Sunday 4 September 2016

REVIEW: Super Awkward by Beth Garrod

Pages: 320
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Scholastic
Genre: Contemporary, Humour,
Release Date: September 1st 2016
Buy The Book: Book Depository

I, Bella Fisher, am absolutely WINNING at FAILING at life.
1. I once got my tongue stuck to a box of Calippos in a supermarket.
2. I accidentally called my geography teacher Mum. Twice. He wasn't impressed.
3. I'm a geek. And not in a geek-chic kind of way, but in a secretly-caring-about-failing-maths-and-science way.
4. I always fail maths and science.

So it figures that when I meet the FITTEST BOY IN THE WORLD, Zac, I'm doing solo star jumps. While dressed as a cereal box.
(NOTE TO SELF, fancy dress = HE-WILL-NEVER-EVER-FANCY-ME dress.)

Now I've got to somehow persuade Zac to come to prom with me while avoiding my evil ex and dealing with a secret so mega-awks I want to Ctrl-Z my brain... What could go wrong?
Oh yeah, that's right. Absolutely everything.

My Thoughts:
Super Awkward starts with fifteen-year-old Bella going on a holiday to Wales with her mum and older sister Jo. Whilst she’s there (having the Worst time ever) she meets Zac. When he says that he is seventeen, Bella tells a little white lie about her own age. As Zac and her lies catch up with her after she’s back at home, she tries to navigate the mess that is her life. 

This book made me feel sixteen again and it spoke to my own super awkward heart. Everyone will be able to relate in some way to at least one of the teen dramas that occur in Bella’s journey through Year 10. It’s been a while since I’ve read a story that so accurately depicts the life of a fifteen-year-old in a typical British high school. Everything from the dialogue and the characters to the wild situations they find themselves in is funny, heart-warming, and believable.  

Bella herself is a hilarious character and her awkwardness kept me entertained throughout the book. I also loved her friendship with Rachel and Tegan. The three of them, though they do have their rough patches, provide some great moments and even when their friendship is tested, they’re always there to support each other in the end. Her relationship with her sister was also up and down but I loved their bond and the way the two of them worked through their problems together in the final few chapters. Also, Bella’s mum is brilliant. As cringey as it must have been for Bella, I completely loved her hippy ways. 

Romance drama comes in several shapes throughout this book, mostly in the form of Zac and Luke. Whilst Bella is coming to terms that her relationship with Zac isn’t the love story she hoped for, her ex-boyfriend Luke is causing her even more trouble. Luke isn’t a likeable character and I spent most of the book rooting for Bella to get her own back on him in the best possible way. Also, whilst we’re on the topic of romance, can I just say how pleased I was that there was no tension-filled love triangle in this book? Even though there is more than one love interest, the absence of Bella being torn over having to choose between two boys made Super Awkward a way more realistic and relatable read. 

This is a wonderfully current story with plenty of pop culture references to giggle at. Though this focuses on young teens in the highly drama filled world that is high school, the humour can appeal to a wide range of ages. It’s that timeless type of funny that even when older, you can remember your own life at that age and laugh. If you’re looking for a cute UKYA read with loveable characters, then Super Awkward is the perfect choice.
 
The tour for Super Awkward starts tomorrow, so make sure to check out the all the awesome blogs taking part, and drop by here on the 11th for an interview with Beth!

Royal Rating:



No comments:

Post a Comment

< > Home
emerge © , All Rights Reserved. BLOG DESIGN BY Sadaf F K.