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How to Date a Nerd
Zoe has a great pair of legs, perky boobs, and wears exactly what she needs to show it all off. She works hard for the easy sleazy ‘you only wish you were me� reputation, burying who she really is—an all-out nerd.
The only time Zoe gets to be herself is when she hides under her comforter to read X-Men comics, sending jealousy stabs at everyone who attends Comic-Con. Keeping up her popular rep is too important, and she’s so damn insecure to care about the consequences. But when Zoe’s sister takes her car for a ‘crash and burn into a tree� joyride, her parents get her a replacement. A manual. Something she doesn’t know how to operate, but her next door neighbor Zak sure as heck does.
Zak’s a geek to the core, shunned by everyone in school for playing Dungeons and Dragons at lunch and wearing “Use the Force� t-shirts. And Zoe’s got it bad for the boy. Only Zak doesn’t want Popular Zoe. He wants Geek Zoe.
She has to shove her insecurities and the fear of dropping a few rungs on the social ladder aside to prove to Zak who she really is and who she wants to be� if she can figure it out herself.
The only time Zoe gets to be herself is when she hides under her comforter to read X-Men comics, sending jealousy stabs at everyone who attends Comic-Con. Keeping up her popular rep is too important, and she’s so damn insecure to care about the consequences. But when Zoe’s sister takes her car for a ‘crash and burn into a tree� joyride, her parents get her a replacement. A manual. Something she doesn’t know how to operate, but her next door neighbor Zak sure as heck does.
Zak’s a geek to the core, shunned by everyone in school for playing Dungeons and Dragons at lunch and wearing “Use the Force� t-shirts. And Zoe’s got it bad for the boy. Only Zak doesn’t want Popular Zoe. He wants Geek Zoe.
She has to shove her insecurities and the fear of dropping a few rungs on the social ladder aside to prove to Zak who she really is and who she wants to be� if she can figure it out herself.
247 pages, ebook
First published March 20, 2012
87 people are currently reading
2,775 people want to read
About the author
Cassie Mae
45books1,148followersCASSIE MAE is the author of a few hundred—okay, maybe not that many—books, some of which became popular for their quirky titles, characters, and stories. She likes writing about nerds, geeks, the awkward, the fluffy, the short, the shy, the loud, the fun.
Since publishing her bestselling debut, Reasons I Fell for the Funny Fat Friend, she’s signed several Romance titles with Random House Loveswept, and founded CookieLynn Publishing Services. She is represented by Sharon Pelletier at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.
Along with writing, Cassie likes to binge-watch Once Upon a Time and The Flash. She can quote Harry Potter lines quick as a whip. And she likes kissing her hubby, but only if his facial hair is trimmed. She also likes cheesecake to a very obsessive degree.
You can stalk, talk, or send pictures of Luke Bryan to her on her Facebook page.
cassiemaeauthor.com
Since publishing her bestselling debut, Reasons I Fell for the Funny Fat Friend, she’s signed several Romance titles with Random House Loveswept, and founded CookieLynn Publishing Services. She is represented by Sharon Pelletier at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.
Along with writing, Cassie likes to binge-watch Once Upon a Time and The Flash. She can quote Harry Potter lines quick as a whip. And she likes kissing her hubby, but only if his facial hair is trimmed. She also likes cheesecake to a very obsessive degree.
You can stalk, talk, or send pictures of Luke Bryan to her on her Facebook page.
cassiemaeauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 352 reviews
December 5, 2013
5 PERFECTLY NERDY STARS
Cassie Mae is fast becoming my go-to-author for when I need a young adult sweet, funny fix. There are times when I crave a book that is cute, silly, predictable and full of all things 'Young love'. With that in mind that's just what I found here with this delightfully nerdy and at times touching novel. Welcome to 'How to date a nerd' a book that has that 'don't-stop-now-I'm-having-a-good-time' quality stamped all over it ... Here are my nerdy loving book thoughts.
What's it all about?
Zoe is a young teen who has found herself turning her back on all her nerdy, intelligent ways. This wannabe 'it' girl has made her way up the food chain as one of the popular girls at her high school, trouble is Zoe is still the same girl on the inside and longs to learn how to be herself, but with a history of being an outcast will Zoe give it all up to embrace the real her? Zac knows the real Zoe inside and out, they used to be best friends so he has never given up hope that the girl he loves will find herself once again. But with Zoe's reputation at risk and the possibility of heartache will these love birds find a way to love against all odds?
What did I love?
This book showcases the best of young adult novels. It has a great message of being true to yourself and finding love. It's a cute, funny, silly and at times out right touching tale, with a coming of age theme that reminded me of how it feels to learn how to love yourself and others. I was completely charmed by this book, Cassie Mae has a special way of making her books come alive with characters that could be your best friend/little sister/first love/next door neighbour. Her humour and quick witted writing comes together to form the sweetest of stories and even the 'not so nice' aspects of the story telling are light hearted and comical. 'How to date a nerd' has personality by the bucket load, pages full of heart warming friendship and loving affection that melted my heart. I love books like this and I'm excited to read more by this gorgeous author. Both Zac and Zoe as leading characters were adorable I loved reading their journey to happiness, the author did a great job of making them stand out as a relatable, cute couple. As with most YA books the drama can be immature and exasperating but both these high school students stole my book moments away with their nerdy, charming ways.
Final thoughts ...
Warning those that do not connect with books of this genre need to stay clear. There's nothing new about this story line but in my opinion it has an utterly charming predictability. As with all books there will be readers who won't connect with this books message. But if you like sweet, funny and well written YA novels then you will love this book, which is written with a refreshing lightness and will undoubtably leave most readers with a heart full of silliness and love. So if all the above has got your attention, go grab it readers. Enjoy ... Kisses.
*This Book was generously gifted from the author, Cassie Mae In exchange for an honest review*
Cassie Mae is fast becoming my go-to-author for when I need a young adult sweet, funny fix. There are times when I crave a book that is cute, silly, predictable and full of all things 'Young love'. With that in mind that's just what I found here with this delightfully nerdy and at times touching novel. Welcome to 'How to date a nerd' a book that has that 'don't-stop-now-I'm-having-a-good-time' quality stamped all over it ... Here are my nerdy loving book thoughts.
What's it all about?
Zoe is a young teen who has found herself turning her back on all her nerdy, intelligent ways. This wannabe 'it' girl has made her way up the food chain as one of the popular girls at her high school, trouble is Zoe is still the same girl on the inside and longs to learn how to be herself, but with a history of being an outcast will Zoe give it all up to embrace the real her? Zac knows the real Zoe inside and out, they used to be best friends so he has never given up hope that the girl he loves will find herself once again. But with Zoe's reputation at risk and the possibility of heartache will these love birds find a way to love against all odds?
What did I love?
This book showcases the best of young adult novels. It has a great message of being true to yourself and finding love. It's a cute, funny, silly and at times out right touching tale, with a coming of age theme that reminded me of how it feels to learn how to love yourself and others. I was completely charmed by this book, Cassie Mae has a special way of making her books come alive with characters that could be your best friend/little sister/first love/next door neighbour. Her humour and quick witted writing comes together to form the sweetest of stories and even the 'not so nice' aspects of the story telling are light hearted and comical. 'How to date a nerd' has personality by the bucket load, pages full of heart warming friendship and loving affection that melted my heart. I love books like this and I'm excited to read more by this gorgeous author. Both Zac and Zoe as leading characters were adorable I loved reading their journey to happiness, the author did a great job of making them stand out as a relatable, cute couple. As with most YA books the drama can be immature and exasperating but both these high school students stole my book moments away with their nerdy, charming ways.
Final thoughts ...
Warning those that do not connect with books of this genre need to stay clear. There's nothing new about this story line but in my opinion it has an utterly charming predictability. As with all books there will be readers who won't connect with this books message. But if you like sweet, funny and well written YA novels then you will love this book, which is written with a refreshing lightness and will undoubtably leave most readers with a heart full of silliness and love. So if all the above has got your attention, go grab it readers. Enjoy ... Kisses.
*This Book was generously gifted from the author, Cassie Mae In exchange for an honest review*
August 27, 2013
I can not tell you how much I love this book. I too was a closet nerd in high school. I'd sneak home just in time for Star Trek. Zoe is so many girls out there in school right now. They want to be popular, want to fit it, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to make people love them. I think that's why I fell in love with her from the minute I read her list of rules. She's constructed this idea that the life she lives makes her happy but then a pesky little thing happens... Zak. How can you ignore the adorableness of this guy? He is one of my favorite book guys because he kinda of reminds me of my geeky husband who loves Star Wars and comic books. His character really brought out the best in Zoe and they make such a cute nerd couple.
Even if you don't speak elvish or know all the answers to the Harry Potter game you will still be able to find so much to love about this book and these characters. Most of us in high school hid who we were to be liked. Or maybe we didn't even know who we were at the time. This book really shows how growing up helps us become who we were meant to be. Even if that means wearing glow in the dark Green Lantern t-shirts.
Even if you don't speak elvish or know all the answers to the Harry Potter game you will still be able to find so much to love about this book and these characters. Most of us in high school hid who we were to be liked. Or maybe we didn't even know who we were at the time. This book really shows how growing up helps us become who we were meant to be. Even if that means wearing glow in the dark Green Lantern t-shirts.
September 2, 2013
10 STARS..But realistically we will give it 5 since thats they way it goes.
I received a ARC for an honest review
When I first heard Cassie was writing How to Date a Nerd I admit there may have been some happy dancing going on,Im not going to lie.When I hear that the awesome Cassie is writing another book your darn right Im going to get excited.
Lets delve right in without any spoilers,mmmkay?Zoe is the epitome of mean girl at school.Not going to lie I envisioned Lindsey Lohan in the movie Mean Girls.
But Zoe was 10 times better then Lindsey.The catch here is that Zoe is a closet nerd.Majorly closet nerd.She doesn't want to risk her reputation of being popular..possibly loose and somewhat mean.Say what?How can you possibly like a girl like that?Easy.Its a facade.Perhaps a bad choice on Zoe's part but a facade is what it is.You will learn why Zoe is the way she is once you read How to Date a Nerd. Zac is the boy next door and the boy Zoe has the hots for.The problem?Zacs a nerd.Major nerd.Like one that would ruin Zoe's Popularity.But he's also happens to be a really HOT nerd.I have to say the ending was amazing and I wasn't prepared for how satisfying it would be.It left me literally hungry for more.Will Zoe finally overcome her fears of not being popular or will she choose popularity over love?
The writing as always flows amazingly smooth.The story draws you and keeps you entrenched in Zoe's we will say mental battle with the battle of popularity or nerd.Cassie makes writing a review easy because I can find nothing to critique her on.Period.Want some critiquing,Cassie ? You need squirrels in your book.There.
I am utterly convinced that Cassie is the next big thing.She is an amazing writer and I dive into her books the minute I can.You will not be disappointed.Give How to Date a Nerd a try..You will not be disappointed.Congratulations Cassie on another amazing book.
I received a ARC for an honest review
When I first heard Cassie was writing How to Date a Nerd I admit there may have been some happy dancing going on,Im not going to lie.When I hear that the awesome Cassie is writing another book your darn right Im going to get excited.
Lets delve right in without any spoilers,mmmkay?Zoe is the epitome of mean girl at school.Not going to lie I envisioned Lindsey Lohan in the movie Mean Girls.
But Zoe was 10 times better then Lindsey.The catch here is that Zoe is a closet nerd.Majorly closet nerd.She doesn't want to risk her reputation of being popular..possibly loose and somewhat mean.Say what?How can you possibly like a girl like that?Easy.Its a facade.Perhaps a bad choice on Zoe's part but a facade is what it is.You will learn why Zoe is the way she is once you read How to Date a Nerd. Zac is the boy next door and the boy Zoe has the hots for.The problem?Zacs a nerd.Major nerd.Like one that would ruin Zoe's Popularity.But he's also happens to be a really HOT nerd.I have to say the ending was amazing and I wasn't prepared for how satisfying it would be.It left me literally hungry for more.Will Zoe finally overcome her fears of not being popular or will she choose popularity over love?
The writing as always flows amazingly smooth.The story draws you and keeps you entrenched in Zoe's we will say mental battle with the battle of popularity or nerd.Cassie makes writing a review easy because I can find nothing to critique her on.Period.Want some critiquing,Cassie ? You need squirrels in your book.There.
I am utterly convinced that Cassie is the next big thing.She is an amazing writer and I dive into her books the minute I can.You will not be disappointed.Give How to Date a Nerd a try..You will not be disappointed.Congratulations Cassie on another amazing book.
November 24, 2013
Yeap, I finished this one in one sitting. And yeah, I did love it. It was sweet and funny.
When I read books like this one or watch movies I always wonder if bullying is in fact so bad in US. Don't get me wrong, the phenomenon exists in Greece too but in all my years at school I never came across or even heard of so extreme cases. Of course some kids are teased and made fun of but not at this level. I've never known anyone who was thrown food, got beat up or ended up hiding in the toilet. Also, even popular kids weren't such a big issue. I can honestly say that I have never seen school activity stop because a popular kid did something unpopular-like. Popular kids were normal kids with a lot of friends. Unpopular kids were normal kids with one or two friends. The End. If things in the US schools are indeed how they are depicted in movies and books it makes me really happy to have been born in a country with so much less racism.
About the book...The story was easy to read and although you did feel sorry for Zoe through the whole of it, the angst never became so much as to frustrate you. I thing I like Cassie Mae's way of writing. The story seems like it was in reality written in the journal of a teenager. It makes it seem authentic.
Zoe is a pretty messed up girl. She is a dork, who knows that is a dork, who likes being a dork BUT she hides all that behind an "evil cheerleader type" of girl just because she can't take the bullying any more. What I liked about this heroine was that she knew that by pretending to be a bitch she had become one two. Maybe she didn't realise exactly how much damage had been done but she knew it was there. Although at times I had the feeling that I should hate her for being ashamed of herself and her "friends" I couldn't bring myself too. How many teenagers around the world wish they could have been someone else?? She just went one step ahead and did it.
Zak on the other hand I didn't get for most of the book. Don't misunderstand me, he was sweet and funny and Zoe was right in liking him. What I don't get is how he could stay stuck up on her after all the shit she pulled on him. Well, I guess that's what being in love does to you. I was satisfied though when he proved to have known that Zoe hadn't changed all that much. I understood why he would have stayed in love with her since he knew that deep down Zoe was still the geeky friend he had once been all over.
Another thing I liked about the book was that it was clear whom Zoe wanted. She may have flirted and made out with some boys to keep up her "popular girl" persona but she always knew that the one she really wanted was Zak. This minimised the drama a little bit.
Tbh I would have preferred not to be liked because I was a geek(even if I got teased about it) to not being liked because I was a slutty bitch. But still I've never had this kind of problems at school so who knows?
In general the books is pleasant and I will definitely try the rest when they come out! The truth is I considered giving it a 4* but I can't. I know I've read better books, with more work done on them but I think we should rate books based on their goals. This one is a book for teenagers, sty to keep you entertained for some time. So 5* it is.
When I read books like this one or watch movies I always wonder if bullying is in fact so bad in US. Don't get me wrong, the phenomenon exists in Greece too but in all my years at school I never came across or even heard of so extreme cases. Of course some kids are teased and made fun of but not at this level. I've never known anyone who was thrown food, got beat up or ended up hiding in the toilet. Also, even popular kids weren't such a big issue. I can honestly say that I have never seen school activity stop because a popular kid did something unpopular-like. Popular kids were normal kids with a lot of friends. Unpopular kids were normal kids with one or two friends. The End. If things in the US schools are indeed how they are depicted in movies and books it makes me really happy to have been born in a country with so much less racism.
About the book...The story was easy to read and although you did feel sorry for Zoe through the whole of it, the angst never became so much as to frustrate you. I thing I like Cassie Mae's way of writing. The story seems like it was in reality written in the journal of a teenager. It makes it seem authentic.
Zoe is a pretty messed up girl. She is a dork, who knows that is a dork, who likes being a dork BUT she hides all that behind an "evil cheerleader type" of girl just because she can't take the bullying any more. What I liked about this heroine was that she knew that by pretending to be a bitch she had become one two. Maybe she didn't realise exactly how much damage had been done but she knew it was there. Although at times I had the feeling that I should hate her for being ashamed of herself and her "friends" I couldn't bring myself too. How many teenagers around the world wish they could have been someone else?? She just went one step ahead and did it.
Zak on the other hand I didn't get for most of the book. Don't misunderstand me, he was sweet and funny and Zoe was right in liking him. What I don't get is how he could stay stuck up on her after all the shit she pulled on him. Well, I guess that's what being in love does to you. I was satisfied though when he proved to have known that Zoe hadn't changed all that much. I understood why he would have stayed in love with her since he knew that deep down Zoe was still the geeky friend he had once been all over.
Another thing I liked about the book was that it was clear whom Zoe wanted. She may have flirted and made out with some boys to keep up her "popular girl" persona but she always knew that the one she really wanted was Zak. This minimised the drama a little bit.
Tbh I would have preferred not to be liked because I was a geek(even if I got teased about it) to not being liked because I was a slutty bitch. But still I've never had this kind of problems at school so who knows?
In general the books is pleasant and I will definitely try the rest when they come out! The truth is I considered giving it a 4* but I can't. I know I've read better books, with more work done on them but I think we should rate books based on their goals. This one is a book for teenagers, sty to keep you entertained for some time. So 5* it is.
July 5, 2016
"Why the X-Men? Why this book? Why not the sisterhood of the what's-it pants book? Or The Notebook? Or a book at all? Why read this book?"
"Cause it's frakking awesome."
He chuckles. "Why?"
"Zak ..."
"Humor me."
Gosh, I'd do anything for him right now. Even talk nerd with him.
"I dunno. I guess 'cause they are all totally hated for being different and still the fight to save the people who hate them, and that's pretty heroic." I pause before adding, "And they are all super badass."
What I want after reading this book :
A nerdy boyfriend who talk about Star Wars and love X-Men like Zak *dreamy eyes*
Review to come ... well when I'm in the mood to write a review lol
"Cause it's frakking awesome."
He chuckles. "Why?"
"Zak ..."
"Humor me."
Gosh, I'd do anything for him right now. Even talk nerd with him.
"I dunno. I guess 'cause they are all totally hated for being different and still the fight to save the people who hate them, and that's pretty heroic." I pause before adding, "And they are all super badass."
What I want after reading this book :
A nerdy boyfriend who talk about Star Wars and love X-Men like Zak *dreamy eyes*
Review to come ... well when I'm in the mood to write a review lol
November 19, 2018
Let's see, where do I start?
Firstly, it think its fair to say I'm beyond disappointed. This book has such a cute overall idea: the school "it girl" is head over hells for her geek neighbour. I thought this was a fun, light read full of cute moments with a lot of character development. If only.
Zoe is a "closet nerd", she was bullied through middle school so she decides to turn her life 180 degrees around. By becoming a bitch. Yes. That's it. To be popular, and therefore "envied and wanted" she need to skip classes, humiliate people, lie 24/7, let boys feel her up and use a lot of skimpy clothes. With boobs almost exploding. Oh, yeah, and treat all her old friends like crap.
Zak, aka dorky neighbour aka punchbag yes, I know ZaKKK is a sweetheart. This boy is actually the reason I manage to finish this book. He deserves SO MUCH better than Zoe that's almost painful to accept that they get together in the end. He helps her with every shit she throws up on him: being ridiculously drunk, getting rides to school, learning how to drive, being the only person with whom she can actually be herself and she screws him over and over and over again. And over.
I truly tried to like this book but its impossible when I can't even like Zoe one tiny bit. She's selfish, conceit (there's no stopping her from talking about how guys want to have her and girls want to be her) mean and EVERY single time she realizes that she's being a horrible person, she just cries and keeps on doing it! She cries in almost every chapter of this book I mean, wth girl? The worst part is that she even talks about how good her life is, but then a few pages later she's crying about how she doesn't really have friends, because everyone that surrounds her is so selfish and fake. She does this "thing" every time she has any kind of possible negative feeling (like when her parents cannot afford right away a cute sports car and give her a simple manual one, uh, thanks would be great) and blows up her cheeks to look like a baiacu. Maybe that's suppose to be cute, maybe thats an anxiety technic, I just find annoying and makes her look even more like a spoiled brat.
She's mean to her parents who work really hard to give her and her sister a comfortable life, she's a terrible role-model to her 14 years old sister who actually That's another thing that really bugs me. She keeps on saying "that's not the real me""real me would never do this" but she does nothing to change her ways.
She gets utterly drunk AND basically forces herself into this sophomore . Also, knowing that this guy with whom she locked lips (and tongues) and touched him is
I mean, there's so much so wrong in this book. Zoe literally dismisses a sexual assault from one of her many boyfriends. Like it was nothing! Around 80% of the book she is trying to embrace her inner geekiness and tries to make things right with Zak-the-punchbag but honestly? It was not nearly enough for me to forgive all that crap she did. All the overly mean stuff she said to him, the horrible way she treated him, the way she went through some crazy lengths just not to be seem with him. And the boy still likes her? Sorry. I just can't.
Anyway, thats it. This book was crap, I though this would be a cute high school romance series, but it's not. The next books may have some potential but I'm gonna pass them. Thanks.
Firstly, it think its fair to say I'm beyond disappointed. This book has such a cute overall idea: the school "it girl" is head over hells for her geek neighbour. I thought this was a fun, light read full of cute moments with a lot of character development. If only.
Zoe is a "closet nerd", she was bullied through middle school so she decides to turn her life 180 degrees around. By becoming a bitch. Yes. That's it. To be popular, and therefore "envied and wanted" she need to skip classes, humiliate people, lie 24/7, let boys feel her up and use a lot of skimpy clothes. With boobs almost exploding. Oh, yeah, and treat all her old friends like crap.
Zak, aka dorky neighbour aka punchbag
I truly tried to like this book but its impossible when I can't even like Zoe one tiny bit. She's selfish, conceit (there's no stopping her from talking about how guys want to have her and girls want to be her) mean and EVERY single time she realizes that she's being a horrible person, she just cries and keeps on doing it! She cries in almost every chapter of this book I mean, wth girl? The worst part is that she even talks about how good her life is, but then a few pages later she's crying about how she doesn't really have friends, because everyone that surrounds her is so selfish and fake. She does this "thing" every time she has any kind of possible negative feeling (like when her parents cannot afford right away a cute sports car and give her a simple manual one, uh, thanks would be great) and blows up her cheeks to look like a baiacu. Maybe that's suppose to be cute, maybe thats an anxiety technic, I just find annoying and makes her look even more like a spoiled brat.
She's mean to her parents who work really hard to give her and her sister a comfortable life, she's a terrible role-model to her 14 years old sister who actually That's another thing that really bugs me. She keeps on saying "that's not the real me""real me would never do this" but she does nothing to change her ways.
She gets utterly drunk AND basically forces herself into this sophomore . Also, knowing that this guy with whom she locked lips (and tongues) and touched him is
I mean, there's so much so wrong in this book. Zoe literally dismisses a sexual assault from one of her many boyfriends. Like it was nothing! Around 80% of the book she is trying to embrace her inner geekiness and tries to make things right with Zak-the-punchbag but honestly? It was not nearly enough for me to forgive all that crap she did. All the overly mean stuff she said to him, the horrible way she treated him, the way she went through some crazy lengths just not to be seem with him. And the boy still likes her? Sorry. I just can't.
Anyway, thats it. This book was crap, I though this would be a cute high school romance series, but it's not. The next books may have some potential but I'm gonna pass them. Thanks.
December 8, 2013
this book was just plain adorable. � � �
the book was just so refreshing. i really needed a quick, fluffy, cute book to read. after all the dark and depression books i've read. lol
this is a story of the popular Zoe who has the HOT on her next door neighbor who happens to be an ex-bff/nerd (major nerd) i'm talking about Pokemon cards in his front button up shirt pockets. Zoe has hard time dealing with her problems and who she really is.
this book is was just too cute and unrealistic at some points but totally worth the adorableness.
i'm glad i read this book. i totally feel refreshed and ready to read ALL DARKs now lol. also this book is the kind of book you read when you feel other books are becoming too much and you feel like you need a break from everything.
i recommend it with a very good mood. :)
the book was just so refreshing. i really needed a quick, fluffy, cute book to read. after all the dark and depression books i've read. lol
this is a story of the popular Zoe who has the HOT on her next door neighbor who happens to be an ex-bff/nerd (major nerd) i'm talking about Pokemon cards in his front button up shirt pockets. Zoe has hard time dealing with her problems and who she really is.
this book is was just too cute and unrealistic at some points but totally worth the adorableness.
i'm glad i read this book. i totally feel refreshed and ready to read ALL DARKs now lol. also this book is the kind of book you read when you feel other books are becoming too much and you feel like you need a break from everything.
i recommend it with a very good mood. :)
Read
March 24, 2014After 50 pages in...maybe it was my mood, but this wasn't really a book for me. Way too much language (crude talk and swearing--s, b especially). Zoe was so desperate to get Zak's attention that she would undress in front of the window where he could see, would always stuff her phone down her chest and slowly get it out, etc. There was also a scene where a boy tried to force a girl into doing something she didn't want to do. Nothing overly graphic, but a little uncomfortable, and then she tried to blow it off. I'm sure there are some readers who will love this, but it just wasn't for me. Now, if you take some of that content out, I would adore it because the storyline is really cute.
September 8, 2016
Although I was pretty frustrated with Zoe in the beginning, this turned out to be pretty good. Not as good as , but better than .
(Zak didnt have glasses, but this guy is hot so he is gonna be my Zak for now. :P)
I hated Zoe at first because of the way she behaved at school. She may have been just pretending to care about nothing but fashion and boys and herself, but in the process she put herself before everyone, she hurt people's feelings and she was willing to do it, so that makes her a bad person for real.
Zak was a total sweetie pie who she did not deserve. I was making constant comparisons to Trevor from while reading this, but in the end I think I liked Zak more, although its been awhile so I'm not sure. Zak was such a nice person who gave Zoe so many second chances. Even after all the times Zoe hurt him and turned her back on him, he agrees to help her out and accepts her back again and again. He claimed to not have much forgiveness left in him if she failed him again, but he had already forgiven her more times than she deserved.
"I'd let it go because I knew it wasn't the girl at school under this blanket. It was my friend."
But I gotta admit they made a cute couple. When Zoe wasnt being a bitch and they were just hanging out, they could be pretty adorable. And I loved how Zoe described Zak playing with his lightsaber keychain when he got nervous. That's so cool! I have a few Star Wars keychains myself, but not a lightsaber one. :P I'd imagine its one that lit up.
I enjoyed Zoe's dramatic speech at the end. It was very much like a teen movie. Like Never Been Kissed or Easy-A. I think this would make a good movie. I wish her speech would have been longer though, and that she had said something about herself. The speech she made showed that she was willing to become the nerd she used to be again. But if she had said more she could have made it clear that she had never really stopped being Geek Zoe.
"I march right up to a table in the center of the cafeteria. People are sitting at it, but I don't care. I climb on top and look at my audience, which is now half the student body. Everyone is telling their friends to look in my direction, some already laughing, but most are gaping at me.
I unzip my jacket and toss it on the floor. Here I stand in my bright blue Superman shirt.
"The Star Trek franchise includes six series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise, totaling 726 episodes..."
From reading the Acknowledgments at the end of this book, I would guess that is a true nerd herself, but perhaps not a Whovian. She kept writing Doctor Who as Dr. Who, which is just wrong and doesn't make sense. A true Whovian would know that. But this book has encouraged me to continue reading more of her books. I love her writing and characters and humour, although I may not always like the weird twist she always has in her stories. But I am looking forward to reading because the male lead is Levi, a friend that Zoe made in this book. He was really nice and super hot. He always reminded Zoe of Zak and made her miss him. :P But Levi was a few years younger so it makes sense that he could be a love interest for her sister. Although Sierra was only 14 in this book. A few years better have gone by by book 2.
(Zak didnt have glasses, but this guy is hot so he is gonna be my Zak for now. :P)
I hated Zoe at first because of the way she behaved at school. She may have been just pretending to care about nothing but fashion and boys and herself, but in the process she put herself before everyone, she hurt people's feelings and she was willing to do it, so that makes her a bad person for real.
Zak was a total sweetie pie who she did not deserve. I was making constant comparisons to Trevor from while reading this, but in the end I think I liked Zak more, although its been awhile so I'm not sure. Zak was such a nice person who gave Zoe so many second chances. Even after all the times Zoe hurt him and turned her back on him, he agrees to help her out and accepts her back again and again. He claimed to not have much forgiveness left in him if she failed him again, but he had already forgiven her more times than she deserved.
"I'd let it go because I knew it wasn't the girl at school under this blanket. It was my friend."
But I gotta admit they made a cute couple. When Zoe wasnt being a bitch and they were just hanging out, they could be pretty adorable. And I loved how Zoe described Zak playing with his lightsaber keychain when he got nervous. That's so cool! I have a few Star Wars keychains myself, but not a lightsaber one. :P I'd imagine its one that lit up.
I enjoyed Zoe's dramatic speech at the end. It was very much like a teen movie. Like Never Been Kissed or Easy-A. I think this would make a good movie. I wish her speech would have been longer though, and that she had said something about herself. The speech she made showed that she was willing to become the nerd she used to be again. But if she had said more she could have made it clear that she had never really stopped being Geek Zoe.
"I march right up to a table in the center of the cafeteria. People are sitting at it, but I don't care. I climb on top and look at my audience, which is now half the student body. Everyone is telling their friends to look in my direction, some already laughing, but most are gaping at me.
I unzip my jacket and toss it on the floor. Here I stand in my bright blue Superman shirt.
"The Star Trek franchise includes six series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise, totaling 726 episodes..."
From reading the Acknowledgments at the end of this book, I would guess that is a true nerd herself, but perhaps not a Whovian. She kept writing Doctor Who as Dr. Who, which is just wrong and doesn't make sense. A true Whovian would know that. But this book has encouraged me to continue reading more of her books. I love her writing and characters and humour, although I may not always like the weird twist she always has in her stories. But I am looking forward to reading because the male lead is Levi, a friend that Zoe made in this book. He was really nice and super hot. He always reminded Zoe of Zak and made her miss him. :P But Levi was a few years younger so it makes sense that he could be a love interest for her sister. Although Sierra was only 14 in this book. A few years better have gone by by book 2.
May 22, 2014
The one thing I took away from this, well, besides the fits of laughter I found myself in throughout, is how true to life it is. This might be a fictional book, but the struggle Zoe faced, not being true to herself because of how people would treat her if she did, it's realistic. It's what a lot of teens face daily and I think that's what kept me going through the entire story because I wanted to see her realize that breaking away from the "norm" doesn't have to be such a bad thing.
This story really does have everything. Characters you can identify with, no matter how old you are, comedic moments, the sweetest little love story ever and even a book boyfriend or two. Levi! Ah! What a lovely little surprise he was. I want more with him now. Then there was Zak. I absolutely loved Zak. He never gave up despite the times when everything screamed that he should have. Definite book boyfriend material.
I'm quickly becoming a Cassie Mae fan girl with the way I react to her stories and I can't wait to read more of them! Definitely recommend this book to everyone, regardless of the genre you like most, because you will find something in it that you identify with. I would rate this even higher than a 5 if I could. It's absolutely brilliant!
This story really does have everything. Characters you can identify with, no matter how old you are, comedic moments, the sweetest little love story ever and even a book boyfriend or two. Levi! Ah! What a lovely little surprise he was. I want more with him now. Then there was Zak. I absolutely loved Zak. He never gave up despite the times when everything screamed that he should have. Definite book boyfriend material.
I'm quickly becoming a Cassie Mae fan girl with the way I react to her stories and I can't wait to read more of them! Definitely recommend this book to everyone, regardless of the genre you like most, because you will find something in it that you identify with. I would rate this even higher than a 5 if I could. It's absolutely brilliant!
January 27, 2014
This is hands down my favourite YA / NA read. I adore Zak. I want to hug Zoe. Everything about the nerdisms, the dialogue, the laugh-out loud awkwardness is perfect awesomesauce.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
July 12, 2014
You can read this and other reviews at
Here we go again with this big, goofy, stupid looking grin. I can’t wipe it off my face. Trust me, I’ve tried. My husband is beginning to worry about my sanity. It. Just. Will. Not. Leave. My. Face! My cheeks literally hurt. Cassie Mae, you are a frakking genius! The way you write� The storylines you dream up... All of it serves to further my opinion that YOU are a nerdy mastermind, hell bent on taking the literary world by storm. (Ha. Storm made me think of X-men which totally fits in with the storyline. Maybe you’re not the only genius running around out here in cyber space.)
Yeah. I’m a total closeted nerd.
I’m not cool with pity glares in the hallways, painful jabs, and social scars. No thanks. It’s much easier to keep my true nature hidden beneath layers of eyeliner, skimpy outfits, and even I must admit to myself, a rockin� body.
Zoe is living a lie. Literally. Being queen of the nerds in middle school wasn’t cutting it. The summer before high school changed all that. Armed with enough romantic teen comedies to entertain a troop of 12 year olds, Zoe begins her research into non-dorkdom. Leaving behind her nerd ways meant leaving behind her friends, too - one in particular, Zak, the nerd next door � king of the dorks.
Problem � Zoe is in freakin� love with Zak. Like, flat out, head over flipping heels, love. All her booty shaking and underwear flashing, doesn’t seem to faze him, and keeping up her “popular persona� is becoming a chore she could do without. It’s exhausting trying to hide your obsession with X-men, Harry Potty and Star Trek. If only she could let her freak flag fly, but being her dorky self is just too scary. What will people say? How will she survive? Then there’s Zak� Maybe being a dork is worth it; maybe being herself is worth it, if she gets to do it with him.
I’m a freaking horrible person who made out with some random guy before stumbling after a guy who I’m face over feet for and I don’t know why. And I just� I miss being me.
I cannot give this book high enough praise. We’ve all been to high school, and maybe some of you are there now. It’s one of the best and worst times in a young person’s life. It’s so easy to feel insecure about yourself. If I could go back 14 years, (Holy hell! 14 years�) to my senior year of high school, I’d tell my very apprehensive self, to just be, me. To do what makes me happy, and forget about everyone else. AND…that’s exactly what I wanted to scream into my kindle for more than half of this book. If people don’t like you for who you are, they’re obviously not worth your time. Life is too short for that nonsense. It makes me think of that quote� You know, the one by Bernard M. Brauch. “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.�
Just like my dad said, there will always be people who don’t understand who I am or what I choose to do with my life. But screw ‘em. I totally get what I’m about to lose today when I walk through those doors, But unlike yesterday I won’t let the whispers and the laughs get to me.
It never ceases to amaze me how much I can get out of a little ol� novel. In each of her books, Cassie Mae challenges us to think deeper, to love harder and to accept ourselves, warts and all - especially in How to Date a Nerd. I have yet to read anything of hers that I haven’t fallen in love with. She has a beautiful voice, and I am so glad she feels driven to share it with us all!
I don’t care if everyone thinks I’m a friggin� nerd. I am a nerd, but I like it. I like this. All of it. All of him. And he likes me too.
How to Date a Nerd did not disappoint. In fact, it left me with the need to confess something. I� um� Geez, this is harder than I thought it would be. I� I play� oh, come on woman, spit. It. Out. Okay, fine. I play World of Warcraft. Happy now, world?! You know my deep dark secret and I blame it all on this fabulously written, fun loving, uplifting piece of brilliance.
Here we go again with this big, goofy, stupid looking grin. I can’t wipe it off my face. Trust me, I’ve tried. My husband is beginning to worry about my sanity. It. Just. Will. Not. Leave. My. Face! My cheeks literally hurt. Cassie Mae, you are a frakking genius! The way you write� The storylines you dream up... All of it serves to further my opinion that YOU are a nerdy mastermind, hell bent on taking the literary world by storm. (Ha. Storm made me think of X-men which totally fits in with the storyline. Maybe you’re not the only genius running around out here in cyber space.)
Yeah. I’m a total closeted nerd.
I’m not cool with pity glares in the hallways, painful jabs, and social scars. No thanks. It’s much easier to keep my true nature hidden beneath layers of eyeliner, skimpy outfits, and even I must admit to myself, a rockin� body.
Zoe is living a lie. Literally. Being queen of the nerds in middle school wasn’t cutting it. The summer before high school changed all that. Armed with enough romantic teen comedies to entertain a troop of 12 year olds, Zoe begins her research into non-dorkdom. Leaving behind her nerd ways meant leaving behind her friends, too - one in particular, Zak, the nerd next door � king of the dorks.
Problem � Zoe is in freakin� love with Zak. Like, flat out, head over flipping heels, love. All her booty shaking and underwear flashing, doesn’t seem to faze him, and keeping up her “popular persona� is becoming a chore she could do without. It’s exhausting trying to hide your obsession with X-men, Harry Potty and Star Trek. If only she could let her freak flag fly, but being her dorky self is just too scary. What will people say? How will she survive? Then there’s Zak� Maybe being a dork is worth it; maybe being herself is worth it, if she gets to do it with him.
I’m a freaking horrible person who made out with some random guy before stumbling after a guy who I’m face over feet for and I don’t know why. And I just� I miss being me.
I cannot give this book high enough praise. We’ve all been to high school, and maybe some of you are there now. It’s one of the best and worst times in a young person’s life. It’s so easy to feel insecure about yourself. If I could go back 14 years, (Holy hell! 14 years�) to my senior year of high school, I’d tell my very apprehensive self, to just be, me. To do what makes me happy, and forget about everyone else. AND…that’s exactly what I wanted to scream into my kindle for more than half of this book. If people don’t like you for who you are, they’re obviously not worth your time. Life is too short for that nonsense. It makes me think of that quote� You know, the one by Bernard M. Brauch. “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.�
Just like my dad said, there will always be people who don’t understand who I am or what I choose to do with my life. But screw ‘em. I totally get what I’m about to lose today when I walk through those doors, But unlike yesterday I won’t let the whispers and the laughs get to me.
It never ceases to amaze me how much I can get out of a little ol� novel. In each of her books, Cassie Mae challenges us to think deeper, to love harder and to accept ourselves, warts and all - especially in How to Date a Nerd. I have yet to read anything of hers that I haven’t fallen in love with. She has a beautiful voice, and I am so glad she feels driven to share it with us all!
I don’t care if everyone thinks I’m a friggin� nerd. I am a nerd, but I like it. I like this. All of it. All of him. And he likes me too.
How to Date a Nerd did not disappoint. In fact, it left me with the need to confess something. I� um� Geez, this is harder than I thought it would be. I� I play� oh, come on woman, spit. It. Out. Okay, fine. I play World of Warcraft. Happy now, world?! You know my deep dark secret and I blame it all on this fabulously written, fun loving, uplifting piece of brilliance.
September 25, 2013
Okay, so I was reading this other book, and at the end had the first chapter of this book. After I finished it, I freaking searched my little heart out trying to find the rest of it, and a completely inhuman sound came out of me when I found out THE BOOK WASN'T EVEN FREAKIN OUT YET! So, like the stalker I am, I found Cassie on Facebook and was all like ‘What the hell, man? You can’t leave me hangin� like that! GIMMIE GIMMIE GIMMIE!!!� So like the amazing author she is, ( and probably scared for her life) gave me a copy to review yesterday. I literally powered through this book, it was that awesomesause. And Holy crap, this book was AWESOME! It had an amazing mix of humor and significance. It’s the type of book that can make you laugh and all depressed at the same time. ‘How to Date a Nerd� had some really good messages and concepts that some teens should really take into consideration, like sense of self and belonging. It’s an amazing way to get the messages across because it was relatable to a wide range of audiences and had a hilarious side to it, “Get out of my house!� Oh my God, I freaking laughed so hard reading that scene! LOL!! Zak was the totally sexy nerd that Zoe fell for and Oh my Gosh, I loved him so much! He was the sweetest dude out there and some of the things he did, I really doubt most people could do. Zoe is fighting an internal battle with herself, and is probable the most common problem that teens face these days. Zoe is an amazing role model, and it’s important to know that what she did, she did for herself, and her happiness and well as Zak. Anyway, this book is an awesome read and totally worth it! It’s stuffed full of cuteness, laughter, sorrow, and love!
Okayyyy, now…Where’s my Sexy Nerd Boy? Seriously. :(
Okayyyy, now…Where’s my Sexy Nerd Boy? Seriously. :(
October 18, 2015
From time to time I like to read a cute and cheesy book. These books usually give me a warm feeling but they also come with a lot of cliches. How To Date a Nerd had cliches but not as many as I expected.
First, the main character is not so annoying. Zoe is the mean, narcissistic and shallow popular girl. But in middle school she was the Queen Nerd, bullied constantly. To escape all the pain she became Popular Zoe. In order to do so, she ditched her best friend/crush Zak and all of her interests: Star Wars, X-Men and Comic Con. Books with a main character that is not the traditional hero has the bad habit of making them completely unaware of their bad behavior. They tend to blame others for their problems and nothing is ever their fault. Zoe, to me, showed to be very easily influenced. She cares a lot what other people think about her and does whatever it takes to maintain her popular status. What makes Zoe such a good character is that she makes a lot of mistakes but she is always aware of her bad behavior. She knows it's all her fault. She takes responsibility for her actions. Of course she has flaws. Zoe always expects people to forgive her. I also identified with her struggle to be someone that people expect her to be or the person she really is.
What I didn't like about this book is how everything is so divide. There's no middle ground for her to be a nerd and still be fashionable. In a chapter of the book she needs to choose between flip flops (nerd) or heels (popular). No in between? Maybe flats or sneakers?
The book just re enforces the stereotype about nerds and popular.
And the cover?! This book deserves a better cover.
First, the main character is not so annoying. Zoe is the mean, narcissistic and shallow popular girl. But in middle school she was the Queen Nerd, bullied constantly. To escape all the pain she became Popular Zoe. In order to do so, she ditched her best friend/crush Zak and all of her interests: Star Wars, X-Men and Comic Con. Books with a main character that is not the traditional hero has the bad habit of making them completely unaware of their bad behavior. They tend to blame others for their problems and nothing is ever their fault. Zoe, to me, showed to be very easily influenced. She cares a lot what other people think about her and does whatever it takes to maintain her popular status. What makes Zoe such a good character is that she makes a lot of mistakes but she is always aware of her bad behavior. She knows it's all her fault. She takes responsibility for her actions. Of course she has flaws. Zoe always expects people to forgive her. I also identified with her struggle to be someone that people expect her to be or the person she really is.
What I didn't like about this book is how everything is so divide. There's no middle ground for her to be a nerd and still be fashionable. In a chapter of the book she needs to choose between flip flops (nerd) or heels (popular). No in between? Maybe flats or sneakers?
The book just re enforces the stereotype about nerds and popular.
And the cover?! This book deserves a better cover.
May 19, 2015
5 Platypires!
I literally one clicked this book based on the title alone. For those who don't know I have been on a quest for nerdy/geeky books but real nerdy books. Meaning the characters had to be wearing their geek flag high. Comic books, sci-fi shows, cosplay, gamers etc... not a book where the person is just socially awkward and is labeled a nerd. Just no!
"How to Date a Nerd" by Cassie Mae fit the bill. It was a cross of "The Summer I Became a Nerd" by Leah Rae Miller but written in the style of Kody Keplinger. I devoured this book all in one sitting. Going to high school and being a geek is really hard so I understood where Zoe was coming from. I didn't like the fact that she cared so much what other people thought about her but then again there wouldn't be a book if she was more confident. I also adored Zak and thought he was a great nerdy male lead. Great book boyfriend material.
This book scores major points for all the geeky references and I can't wait to read more from Cassie Mae. I already bought the next book in the How to series.
I would recommend this book for all those nerdy, geeky readers.
I literally one clicked this book based on the title alone. For those who don't know I have been on a quest for nerdy/geeky books but real nerdy books. Meaning the characters had to be wearing their geek flag high. Comic books, sci-fi shows, cosplay, gamers etc... not a book where the person is just socially awkward and is labeled a nerd. Just no!
"How to Date a Nerd" by Cassie Mae fit the bill. It was a cross of "The Summer I Became a Nerd" by Leah Rae Miller but written in the style of Kody Keplinger. I devoured this book all in one sitting. Going to high school and being a geek is really hard so I understood where Zoe was coming from. I didn't like the fact that she cared so much what other people thought about her but then again there wouldn't be a book if she was more confident. I also adored Zak and thought he was a great nerdy male lead. Great book boyfriend material.
This book scores major points for all the geeky references and I can't wait to read more from Cassie Mae. I already bought the next book in the How to series.
I would recommend this book for all those nerdy, geeky readers.
March 25, 2014
I'll keep it short and simple. Zoe is your typical fictional character who manages to party hard yet keep her innocence. She redefines the word annoying! Her constant selfishness and ignorance to all those who love her is just unattractive and boring. Yet I had to finish this in one sitting, because when you meet Zak and Zoe you realize that your inner nerd is screaming for you to give the physcotic girl a chance! For all I knew Zoe was just the typical moron! Then I read that she played World of Warcraft and had a Lord of the Rings obsession. So I gave her a chance..and she blew it, just like with Zak! The whole time I was reading my expressions changed from happy to sad to happy to angry! Although the book has a poor choice in words, "frakking" being the worst of them all, I did have some good laughs. Please tell me literature hasn't come to this...Even though I did enjoy this crazy book I must say that I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.
April 25, 2018
This is my 3rd Cassie Mae book. The first one I read was squeaky clean, the 2nd one had a little language and innuendo, this one had lots of swearing, lots of partying and lots of talk of sex. There is no actual sex scene in this book but it's the stereotypical high school scene where it appears that everyone is sleeping around and partying. All 3 books had such a different feel to them as far as content and target audience. Kind of baffles a reader and makes it hard to trust an author and pick up another one of their books. There is a good reason to use pen names and this is a good example of an author who could/should be using them.
That said Cassie Mae is a great writer. If a book has that much content I have to be engaged enough to want to find out what happens to keep reading. Which I was and did. Ultimately the message of this book is that having sex and getting drunk to fit in are not wise choices. It's ok to be yourself even if you are not popular because of your choices. The message was why I kept reading despite the objectionable content.
Content: attempted date rape, lots of talk of sex, innuendo, crude comments and scenes, teenage drinking, language throughout (no f-word)
That said Cassie Mae is a great writer. If a book has that much content I have to be engaged enough to want to find out what happens to keep reading. Which I was and did. Ultimately the message of this book is that having sex and getting drunk to fit in are not wise choices. It's ok to be yourself even if you are not popular because of your choices. The message was why I kept reading despite the objectionable content.
Content: attempted date rape, lots of talk of sex, innuendo, crude comments and scenes, teenage drinking, language throughout (no f-word)
June 1, 2017
And here we have an example of how you can take a great idea for a light-hearted, simple and cute book which also addresses an important topic, and fail epically in the execution.
The premise was simple yet wonderful. Zoe is a beautiful and popular girl, but in her heart she's a nerd. She's can't show that side of herself because she's afraid to be mocked and bullied. But she's has the biggest crush on Zak, who used to be her best friend until she ditched him for popularity. Zak doesn't hide his nerd side, and if Zoe wants to be with him, she has to learn to accept her true self and show it to the world.
Adorable, isn't it? I was almost squealing with excitement when I read it (well, the GR version of it) and I just had to read the book immediately because I'm a sucker for books of this sort. Books that tell a great and meaningful story in a light way, avoiding the dramatics. Perfect example:
Alas, I did not at all get what I'd hoped for. And there were multiple reasons. For one, this is not nearly as light a topic and the tone is all completely WRONG. It's all jokes and euphemisms! There's not enough seriousness even though the events are in severe need of it. You can't show attempted rape and then just go 'Darn, that was awful' and skip three days ahead! Seriously, the amount of 'darns' and 'dangs' and 'oh gosh's were unbearable. It's like the book was narrated by Texas fucking Barbie!
The combination of the tone, the narrative and the writing wreaked havoc on the plot. To explain the writing, I'm just going to provide an example from the book. Here's one of the worst kissing scenes ever:
Oh yes, yes, yes. He’s the best kisser in the whole freaking world! Even with the frenching, it’s not sloppy or gross, it’s just so flippin� fantastic!
I don't think I've read a more un-sexy kiss in my entire flippin' life.
Then there was the fact that the author genuinely did not seem to have any idea how to write a nerd. For one, her nerds were fans of Marvel comics (mainly X-men), Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, World of Warcraft and Star Wars. Which basically means that the author might as well have Googled "nerd things" and worked with that. And liking Spidy doesn't mean you swear with the phrase "freaking spiderman!" and there's no such thing as a Spiderman documentary, especially one hosted by Stan Lee! Please just... stop trying to nerd; you're embarrassing yourself.
Furthermore, all the popular kids were depicted horribly. They were all shallow and sex obsessed. There were "those kind of girls" and the "popolar kids", and to be popular, you were required to be a bitch and a slut. I mean, the word 'damn' was replaced by 'darn' but slut and whore were thrown around like they were nothing. I hated how highschool was depicted. And the bullying was a joke. It was like 'don't read a comic book in front of anyone or they'll ruin you life'. I'm sorry but that's really not how it is.
And at this point, I just wanna be done with this review. But I have to mention why I haven't given one star.
There were cute moments between Zoe and Zak that made me smile. And there was an effort made to show how important it is to accept yourself for who you are and not hide. And how badly bullying can affect a person, even if that topic wasn't addressed, just seen. There was another things seen, with Zoe's younger sister, that was also ignored. And Zoe was crying for like half the book...
There was so much potential here that was ruined by abysmal execution. Do Not Recommend.
October 31, 2019
3 stars
Zoe was a geek in Junior High? Middle School? (What are people calling it these days?) She was picked on and called names, so she reinvented herself for high school and became one of the popular girls. And all she had to do was deny who she was, dress in slutty clothes and garner a reputation as a slut, even if she didn't necessarily put out. (I completely don't relate at all. And yes, I was bullied in both Junior High and High School. I still wasn't going to change who I was, even if my feelings did get hurt. And the funny thing? I did this long post on Facebook about what I remembered best about each of my classmates and several of them chimed in "And you, who was true to yourself no matter what." So they definitely noticed and actually admired me 20 years later. Yeah, completely don't relate.) Oh, yeah. And she had to be mean to her best friend/boy she has a crush on, because he is definitely NOT cool.
I'm sure the point was to sympathize and empathize with Zoe, but I just found her a little whiny. So people called you names? So what? Her metamorphosis would have been okay if she was happy with herself, but she totally wasn't. She hid who she was and was mean to people who she liked, or might have liked, because they weren't in the popular group. And she hung around with a bunch of people who weren't nice, only liked her because of what they thought she had, and were actually the real losers of the school. (At least according to me, they are.)
Zak was all right, but he hung on to the hope that Zoe would see the light waaayyy to long for my liking, especially considering how she treated him.
Zoe was a geek in Junior High? Middle School? (What are people calling it these days?) She was picked on and called names, so she reinvented herself for high school and became one of the popular girls. And all she had to do was deny who she was, dress in slutty clothes and garner a reputation as a slut, even if she didn't necessarily put out. (I completely don't relate at all. And yes, I was bullied in both Junior High and High School. I still wasn't going to change who I was, even if my feelings did get hurt. And the funny thing? I did this long post on Facebook about what I remembered best about each of my classmates and several of them chimed in "And you, who was true to yourself no matter what." So they definitely noticed and actually admired me 20 years later. Yeah, completely don't relate.) Oh, yeah. And she had to be mean to her best friend/boy she has a crush on, because he is definitely NOT cool.
I'm sure the point was to sympathize and empathize with Zoe, but I just found her a little whiny. So people called you names? So what? Her metamorphosis would have been okay if she was happy with herself, but she totally wasn't. She hid who she was and was mean to people who she liked, or might have liked, because they weren't in the popular group. And she hung around with a bunch of people who weren't nice, only liked her because of what they thought she had, and were actually the real losers of the school. (At least according to me, they are.)
Zak was all right, but he hung on to the hope that Zoe would see the light waaayyy to long for my liking, especially considering how she treated him.
March 12, 2017
This was so cute! I wish it was longer though, hope Levi has a book :)
March 13, 2014
I thought the premise of , by sounded cute. You know, secretly geeky girl comes to terms with who she is. While it was a very fast read, it was not for me, and I struggled with a number of things in the book.
First off there's Zoe, the main character. I had trouble finding anything redeeming about her. The way she treated Zak was appalling. She wasn’t exceptionally appreciative of her parents� sacrifices. The people she surrounded herself with were shallow and disloyal. I want to say that Zoe’s friend Hope was the exception, but even her loyalty is uncertain at the end of the book. I understood why Zoe wanted to get away from the teasing she’d endured in middle school, but never grasped why she thought the new social status she’d achieved was better, let alone desirable, given what she had to endure. It certainly didn’t make her happy. Well, the attention did, and I didn’t really understand that either. To me, it made her character come off as a spoiled, attention-starved brat who was willing to be viewed as a slut so she didn’t have to be called geek. What kind of person wants that? She wasn’t avoiding the name calling. She’d simply traded one name for another.
What Cody did to Zoe was not handled as I would have liked. Sexual assault—attempted or otherwise—is a serious issue, and the fact that it was brushed under the rug, used as a vehicle to break Zoe and Cody up, and bring Zak and Zoe together, did not sit well with me.
Zak was the bright spot of the book. He was good-hearted, intelligent, kind, and patient, but honestly? He came off a little bit like a doormat. One could argue he was being a good friend, and he probably was, but it was hard for me to overlook his feelings for Zoe. He would have been crushed each time she threw him under the bus, and I didn’t understand why he allowed her the opportunity to do it again and again. The author did a decent job with the underpinnings of Zak and Zoe’s history. Sadly though, that made what Zoe did to Zak between middle and high school even harder for me to swallow.
If this hadn’t been such a quick read, I probably wouldn’t have finished it. I have trouble recommending this, but obviously there are people it appeals to since it has decent ratings: 42% give it 5 stars, 37% give it 4 stars at the time I wrote this. So I would say that if you appreciate a more juvenile high school story, you might enjoy the book. Or perhaps if you’re a bit of a geek, you might enjoy the cultural references. I wanted someone I could cheer on, and Zoe wasn’t it.
First off there's Zoe, the main character. I had trouble finding anything redeeming about her. The way she treated Zak was appalling. She wasn’t exceptionally appreciative of her parents� sacrifices. The people she surrounded herself with were shallow and disloyal. I want to say that Zoe’s friend Hope was the exception, but even her loyalty is uncertain at the end of the book. I understood why Zoe wanted to get away from the teasing she’d endured in middle school, but never grasped why she thought the new social status she’d achieved was better, let alone desirable, given what she had to endure. It certainly didn’t make her happy. Well, the attention did, and I didn’t really understand that either. To me, it made her character come off as a spoiled, attention-starved brat who was willing to be viewed as a slut so she didn’t have to be called geek. What kind of person wants that? She wasn’t avoiding the name calling. She’d simply traded one name for another.
What Cody did to Zoe was not handled as I would have liked. Sexual assault—attempted or otherwise—is a serious issue, and the fact that it was brushed under the rug, used as a vehicle to break Zoe and Cody up, and bring Zak and Zoe together, did not sit well with me.
Zak was the bright spot of the book. He was good-hearted, intelligent, kind, and patient, but honestly? He came off a little bit like a doormat. One could argue he was being a good friend, and he probably was, but it was hard for me to overlook his feelings for Zoe. He would have been crushed each time she threw him under the bus, and I didn’t understand why he allowed her the opportunity to do it again and again. The author did a decent job with the underpinnings of Zak and Zoe’s history. Sadly though, that made what Zoe did to Zak between middle and high school even harder for me to swallow.
If this hadn’t been such a quick read, I probably wouldn’t have finished it. I have trouble recommending this, but obviously there are people it appeals to since it has decent ratings: 42% give it 5 stars, 37% give it 4 stars at the time I wrote this. So I would say that if you appreciate a more juvenile high school story, you might enjoy the book. Or perhaps if you’re a bit of a geek, you might enjoy the cultural references. I wanted someone I could cheer on, and Zoe wasn’t it.
May 26, 2018
Finally got my hands on Cassie Mae's latest book. I found it on Amazon and did not hesitate to get it. After reading two of Cassie Mae's books, I was confident that I'm going to love this one! Of course, I had to wait until the weekend before finally deciding to read it. I didn't want any interruptions. Here I am a few hours after I started reading, with no sleep for more than 24 hours now but I'm still giddy and tingling and reeling. I'm on a high, and I think I can keep this up a few more hours before finally succumbing to sleep. I guess that's one way of saying that I loved the book!
Like her previous books, Cassie Mae lets the readers "experience" falling in love at a young age through Zak and Zoe. The story is funny, heartbreaking and sweet.
The book tackles discovering who you really are..and who you really want to be.
Zoe had this personal battle between Geek Zoe and Popular Zoe. I guess I can say I can somehow relate with her. I didn't want to be popular back in high school but I had my fair share of being bullied and I knew how bad that could be. But unlike Zoe, I didn't decide to change myself. I just turned to books. (Ok, enough about me!). I love that even though Zoe was struggling with relationships at school, she had a loving family (and a very understanding, sweet, overly protective but reasonable father) to guide her and accept her for who she really is.
Zak also had issues with his dad as well as fighting to control his feelings for Zoe - his way protecting his heart and not letting himself get hurt all over again.
I'm not going to say much about the story anymore (no more spoilers...just read it already!!!). But I'm glad Zoe and Zak managed to sort things out in the end. Cassie Mae made sure that they had their much deserved happily-ever-after.
Of course, the whole Lord of the Rings, Peter Parker, X-Men, Green Lantern, Star Trek stuff was a good touch. It just brings out all the nerdy/geeky side in every reader.
Write more stories, Cassie Mae! Please! :)
Like her previous books, Cassie Mae lets the readers "experience" falling in love at a young age through Zak and Zoe. The story is funny, heartbreaking and sweet.
The book tackles discovering who you really are..and who you really want to be.
Zoe had this personal battle between Geek Zoe and Popular Zoe. I guess I can say I can somehow relate with her. I didn't want to be popular back in high school but I had my fair share of being bullied and I knew how bad that could be. But unlike Zoe, I didn't decide to change myself. I just turned to books. (Ok, enough about me!). I love that even though Zoe was struggling with relationships at school, she had a loving family (and a very understanding, sweet, overly protective but reasonable father) to guide her and accept her for who she really is.
Zak also had issues with his dad as well as fighting to control his feelings for Zoe - his way protecting his heart and not letting himself get hurt all over again.
I'm not going to say much about the story anymore (no more spoilers...just read it already!!!). But I'm glad Zoe and Zak managed to sort things out in the end. Cassie Mae made sure that they had their much deserved happily-ever-after.
Of course, the whole Lord of the Rings, Peter Parker, X-Men, Green Lantern, Star Trek stuff was a good touch. It just brings out all the nerdy/geeky side in every reader.
Write more stories, Cassie Mae! Please! :)
March 29, 2014
I love reads like these, I really do. Those that let you just get away for a couple of hours, cleanse your palate and give you a happily ever after when all is said and done in the end.
And even though I really did love this book, heck, I loved Zak, I would love to say I felt the same way about Zoe, but sadly I just didn't. I couldn't connect with her like I wanted to.
I liked her well enough but I couldn't get past all the hurt she did to Zak time and time again. How she treated him when others were around and then how she treated (and confused) him when they weren't.
I understand she wanted to make a name for herself and be a part of the “in crowd�, I get it, I really do...to some extent I do at least but to hurt those that care for you and are always there for you ? To deny what and who you really are? I just wasn't with her on it. There is no way I could have done it.
But yes (enter big sigh here) I can see why she did it, I just didn't like it.
However, Zak made this story all worth it. His nerdy cuteness, his sincerity, his goodness and willingness to forgive. How could you not love him and want to get to know more of him?
I think considering all the mistakes that Zoe made in the past and those she is bound to make in the future, this had a very realistic ending. One filled with new beginnings and changes and something that could be more but will go slowly.
This was a cute read and even though I shook my head at Zoe numerous times while reading this, I really did enjoy it and I would recommend it and I most definitely will give this author a try again because, like I said above, Zak was a show stealer and I loved him so much I would love to meet any other adorable guy Mae can come up with.
And even though I really did love this book, heck, I loved Zak, I would love to say I felt the same way about Zoe, but sadly I just didn't. I couldn't connect with her like I wanted to.
I liked her well enough but I couldn't get past all the hurt she did to Zak time and time again. How she treated him when others were around and then how she treated (and confused) him when they weren't.
I understand she wanted to make a name for herself and be a part of the “in crowd�, I get it, I really do...to some extent I do at least but to hurt those that care for you and are always there for you ? To deny what and who you really are? I just wasn't with her on it. There is no way I could have done it.
But yes (enter big sigh here) I can see why she did it, I just didn't like it.
However, Zak made this story all worth it. His nerdy cuteness, his sincerity, his goodness and willingness to forgive. How could you not love him and want to get to know more of him?
I think considering all the mistakes that Zoe made in the past and those she is bound to make in the future, this had a very realistic ending. One filled with new beginnings and changes and something that could be more but will go slowly.
This was a cute read and even though I shook my head at Zoe numerous times while reading this, I really did enjoy it and I would recommend it and I most definitely will give this author a try again because, like I said above, Zak was a show stealer and I loved him so much I would love to meet any other adorable guy Mae can come up with.
October 19, 2013
ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! Every part of it. I'm not specially picky when it comes to books, but I love stories like this one. You find a light, fun reading that actually comes with a heavy, and hard theme. I mean, you find all that without it being a heavy kind of read.
No sé bien cómo expresarlo en inglés, pero a dónde quiero llegar es a que no es un libro pesado a pesar de tratar un tema fuerte. Porque es la forma en que lo trata, lo que hace que tenga toda la importancia que merece pero que a la vez el libro no pierde su toque liviano.
I don't even know if I actually described it just as I wanted it but, I hope so!
I'm still dreaming about finding a Zak of my own. Really. Better than Petter Parker/Spiderman? You kidding me? I want two, pleas. Just a back-up one. You know, just in case... You never know.
Zoe IS a strong character, even though you have to go through half the book to actually get it. I loved her, but sometimes I wanted to smack her. Yeah, violence is not the answer but damn you don't do that to sweet, freakin-sexy Zak.
This is trying to come without spoilers so I apologize if I didn't accomplished that :)
Anyway, loved it, love it, I want a Zak Gibbons and I need the second book because Levi just stole my heart, too. What am I gonna do? How can my heart divide between Zak and Levi? I might need some kind of extra help *winks winks to certain wizard*
I super recommend this superduper book.
No sé bien cómo expresarlo en inglés, pero a dónde quiero llegar es a que no es un libro pesado a pesar de tratar un tema fuerte. Porque es la forma en que lo trata, lo que hace que tenga toda la importancia que merece pero que a la vez el libro no pierde su toque liviano.
I don't even know if I actually described it just as I wanted it but, I hope so!
I'm still dreaming about finding a Zak of my own. Really. Better than Petter Parker/Spiderman? You kidding me? I want two, pleas. Just a back-up one. You know, just in case... You never know.
Zoe IS a strong character, even though you have to go through half the book to actually get it. I loved her, but sometimes I wanted to smack her. Yeah, violence is not the answer but damn you don't do that to sweet, freakin-sexy Zak.
This is trying to come without spoilers so I apologize if I didn't accomplished that :)
Anyway, loved it, love it, I want a Zak Gibbons and I need the second book because Levi just stole my heart, too. What am I gonna do? How can my heart divide between Zak and Levi? I might need some kind of extra help *winks winks to certain wizard*
I super recommend this superduper book.
February 3, 2014
I'm just going to jump right in and say.... I loved it! This was such a great book. I read it in one sitting. I couldn't get enough of it.
First we have Zoe, the once nerd, turned popular girl, who is faking everything about herself, just so people will forget that she was that girl at the nerd table in Jr High that read comics and knows everything there is to know about Lord of the Rings. And then we have Zak, the always was, always will be a nerd, completely embracing his nerd-dom. But, Zoe has a crush on Zak. She can't tell anyone though, for fear that she will be sent back to the nerd table and ridiculed for the rest of her high school days. So, she keeps up her front. Until she realizes that she hates who she is, and she really wishes she was stronger, like Zak, to be able to enjoy herself and not live a complete lie.
This book is completely the kind of YA book I love. I was a nerd in Jr High and High School. Not the same way that Zoe is. I didn't really get into all that comic stuff, but I was a nerd, and I liked what I liked even if it didn't win me points with the popular people. So, I can relate to both Zak and Zoe and loved them both. And, I loved Zak for the fact that thru everything. Even when Zoe completely shut Zak out for years, he still saw her and knew the real 'nerd Zoe' was still in there somewhere.
I can't wait to read more in this series because there are some characters that I really would love to see what happens to them.
First we have Zoe, the once nerd, turned popular girl, who is faking everything about herself, just so people will forget that she was that girl at the nerd table in Jr High that read comics and knows everything there is to know about Lord of the Rings. And then we have Zak, the always was, always will be a nerd, completely embracing his nerd-dom. But, Zoe has a crush on Zak. She can't tell anyone though, for fear that she will be sent back to the nerd table and ridiculed for the rest of her high school days. So, she keeps up her front. Until she realizes that she hates who she is, and she really wishes she was stronger, like Zak, to be able to enjoy herself and not live a complete lie.
This book is completely the kind of YA book I love. I was a nerd in Jr High and High School. Not the same way that Zoe is. I didn't really get into all that comic stuff, but I was a nerd, and I liked what I liked even if it didn't win me points with the popular people. So, I can relate to both Zak and Zoe and loved them both. And, I loved Zak for the fact that thru everything. Even when Zoe completely shut Zak out for years, he still saw her and knew the real 'nerd Zoe' was still in there somewhere.
I can't wait to read more in this series because there are some characters that I really would love to see what happens to them.
July 26, 2015
4.5 stars -- Yup, love this author. It's official. Zoe was so hard to love....don't get me wrong, I did. I guess I understood her, but just wanted her to start doing the right and better thing earlier. So I was conflicted...b/c she was more realistic. It's not an overnight change. And my heart just broke for her having to be someone she wasn't b/c she couldn't handle the teasing. I can empathize with that. I was lucky enough to find my group of people in high school, but what if I hadn't?? And Zak.... SWOON. SERIOUS MEGA SWOON. He was just so adorable. And you could just feel the chemistry steaming off of these two. And they're both such genuine characters....I can imagine them being *real* people. And my heart broke for them...Zak dealing with so many abandonment issues, and Zoe trying to be comfortable with who she really is. It all culminated in the epic shower scene. I just cried. To see Zoe hit that point, and having Zak there for her. Makes me want to rent Casino Royale again now, b/c I can't remember that scene....
All I have to say is that it may have been hard to love Zoe, but she epically won me over. And what an ending. So fraking satisfying. LOVED it. Can't wait for more from Cassie Mae.
All I have to say is that it may have been hard to love Zoe, but she epically won me over. And what an ending. So fraking satisfying. LOVED it. Can't wait for more from Cassie Mae.
September 26, 2013
In a word, this book is CUTE! The dialogue, the awkward moments, the sweet, blushing romance, the nerd references, and Zak (woohoo!) all combine to produce one super cute book.
Zoe is a difficult character to like in the beginning, what with all her Popular Zoe meanness, but the author somehow pulls it off by showing us the real Zoe inside. We've all been there, haven't we? We want to be liked. Maybe envied. And who would find it easy to give that up once they have it? Zak is the opposite. Secure in himself. He likes and does things that make him a nerd, but so what? That's who he is. A sweet, adorable, super sexy nerd boy!
Zoe and Zak have some history. Zak knows exactly who Zoe is deep, deep (possibly very deep!) down inside. The question is whether Zoe can be brave enough to let everyone else know the real Zoe.
Beneath the giggle-yourself-silly humour are some important and worthwhile messages. Messages about accepting yourself (Zoe, I'm talking to you!). Messages about forgiveness (man, Zak gets hurt over and over again, and over and over again he gives Zoe the forgiveness she doesn't think she deserves). This is a story that just about everyone can relate to.
And PS - NERDS RULE!
Zoe is a difficult character to like in the beginning, what with all her Popular Zoe meanness, but the author somehow pulls it off by showing us the real Zoe inside. We've all been there, haven't we? We want to be liked. Maybe envied. And who would find it easy to give that up once they have it? Zak is the opposite. Secure in himself. He likes and does things that make him a nerd, but so what? That's who he is. A sweet, adorable, super sexy nerd boy!
Zoe and Zak have some history. Zak knows exactly who Zoe is deep, deep (possibly very deep!) down inside. The question is whether Zoe can be brave enough to let everyone else know the real Zoe.
Beneath the giggle-yourself-silly humour are some important and worthwhile messages. Messages about accepting yourself (Zoe, I'm talking to you!). Messages about forgiveness (man, Zak gets hurt over and over again, and over and over again he gives Zoe the forgiveness she doesn't think she deserves). This is a story that just about everyone can relate to.
And PS - NERDS RULE!
May 21, 2015
This is one of the most adorkable books I have ever read, and that was GREAT!
I really have only one complaint. There are parts of the writing that put me off a bit. It could do with a bit of tweaking in the editing department.
I loved how emotionally attached I became to the characters, which is a major plus. I felt like I wanted to cry every time Zoe did. Even if she deserved it for her insolence!
Zac is flipping awesome. I agree with the panda express choice. It is glorious and I partake in that exact meal once a month, because I do what I want.
My favorite part happened in elvish... and I just so happen to know exactly ONE sentence in elvish. This phrase was used toward the end and I literally swooned. If I would have been standing at the time, I'd have fallen over.
The amount of nerdish references is almost overwhelmingly awesome. It was fantastic and I squealed at all of them. Mostly the doctor who ones. Because, obviously.
I especially loved the ending. All parts of it. This was a fast and pleasing read... and I just want you to know...
YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK!
I absolutely loved it. Massively recommended. I will be reading more from this author.
I really have only one complaint. There are parts of the writing that put me off a bit. It could do with a bit of tweaking in the editing department.
I loved how emotionally attached I became to the characters, which is a major plus. I felt like I wanted to cry every time Zoe did. Even if she deserved it for her insolence!
Zac is flipping awesome. I agree with the panda express choice. It is glorious and I partake in that exact meal once a month, because I do what I want.
My favorite part happened in elvish... and I just so happen to know exactly ONE sentence in elvish. This phrase was used toward the end and I literally swooned. If I would have been standing at the time, I'd have fallen over.
The amount of nerdish references is almost overwhelmingly awesome. It was fantastic and I squealed at all of them. Mostly the doctor who ones. Because, obviously.
I especially loved the ending. All parts of it. This was a fast and pleasing read... and I just want you to know...
YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK!
I absolutely loved it. Massively recommended. I will be reading more from this author.
September 2, 2013
I LOVED this book it was quirky, cute, fun and Zak hubba, hubba! Zoe that girl has balls, "like every party night, I try to show off first to my neighbor, who can see straight into my open window. I strip down to my underwear so Zak can get a good look." Being in her mind is like a story all on it's own, "his holey jeans look so damn good on him." Zak has been hurt by Zoe one to many times and he actually grows some balls and let's her know where he stands with her at a certain (well a few certain points) in the book, "dammit, Zo. I don't want you here. You don't care, and you never did." He opens his bedroom door and wave his hand. "So go home." I mean for a nerd that boy has some muscles, "he gives in with a sexy grunt, picks me up by my butt, and allows me to wrap my legs around his hips." He's also honest and isn't shy about telling Zoe how he feels, "didn't you notice how flustered I got? How weak I am when it comes to you? Dammit, Zo, you've got me." I can't wait for the next one in the series.
July 26, 2013
This book is SO cute! Zoe loves the boy next door, but he happens to be a major geek. Zoe used to be a major geek, too, until she got sick of the teasing and ditched her nerdiness to become one of the most popular girls in school. What she didn't count on was the fact that, no matter what reputation you have, people will always have something to say about it.
Zoe's battle with her inner nerd is so well written. Many people in high school struggle to fit in, and often sacrifice who they really are just so they won't get teased for being different. Zoe represents every girl who has ever fought to be accepted, and no doubt many teens will relate. Zak is about as nerdy as guys get, but he's super hot, too, and I definitely fell in love with him several times over through the story!
Zoe's battle with her inner nerd is so well written. Many people in high school struggle to fit in, and often sacrifice who they really are just so they won't get teased for being different. Zoe represents every girl who has ever fought to be accepted, and no doubt many teens will relate. Zak is about as nerdy as guys get, but he's super hot, too, and I definitely fell in love with him several times over through the story!
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