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aelhage's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
trin's review against another edition
2.0
I was really hoping to take the political edge off with this humorous story of an average American teen who saves the president’s life and then has a fluffy romance with his son. It didn’t quite work. First, I couldn’t stop wishing that the book were more political—that Sam, the teenage heroine, would have stronger beliefs—there’s a short bit where she disagrees with the administration about the judging of an art contest, but that’s about it. Wouldn’t it be interesting to read about a teenager who saves the president’s life but really disagrees with his policies and has to figure out if it’s appropriate to use her new time in the spotlight to take a stand? I also kept wishing that this wasn’t another book about a rich girl—a rich, white girl who goes to private school and has an eccentric live-in housekeeper. It could have been so much more interesting if this book weren’t another story about a privileged kid getting to experience more privilege.
But I’m aware that if these are the things I want, I probably shouldn’t be reading Meg Cabot. (Why I continue to read Meg Cabot books at all is an entirely different question.) I still think I would have gotten more “it is what it is” enjoyment out of this book, however, if so much of the main conflict hadn’t come from Sam being an idiot. She starts the book with a crush on her sister’s boyfriend, Jack; then she meets the president’s son, David, and develops a crush on him as well. David likes her, too, but instead of rejoicing that a cute boy is into her, Sam spends the entire damn book doing angsty variations on, “But I can’t like David! I like Jack!” Um, Sam, sweetie: you can like more than one person at once. Not to be Miss “I Have a Crush on EVERY Boy!”, but you can actually like many different people at once. And I totally knew that when I was fifteen. Which makes listening to someone whine about it for 300 pages not a particularly enjoyable reading experience.
Sigh. I’d still like to read a political pick-me-up book. Other than the wonderful [a: Ellen Emerson White|98688|Ellen Emerson White|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1291698682p2/98688.jpg], anybody know of any?
But I’m aware that if these are the things I want, I probably shouldn’t be reading Meg Cabot. (Why I continue to read Meg Cabot books at all is an entirely different question.) I still think I would have gotten more “it is what it is” enjoyment out of this book, however, if so much of the main conflict hadn’t come from Sam being an idiot. She starts the book with a crush on her sister’s boyfriend, Jack; then she meets the president’s son, David, and develops a crush on him as well. David likes her, too, but instead of rejoicing that a cute boy is into her, Sam spends the entire damn book doing angsty variations on, “But I can’t like David! I like Jack!” Um, Sam, sweetie: you can like more than one person at once. Not to be Miss “I Have a Crush on EVERY Boy!”, but you can actually like many different people at once. And I totally knew that when I was fifteen. Which makes listening to someone whine about it for 300 pages not a particularly enjoyable reading experience.
Sigh. I’d still like to read a political pick-me-up book. Other than the wonderful [a: Ellen Emerson White|98688|Ellen Emerson White|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1291698682p2/98688.jpg], anybody know of any?
nickreadsquick's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read this as a teenager so when I saw it in the library I thought I'd see how it stood up. It was a quick enjoyable read.
asianunamerican's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
knotaduck's review against another edition
4.0
Quick easy read. I kinda disliked the main character, but know she was supposed to be written flawed.
laurenevlyn's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
How is it possible that there is only one single character in this book that I liked. I DNFed halfway through but still. Sam was a narcissistic “pick-me,” Lucy was (respectfully) a massive bitch to her sister and a cheater, Rebecca was just weird and I feel like suffered from “genius written by a non-genius” syndrome, The housekeeper/nanny/assistant-I-guess was based on a racist stereotype, The parents did not care enough about their kids, and The art teacher was straight up mean. No legitimate teacher would blackmail a student into staying in their class (like what the hell?????)(Also why would Sam have to stay in the art class if she’s got all these new responsibilities and generally should be allowed reprieve from her punishment considering what happened to her?) (also also why is it just okay that she is so scared of people finding out she skipped class because Theresa would be mad) (Theresa literally hit her after she saved the President’s life because she “scared her” THATS NOT PARENTAL WORRY COMING OUT YOU JUST HIT HER FOR SOMETHING SHE HAD NO CONTROL OVER)Plus the President can’t just appoint a teenage girl to a national role in the UN without her permission.
I DNFed this book mainly because (as you can see) it was pissing me off to read and I don’t want those vibes to stay for another 150 pages.
I DNFed this book mainly because (as you can see) it was pissing me off to read and I don’t want those vibes to stay for another 150 pages.
misspashx's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
peachyybooks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5