Top Ten Clues You're Clueless by Liz Czukas [Reviews]

4 out of 5 Robots!

  

Top Ten Clues You're Clueless by Liz Czukas
Genre: YA Contemporary
Release: December 9, 2014
Hardcover:  304 Pages
Publisher: Harper Teen
My Copy: Publisher
Reviewer: Shannon

Book Summary:

Top Five Things That Are Ruining Chloe’s Day

5) Working the 6:30 a.m. shift at GoodFoods Market

4) Crashing a cart into a customer’s car right in front of her snarky coworker Sammi

3) Trying to rock the “drowned rat” look after being caught in a snowstorm

2) Making zero progress with her crush, Tyson (see #3)

1) Being accused—along with her fellow teenage employees—of stealing upwards of $10,000

Chloe would rather be anywhere than locked in work jail (aka the break room) with five of her coworkers . . . even if one of them is Tyson. But if they can band together to clear their names, what looks like a total disaster might just make Chloe’s list of Top Ten Best Moments.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon's Thoughts:

Fun, fun fun.  This is the 2nd Liz Czukas book I've read and I am quickly becoming a fan.  I honestly have no complaints about this book.

In honor of Chloe's penchant for list-making, I thought I would do my top five things I like about this book:

1. Chloe's lists!  I'm a sucker for lists myself, so I felt an instant kinship with Chloe. 
2. The diversity - especially where the romance is concerned.  Chloe is redhead and her crush, Tyson, is black.  There is also a
3.  The "Breakfast Club" feel.  I love when characters who come from VERY different backgrounds find a common bond. 
4. It is fun, quirky and just the right amount of fluff for an easy rainy day read.
5. The romance takes a backseat to everything else.  It is a very sweet romance, but I am glad that there was more going on than just focusing on Chloe obsessing about her crush.

Fans of contemporary YA should check this one out!

Disclosure:  I reviewed a copy free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ask Again Later by Liz Czukas [Review]

4 out of 5 Robots!

  

Ask Again Later by Liz Czukas
Genre: YA Contemporary
Release: March 11, 2014
Hardcover: 336 Pages
Publisher: Harper Teen
My Copy: Publisher (Edelweiss)
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

Despite what her name might suggest, Heart has zero interest in complicated romance. So when her brilliant plan to go to prom with a group of friends is disrupted by two surprise invites, Heart knows there's only one drama-free solution: flip a coin.

Heads: The jock. He might spend all night staring at his ex or throw up in the limo, but how bad can her brother's best friend really be?

Tails: The theater geek...with a secret. What could be better than a guy who shares all Heart's interests--even if he wants to share all his feelings?

Heart's simple coin flip has somehow given her the chance to live out both dates. But where her prom night ends up might be the most surprising thing of all...

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon's Thoughts:

Ask Again Later is a fun, easy read.  Heart's young mother left when Heart was a baby and she refuses to become a teen mother too.  So instead she eschews dating, which she feels should uncomplicate her life.  Instead, as she discovers on prom night, it actually complicates it quite a lot.  Heart originally has plans to go to prom with her friends, but she gets two invites instead.  One with her brother's joke friend Troy.  The other with a theater crew friend.  Heart feels obligated to pick one, but can't decide.  So she flipped a coin and we follow the outcome of each date. 

While one date is decidedly better than the other, both scenarios are working towards one thing though.  As the night progress, there is a lot of lead up towards the ultimate outcome, which is admittedly sweet.  But it can also be frustrating.  Some of the characters can be annoying - whether they are willfully ignorant, unwilling to talk about how they feel, or don't take others' feelings into consideration.  But it also makes them real.  None of the characters are completely bad.  Nor are they angels. 

Overall, I thought this was fun, fluffy read and a cute premise for a prom story. 

Disclosure:  I reviewed a copy free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.