Title: Babe in Boyland
Author: Jody Gehrman
Publisher: Dial
Publication Date: 2.17.2011
Pages: 292
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Comedy
Series: No
Rating: A
Summary (from Goodreads):
When high school junior Natalie--or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper--is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want.
But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected--especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?
But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected--especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?
Review:
This was another one of those books I’ve had on my Nook forever and just decided to see what happened one lazy afternoon when I had a little time to kill. That being said, I was beyond pleasantly surprised with Babe in Boyland. It seriously is a gem of a novel that I fell in love with.
I will say this book was extremely predictable. Anyone who has seen She’s the Man with Amanda Bynes a few years back can literally map out the entire book, but it didn’t make it any less fun to read. Jodi Gehrman is a wonderful storyteller and her words draw the reader in and keep them focused until the very last page.
Gehrman also doesn’t pull any punches or shy away from icky subjects (like how Natalie shoves a pair of socks in her underwear to perfect the male walk … seriously, it’s as funny as it sounds). The book is chock full of vibrant characters and amusing scenarios that will certainly elicit the “church giggles” in the middle of a silent library.
This is an easy read that I could relax into. It made me outright laugh and cringe multiple times, and there’s even this sweet little love story that is literally the butter cream frosting on this cake. It’s a delicious, guilty pleasure book that I know I will turn to when I need a pick-me-up after a crappy day.
huh, ya know I really wasn't going to give this book a try but your review has changed my mind! Glad you liked it so much! (ps- it does have an amusing cover, so extra points there!)
ReplyDeleteI need to pick this one up. Great review! Don't be a stranger; stop by my blog and say hi! I'm not sure if we're fellow followers, but I follow you!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hearing back from you,
Cory @ Anti-Drug Reads
I guess since I haven't read the first book, that wouldn't bother me.
ReplyDeleteFew books made me crack up like this one did. It's a must-read.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book too! I think it's funny that I compared it to She's the Man in my review as well! I absolutely loved that movie and this book had me cracking up almost as much as the She's the Man. Now I just need to go buy myself a finished copy...
ReplyDeleteAW! I should prolly start reading it then. I have my ebook of this one and I haven't got the time to read it coz I keep on reading other books first. Thanks for your awesome review! :)
ReplyDeleteYAY an A! I love the idea of this book. My mom has a favorite movie, I can't remember the name now, where something similar happens. To get a good news story the girl pretends to be a guy at another school. I did see She's the Man too but it wasn't as good as the older movie my mom loves. I love the idea of learning a lesson about the opposite sex by being of the opposite sex. Always makes for some funny moments.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds pretty cute if cliche.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review!
I've totally got to read this one asap, I have it sitting on my K-Fire, and have been dying to read it for a long time now. I've heard it's funny and cute and awesome. Plus, your review has totally made me want to read it even more. :)
ReplyDeleteSuz @ A Soul Unsung
susanhaugland@att.net
I definitely agree! I loved this book so much; it was cute and fun to read. The perfect book to pick up for a pick-me-up. I love when people do re-tellings of classic stories or plays, and William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night is one of my favorites for the male/female switcheroo!
ReplyDeleteNice review!
-Eli
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI've just thought of not buying the book until I read your review. I really kinda need a fluff, light read right now. Really need to get myself out of paranormal elements and whatnot for the moment
ReplyDelete-wni
This sounds like a fun book! I loved She's The Man and that other movie One of the Guys where the girl also pretends to be a boy for a newspaper story. I think it is a hilarious and good way to look at gender differences. Look forward to the scene with the sock. LOL Great review!
ReplyDelete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteI like the way you describe this book with the expression "church giggles" and the metaphor of buttercream frosting. It really highlights the fact that you found it a fun read! =)
I didn't love this novel, but I did enjoy it. Definitely She's the Man-esque (one of my favorite movies ever). Fun, silly, and perfect for a lazy summer day, which was when I read it as well.
ReplyDeleteMary @ Mary Had a Little Book Blog