Book Review: Adorkable by Cookie O’Gorman

Synopsis for Adorkable (from Goodreads):
Adorkable (ah-dor-kuh-bul): Descriptive term meaning to be equal parts dorky and adorable. For reference, see Sally Spitz.

Seventeen-year-old Sally Spitz is done with dating. Or at least, she’s done with the horrible blind dates/hookups/sneak attacks her matchmaking bestie, Hooker, sets her up on. There’s only so much one geek girl and Gryffindor supporter can take.

Her solution: she needs a fake boyfriend. And fast.

Enter Becks, soccer phenom, all-around-hottie, and Sally’s best friend practically since birth. When Sally asks Becks to be her F.B.F. (fake boyfriend), Becks is only too happy to be used. He’d do anything for Sal–even if that means giving her PDA lessons in his bedroom, saying she’s “more than pretty,” and expertly kissing her at parties.

The problem: Sally’s been in love with Becks all her life–and he’s completely clueless.

This book features two best friends, one special edition Yoda snuggie, countless beneath-the-ear kisses and begs the question:

Who wants a real boyfriend when faking it is so much more fun?

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SERIESous’ Top Picks: Favourite YA read 2016
Author: Cookie O’Gorman
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports
Heat Rating: cool
Point of View: First Person, Single
Publication Date: March 31, 2016
Source & Format: YA Bound Tours–eARC

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thoughts

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

While I do like the cover of this novel, it was actually the title that drew me in. A nerdy heroine? Sounds just like me. (No joke). Never mind the fact that I say “adorkable” at least once a week whenever I can fit it into a conversation.

When it comes to best friends falling in love, I’m a picky girl. It’s not that I am against the idea of best friends falling in love–far from it actually. I honestly think there is nothing sweeter than falling in love with your best friend. But I hate unrequited love stories because they perpetuate the idea that girls and guys can’t be platonic friends when that is far from the truth.

So when I see a story that has two friends who most likely return the same feelings–like this one does–I’m so there! Add to that a fake boyfriend-girlfriend relationship–one of my favourite tropes in a romance–and I will immediately sign up to read it.

I think it goes without saying, I was looking forward to this book quite a lot.

The Plot:

Given the synopsis of the book, I had a pretty good idea of where this story was going to go but I was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t go exactly as I thought. There were enough interesting plot developments to make the story interesting from start to finish. It never felt like a cliché when it easily could have.

I felt like there was a great balance between the romance, the character development and the coming of age. In that respect, its story kinda reminded me of The DUFF; only replace the cynical Bianca with a nerdy and more upbeat Sally. It has its funny moments and its charming moments but it also has its real moments and I think readers will connect really well with that.

I also like that it isn’t over-dramatic! As I get older, I associate high school based stories with petty, unnecessary drama but I never felt like that with this story. It had just the right amount of drama to keep things interesting but not enough to make me roll my eyes or sigh in frustration.

The Characters:

It helps that the characters are great (more on that below) but there interactions are as equally funny as they are charming. When I wasn’t swooning from Becks or rooting for Sally, I was laughing at something someone had said or at Sally being a complete nerd (in the best way possible of course). They are so realistic and you just want these people to be your friends in real life.

Sally is so refreshing to read as a heroine. She has her own self-esteem issues that I think any girl can relate to and it was awesome to see her grow in that respect. She never looses herself despite everything that happens and I really appreciated that.

Becks and his family completely won me over. Becks was so sweet and charming and everything I wanted him to be.

The Romance:

What I love about best friends falling in love with each other is that you can see why they like each other and why they feel that way. I just loved these two so much! They understand and look out for each other so much that you only want what is best for them whatever it may be. It was great to watch everything unfold!

My Rating: 5/5

overall

I have to say that Gorman has a great flow to her writing. She had me hooked from the very first chapter and I finished this book in one sitting. It was cute, charming and funny and had me feeling all the feels. I don’t read a lot of YA contemporary but this one reminds me why I do enjoy the genre from time to time. I can’t wait to see what else Cookie O’Gorman has in store in the future!

Read if You Like: YA contemporaries, BFFs in love, fake boyfriends/girlfriends
Avoid if You: dislike contemporary romance, don’t like high school stories

similarreads

  • The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
  • Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally (Hundred Oaks Series #1)

Cookie O’Gorman
Cookie O’Gorman writes YA romance to give readers a taste of happily-ever-after. Small towns, quirky characters, and the awkward yet beautiful moments in life make up her books. Cookie also has a soft spot for nerds and ninjas. Her debut novel ADORKABLE will be released in 2016.

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