The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae MIller Publisher: Entangled Teen on May 7, 2013
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance
Pages: 267
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads
Rating:
On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader—perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she’s a nerd hiding in a popular girl's body isn’t just unknown, it's anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way.
Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever.
At A Glance
I so enjoy nerd books.
The Good
We get nerd overload in this book with comic books and live action role-playing. Neither are my cup of tea but I love experiencing different and new stuff through characters.
Madelyne had a lot of growing up to do. She is still in the phase of ‘it matters what people think of me.” She didn’t get to enjoy being her true self for years just so she could be one of the ‘cool’ kids. But Logan brings out her nerd side as he encourages her to let her freak flag fly in all sorts of ways. I liked who Madelyne became around Logan. And Logan was the sweetest guy ever! I wish I would have dated someone like him when I was in high school. He’s so much fun and so boyishly endearing.
I loved reading about these two going on their dorky adventures. I was smiling like a ninny the whole time. This was a very fun, clean read with an adorable ending.
The Bad
Madelyne was not very likable in the beginning and middle. She REALLY cared about what other people thought of her so she often blew off her friends or would duck and hide while around Logan so no one would see them together. She was kind of a bitch. She did grow as a character though, so it made her more tolerable.
This was a pretty juvenile story. I love YA, but not when it gets ‘too young’ feeling.
The Snuggly
This is all about the cute, YA romance. It’s very sweet with it’s awkward moments and quiet flirtations. I giggled a lot. No sex, just a young, budding relationship.
Final Thoughts
If you LOVE YA, I think you could easily love The Summer I Became a Nerd. It’s not perfect, but it will put you in a good mood. Recommended.
Quotes
“Do I “really like” him? Is that the right way to put it? I’ve only known him for the summer technically, but “really like” doesn’t seem to encompass it. If you “really like” someone, do they insist on invading your every thought? Does just saying their name make goose bumps rise on your arms? Do you contemplate how many freckles your children will have?”
“Well, excuse the hell out of me for trying to help. I heard a crash and thought someone was hurt. You could’ve fallen. On a pair of Scissors. Slit your jugular. How was I to know? Next time you’re in need of life saving action, don’t come to me…’Dan, help me, I’ve broken my spleen,’ because you know what I’m going to say? ‘Sorry about the spleen, dude, I have to stay in the back room for all of eternity.”
Melliane
Ah yes difficult when the characters are like that or even when it feels young. In a whole it sounds ok though.
Jennifer Bielman
I still really enjoyed it.
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence
I totally know what you mean about that “Too young” feeling, and it sounds like this one has it unfortunately. I’m a big fan of nerd books as well, though!
Jennifer Bielman
Such a great nerd book for sure.
Anna
I does sound fun. A nice light read for the beach 🙂
Anna from Elements of Writing
Jennifer Bielman
Very light and fun.
Brandi Breathes Books
Love the sound of dorky adventures, right up my alley
Jennifer Bielman
Oh yes, you would love this one.
Lekeisha
One of my most favorite nerd books, that I rec all the time. Logan is just adorable!
Jennifer Bielman
That’s awesome. 🙂
kindlemom1
Neither of those things are my cup of tea either but when I saw this I had to grab it. Glad it was an okay read. I think if I’m prepared for the not so great stuff, I will like all the other stuff more. 😉 Wonderful honest review Jennifer!
Jennifer Bielman
True, hope I have prepared you enough.
Lily
I hate that feeling of reading a book that’s “too young”. It’s a shame this one felt that way for the most part 🙁
Jennifer Bielman
I still enjoyed it but a little more maturity would be awesome.
Jaclyn Canada
It sounds very cute. I have never agreed with the ‘care what people think’ philosophy so I’m glad she grew as a character away from that. Let your freak flags fly and grin like a ninny!
Jennifer Bielman
hehe, yeah, it was frustrating when she cared so much what others thought.
Braine Talk Supe
I so wanted to read this since it came out but never got around to doing so… also, I love her shoes!
Jennifer Bielman
I would be interested to see what you think.
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
Well, I love the title. lol. Don’t know if it’s really something for me to read, but get a kick out of the title and glad you get lots of nerd here. 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
🙂 Thanks.