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“There’s only one thing I know—have always known—that I wanted out of life. And it’s you.”
― Cookie O'Gorman, Adorkable
― Cookie O'Gorman, Adorkable
Hello there fellow readers! I apologize for my leave of absence, I assumed I'd post MORE during quarantine rather than leaving a dry streak. This past weekend I read Adorkable by O'Gorman and the title is ever so accurate for my feelings about this novel. The characters were so cute and flawlessly written, with irresistible names! - C'mon, Sally Sue Spitz and Baldwin Eugene Charles "Becks" Kent? Best friends since ever! Simply charming. I also loved the clever word play through BFF characterization - the matchmaking best friend with the last name/nickname of "Hooker"- who's teamed up with Sally's mother the wedding planner to send Sally on countless blind dates with the hopes of finding her the man of her dreams.
I really enjoyed the plot of this novel, it created a wholesome type of suspenseful reading experience, and had me jumping for joy and pausing in frustration at all the right moments. I'm a sucker for everything this book brought - best friends turned lovers, fake relationship into real relationship, nerd girl and jock guy, WOO my heart! Loved it. I think my favorite part about the way that O'Gorman created her own unique ending to this common story plot is how the love confession was played out very uniquely to the characters and wasn't super textbook cheesy. There was a bit of this present, but it definitely didn't hurt ;) And ok I loved it.
Now, there were a few minor details that I would change about 'Adorkable', the first of which is how the title isn't incorporated into the story itself. While this can be common among YA novels, I think it would've really added to the story if the phrase "Adorkable" was something that Becks said in reference to Sally, as possibly a fond connection or inside joke between the two. Other than that, I'd maybe include a German to English translation reference in the back? It's equally tiring to either pretend I can read German, or copy the entire statement into Google translate to help a girl out. Besides these, the book was a total home run, I've already recommended it to some fellow book lovers, and it's very deserving of a 5 star rating.
Ps. A little comment - the version I read was from Target, and included some bonus content that made my book worm heart so happy!! Poems that young Becks wrote to Sally, an excursion of the ending from his point of view, and even an Adorkable Book Playlist! I was in love. Cookie O'Gorman, wherever you are, you're doing awesome. Keep it up :)
“Captivating, fun, and totally swoon-worthy! This is the kind of story my reader heart craves.” ―Rachel Harris, New York Times bestselling author of Eyes on Me
Available in print for the first time, and with exclusive bonus content only found in the print version!
Fall in love with Sally and Becks all over again.
Adorkable (ah-dor-kuh-bul): Descriptive term meaning to be equal parts dorky and adorable. For reference, see Sally Spitz.
Seventeen-year-old Sally Spitz is done with dating. Or at least, she's done with the horrible blind dates/hookups/sneak attacks her matchmaking bestie, Hooker, sets her up on. There's only so much one geek girl and Gryffindor supporter can take.
Her solution: She needs a fake boyfriend. And fast.
Enter Becks, soccer phenom, all-around hottie, and Sally's best friend practically since birth. When Sally asks Becks to be her F.B.F. (fake boyfriend), Becks is only too happy to be used. He'd do anything for Sal―even if that means giving her PDA lessons in his bedroom, saying she's "more than pretty," and expertly kissing her at parties.
The problem: Sally's been in love with Becks all her life―and he's completely clueless.
This book features two best friends, one special-edition Yoda Snuggie, countless beneath-the-ear kisses, and begs the question:
Who wants a real boyfriend when faking it is so much more fun?
Adorkable by Cookie O'Gorman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Sally AKA "Spitz" to most, is best friends with Becks. They have been close since they were young children. Too bad he has no idea she has been in love with him the whole time. It is an unlikely pair, as he is the hottest guy in school, and she is a well known geek.
Baldwin AKA "Becks" is very glad to be Sally's best friend. He has secrets of his own he has not shared. When she asks him a favor, he has no problem saying yes. Will it get even more complicated when the whole school finds out?
This was such an amazing story. I found the characters to be rather deep and compelling. I was absolutely enthralled and did not put the book down until I had read the entire thing. Then I wanted to read it again. This was a new author for me - but you can bet I will read all her works now.
***This ARC copy was given in exchange for an honest review, by Netgalley and its publishers.
View all my reviews
Cookie O'Gorman writes YA romance to give readers a taste of happily-ever-after. Small towns, quirky characters, and the awkward yet beautiful moments in life make up her books. Cookie also has a soft spot for nerds and ninjas.
Connect with Cookie:
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Sally AKA "Spitz" to most, is best friends with Becks. They have been close since they were young children. Too bad he has no idea she has been in love with him the whole time. It is an unlikely pair, as he is the hottest guy in school, and she is a well known geek.
Baldwin AKA "Becks" is very glad to be Sally's best friend. He has secrets of his own he has not shared. When she asks him a favor, he has no problem saying yes. Will it get even more complicated when the whole school finds out?
This was such an amazing story. I found the characters to be rather deep and compelling. I was absolutely enthralled and did not put the book down until I had read the entire thing. Then I wanted to read it again. This was a new author for me - but you can bet I will read all her works now. I give this read a 5/5 Kitty's Paws UP!
***This ARC copy was given in exchange for an honest review, by Netgalley and its publishers.
What I wanted to initially do with this review is just make it a series of fake Tweets. However, since I don’t think I can limit my thoughts for the entire review to 150 characters or less. I’ll only be making the headers for this review faux Tweets. And be using a lot of K-Drama gifs because it’s been awhile and I could so imagine this book being a K-Drama (it just has that vibe for it cute, over the top, and you could imagine all the swoon-ish moments it would obviously have).
@Adorkable you really know how to bring the fluff.
I rarely ever say that to anyone though. But book you bought the feels in a way that’s not the typical feels of YA. I felt that the relationship between Michael and Jeane was surprisingly real. And cute.
Usually when realism is added to a novel it sort of takes out the fluff. However, I think the realism of the romance added to it here. I liked that things weren’t perfect with these characters-both emotionally and physically. Honestly, their sex scene was one of the more realistic ones I’ve seen written in YA.
And (gasp) both of them aren’t virgins.
And the fact that one of them experimented is not a huge deal it’s just acknowledged.
Can we have more of this in this genre?
Honestly, the relationship between these two characters is sort of the relationship I wanted when I read the synopsis to such as Isla and the Happily Ever After. It really gives a realistic depiction of a relationship. And it’s not all bunny rabbits and roses. And this relationship is definitely not instant love.
@Adorkable Michael is adorable. And I love the fact that he’s not a WASP #diversity.
Michael is mouthwater worthy. And he’s not a WASP.
Bonus points.
What I really like is that he’s a diverse character and for the most part (with a few exceptions-cough, almond eye description, cough) Manning doesn’t rely on cultural stereotypes when describing him.
Thank the lord.
One thing I did like about this character is that he’s resound-idly grounded, but he does evolve as the story progresses. I liked how Manning made him look past his own prejudices and accept Jeane for who she really is.
Plus, he has an adorable family which he actually hangs out with (they watch the Muppet Christmas Carroll together willingly) and that in itself equals more bonus points.
So yes, Michael you have gotten a place on my list of delicious YA male leads.
@Adorkable what the hell is wrong with Jeane #badlifechoices?
Oh, Jean. There were times I wanted to hug you, but a lot of the time I wanted to slap you.
You closet makes less sense than Lola Nolan and you have a tendency to be a little (okay, a lot) self righteous.
And really, you think you’re going to be able to succeed without a high school diploma.
Successful blog or not, you’re no Grumpy Cat, Jeane.
Also, I had a really difficult time believing over five hundred thousand people would follow you. Well, maybe to tell you off. I know I wanted to do. Maybe. Once. No twice. No ten million times to reading this book.
But here’s the thing, even though I found you to have less social skills than Sheldon Cooper, I felt bad for you. You were neglected. Had a shitty home life. Were abused. Lived in squalor. But still girl…
Some of your choices?
You are in desperate need of more intervention from those adopted dads of yours.
@Adorkable sometimes you bring me reals and sometimes I’m like whaaat?
As realistic as the relationship between the two characters might’ve felt, and the depictions of the characters. What I had a hard time believing was Jeane’s blogging success.
Maybe if more foundation was built about how she started built up her blog, I could’ve bought it more. But as it was, I had to suspend belief.
Just like I had to suspend the whole impromptu New York trip. While fun and romantic, once again unrealistic.
Additional little details in the novel had me just shaking my head. But what I find so strange about them is that apart from these details the story does feel oddly realistic. So, it just gives the story almost a weird vibe.
@Adorkable why can’t I quit you even though you know how to bring the ridiculous.
Overall Rating: This book and I got along pretty well. While I might’ve had some conflict with Jeanne’s rather strong personality, she grew on me. And Michael is just adorbs. Overall rating, a very solid B borderline B+
