Welcome to my stop on the Barbie Girl blog tour! To see the whole schedule and whatnot, click HERE! Today, I have a review and giveaway for y'all! :)
Review:
Barbie Girl by Heidi Acosta
Release Date: November 1, 2012
Format: ebook
Series: Baby Doll #1
Source: Author for blog tour
Description from Goodreads:
The only thing that 17 year old Barbie Starr wants to do is graduate high school so she and her little brother, Everett, can get out of Alabama. She doesn’t care about the rumors that are spread around about her like wild fire. Rumors are nothing new to her. Sure, maybe she could change her reputation, but why bother. She is leaving Alabama as soon as she can. That is, if she can pass algebra and graduate.The only thing Dylan Knight would like to do is go through high school unnoticed; he has had enough of the drama that is high school. He took the whole of last summer to bulk-up: finally he is not being called names or being shoved into lockers. He wants to remain on the outside of the circle of constant rumors that surround the so-called popular kids who get all the attention. He would not, however, mind if his long time crush Katie took notice of him.
But it is Barbie who notices Dylan and she offers him a deal he can’t pass up: if he helps her pass algebra, she’ll help him get the girl of his dreams. Dylan agrees, but, as it turns out, nothing is simple when it comes to Barbie. Somehow, she can’t help but draw attention to herself — and to him. Soon Dylan finds himself tossed into the whirlwind of rumors that seem to follow Barbie everywhere. Can he save his reputation and still get the girl of his dreams? Or will Barbie be the one to break through his carefully-built facade?
Okay, let's cut to the chase. I loved this book. It was a really great contemporary that takes some aspects of a contemp story that we consider "normal" and twists them a bit. Instead of a bad boy who's actually good, we have a girl. Instead of a perfect, swoon-worthy boy, we havea nerd. And instead of having a clean-cut, predictable story, we have something that I DID NOT see coming.
So, yeah. I love this book.
My one, little complaint would be that some of the transitions between scenes were a tad awkward. Not enough that I couldn't follow what was going on or anything, it was just something I noticed. This also did not take away from my happy-happy feelings about this book. Because, believe me, it's still awesome.
Character Rundown:
Barbie: Yes, her name is ACTUALLY Barbie, and I love it! How often do you have a character named Barbie without it looking silly? EXACTLY. And it doesn't look silly. It actually makes perfect sense and fits beautifully, once you read the book. And her name isn't the only thing out of the ordinary about her. She is also out bad girl who's actually good. She was so confident and sure of herself. As long as her little brother was fine, she dealt with whatever was on her plate without complaint. Ahhh, she was such an amazing character. Immensely strong, as well. She didn't take crap from anybody. Yet another female MC I can add to my very short list of the ones I like.
Dylan: Whereas I seriously loved Barbie, I'm not a huge fan of Dylan. His character was very well written--I just did not like him. He's actually kind of a self-centered jerk. He made little to no effort to try to really get to know Barbie. The only time(s) he made even a little effort was when they were together. After that, he acted like she didn't matter. And that is NOT cool. I admit, he had his moments that made me smile, but overall? I didn't do much swooning over him.
Third: I HAD to include Third here, because HE is my boy. I don't care what he looks like or what girls normally think of him, he is just a huge sweetheart. While Dylan was being a jerk, he was a great friend for her and stuck by her side throughout all the horrible times. THAT is a true friend. He was without a doubt my favorite character in the book. Seriously, no contest.
Plot. If you read the description and think you know what's going to happen in this book, I'm going to tell you right now--YOU'RE WRONG. I admit, the first...eh, about half of this book is somewhat what we expect. SOMEWHAT what we expect. Not 100%. But then we have the second half. And that...is not something I saw coming. And neither will you, I'm sure.
Sweet things. Barbie and Dylan have their fair share of sweet moments. They really do. But Dylan...ahhh, I want to slap him. I think he really COULD truly love Barbie, if he were to put more effort into it. He's always so quick to give up. And Barbie...she could be a little more open. Other than that, I approve of her. All this said, I really do want Barbie and Dylan to end up together. They deserve it. As I said, they DID have their moments, and I loved those moments. I WANT MORE. And then Third, being the sweetheart I adore, gave his own sweet moments (such as the piggyback ride) that were terrific. He may be just a friend, but he's such a sweet friend!
The ending. So, there's going to be a sequel. And I thank living goodness for this. I sincerely want more of these characters ASAP. Oh, and that pretty, predictable ending you have in your mind right now? I suggest you trash it. That's not what happens. ;)
Overall, Barbie Girl is a fabulous story that I had ana amzing time reading. The characters drew me in and held my attention from the first page to the last and I truly cannot wait for the second installment in this series. I strongly suggest you read this fantastic book. It's just so wonderful!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Heidi started writing as soon as she could spell. When she was three, Heidi’s mother gave her a copy of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods; thus beginning her lifelong love affair with literature.
Writing soon also became a form of therapy for Heidi, when she realized that no matter what was happening in her life, she could find emotional escape while writing. Some of her earliest stories featured her as a princess who explored new worlds with her horse Buttercup. If it sounds romantic, it wasn’t, there was no prince charming in those fairy lands (boys where yucky).
Heidi now resides in Florida with her husband, very active daughter, one hyper Chihuahua, two sweet cats, and one very fat moody cat.
Author Links:
-Website: http://
-Twitter: https://twitter.
-Facebook: https://www.
Giveaway:
Today, we're giving away ONE e-copy of Barbie Girl by Heidi Acosta! Trust me, you want this book. The giveaway is international, my policy applies, and all you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter below!
(e-copy = PDF, .mobi, or, .epub)
♥Jessica(:
This book caught my attention a few days ago and I immediately added it to my to-be-read list.
ReplyDeleteI am very happy to see you enjoyed it and recommend it.
I love unpredictable books - contemporary genre seems to pull it off the best in my opinion.
Have a Great week.
I came across this tour/book earlier today and was not impressed until I read the review and WOW here is another that is reaffirming the fun to be found with these characters. Just goes to show you can't judge a book by its title ;=D Thank you for sharing with us, my fingers are crossed.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. Your comment intrigues me . . . not what you're expecting. I love a book that can surprise me and surpass all expectations. It's interesting how she just wanted to make it through school and get out.
ReplyDeleteSo many kids feel that way
I heard about this book from my friend a few weeks ago. It looks really good, and I'd love to read it. Haha, I love how her name is Barbie. That's not something you see everyday. Third sounds amazing! And I'll tell you thanks anyway, because really, thanks. (:
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the review, but at times (sorry) it felt more like a description of the book than a review. But you definitely do better than at least 95% of the reviews I do read as you explain why you respond to the book and characters the way you do. Thank you for that - it helps me decide if it is a book that I want to use my limited time reading... But then, lets face it, if it is in print I will read it (seriously, cereal boxes at breakfast, the toothpaste tube while brushing my teeth, ads on the bus, the ingredients of my vitamins, and so on [and on and on and on]). :-)
ReplyDeleteLiked the review although it does give spoilers... I was mainly attracted by the title and I like the main character's name!! Barbie was my favorite childhood toy too.
ReplyDeleteOoh, this book sounds really good. I love Dylan already!
ReplyDeleteBarbie was my favorite childhood toy so that's why the title attracted me. I liked the review and I like the main character's name!!
ReplyDeleteThe cover is gorgeous, the Barbie name is cool, and it's good you said it is not silly! I enjoyed your review and added the book to my tbr already =] Thanks for sharing your opinions on the book
ReplyDelete