"Get Smart
Get everything."
With a tag line and title like that, how could you resist this book?
Gigi, Bea and Neerja are best friends and total scholars. Even though they are not popular at school, they are not worried since they aim for a better life when they get into Ivy League colleges. However, an unexpected event happens and the girls decide that they need a change! With smart brains like theirs, they are determined to rock their school!
Honestly, I didn't expect myself to enjoy this book that much. I was filled with prejudice that this was gonna be another cheesy high school drama, so I was surprised to see how amazing this book was!
Starting from the beginning, I found myself grinning and laughing. The characters are so adorable and humorous and easy to relate to. Gigi, our main protagonist, is strong, smart yet girly. I feel motivated and connected with her because she inspires me to do better at school and at the same time, she proves that a girl who loves to study could also care about fashion and beauty!
Also, I love one of the male characters so much! I'm not gonna reveal his name now because you'll know who I'm referring to after you finish the story *wink wink*
Have you ever read a book that you didn't know who the male lead was until nearly the end? I haven't so I was intrigued by it. It adds magic to this book. I guess I'm not that stupid, but right from the beginning, I kept guessing who Gigi would end up with. This made the whole reading experience unique and I just couldn't put it down.
"Things may not be what they seem." Look deeper and you may discover something you could never imagine. This is what the book has taught me. A truly delightful, motivational, funny and sweet high school romance.
--Get this book on Bookdepository ;)
June 1, 2012
I thought this book is super cute and so fun to read! It amazed me with plot twist I did not see coming.
What I adored about this book is the great plot. The reader meet Gigi, a very smart girl who thinks she knows everything, especially what type of guy a jock is. Gigi is taking by surprise when she is paired up with the jock in a misunderstanding. This part of the book I loved. Gigi doesn't think twice to assume that he will just make her do all the work and take credit for it. Even he surprised me with his excellent answers! Gigi learns so much that she didn't know, with her growth in the story, Gigi becomes someone totally different in the end.
And the love interest. Well you can guess this one huh? It is and not what I expected. The love interest sort of plays out as a love triangle but nothing overwhelming and nothing really concrete. Pretty much, you know who she will end up with in the end. But, the process of Gigi finding the one for her is so cute! Gigi has some embarrassing moments, that only strengthen their love for each other.
Overall this is a fantastic contemp. Thrilling and exciting all at the same time, I could not help but read it through one sitting. The ending is perfectly fashioned that I actually read the last page twice just to smile even wider than I had before.
Smart Girls Get What They Want is all so true! Deliciously inventive, with much laughs in between, it's easy to fall in love. The plot is so impressive that at times, I too felt speechless. Smart Girls Get What They Want is an excellent example of the saying, "Good things come to those who wait."
What I adored about this book is the great plot. The reader meet Gigi, a very smart girl who thinks she knows everything, especially what type of guy a jock is. Gigi is taking by surprise when she is paired up with the jock in a misunderstanding. This part of the book I loved. Gigi doesn't think twice to assume that he will just make her do all the work and take credit for it. Even he surprised me with his excellent answers! Gigi learns so much that she didn't know, with her growth in the story, Gigi becomes someone totally different in the end.
And the love interest. Well you can guess this one huh? It is and not what I expected. The love interest sort of plays out as a love triangle but nothing overwhelming and nothing really concrete. Pretty much, you know who she will end up with in the end. But, the process of Gigi finding the one for her is so cute! Gigi has some embarrassing moments, that only strengthen their love for each other.
Overall this is a fantastic contemp. Thrilling and exciting all at the same time, I could not help but read it through one sitting. The ending is perfectly fashioned that I actually read the last page twice just to smile even wider than I had before.
Smart Girls Get What They Want is all so true! Deliciously inventive, with much laughs in between, it's easy to fall in love. The plot is so impressive that at times, I too felt speechless. Smart Girls Get What They Want is an excellent example of the saying, "Good things come to those who wait."
October 10, 2012
Oh, how I LOVED this book!
This is one of those books that took me by surprise. I was looking for a fun "chick lit" kind of book at the time I read it. I got that and so much more!
Gigi, Bea, Neerja are 3 ridiculously smart best friends. Their goal is to make it through high school with the highest possible grades and then get into a great ivy league school. When they discover a yearbook belonging to Neerja's older sister, they also discover that their goal comes with the price of an "unknown status". They decide it's time for a little change.
I loved Gigi's voice! She's got a good head on her shoulders. She makes mistakes, but she learns from them. She not one of those girls you just want to smack upside the head for making stupid decision after stupid decision. She is such an awesome character! And Bea and Neerja are pretty great girls, too! Seriously, they are one of my favorite group of fictional girls ever.
Now to the leading guy in this book! He definitely won me over. As much as I liked the girls of this book, this guy is one of my favorite leading guys EVER. He doesn't slay dragons or fight any demons, but all the little things add up to one incredible guy. He's definitely "crush-worthy"!
I was provided an ARC for review, but I loved it enough that I hope to add the final copy to my keeper shelf. It's definitely one I want to re-read! Highly recommended!!
Content:
There is a good bit of mild profanity, but I'd say that is the only concern. No sex, drugs, alcohol at all. 2 mild kisses is it.
This is one of those books that took me by surprise. I was looking for a fun "chick lit" kind of book at the time I read it. I got that and so much more!
Gigi, Bea, Neerja are 3 ridiculously smart best friends. Their goal is to make it through high school with the highest possible grades and then get into a great ivy league school. When they discover a yearbook belonging to Neerja's older sister, they also discover that their goal comes with the price of an "unknown status". They decide it's time for a little change.
I loved Gigi's voice! She's got a good head on her shoulders. She makes mistakes, but she learns from them. She not one of those girls you just want to smack upside the head for making stupid decision after stupid decision. She is such an awesome character! And Bea and Neerja are pretty great girls, too! Seriously, they are one of my favorite group of fictional girls ever.
Now to the leading guy in this book! He definitely won me over. As much as I liked the girls of this book, this guy is one of my favorite leading guys EVER. He doesn't slay dragons or fight any demons, but all the little things add up to one incredible guy. He's definitely "crush-worthy"!
I was provided an ARC for review, but I loved it enough that I hope to add the final copy to my keeper shelf. It's definitely one I want to re-read! Highly recommended!!
Content:
There is a good bit of mild profanity, but I'd say that is the only concern. No sex, drugs, alcohol at all. 2 mild kisses is it.
July 1, 2012
I loved this novel. From beginning to end, this was just a fantastic, fun, and romantic read. That this novel has three pretty brilliant female leads, who stand up for each other, watch each others' back, and aren't afraid to show their smarts? Awesome. The protagonist of the novel, Gigi, is a hardworking teen, supremely focused on acing her exams, getting recommendation letters, and making it into an Ivy League school. So what if she may not be having a so-called memorable time in high school? She's got her wonderful best friends, and the not-so-distant future- a very successful one- totally mapped out. But Bea, Gigi, and Neerja - due to a discovery about Neerja's erudite older sister- find out that they're missing on a life outside of studying. And then, Gigi is falsely accused of cheating on an almost-impossible exam that she aces- due to hardcore studying. She is cleared of the erroneous accusation, but when she finds out that it still may ruin her chances at a great future, she decides it's time to for her, Neerja, and Bea to speak out and take action.
There is one scene in the book which really stood out for me. Gigi is book shopping at the Harvard Book Store. Jane Eyre simply won't work for her mood so she goes in search comfort reading and picks up books by Meg Cabot, Stephanie Perkins, and others. Her maybe-more-than-a-friend Mike, who runs into her at the bookstore, laughs and is surprised over her picks as he expected Gigi, or 'Einstein' as her calls her, to just read complex Russian novels. Not, as Mike says, "trash like this". This scene really struck a chord with me- especially as someone who has heard smarmy comments about the romantic books I read. Not only does the author reference two beloved authors who write significant and critically-acclaimed romantic novels, but also she makes a statement that contemporary romantic fiction IS smart (read and enjoyed by intelligent women) and IS meaningful (...just like Strohmeyer's novel).
In fiction, I [Gigi] searched for my favorite authors, women I have trusted to reassure me that not all teenage guys are total ditwads, that the archetype if the noble cute hero who devotes himself to the girl loves has not gone the way of the rotary phone. That all I had to do was be myself (smart, hardworking, funny) and be patient and kind and he and I would find each other (Excerpt from Chapter 18, ebook edition)
If you're a fan of contemporary/romantic YA, then I would definitely recommend this read! It's got everything I love to read in that genre: kick-ass and funny protagonists, well-developed secondary characters, a compelling plot and genuinely romantic romance. The novel also has this lovely charm and a few zany situations that, for various reasons, reminded me of the writing of greats like Cabot, Judy Blume and Ellen Conford. I think that when I look back on my reads of the year, this will rank up there on my list of favourites.
There is one scene in the book which really stood out for me. Gigi is book shopping at the Harvard Book Store. Jane Eyre simply won't work for her mood so she goes in search comfort reading and picks up books by Meg Cabot, Stephanie Perkins, and others. Her maybe-more-than-a-friend Mike, who runs into her at the bookstore, laughs and is surprised over her picks as he expected Gigi, or 'Einstein' as her calls her, to just read complex Russian novels. Not, as Mike says, "trash like this". This scene really struck a chord with me- especially as someone who has heard smarmy comments about the romantic books I read. Not only does the author reference two beloved authors who write significant and critically-acclaimed romantic novels, but also she makes a statement that contemporary romantic fiction IS smart (read and enjoyed by intelligent women) and IS meaningful (...just like Strohmeyer's novel).
In fiction, I [Gigi] searched for my favorite authors, women I have trusted to reassure me that not all teenage guys are total ditwads, that the archetype if the noble cute hero who devotes himself to the girl loves has not gone the way of the rotary phone. That all I had to do was be myself (smart, hardworking, funny) and be patient and kind and he and I would find each other (Excerpt from Chapter 18, ebook edition)
If you're a fan of contemporary/romantic YA, then I would definitely recommend this read! It's got everything I love to read in that genre: kick-ass and funny protagonists, well-developed secondary characters, a compelling plot and genuinely romantic romance. The novel also has this lovely charm and a few zany situations that, for various reasons, reminded me of the writing of greats like Cabot, Judy Blume and Ellen Conford. I think that when I look back on my reads of the year, this will rank up there on my list of favourites.
February 2, 2017
Sarah Dessen may have to take a backseat, because it is quite possible that I have a new favorite author. I'm probably speaking too soon, but this book is soooo good.
Gigi was refreshing. She was sarcastic and funny. Sort of like Ali from the White Rabbit Chronicles minus the supernatural mojo. I actually agreed with a lot of her decisions and I loved how she put her friends first. Bea and Neerja were great supporting characters. Bea was feisty and strong willed. She was the kind of girl you look up to because she speaks her mind and stands up for what she believes in. Out of all the girls Neerja was the one that lacked luster. She was laid back, and she didn't seem to like to take control. She kind of just went with whatever. I felt like the three best friends really complimented one another though.
The male characters were not actually concentrated on as much as I would have thought. The "love" stories were secondary to the main story. Which is again refreshing. I loved Henry. He was such a sweet and cute guy. Justin was painful to read about. At first I really liked Will, but he definitely wasn't who I thought he was. Mike was the shining star. He is rather annoying (especially in the beginning) but he is also oddly kind and even sort of sweet.
The messages the book tried to portray like "friends are forever while boys come and go" and "being smart isn't a bad thing or everything" are messages that would be nice to see in more YA. The blurb does not do this book justice. If you are wondering what this book is about, what the actual heart of the story is...it is friendship. Three girls who have been inseparable since grade school and who take academia way too seriously, learn that there are other things in life besides being smart that are just as rewarding. They suddenly realize that they have been missing out and really are invisible to their peers. In hopes of finally being noticed all three of them make a plan to participate in different school activities. Each girl seems to learn something about themselves and is able to grow from it.
Of course the book had some faults, but what book honestly doesn't?
Gigi was refreshing. She was sarcastic and funny. Sort of like Ali from the White Rabbit Chronicles minus the supernatural mojo. I actually agreed with a lot of her decisions and I loved how she put her friends first. Bea and Neerja were great supporting characters. Bea was feisty and strong willed. She was the kind of girl you look up to because she speaks her mind and stands up for what she believes in. Out of all the girls Neerja was the one that lacked luster. She was laid back, and she didn't seem to like to take control. She kind of just went with whatever. I felt like the three best friends really complimented one another though.
The male characters were not actually concentrated on as much as I would have thought. The "love" stories were secondary to the main story. Which is again refreshing. I loved Henry. He was such a sweet and cute guy. Justin was painful to read about. At first I really liked Will, but he definitely wasn't who I thought he was. Mike was the shining star. He is rather annoying (especially in the beginning) but he is also oddly kind and even sort of sweet.
The messages the book tried to portray like "friends are forever while boys come and go" and "being smart isn't a bad thing or everything" are messages that would be nice to see in more YA. The blurb does not do this book justice. If you are wondering what this book is about, what the actual heart of the story is...it is friendship. Three girls who have been inseparable since grade school and who take academia way too seriously, learn that there are other things in life besides being smart that are just as rewarding. They suddenly realize that they have been missing out and really are invisible to their peers. In hopes of finally being noticed all three of them make a plan to participate in different school activities. Each girl seems to learn something about themselves and is able to grow from it.
Of course the book had some faults, but what book honestly doesn't?
July 8, 2012
4.5 Stars
Wow! That was way better than I expected. I was hoping it would be an honest representation of what my current life looks like, and guess what? I actually got what I wanted.
I, however, can't give this book 5 stars because I reserve that honor for those books that give me special fuzzies. So I've rated it as 5 (simply because this book ROCKS, and I want people to read it), but in my heart it's a 4.5
Points for girls who ARE smart, and talk like smart girls, and think like GIRLS not stereotypes. Girls with priorities, girls with goals, and girls who are also definitely interested in romance!
Points for Neerja! YESSS an Indian family that isn't a stereotype! (extra points for Jab We Met, Shahid Kapoor, and Nagada Nagada references (because everyone deserves to know who Shahid is and how hot he is)).
Points for love ties that aren't overblown. Sure, there are some triangles, crossed lines etc., but they aren't dramatic, and, best of all, they're REALISTIC. I mean, sometimes the guy you should be dating doesn't really occur to you until after the fact, or more than one girl likes more than one guy.
Points for the dialogue. Man, I learned some stuff from this novel.
Subtract a few (OK, one or two) points for impossibly perfect guys, but hey, this *is* a book, and every girl loves a fantasy.
Oh, and add some points for the ending. The last line? Had me actually laughing out loud (which is rare, because I reserve my laughter only for jokes worthy of my vocalization).
I'm adding this to the list of 'chick' books that are worth their salt (oh, and, extra points for an Anna and the French Kiss reference!)
Overall, an easy and breezy read that satisfies the part of me that HUNGERS for girls to be accurately represented -- someone needs to tell YA authors that we're not boy-crazy dimwits!
[this was made ever-so-sweet because I was getting extremely irritated with another book on my currently reading list that makes me grit my teeth at the female stereotypes]
Wow! That was way better than I expected. I was hoping it would be an honest representation of what my current life looks like, and guess what? I actually got what I wanted.
I, however, can't give this book 5 stars because I reserve that honor for those books that give me special fuzzies. So I've rated it as 5 (simply because this book ROCKS, and I want people to read it), but in my heart it's a 4.5
Points for girls who ARE smart, and talk like smart girls, and think like GIRLS not stereotypes. Girls with priorities, girls with goals, and girls who are also definitely interested in romance!
Points for Neerja! YESSS an Indian family that isn't a stereotype! (extra points for Jab We Met, Shahid Kapoor, and Nagada Nagada references (because everyone deserves to know who Shahid is and how hot he is)).
Points for love ties that aren't overblown. Sure, there are some triangles, crossed lines etc., but they aren't dramatic, and, best of all, they're REALISTIC. I mean, sometimes the guy you should be dating doesn't really occur to you until after the fact, or more than one girl likes more than one guy.
Points for the dialogue. Man, I learned some stuff from this novel.
Subtract a few (OK, one or two) points for impossibly perfect guys, but hey, this *is* a book, and every girl loves a fantasy.
Oh, and add some points for the ending. The last line? Had me actually laughing out loud (which is rare, because I reserve my laughter only for jokes worthy of my vocalization).
I'm adding this to the list of 'chick' books that are worth their salt (oh, and, extra points for an Anna and the French Kiss reference!)
Overall, an easy and breezy read that satisfies the part of me that HUNGERS for girls to be accurately represented -- someone needs to tell YA authors that we're not boy-crazy dimwits!
[this was made ever-so-sweet because I was getting extremely irritated with another book on my currently reading list that makes me grit my teeth at the female stereotypes]
April 6, 2020
Thank you, Mrs. Tyson, for reminding me about this book! It is such an uplifting tale, and Gigi, Neerja, and Bea are the best friends anyone could ask for. If Disney were to make a movie about this book, I would probably never stop watching it.
The message is clear without being overwhelming, the romance sophisticated without being overly complicated, and the characters all have growth! This book's plot details are like the main friends: in perfect balance.
The message is clear without being overwhelming, the romance sophisticated without being overly complicated, and the characters all have growth! This book's plot details are like the main friends: in perfect balance.
September 1, 2012
3.5 stars
I was looking for something light hearted, fun and contemporary to read. A couple of my GR friends really liked this book, the blurb sounded fluffy and fun, hence I decided to go with it. I admit that I didn't expect to be totally blown away any it. And for the first 40% or so I wasn't. It took nearly half the book for me to really get into it. But the second half of the book was extremely good.
The entire book is very witty and I did really grow to like Gigi. Even if I found her extremely narrow minded and opinionated in the beginning. She is quirky and clever, but the thing that actually holds her back is her very shallow view of others. She labels people according to what they do and where the hang out and only see that label not even bothering to get to know them. During the story she gets to know quite a few of those kids and I think learns that there is more to people that what the seem at first glance.
She also is a very loyal loving and caring friend.
I think this little exchange sort of makes my point:
“Maybe this project wasn’t such a bad idea. You’re a lot more intelligent than you seem, Mike.”
Crap. That came out wrong.
“I mean…”
He smiled, amused. “You know, I don’t get you, Einstein. Just when I think you’re really smart, you say something really stupid.”
Her two besties Neerja and Bea are the coolest and I really loved their little *side*love stories as well. They and all the other support charters are awesome. In fact I do think that Strohmeyer created fabulous multidimensional characters who have more to them than then the stereotypical label on the box seems to offer.
My favorite character though is Mike. While he is into sports, he isn't your usual jock, he is intelligent and a great friend. As he he says about himself, he picks up things but also he has actually quite a lot of insight. I really enjoyed getting to know him (through Gigi). The way he kept on surprising her and the fact that he unlike her is more clued up about people and also more open towards them. Plus i loved that he called her Einstein.And he has a great sense of humor. Throughout the book there were very sweet moments with him, and sigh…. sqeeeee !(this one is for you, katy).. i just adored them (and him)
this is one of my favorite Mike moment.
Mike said, “I hate to tell you this, but most guys our age are jerks.”
This was not what I wanted to hear.
“I mean, it’s not like we choose to be jerks. We don’t wake up in the morning and say, ‘You know, I think I’ll be a jerk today.’ It’s just, there’s so much going on with us. So much in our heads that we do one thing and mean another and vice versa.” He turned to me. “You understand.”
There were also a few inconstancies. Like her mother MID phd who is in Zurich (she really should be in geneva is she is splitting atoms) or I didn't think that Avogadro's number was such a complicated high chemistry thingy. But I think I might have picked up on those because i did chemistry in Switzerland?
The thing though that surprised me most about Smart Girls get what they want? It stayed with me for days and made me think about the characters and the way we see people. It made me ponder over the fact that a novel that seem light und fluffy had much more depth than expected.I ended up finding out about the US school system, to understand the characters in the book better. Thought about pressures and trial kids at the age go through. And I decided to read a few more High School YA's as a sort of a research in to the genre.
I was looking for something light hearted, fun and contemporary to read. A couple of my GR friends really liked this book, the blurb sounded fluffy and fun, hence I decided to go with it. I admit that I didn't expect to be totally blown away any it. And for the first 40% or so I wasn't. It took nearly half the book for me to really get into it. But the second half of the book was extremely good.
The entire book is very witty and I did really grow to like Gigi. Even if I found her extremely narrow minded and opinionated in the beginning. She is quirky and clever, but the thing that actually holds her back is her very shallow view of others. She labels people according to what they do and where the hang out and only see that label not even bothering to get to know them. During the story she gets to know quite a few of those kids and I think learns that there is more to people that what the seem at first glance.
She also is a very loyal loving and caring friend.
I think this little exchange sort of makes my point:
“Maybe this project wasn’t such a bad idea. You’re a lot more intelligent than you seem, Mike.”
Crap. That came out wrong.
“I mean…”
He smiled, amused. “You know, I don’t get you, Einstein. Just when I think you’re really smart, you say something really stupid.”
Her two besties Neerja and Bea are the coolest and I really loved their little *side*love stories as well. They and all the other support charters are awesome. In fact I do think that Strohmeyer created fabulous multidimensional characters who have more to them than then the stereotypical label on the box seems to offer.
My favorite character though is Mike. While he is into sports, he isn't your usual jock, he is intelligent and a great friend. As he he says about himself, he picks up things but also he has actually quite a lot of insight. I really enjoyed getting to know him (through Gigi). The way he kept on surprising her and the fact that he unlike her is more clued up about people and also more open towards them. Plus i loved that he called her Einstein.And he has a great sense of humor. Throughout the book there were very sweet moments with him, and sigh…. sqeeeee !(this one is for you, katy).. i just adored them (and him)
this is one of my favorite Mike moment.
Mike said, “I hate to tell you this, but most guys our age are jerks.”
This was not what I wanted to hear.
“I mean, it’s not like we choose to be jerks. We don’t wake up in the morning and say, ‘You know, I think I’ll be a jerk today.’ It’s just, there’s so much going on with us. So much in our heads that we do one thing and mean another and vice versa.” He turned to me. “You understand.”
There were also a few inconstancies. Like her mother MID phd who is in Zurich (she really should be in geneva is she is splitting atoms) or I didn't think that Avogadro's number was such a complicated high chemistry thingy. But I think I might have picked up on those because i did chemistry in Switzerland?
The thing though that surprised me most about Smart Girls get what they want? It stayed with me for days and made me think about the characters and the way we see people. It made me ponder over the fact that a novel that seem light und fluffy had much more depth than expected.I ended up finding out about the US school system, to understand the characters in the book better. Thought about pressures and trial kids at the age go through. And I decided to read a few more High School YA's as a sort of a research in to the genre.
November 15, 2012
Since SMART GIRLS GET WHAT THEY WANT is basically about a group of three best friends who proudly shun the teenage world of high school parties, popularity, and social madness for unending hours of discipline, studying, and preparation for their shining futures on full scholarships to Ivy League universities, I figured I'd find something quirky and relatable that I could enjoy. I definitely identified most with the studious, bookish crowds in high school, so I was excited to read about level-headed young women who balance straight A's and extra-cirriculars with cute boys and best friends without being overly superficial and silly.
For the most part, I was satisfied, although the book definitely felt a bit young and predictable at points. Realistically, though, the target audience is probably more along the lines of the late middle school or early high school crowed, though, and I'm sure this group would readily identify with the characters more to the level that I had originally expected.
But backing up a bit to the plot .... Gia, Bea, and Neerja make no secret of the fact that they prioritize books over boys, making sure to follow all the rules and carefully prepare the all perfect line items for their future college applications, which of course will only be to the best Ivy League universities where they will finally meet their kindred souls and escape the superficial world of high school drama. But after realizing that they are virtually invisible amongst their peers at school, the three girls vow to break out of their honor- student stereotypes and learn to relate more to the typical teenage crowd. After all, is there any reason why the smart girls shouldn't be well-rounded outside the classroom as well?
Soon their new, bolder outlooks on lives get them caught up in ski lessons, drama club rehearsals, awkward dating experiences, and confusing encounters with the opposite sex. Gia falls hard for the popular, gorgeous new guy in class, but he seems to be sending mixed signals.. and didn't he say he had a sassy, modelesque girlfriend back at home? Meanwhile, Gia is accused of allowing the school jock to cheat from her exams, landing her in academic chaos with a football player who won't back down. Neerja is desperate to wow the crowd as the next Juliet in the school play, but she's terrified at the prospect of performing opposite her teenage heartthrob crush, who barely knows she exists. And Brea has a few secrets of her own, as she feels forced to sneak around behind her parents' backs in order to spread her wings and really enjoy her newfound high school perspective.
Gia, Neerja, and Brea are determined to make sure they are remembered as more than the invisible girls in the smart classes, but are they really ready for the consequences of their new decisions?
I don't want to give the impression that SMART GIRLS GET WHAT THEY WANT wasn't an enjoyable book -- I definitely don't regret giving it a shot and I think it's a worthwhile story, especially for the younger crowd. It was cute, for the most part, but I just felt like I'd really read this before.. like it blended into the background of a million other young adult contemporaries I've enjoyed in the past.
I do love the cover, though, and I'd still check out other works by this author in the future. I think that younger high school girls could easily find both the story and the characters relatable enough that SMART GIRLS GET WHAT THEY WANT is worth a chance.
For the most part, I was satisfied, although the book definitely felt a bit young and predictable at points. Realistically, though, the target audience is probably more along the lines of the late middle school or early high school crowed, though, and I'm sure this group would readily identify with the characters more to the level that I had originally expected.
But backing up a bit to the plot .... Gia, Bea, and Neerja make no secret of the fact that they prioritize books over boys, making sure to follow all the rules and carefully prepare the all perfect line items for their future college applications, which of course will only be to the best Ivy League universities where they will finally meet their kindred souls and escape the superficial world of high school drama. But after realizing that they are virtually invisible amongst their peers at school, the three girls vow to break out of their honor- student stereotypes and learn to relate more to the typical teenage crowd. After all, is there any reason why the smart girls shouldn't be well-rounded outside the classroom as well?
Soon their new, bolder outlooks on lives get them caught up in ski lessons, drama club rehearsals, awkward dating experiences, and confusing encounters with the opposite sex. Gia falls hard for the popular, gorgeous new guy in class, but he seems to be sending mixed signals.. and didn't he say he had a sassy, modelesque girlfriend back at home? Meanwhile, Gia is accused of allowing the school jock to cheat from her exams, landing her in academic chaos with a football player who won't back down. Neerja is desperate to wow the crowd as the next Juliet in the school play, but she's terrified at the prospect of performing opposite her teenage heartthrob crush, who barely knows she exists. And Brea has a few secrets of her own, as she feels forced to sneak around behind her parents' backs in order to spread her wings and really enjoy her newfound high school perspective.
Gia, Neerja, and Brea are determined to make sure they are remembered as more than the invisible girls in the smart classes, but are they really ready for the consequences of their new decisions?
I don't want to give the impression that SMART GIRLS GET WHAT THEY WANT wasn't an enjoyable book -- I definitely don't regret giving it a shot and I think it's a worthwhile story, especially for the younger crowd. It was cute, for the most part, but I just felt like I'd really read this before.. like it blended into the background of a million other young adult contemporaries I've enjoyed in the past.
I do love the cover, though, and I'd still check out other works by this author in the future. I think that younger high school girls could easily find both the story and the characters relatable enough that SMART GIRLS GET WHAT THEY WANT is worth a chance.
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