June 07, 2012

Review: Serial Hottie by Kelly Oram

Serial Hottie by Kelly Oram 
Expected publication: July 10, 2012 by Bluefields

Goodreads

Ellie’s sweet sixteen is a summer of firsts. First car. First kiss. First boyfriend. First serial-killing stalker?
Hockey-obsessed tomboy Eleanor Westley has never been the object of a guy’s affection before. So when the hottest boy she’s ever seen moves in across the street and starts treating her like she’s the center of his universe, naturally she’s going to be a little skeptical. But everything starts to make sense when girls who look just like Ellie start dying all around the city. Obviously the new guy is the killer, and of course he only likes her because he wants to slice her into tiny pieces. Right?
The more Ellie gets to know Seth the more she’s convinced he’s a psychopathic killer. The problem is he’s the sweetest psychopathic killer she’s ever met. Not to mention he’s brutally hot. No matter how hard she tries, she can’t help but fall for him. Will Ellie find true love, or will her summer of firsts turn out to be a summer of lasts?

I really enjoyed Serial Hottie. I was kind of nervous about the serial killer aspect because I was afraid this would end up being some sort of Nancy Drew thing were the main character turns into an investigator overnight, and saves the day. But that wasn’t the case, and for that, I’m grateful. I think Oram balanced the romance well with the dangers surrounding Ellie. It wasn’t such a focus of the story that it was overwhelming, but it also wasn’t done in a way that was too fluffy. It wasn’t entirely predictable, either. I didn’t have it figured out until well into the story, and even then, I wasn’t convinced that I had it figured out.

I feel like such a hypocrite right now, and that feeling is justified.

I loved Seth. I shouldn’t have. Everything he did is everything I hate in male characters. He wasn’t the ideal love interest by any stretch, with his temper and control issues. I’ve ripped other books apart for characters like Seth. I don’t know why, but for whatever reason, I didn’t feel that way about him. He had his issues but I found myself feeling sorry for him more often than anything. I think the thing that made it tolerable was the way Ellie handled it. She didn’t tolerate it, and she was smart enough to be put off by it.  Does that excuse his actions? No. But she fought back and I loved that about her. In fact, I’m not sure which of them I loved more. The characters in this book were enough to make me an Oram fan, and I will look forward to whatever else she releases. Especially if it’s contemporary YA romance!

In the end, I still didn’t think Seth was stable enough to have any business dating, but I still can’t help but love him. This book had me reading well into the night and eager to pick it back up in the morning. It was adorable and a lot of fun, I’d recommend it!

4/5 Stars


15 comments:

  1. This is the first I've heard/seen of this book - very unique premise (to me, anyway!). I'm glad it's not a Nancy Drew-type book, because although I loved those when I was little, my tastes have changed some since then. :) Great review, and thanks for sharing!

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  2. Sounds like tons of fun!The character of Seth is so true; guys have control and temper issues, hes definitely flawed and that what makes him true. Sounds like Ellie have an inner Nancy Drew. Thanks for the share:)

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  3. This sounds really good.
    erma2167@sbcglobal.net

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  4. This book sounds like a good summer read! Books about serial killers are usually dark but this sounds a little lighter and very modern! Thanks for the info!

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  5. What a fun read! I had never heard about it before, but can't wait to go find it! Thanks for the review!

    - Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl

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  6. Great review! I hadn't heard of this one yet but I will be sure to check it out!

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  8. I hadn't heard of it either. Now I want to know - who dunnit?!? I want to know what she does!
    I once had a boyfriend who after I dumped him would make my life miserable. Thankfully we lived kinda far for a teenager to easily get to me and after some old boyfriend stood up for me he left me alone. I was lucky. Creepy guy, don't even know what I saw in him.

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  9. I haven't heard of this, but now I want to read it. thx for review!!!

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  10. This sounds like a fun and light read. I have never heard of this before, but your review makes it sound awesome. I'll definitely have to put it on my TBR!Great review!

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  11. I hadn't heard of this until now, but I'm definitely adding it to my TBR! It sounds pretty good and different which is always a plus.

    Thanks for the great review!

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  12. This sounds like a fun and quick read. I will have to check it out. Thanks for the review.

    Les Johnson

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  13. i never heard on this book till now but i will def. be ading it to my reading list :D

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  14. This book sounds adorable and like something I would definitely pick up to read. I have never heard of it but now I may just have to find it! Thanks for the review :)

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  15. Sounds really fun! I wonder how much hockey is involved? (The NHL lockout has me desperate!)

    eai(at)stanfordalumni(dot)org

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