Ella is nearly invisible at the Willing School, and that's just fine by her. Still, it's hard being a nobody and having a crush on the biggest some...
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reviews
Dec 15, 2011
Melannie :)
rated it: 
Oh my!
I need this NOW.
I could say I'm the person most excited about this in the whole wide world,
I bet everyone's excited :D!
_________________________________
December 14, 2011:
REVIEW TO COME... lemme just finish my swooning
__________________________________
December 15, 2011:
Official review:
You know what they say, it’s not very bright to get your hopes up because you know nothing is More...
I need this NOW.
I could say I'm the person most excited about this in the whole wide world,
I bet everyone's excited :D!
_________________________________
December 14, 2011:
REVIEW TO COME... lemme just finish my swooning
__________________________________
December 15, 2011:
Official review:
You know what they say, it’s not very bright to get your hopes up because you know nothing is More...
11 comments
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(21 people liked it)
Feb 21, 2012
Devyani
rated it: 
From: fmarino@thewillingschool.org
To: abainbr@thewillingschool.org
Date: December 19, 6:54 p.m.
Subject: Three Things
1. Truth: I’m terrified of an embarrassing number of things, including Ferris wheels, rusty nails, being alone, and being with someone.
2. Truth: I’m working on that.
3. Dare: Take a chance on me, Alex Bainbridge. Qu’ieu sui precieuse, Ieu lo sai.*
Those Gifs out there truly show how excited and happy i was f More...
To: abainbr@thewillingschool.org
Date: December 19, 6:54 p.m.
Subject: Three Things
1. Truth: I’m terrified of an embarrassing number of things, including Ferris wheels, rusty nails, being alone, and being with someone.
2. Truth: I’m working on that.
3. Dare: Take a chance on me, Alex Bainbridge. Qu’ieu sui precieuse, Ieu lo sai.*
Those Gifs out there truly show how excited and happy i was f More...
4 comments
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(6 people liked it)
Feb 22, 2012
Arlene
rated it: 
Rating Clarification: Closer to 2.5 Stars
To say I’m slightly disappointed in The Fine Art of Truth or Dare is such an understatement. This book has been on my wish-list for months! I had heard rumblings that it was a cross between Pretty in Pink and Anna and the French Kiss and all that did was increase my anticipation even more. Those were a movie and a book that I have crushed over and have probably watched and read at least half dozen times respectively. So I had nothing but exc More...
To say I’m slightly disappointed in The Fine Art of Truth or Dare is such an understatement. This book has been on my wish-list for months! I had heard rumblings that it was a cross between Pretty in Pink and Anna and the French Kiss and all that did was increase my anticipation even more. Those were a movie and a book that I have crushed over and have probably watched and read at least half dozen times respectively. So I had nothing but exc More...
21 comments
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(11 people liked it)
Jan 22, 2012
Inspired Kathy
rated it: 
I loved the way this book was written, it was quite witty. It starts off with Ella sharing her undying love for Edward Willing. The only problem with this is that he died...long ago, as in years before Ella was even born. Through the course of the book she has many an interesting conversations with her idol Edward. If only she could find someone alive who could live up to Edward. Of course there is always her crush Alex Bainbridge, but he's a "Philitte" who will likely never notice her
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2 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Jan 28, 2012
Sasha
rated it:
Probably like 3.75 stars
The Fine Art of Truth or Dare is the story of a girl named Ella. She has two fab best friends, a hilarious Italian family that reminded me of the family in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and a nasty scar left from a boiling water accident when she was younger. This causes her to be EXTREMELY self-deprecating and self-conscious. The poor girl can't even see how awesome she is!
This book is blurbed as "Anna and the French Kiss meets Pretty in Pink" More...
The Fine Art of Truth or Dare is the story of a girl named Ella. She has two fab best friends, a hilarious Italian family that reminded me of the family in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and a nasty scar left from a boiling water accident when she was younger. This causes her to be EXTREMELY self-deprecating and self-conscious. The poor girl can't even see how awesome she is!
This book is blurbed as "Anna and the French Kiss meets Pretty in Pink" More...
5 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Feb 13, 2012
Lindsay
rated it:
Ella Marino is nearly invisible at the Willing School, but she's okay with that.She's got her friends, Frankie and Sadie, she's got her art, and she's got her idol, the unappreciated 19th-century painter Edward Willing. Still, it's hard being a nobody and having a crush on the biggest somebody in the school: Alex Bainbridge. Especially when he's your French tutor, and lessons have become more interesting than French ever has been before. But can the invisible girl end up with the golden boy when
More...
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(1 person liked it)
Feb 20, 2012
Mauve7
rated it:
ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS?! I'm all yours!
Edit after reading: Hm. I definitely saw traces of both Anna and Pink but I must say that I was expecting sooooo much more. Comparing a book to one of my all-time favorites (Anna) is something to take very seriously here! Anna was such a different and spunky and fun girl. While Fiorella was cute, she was no Anna. She was painfully shy and insecure--trust me, I can relate--but was also kind of...blah. Maybe my expectations were too high? Alex More...
Edit after reading: Hm. I definitely saw traces of both Anna and Pink but I must say that I was expecting sooooo much more. Comparing a book to one of my all-time favorites (Anna) is something to take very seriously here! Anna was such a different and spunky and fun girl. While Fiorella was cute, she was no Anna. She was painfully shy and insecure--trust me, I can relate--but was also kind of...blah. Maybe my expectations were too high? Alex More...
0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Feb 21, 2012
Kari
rated it:
3.5 stars
I liked this book, and read it quickly but I really just feel lukewarm about it. Ella, the main character, is a scholarship kid in a private school. She's not acing all her classes (that was unique) and she's interested in art. And the most adorable, popular boy in school.
As I read in a previous review that I agreed with, something I enjoyed was that the interactions for these characters were not all typical. Ella's run-ins with her crush were not all cliche or a More...
I liked this book, and read it quickly but I really just feel lukewarm about it. Ella, the main character, is a scholarship kid in a private school. She's not acing all her classes (that was unique) and she's interested in art. And the most adorable, popular boy in school.
As I read in a previous review that I agreed with, something I enjoyed was that the interactions for these characters were not all typical. Ella's run-ins with her crush were not all cliche or a More...
Feb 22, 2012
Jasmeen
rated it:
2.5 Stars
Like everyone else, I think I went into this book with extremely high expectations, and while this book was good, it wasn't what I was expecting. I was more interested in the secondary characters (Frankie & Sadie)than in the two main characters. I think I would have enjoyed the book so much if it was written in Frankie's perspective. He was so much more interesting to me than Ella was.
I definitely noticed a few parallels between this book and Pretty in Pink as we More...
Like everyone else, I think I went into this book with extremely high expectations, and while this book was good, it wasn't what I was expecting. I was more interested in the secondary characters (Frankie & Sadie)than in the two main characters. I think I would have enjoyed the book so much if it was written in Frankie's perspective. He was so much more interesting to me than Ella was.
I definitely noticed a few parallels between this book and Pretty in Pink as we More...
Feb 20, 2012
Deidra
rated it:
My Favorite Line(s):
He grunted. "What is it you want, Ella?"
"What you had," I answered softly, "with Diana. That once-in-a-lifetime connection that makes everything good."
"Fine. But you do realize that in order to be loved like that, you have to let the lucky gentleman see you. I mean truly see you, scars and all."
Why I Loved It: I have to say that I truly did love this book. There is something about a g More...
He grunted. "What is it you want, Ella?"
"What you had," I answered softly, "with Diana. That once-in-a-lifetime connection that makes everything good."
"Fine. But you do realize that in order to be loved like that, you have to let the lucky gentleman see you. I mean truly see you, scars and all."
Why I Loved It: I have to say that I truly did love this book. There is something about a g More...
Feb 20, 2012
Shoshana
rated it:
Really, more of a 3.5 stars, but given that I have fewer complaints rather than more, I'll round up.
I described this book to a friend as, "A giant cliche that, at least, mostly doesn't feel like one when you're reading it." Having finished it, I still feel that largely holds true.
Boiled down, this is a book about a socially not-outstanding girl crushing after a socially outstanding boy. Ella isn't much different than most stock YA heroines: she has self-esteem a More...
I described this book to a friend as, "A giant cliche that, at least, mostly doesn't feel like one when you're reading it." Having finished it, I still feel that largely holds true.
Boiled down, this is a book about a socially not-outstanding girl crushing after a socially outstanding boy. Ella isn't much different than most stock YA heroines: she has self-esteem a More...
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(1 person liked it)
Dec 30, 2011
Bailey (IB Book Blogging)
rated it:
Full of laughs and cute moments galore, THE FINE ART OF TRUTH OR DARE is one 2012 book you are for sure going to want on your keeper shelf. After reading some pretty dark and dismal books, it was just what I needed for a little uplifting. Ella's perspective is a delight to read from and I relished in all her experiences at Willing. While some instances in the story were dramatic and less than believable, Ella's wit and Alex's charm more than made up for them.
Ella is a sweet, in More...
Ella is a sweet, in More...
Feb 21, 2012
Kristy
rated it:
Street Corner February Group Read
First off i have to say that the tile for this book is 100% fitting and perfect. I hate it when books have a title that makes no sense to the story, so props for that Jensen....
For me this book got off to a slow and rocky start. I mean seriously, our girl Ella was in love with a bust of a dead artist, Edward Willing. She was obsessed to the point she had imaginary conversations with him. It was... odd and kind of pathetic. Things st More...
First off i have to say that the tile for this book is 100% fitting and perfect. I hate it when books have a title that makes no sense to the story, so props for that Jensen....
For me this book got off to a slow and rocky start. I mean seriously, our girl Ella was in love with a bust of a dead artist, Edward Willing. She was obsessed to the point she had imaginary conversations with him. It was... odd and kind of pathetic. Things st More...
5 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Feb 22, 2012
Kayla
rated it:
This book reminded me of Anna and the French Kiss. They're equally good. Anywho, I really liked this book. Ugh. Melissa Jensen bless your soul.
Characters
Ella: or Fiorella was so flawed and beautiful. I loved how despite her physical appearance (the burn on her neck) and the mean jokes people said about her, she didn't let that affect her. Sure, she still had issues and felt a bit insecure about wearing dresses or something other than turtlenecks, but she didn't cry More...
Feb 21, 2012
Sloane
rated it:
I just got a Kindle the other weekend and see it as the perfect oppurtunity to try books that I would otherwise not have the money or space devoted to actually buying the hard copy of.
The Fine Art of Truth or Dare and White Cat are the two books I've actually bought, apart from you know the free classics and the Bible.
The title is sort of adorable and the premise seemed cute enough that I would still get the urge to giggle like a 13 year old at least once but mature enough that I wou More...
The Fine Art of Truth or Dare and White Cat are the two books I've actually bought, apart from you know the free classics and the Bible.
The title is sort of adorable and the premise seemed cute enough that I would still get the urge to giggle like a 13 year old at least once but mature enough that I wou More...
Nov 30, 2011
You got me at '...meets Anna and the French Kiss' ;)
EDIT 4th Oct. 2011:
Just read the excerpt from Jensen's website -
http://www.melissajensen.com/truth-or-da...
Not really liking the whole popular-jerkish-guy-will-probably-turn-out-to-be-different thing, just read it too many times :/ However the writing is AMAZING and I am still intending to read this book as soon as I can get my hands on it (:
EDIT 4th Oct. 2011:
Just read the excerpt from Jensen's website -
http://www.melissajensen.com/truth-or-da...
Not really liking the whole popular-jerkish-guy-will-probably-turn-out-to-be-different thing, just read it too many times :/ However the writing is AMAZING and I am still intending to read this book as soon as I can get my hands on it (:
Feb 21, 2012
Eileen
rated it:
I'd heard some things about this book, and let me tell you, my expectations weren't exactly high, but I was hoping for a little more from this book. I LOVED Anna and the French Kiss, and when I went to the store with my dad to buy two books—after winning a bet—I saw this and got it because Anna re-whetted my appetite for good contemporary romances. I had twenty books that I wanted to buy, and I only just narrowed it down to this book and four others, and my dad finally caved and bought me the re
More...
Feb 19, 2012
Lindsey Rae
rated it:
There was a lot I liked about this book but also a lot I didn't. There was a huge chunk of the story line I just didn't understand the point of. I actually found myself skimming a lot. If it wasn't for all the weird and seemingly pointless Edward Willing stuff I would have given it a higher rating.
The characters however were fantastic and well written. They made this book for me. A wonderful cast of quirky characters. I actually pictured this book somewhat like a John Hughes movie in More...
The characters however were fantastic and well written. They made this book for me. A wonderful cast of quirky characters. I actually pictured this book somewhat like a John Hughes movie in More...
2 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Feb 19, 2012
Will
rated it:
Good Lord - what an over hyped book this was :(
This did not meet up to expectations. Not one bit.
What I didn't like:
The constant cultural references made me uncomfortable and was borderline racist in my opinion.
Daniel. Someone please explain his purpose in this book, because I sure as hell don't see it. What an unnecessary character he was.
Both Alex and Ella are wholly unlikeable.
I skipped a lot of the art speak/essays
No one More...
This did not meet up to expectations. Not one bit.
What I didn't like:
The constant cultural references made me uncomfortable and was borderline racist in my opinion.
Daniel. Someone please explain his purpose in this book, because I sure as hell don't see it. What an unnecessary character he was.
Both Alex and Ella are wholly unlikeable.
I skipped a lot of the art speak/essays
No one More...
2 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Feb 19, 2012
Jennifer
rated it:
It was an okay read. But considering the great synopsis I was pretty disappointed.
Half the time it felt like reading an Edward Willing biography or a Willing High School brochure, instead of a YA romance. There was just this unholy amount of irrelevant and uninteresting trivia.
And the love story suffered from it. It just didn't have enough page time to develop and the ending felt really rushed. When a book is finished I want to know that the hero and heroine will stay together. I mis More...
Half the time it felt like reading an Edward Willing biography or a Willing High School brochure, instead of a YA romance. There was just this unholy amount of irrelevant and uninteresting trivia.
And the love story suffered from it. It just didn't have enough page time to develop and the ending felt really rushed. When a book is finished I want to know that the hero and heroine will stay together. I mis More...
Feb 22, 2012
María
rated it:
I liked this book, it was simple, sweet and not too-cheesy. Besides, it remind me of Anna and the French Kiss and I quite needed a book like that.
The characters win me in, Ella's friends were awesome, Frankie the most. Now, the negative part would be the lack of a more consistent plot, and some parts were kind of boring (The whole thing about Edward Willing was really distracting.) Also, I didn't completely fall for Alex, I really thought he was a douchebag at first, later his character de More...
The characters win me in, Ella's friends were awesome, Frankie the most. Now, the negative part would be the lack of a more consistent plot, and some parts were kind of boring (The whole thing about Edward Willing was really distracting.) Also, I didn't completely fall for Alex, I really thought he was a douchebag at first, later his character de More...
Feb 20, 2012
Een
rated it:
3.5 stars
May contain spoilers
I really like this story and the main protagonist, Ella, her quirky, naive kind of ways, non-boring type of character, how she always draw on her jeans, her Frankie and all the BFFs ritual, and I especially enjoyed her wacky conversations with the imaginary Edward Willing. I had a big WTF moment when I turned to the next page that said that he died centuries ago. Oh and I love her nonna and her family too. How cool is the family restaurant of More...
May contain spoilers
I really like this story and the main protagonist, Ella, her quirky, naive kind of ways, non-boring type of character, how she always draw on her jeans, her Frankie and all the BFFs ritual, and I especially enjoyed her wacky conversations with the imaginary Edward Willing. I had a big WTF moment when I turned to the next page that said that he died centuries ago. Oh and I love her nonna and her family too. How cool is the family restaurant of More...
Feb 19, 2012
Eva
rated it:
"Anna and the French Kiss meets Pretty in Pink", this is NOT.
Thing is, I don't really care about Edward Willing. His story may be relevant to Ella's but I think it should've been condensed to one chapter, maybe half a page. It took a while for things to pick up (Translation: The first 30% of the book is boring) and the characters were unconvincing (Translation: The characters seemed to be trying too hard).
I don't know. Overall, The Fine Art of Truth or Dare More...
Thing is, I don't really care about Edward Willing. His story may be relevant to Ella's but I think it should've been condensed to one chapter, maybe half a page. It took a while for things to pick up (Translation: The first 30% of the book is boring) and the characters were unconvincing (Translation: The characters seemed to be trying too hard).
I don't know. Overall, The Fine Art of Truth or Dare More...
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(1 person liked it)
Feb 21, 2012
elisha
rated it:
I think it's somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars. It's a cute book - I'm a sucker for stories where there's a beauty hidden from what people see on the outside. Of course, for the most part, Ella's problem is with her own self esteem - I don't know that even anyone would have considered her ugly from the outside...people can't help scars that they have. I also really liked Alex's character. He seemed genuine and was very endearing. Ella's family was great - what a life that would be! I strug
More...
Feb 21, 2012
Bri
rated it: 
1 star = "I didn't like it" Please to be noting I don't think this is the worst piece of fiction ever written. But, happy I was not.
I don't know what I'm more mad about: that I was duped into reading this because of the marketing ploy that boasted this book being, and I quote, "Anna and the French Kiss meets Pretty in Pink!" or because I wasted the last two days of my life trudging (yes, trudging) through it.
Let's get this clear: this book was in no way, More...
I don't know what I'm more mad about: that I was duped into reading this because of the marketing ploy that boasted this book being, and I quote, "Anna and the French Kiss meets Pretty in Pink!" or because I wasted the last two days of my life trudging (yes, trudging) through it.
Let's get this clear: this book was in no way, More...
Feb 21, 2012
Meghan
rated it:
I had such high hopes for this book. I mean, "Pretty in Pink" meets "Anna and the French Kiss" should be pretty amazing, right? I couldn't help but feel a bit underwhelmed by this novel. I think that the "Pretty in Pink" comparison is pretty accurate (although that's definitely not one of my favorite 80's classics; what can Andie possibly see in Blane??). However, the sweet, tingly romance factor is practically non-existent when compared with that in "Anna and
More...
Feb 20, 2012
Jaime
rated it:
In all honesty this book was maybe a 4.5 on a good day (goodreads we need 1/2 stars!!) (also I edited this from my original after I just read something that was truly 5stars in my head LOL)
I loved all the characters in this book - From Alex and Ella to Frankie and Sadie and even the famous Edward Willing. In the beginning it was hard to figure out if she was crazy and truly having conversations with this dead artist, but it made more sense as the story went on... she admitted he co More...
I loved all the characters in this book - From Alex and Ella to Frankie and Sadie and even the famous Edward Willing. In the beginning it was hard to figure out if she was crazy and truly having conversations with this dead artist, but it made more sense as the story went on... she admitted he co More...
Feb 19, 2012
Alysha
rated it:
Ella is nearly invisible at the Willing School, and that’s just fine by her. Still, it’s hard being a nobody and having a crush on the biggest somebody in the school: Alex Bainbridge. Especially when he is her French tutor, and lessons have started becoming, well, certainly more interesting than French ever has been before.
I certainly want to like this book. The summary and the cover left me feeling like I was dying until I finally read it. It is not exactly what I was expect. It was like C More...
I certainly want to like this book. The summary and the cover left me feeling like I was dying until I finally read it. It is not exactly what I was expect. It was like C More...
Feb 21, 2012
Aimee
rated it:
This showed up on my doorstep and I couldn't help but rip open the packaging like it was Christmas morning. The cover is beyond adorable and I couldn't wait to dig in. The first few pages had me confused. I had read the description and had instantly fallen in lust and needed to have it. I was wondering who this Willing guy was. As I figured it out, I was laughing. That would be something I would totally do.
I loved Ella and her friends and family. I wasn't expecting her physical and e More...
I loved Ella and her friends and family. I wasn't expecting her physical and e More...
Feb 21, 2012
Meg
rated it:
This book joins the ranks of 'sweet YA romances'... I liked it more than I liked 'Lola and the Boy Next Door', not quite as much as 'Anna and the French Kiss'. It left me with the appropriate sappy wistfulness... the one that makes your first kiss more enjoyable to look back on than it actually was to experience. BUT there were a few things that kept it from being a 5 star book for me.
First off, the start of the book just smacked of 'typical YA romance'. She's All That meets every othe More...
First off, the start of the book just smacked of 'typical YA romance'. She's All That meets every othe More...
