Overview
Required reading has never been so hot.
Once upon a time there was a Brooklyn hipster named Norah. Unlucky in love, and short on extracurriculars for her college apps, Norah decided to start a book group. She knew the perfect locale — a local indie bookstore with a crush-worthy cutie manning the soy latte counter.
When the first meeting arrives, Norah gets a page-turning surprise. The attendees may be bookish, but there are also a few hotties! Most noteworthy: sweet, literary James. He's like a modern Jane Austen hero.... Only, how to snag him?
Ever the romantic heroine, Norah devises a secret plan. And if it works, Norah may just find her "Happily Ever After" love story. The End.
Synopsis
Required reading has never been so hot.
Once upon a time there was a Brooklyn hipster named Norah. Unlucky in love, and short on extracurriculars for her college apps, Norah decided to start a book group. She knew the perfect locale — a local indie bookstore with a crush-worthy cutie manning the soy latte counter.
When the first meeting arrives, Norah gets a page-turning surprise. The attendees may be bookish, but there are also a few hotties! Most noteworthy: sweet, literary James. He's like a modern Jane Austen hero.... Only, how to snag him?
Ever the romantic heroine, Norah devises a secret plan. And if it works, Norah may just find her "Happily Ever After" love story. The End.
Stephanie Squicciarini - KLIATT
This newest entry in the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies line is sure to please. After being told by her guidance counselor that she needs extracurricular activities for her college applications, Norah Bloom decides to start a book group with her friends, Audre and Scott. Audre has a crush on Griffin, an employee at The Book Nook where the group will meet; Scott has sworn off love as he has just broken up with his boyfriend; and Norah has as much luck with romance as she has had with extracurricular activities--so all three are able to give the group lots of their time. Norah, as the leader, is at once excited and nervous about her role. She does, after all, have a reputation of being quite the discerning reader and is now at risk of everyone discovering her "dirty" secret--she has a serious thing for cheesy romance novels. When she is surprisingly attracted to one of the boys in the group, she devises a plan using plots from the newest purchase for her romance addiction to attract his attention. Secret crushes, altered personalities, subtle humor, and one allusive author all add up to pure fun. Readers will enjoy the references to known books and authors throughout. A must have for libraries where this line is already popular or for those looking for a light-on-the-sex-talk fun romance for their collections. KLIATT Codes: JS--Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2006, Simon & Schuster, Pulse, 234p., Ages 12 to 18.
Editorials
KLIATT
This newest entry in the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies line is sure to please. After being told by her guidance counselor that she needs extracurricular activities for her college applications, Norah Bloom decides to start a book group with her friends, Audre and Scott. Audre has a crush on Griffin, an employee at The Book Nook where the group will meet; Scott has sworn off love as he has just broken up with his boyfriend; and Norah has as much luck with romance as she has had with extracurricular activities--so all three are able to give the group lots of their time. Norah, as the leader, is at once excited and nervous about her role. She does, after all, have a reputation of being quite the discerning reader and is now at risk of everyone discovering her "dirty" secret--she has a serious thing for cheesy romance novels. When she is surprisingly attracted to one of the boys in the group, she devises a plan using plots from the newest purchase for her romance addiction to attract his attention. Secret crushes, altered personalities, subtle humor, and one allusive author all add up to pure fun. Readers will enjoy the references to known books and authors throughout. A must have for libraries where this line is already popular or for those looking for a light-on-the-sex-talk fun romance for their collections. KLIATT Codes: JS--Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2006, Simon & Schuster, Pulse, 234p., Ages 12 to 18.—Stephanie Squicciarini