I am SO EXCITED to be a part of this tour! I absolutely ADORED this book! Enjoy....
Author: Heidi Acosta
Publication: first published November 1st 2012
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Provided by the kind author/tour organizer
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?
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?
-- My Rating --
5/5 Oscars: LOVED IT!
-- My Thoughts --
WOW. It is such a strange but lovely feeling when the book you read tops all your expectations, surpasses them and leaves you breathless. This book had me bawling my eyes out, or laughing loudly, or smiling a genuine smile.
Barbie Starr is not your typical teenage girl. She has been knows as a bitch, a slut, and many other things, but beneath her miniskirts and show-off shirts, there is a girl who wants to run away from her mother and save her little brother. A girl who just doesn't have the time to do anything but pass through the days until graduation. Her life is a black and white film. But when her teacher assigns her a tutor, the hot nobody, Dylan Knight, everything turns to shades of grey.
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Bathed in a bright white light making her look otherworldly; stood Barbie Starr in all her glory.
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I thought this book would turn into these cheesy, fluffy contemporary reads, but no. This book was way too deep and too raw to be considered like that. Barbie is the girl every guy dreams of, but she is the magnet of trouble. And Dylan is in love with another girl, Katie. It's clear from the beginning that it is not going to work out. The characters Heidi Acosta created are all multi-layered, deep, with believable motivations and heartbreaking revelations. The secondary characters are just as good.
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she is a loose wire, an unsolvable problem.
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The twists and the little turns in this book will leave you on the edge of your seat. Loved the emotions I experienced through this book, I even cried a little towards the end. Recommended to all romance fans and fans of raw contemporary YA. I cannot wait to see what Heidi has in stock for us in the second installment of the series!
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He is sweet, funny, and a little uptight at times. I laugh to myself, “He is different,” I elect. She sighs, “You just be careful, boys like him are only good for one thing. A broken heart.”
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-- About The Author and The Book --
Where to purchase Barbie Girl:
Heidi Acosta was born on Long Island, New York. Moving around a lot when she was younger, she has lived in New York, Arizona, New York (again), Washington, Georgia, and Florida, in that order. Each place offered her something special, but she will always consider New York her home.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.
Wow this book sounds like a lot of fun! Great review, Soma :) Seen Barbie Girl on quite a few blogs so wil need to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebekah!
DeleteGreat review doll ~ I enjoyed this one too and can't wait for book 2.
ReplyDeleteMe, too!
DeleteYay so happy that you enjoyed it I would have expected something a lot more fluffy too but I do love profound reads even more! And that Barbie character sounds like my kind of protagonist! ;)
ReplyDeleteYape, she reminded me of someone so energetic! Loved this!
DeleteI honestly wouldn't have given this one a second look without the review. I didn't expect so much emotions. I will so take a look now!
ReplyDeleteThanks, melissa! It's a great book!
DeleteSounds good. The author name drew me in as I have read a great series by an author with that last name, lol. And of course..her name is barbie
ReplyDeleteYape but she is nothing like Barbie
DeleteHi Soma!
ReplyDeleteFirst I wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog! I also wanted to let you know I am now following your blog through GFC, Networked Blogs, and Linky Followers :)
BARBIE GIRL sounds like a great book! I love the cover art. And you are so right, sometimes contemporary ya romances can be a hit or miss, but this one sounds like it has heart and is not at all shallow. I know the books are totally different, but it sort of reminds me of Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry. I started reading the book not expecting much and ended up crying lol.
Anyway, awesome review! Can't wait to set aside some time so I can check out more!
Best Wishes,
Mia @ The Muses Circle
It does When I first got around to it, it somehow reminded me of Pushing The Limits. It's just as good, though
DeleteWell you see..before reading your review I'd never give this book a second look. I sounds and looks like something I wouldn't like but after reading your review I think I should give it a chance. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteI know. I wasn't so sure about it myself but now I fell in LOVE with the book!
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