Review for Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman

Babe in Boyland
By Jody Gehrman 
Published February 17th 2011 by Dial
Bought from Local Bookstore
292 pages

"When high school junior Natalie-or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper-is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want. But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected-especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?" ~ Goodreads

Review

WARNING: Do not read in public spaces. WARNING: Side effects of reading this book include, but are not limited to: giggling, uncontrollably laughing, shrieking, face-palming, sighing, and squealing. 

Have you watched the movie "She's The Man"? If you answered yes, you will have a perfect idea of what to expect. Swap the soccer ball for a pen and paper and you have Natalie. A budding actress and journalist wannabe. Natalie was awesome. Despite her experience in the acting showbiz, she made blunders here and there and everywhere in her role of Nat. Misplaced giggles, delayed reactions, and too much enthusiasm. She had strengths as well as weaknesses and had a lot of learning to do about relationships. I could totally relate to her. Natalie's two besties were there from the start to the end and their involvement was priceless. They made a great trio. As for Emilio, he was cute. However, he wasn't swoony. The chemistry between him and Natalie was obviously hindered (the whole being a dude thing messed it up), but I thought the connection between them could have been stronger. The conversations between them were great and I really did like him. It just was lacking a spark or something. 

The way it was written could not have been better. The voice of Natalie was perfect. Perfect. Not annoyingly girly, but very much a teenage girl. The plot itself wasn't all that original, predictable even, but I don't think that's a downside. I picked up the book expecting just that, so I wasn't disappointed. It was hilarious and just what the doctor ordered to lighten my mood. The pace was steady, the whole story very engaging, and the message that came in at the end made it more than a fluff kind of read. 

I highly recommend Babe in Boyland to readers who enjoy a hearty laugh, a sweet romance, a totally relatable protagonist, and a good time. I assure you, at the very least, you will be left with a smile on your face!

Excerpt

I stop painting my nails and look up. "That's it!"

Darcy pauses in her makeup application. "What?"
"That's my Story of the Year. It's perfect."
Chloe grabs a bottle of hairspray and squirts some on her bangs. "Rob's thought process is your story? Sounds like a short one."
"No, guys - how they think, what they really want, all the shit they do that makes no sense finally decoded and demystified. What girl wouldn't want to read that?" I'm getting so excited I knock the nail polish over and have to scramble to right it before it stains the tub. "It's socially relevant, right? Haven't women throughout the ages worried about this stuff?"
Darcy nods, thinking it over. "That is a good idea."
I scramble for my bag, grab a notebook and pen, and start scribbling. "We'll call it 'A Girl's Guide to Guys: Their Top Secrets Revealed."
"Ooh, I like it," Darcy says. "Very catchy!"