February 05, 2012

Review: Awkward by Marni Bates

Awkward by Marni Bates
Paperback, 300 pages
Published January 1, 2012 by Kensington

Mackenzie Wellesley has spent her life avoiding the spotlight. At Smith High, she's the awkward junior people only notice when they need help with homework. Until she sends a burly football player flying with her massive backpack and makes a disastrous - not to mention unwelcome - attempt at CPR. Before the day is out, the whole fiasco explodes on YouTube. And then the strangest thing happens. Suddenly, Mackenzie is an Internet sensation, with four million hits and counting. Sucked into a whirlwind of rock stars, paparazzi, and free designer clothes, she even catches the eye of the most popular guy at school. And that's when life gets really interesting...

 I was extremely surprised by Awkward. It sounded cute, but I will admit the cover made me a bit wary to read it. It looked like this story would be geared toward younger teens, more toward the middle grade age, and I was afraid I wouldn’t end up liking it for this reason. Lucky for me, that isn’t the case.

Awkward is the first book I’ve read in quite some time where I completely let go, and just enjoyed the story. I didn’t over-think things like I normally do, and it was heaps of fun. I read it in one sitting, having nothing to complain about.

Awkward had that slow building romance, the kind with stolen glances and subtle flirting. Seeing as how I am not a fan of insta-love, I loved that about Awkward.  I also liked that there was more to the story than just the romance. (Which, might I add, is of the first love variety, not the OMG WE’RE SOULMATES variety. A plus.) There is a plot that drives the story, and Mackenzie’s relationship with Logan is just an added bonuses. The friendships were handled well, and I loved the loyalty they had to each other.

The characters are relatable. There is the typical high school hierarchy, but I think Awkward does a good job of using this to battle stereo-types.  Mackenzie is intelligent and charming, and has her priorities straight. But all in all, she is invisible, and I think many of us can relate to that. Unless you were part of the popular crowds, but let’s face it, that is a much smaller percentage than those of us who didn’t draw a lot of attention. But Mackenzie is different. She actually likes the invisibility. She doesn’t want to be noticed, and that is definitely something I could relate to.

Overall, Awkward was such a fun read, it is probably something I would reread when I want to relax and read something that I know will make me smile. I’d definitely recommend it to those who love the “aww” inspiring contemporary novels.

4 out of 5 Stars!



6 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you liked this book. I can't wait to read this book. Now because of you I want to bump it up.

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  2. Aw, I want to read this now!!! Glad you enjoyed it!

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  3. I've got this on my list and now I'm even more excited to start it! I love an aww inducing contemporary! Thanks for sharing your thoughs :0)

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  4. I love the cover, and now I really want to read this! Thanks!!

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  5. Sounds like an awesome book and I love the cover. I have it on my TRL.

    Mary

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  6. I have this book on my wishlist because it sounds amazing in the description but now I want it even more. I read a lot of fantasy(Okay, I read only fantasy with a few exceptions..) and I think I need a change. This book sounds like a good start to that change. I would most definitely relate to Mackenzie, with wanting to be invisible most of the time.. I hope I get a chance to read it soon! Thanks for the review!

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