Title: A Match Made in High School
Author: Kristin Walker
Publisher: Razorbill
Release date: February 4th 2010
Pages: 278
Genre: Contemporary YA; romance
Source: Won from MaryAnn from Chapter by Chapter - thanks!
When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can't get any worse. Then she marries her "husband": jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona's long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer.
Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes.
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Honestly, if I'd just seen A Match Made in High School at a bookstore and read the description, there's no way I would have read it. It sounds like every cliched book about high school out there - you know, the type where the nerdy outsider girl gets to know the most popular guy under unusual circumstances and, surprise, surprise, the popular jock ends up falling for the MC. And I'm so, so sick of those books. But I'd heard great things about A Match Made in High School, and I was in the mood for a quick, fun read, so I picked it up anyways. And I'm so glad I did!
A Match Made in High School is a very fast read. Kristin Walker's writing flows nicely, and you won't want to put the book down once you've started reading. The style is cute and so funny! It felt so real, like I was right inside Fiona's head. Fiona is an awesome main character. Yes, she's self-centered and a little clueless, but she's so much fun! Her sense of humor is great - had me laughing out loud! I love how Fiona is weird and geeky but proud of it - she's who I wish I could be, in that aspect. Her voice is unique and hilarious. I also love that Fiona wears glasses! Why are there so few MCs in YA book who wear glasses? Or at least so few YA books that actually address that in a realistic way. There are plenty of books where a girl gets a makeover and goes from the nerdy, glasses-wearing outsider to the popular, beautiful girl who got Lasik. (Because 15-year-olds can totally get Lasik.) But there are very few books where it's addressed in a realistic way - I actually can't think of a single one, other than A Match Made in High School. In this book, the fact that Fiona has to wear glasses is mentioned several times, and it even mentions some of the problems related to that, which made me very happy - us glasses-needing people are definitely under-represented in YA!
I liked the rest of the characters, too. From the description, it sounds like they'd all be stereotypes, and the book starts out that way, too. But they're really not. For each character, we learn to look under the surface, and we learn that all of them are real people with real feelings. I didn't like all of them as people, but I loved reading about each and every one of them because they're all quirky and unique. That goes for the plot, too - you start out thinking you know exactly what's going to happen. The story sounds predictable, but it's not - there are definitely some twists I did not see coming!
Even though it's unrealistic, I loved the whole Marriage Ed thing. The idea is so funny! If I really had to do something like that, I'd probably be annoyed like Fiona, but I can't help but think it'd be fun, too. I loved the interactions between Fiona and Todd - probably my favorite part of the book. Their bantering and the pranks they play on each other are hilarious, had me laughing out loud several times.
Don't let the average-sounding description discourage you - this book is really good! It's hilarious and adorable, with an awesome and original MC and a fun plot. A Match Made in High School is the perfect feel-good read!
Honestly, if I'd just seen A Match Made in High School at a bookstore and read the description, there's no way I would have read it. It sounds like every cliched book about high school out there - you know, the type where the nerdy outsider girl gets to know the most popular guy under unusual circumstances and, surprise, surprise, the popular jock ends up falling for the MC. And I'm so, so sick of those books. But I'd heard great things about A Match Made in High School, and I was in the mood for a quick, fun read, so I picked it up anyways. And I'm so glad I did!
A Match Made in High School is a very fast read. Kristin Walker's writing flows nicely, and you won't want to put the book down once you've started reading. The style is cute and so funny! It felt so real, like I was right inside Fiona's head. Fiona is an awesome main character. Yes, she's self-centered and a little clueless, but she's so much fun! Her sense of humor is great - had me laughing out loud! I love how Fiona is weird and geeky but proud of it - she's who I wish I could be, in that aspect. Her voice is unique and hilarious. I also love that Fiona wears glasses! Why are there so few MCs in YA book who wear glasses? Or at least so few YA books that actually address that in a realistic way. There are plenty of books where a girl gets a makeover and goes from the nerdy, glasses-wearing outsider to the popular, beautiful girl who got Lasik. (Because 15-year-olds can totally get Lasik.) But there are very few books where it's addressed in a realistic way - I actually can't think of a single one, other than A Match Made in High School. In this book, the fact that Fiona has to wear glasses is mentioned several times, and it even mentions some of the problems related to that, which made me very happy - us glasses-needing people are definitely under-represented in YA!
I liked the rest of the characters, too. From the description, it sounds like they'd all be stereotypes, and the book starts out that way, too. But they're really not. For each character, we learn to look under the surface, and we learn that all of them are real people with real feelings. I didn't like all of them as people, but I loved reading about each and every one of them because they're all quirky and unique. That goes for the plot, too - you start out thinking you know exactly what's going to happen. The story sounds predictable, but it's not - there are definitely some twists I did not see coming!
Even though it's unrealistic, I loved the whole Marriage Ed thing. The idea is so funny! If I really had to do something like that, I'd probably be annoyed like Fiona, but I can't help but think it'd be fun, too. I loved the interactions between Fiona and Todd - probably my favorite part of the book. Their bantering and the pranks they play on each other are hilarious, had me laughing out loud several times.
Don't let the average-sounding description discourage you - this book is really good! It's hilarious and adorable, with an awesome and original MC and a fun plot. A Match Made in High School is the perfect feel-good read!
Posts
Never heard about this book before but now I want to own it. The story seems fun and the kind that I will love so much.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so original - a great twist on the baby/teen parents class with a toy baby that cries etc.
ReplyDeleteI'm like you! Need my glasses:)
I LOVED Kristin's other book, 7 Clues to Winning You - it's equally original and fun:)
I love 7 Clues to Winning You! I think I want to try and read this one too. I love books with good humor :)
ReplyDeleteThis was funny bc I see cliche at the moment, think "awesome!" and then end up dissapointed. Your attitude is way better.
ReplyDeleteShanyn at chick loves lit recommended this too - once i hear about a book twice i know i need it!
Nice review!
Shamless plug today but if we have an author interview up with Robin Benway today (our first) and you should check it out bc shes awesome!
I liked this story. It was funny and cute.
ReplyDeleteI think this is the first time i'm coming across this book and your right reading the blurb I just think Cliche, but i'm glad to hear that its not. I am a little curious to read the book especially with the whole marriage ed thing.
ReplyDeleteThe Cover is unique :D
ReplyDeleteShakespearean = love!
ReplyDeleteHey. Just want to let you know that I'm currently reading this book because of your review. And yes, so far this book is hilarious!
ReplyDelete