Thursday, May 5, 2011

Rhymes with Cupid by Anna Humphrey

My summary:

Elyse is not looking forward to Valentine’s Day. Last year on that very day, she walked into her bedroom to find her best friend and boyfriend – um well let’s just say together. Luckily Elyse and her mom moved to a more affordable house shortly after that and she didn’t have to witness them being “together” every day in the halls of her high school. Ever since then, Elyse has tightly closed off her heart. No dating. No best friends. Just school and work, that’s it, that’s safe. Her co-worker Dina is the closest person she has to a friend anymore. Then she meets the boy next door, her walls might develop a crack or two. But really Patrick is the perfect match for Dina. So Elyse starts playing matchmaker. The more she gets to know Patrick in the process of fixing him up with Dina, the more her heart hurts at the thought of them together. But it’s too late for anything thing with Patrick. She told him she didn’t date and wasn’t interested. So what’s a girl to do?

My thoughts:

4/5 stars

I really liked this book. I loved the banter between Elyse and Patrick. This is not a “oh he’s gorgeous” giggle, giggle kind of contemporary YA story. Elyse is a strong seventeen year old who is willing to work hard and ignore the boys. She is still hurt from the last one she cared for and she isn’t willing to play that game. I love her strength as she holds to her convictions. I wasn’t as happy with Dina, her only real friend and co-worker. She was a bit flaky and gave girls a bad name. I understand the reasons for having her around, I just didn’t care for her. Patrick is a little too perfect but a great representation of the fact that there are some guys out there that aren’t jerks. I really liked that the strong female character, Elyse, didn’t get that way because of some weak pathetic male character. Patrick cares about helping people. He is slightly oblivious to what a great guy he is even though he does try and convince Elyse that he is in the 2% of guys that are not jerks. But he often blames himself when he’s done nothing wrong, a bit endearing. Elyse’s mom is a lot compulsive but I loved her anyway. Together these characters make a fun quick read that isn’t necessarily transparent.

My big issue with this book is the cover. Please, this scene never happens. No ice cream in this story. No date. I don’t see the symbolism either. I bought the book at a Borders closing sell but I don’t think I would have bought it otherwise and that is because of the cover. I’m glad that I got past that, or the sell got me past that. I really enjoyed the book and needed the break from paranormal for a while. I read this one is two sittings over two days.

I had planned on giving this book away with this review, but I found this really generous, kind person on twitter and I had to give it to her. So @Randa781, it goes in the mail tomorrow!

4 comments:

  1. I interviewed Anna Humphrey a while back on my blog and she was genuinely incredibly sweet. I want to read this one SO BADLY but just haven't gotten around to it. I'm glad you enjoyed it! Awesome review!

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  2. The problem with book covers is often the author has almost no say...the marketing team, graphic designer, or book cover artist thought this cover was a good idea, and there's no guarantee that they actually ready the book.

    Check out/follow my new blog at http://ya100words.blogspot.com/

    Its about YA lit in 100 words or Less and songs to ready by

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  3. Yay! Rhymes with Cupid sounds really good I can't wait to read it :) Thank You Valerie!!! I was wondering are you on Facebook? There is this group that I would love to invite you to join...tons of readers and writers :) ttys!

    Miranda
    miranda.grissom@gmail.com
    twitter.com/randa781

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  4. Thank you for your honest review. This book is in my wishlist. :)

    ReplyDelete