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Being Friends with Boys

by Terra Elan McVoy (Goodreads Author)

3.46 of 5 stars 3.46 · rating details · 1,642 ratings · 178 reviews

Charlotte and Oliver have been friends forever. She knows that he, Abe, and Trip consider her to be one of the guys, and she likes it that way. She likes being the friend who keeps them all together. Likes offering a girl's perspective on their love lives. Likes being the behind-the-scenes wordsmith who writes all the lyrics for the boys' band. Char has a house full of ste...more

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Published (first published May 1st 2012)

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May 14, 2012 Jasprit rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: out-2012, read-in-2012, ya, contemporary, music, arc-galley

3.5 stars

“Don’t forget who your real friends are”

Charlotte has always hung out with the boys; she practically grew up with Oliver and when Trip moved to their new school, they’ve been inseparable since. Over the summer they grew even closer when they started messing around in Oliver’s basement, what started off as fun and a bunch of laughs soon developed in a four group band (with Abe) called Sad Jackal. You had Oliver singing and messing around on guitar, Trip being the heart and soul of the gr...more 3.5 stars

“Don’t forget who your real friends are”

Charlotte has always hung out with the boys; she practically grew up with Oliver and when Trip moved to their new school, they’ve been inseparable since. Over the summer they grew even closer when they started messing around in Oliver’s basement, what started off as fun and a bunch of laughs soon developed in a four group band (with Abe) called Sad Jackal. You had Oliver singing and messing around on guitar, Trip being the heart and soul of the group, Abe on the drums and Charlotte bringing the lyrics. Everything seemed fine that is until Trip drops the bombshell that he’s left the group. Charlotte doesn’t understand it; they had the best group dynamics when they worked together, now that Trips left it would never be the same. They would probably have to recruit new members and there would always be that awkwardness around Trip. Charlotte and Trip were extremely close friends, closer than Oliver and Charlotte. Trip and Charlotte had a special bond which couldn’t be explained, they understood each other, were totally open with each other, (shared their feelings with one another in a notebook they passed to each other several times in the day). Charlotte didn’t want the band to come between their friendship, but she had a duty to the rest of the band members too.

Being Friends with Boys started off great, it was fun; seeing Charlotte’s interactions with boys, how they treated her like she was one of them, heartfelt; the messages and notes she shared with Trip. But then things started getting complicated; with two new band members being recruited; Eli and Fabian. Charlotte had less time she could spend with Trip, with the school dance just around the corner the band had to practice more often especially so that they could click together as a group. Charlotte could sense it was a strain on her relationship with Trip, but there’s nothing she could do about it.

Things however started to getting a little too complicated and farfetched for my liking; Charlotte was in a flutter over who she wanted to be with, who wanted to be with her and who she rumoured to be with!!! Her life kind of turned into a wrecking ball with other groups wanting her to join their groups, and ex-best friends wanting to know her all of a sudden.

However the thing that surprised me about this book was that characters I had originally liked, kind of showed their true colours and left me disappointed in the end and characters I’d completely overlooked and had thought little of had the backbone to stick with Charlotte through the tough times. I guess you could say the opening line of my review is true; your true friends will always be around you no matter what.

However I did have a few minor irks with this book; Charlotte especially for the second half of the book made me want to pull my hair out, she kept on trying different things even though knowing it would be the wrong thing to do. And lately I’ve realised I don’t have the patience with characters who keep faffing around, it was clearly obvious who she was meant to be with, but it took her until 2/3 of the book to realise it. Also I love my music themed books; and this book did bring it to the forefront; getting the right song, jamming out together, but all the lyrics Charlotte was writing I would have loved to have seen them, we were told the titles of the songs, what influenced her in writing them but we never really got the chance to hear or read them.

Despite these irritations I did relatively enjoy this book; it was cute, funny, a decent music themed book and full of charming characters.

This review and more can also be found on my blog: The Readers Den
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Jul 02, 2012 Vanessa rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was okay, I did read the whole thing, so that says something, but it was definitely not what I expected. I was frustrated a lot of the time.

A few complaints:
- The book is different than what I expected from the synopsis. There isn't much "real" romance except for at the end. The rest is just confusing with no hints at all as to what the other characters' feelings are.
- I don't understand why Oliver gets mad at her or ignores her for like the entire book? And I can't believe the main ch...more

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Apr 19, 2012 Mitchii rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, romance, realistic-fiction, arc-or-galley, 2012-reads

3.5/5

** Got it from Simon & Schuster Galley Grab. Thanks!**

I was already planning to read this one even before I found out it was up for grabs on galley grab (and I snatched two more, which is nice. Despite the lack of the monthly newsletter, I’m glad that Simon and Schuster didn’t completely discontinue the service. But it’ll be great if the newsletter is back. Those titles I bumped into were completely accidental. And I don’t always have the time to check it out, and I don’t like missing o...more 3.5/5

** Got it from Simon & Schuster Galley Grab. Thanks!**

I was already planning to read this one even before I found out it was up for grabs on galley grab (and I snatched two more, which is nice. Despite the lack of the monthly newsletter, I’m glad that Simon and Schuster didn’t completely discontinue the service. But it’ll be great if the newsletter is back. Those titles I bumped into were completely accidental. And I don’t always have the time to check it out, and I don’t like missing out on stuff. So please come back...(T.T) Anyhoo, when I read the summary I really find it cute. So I shelved it on my TBR immediately, but lucky me an eARC of this book was available. But really, who wouldn’t find this interesting; being surrounded by guys and the complications of being friends with them. It promises an interesting story, yes?

The title says it all—being friends with boys. So the main focus of the book is Char’s friendship with the guys. I love how it showed Char’s different dynamics with the boys. It was different with each guy—different for Oliver, Fabian, Benji and Trip. Particularly Trip. But then I remembered the book’s blurb says that there’s a new guy will change her drama-free friendship with them. So I was looking forward to that. But even with Fabian and Benji around, I was happy that she sorted her feelings along the way. It turned out the guy who left Sad Jackal, (their band, cool name isn’t?) Trip has heart all along. I knew there’s something going on. I liked the all-out confession at the end. Speaking of the ending, I think it was cut short. I wish I know what happens after (the confession). I wanted a closure but instead it left me unsated. Nevertheless, I liked the ending. Open-ended as it was. Admittedly, the last few chapters were the ones that truly and finally drew me into the story.

I loved that there’s music in here. And I’m really pleased with it. I loved Charlotte has a thing for writing music. And that she can sing too. I think it added a more serious—a profundity to her already appealing (for me) personality. Unlike Amplified, I am more connected to this book musically. The history of their band, how it started one summer with her, Abe, Trip and Oliver. And how memorable it was. I liked that she used this as an inspiration for writing songs. My favorite part was when she was pulling all her experiences (I mean, every experiences) into words—lyrics. It was realistic portrayal for me. I loved how genuinely connected she was with her band. And I totally agree with Jill too, about fun things that don’t necessarily bring out the best in you.

Overall, I enjoyed it. A little different from what I expected but I can’t deny its charming side. I haven’t tried anything from the author but I might consider some of her works. Final note, a really nice one.(less)

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Apr 23, 2013 Pinkie Pie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley-edelweiss

This book was adorable and fresh and a ton of fun to read. I'm not a huge fan of contemporary romance, you all know that, but for some reason, I could barely bring myself to put this down! Charlotte was cute and honest and I just loved her.

My whole life, since pre-K, my friends have always been boys. I was always the girl out on the black top riding big wheels, playing kick-ball, falling off the monkey bars, and getting dirt under my nails. As I got older, the relationships just solidified, and...more This book was adorable and fresh and a ton of fun to read. I'm not a huge fan of contemporary romance, you all know that, but for some reason, I could barely bring myself to put this down! Charlotte was cute and honest and I just loved her.

My whole life, since pre-K, my friends have always been boys. I was always the girl out on the black top riding big wheels, playing kick-ball, falling off the monkey bars, and getting dirt under my nails. As I got older, the relationships just solidified, and I found myself spending my high school years with just two girlfriends and ten boys. BEING FRIENDS WITH BOYS definitely shows what it's like to, well, be friends with boys. The friendships can be just as intricate and complicated and delicate as one with a girl. Add in possible, or even pseudo romantic feelings, and everything just gets even more contrived.

BEING FRIENDS WITH BOYS was realistic without making Charlotte seem like one of those girls who get stuck up just because boys like her. Instead, the friendships seemed authentic and organic and natural. Trip, Oliver, Abe, Fabian, and Benji were noticeably different, and each boy's relationship with Char reflected their personalities. The book easily showed the history with Oliver, the complications with Trip, the easiness of Benji, and the natural click with Fabian.

My favorite parts, though, were the musical parts. I had no idea this book was about music -- making music, being in bands, singing, etc. McVoy used a voice that was easy to understand to the layperson, you don't need to be a musician to understand what's going on. I loved the introduction of Eli and Fabian to the band, and how we were shown how different the band moved forward with it. I wish the summary reflected how much emphasis was given to music -- it was a wonderful addition.

The ending was awesome. It was everything I wanted. I won't give it up, though, I don't want to spoil it. I love that there was no clear cut resolution. What did come though, was natural and felt real and wonderful and made me all gushy inside. And I am not a gushy kind of girl.

All in all this was a great read. I had lots of fun getting to know Charlotte -- who I love! -- and all the boys. I felt that BEING FRIENDS WITH BOYS was so realistic, even down to the depictions of the boys' girlfriends and how they reacted around Char. McVoy's voice was fresh and fun and I would love to read some more of her work!(less)

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Feb 12, 2013 Silvia rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-pub, reviews

To be honest, I was not really all that thrilled with this book. I pushed myself to finish it, because I was curious how everything was going to tie together in the end... And again, I really was not all that impressed.
****SPOILER ALERT*****

Okay, so Charlotte, our main character, seems to me, to be a bit mousy and is just OK with letting other people walk over her, without putting up a fight. I feel she wasn't strong enough of a main character, and while she was going thru some stuff throughout...more

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Feb 09, 2013 Samantha rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book to me was really good. I was confused in the beginning and the end let me down a little bit and the reasoning behind 3 instead of 4 or five stars. All through the book Char learns who her real friends are, what she really feels, and her finding what she really wants. I was confused in the beginning because of her relationship with Trip and Oliver. Through the book we learn the three became close over the summer but were not given more to it than that. Then we have the fight, break up,...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When I read Terra Elan McVoy’s first novel, “Pure,” two summers ago, I had a hard time relating to the main character and caring about the plot because I am not religious (“Pure” is about what happens when one of four friends bonded by purity rings breaks her pledge). But McVoy’s writing kept me buying her novels. I absolutely loved the two first person narrators who each wrote in unique poetry in “After the Kiss” and reading about the different lives of three sisters in “The Summer of Firsts an...more When I read Terra Elan McVoy’s first novel, “Pure,” two summers ago, I had a hard time relating to the main character and caring about the plot because I am not religious (“Pure” is about what happens when one of four friends bonded by purity rings breaks her pledge). But McVoy’s writing kept me buying her novels. I absolutely loved the two first person narrators who each wrote in unique poetry in “After the Kiss” and reading about the different lives of three sisters in “The Summer of Firsts and Lasts.” So when “Being Friends With Boys” came out, I couldn’t wait to read it.

Charlotte is one of the guys. Having a best friend slowly cease communicating can have that effect on a girl. After what Lish did, Charlotte is done with girls. And she doesn’t need them. She has plenty of friends, even if they are all guys. She likes helping the guys with girl problems. She likes writing the lyrics for the band she’s in with Oliver, Abe, and Trip. But when Trip gets kicked out of the band, things change.

Enter new band members Fabian and Eli. Fabian has a way of making Charlotte feel more like a girl than she ever has before, and Eli convinces Charlotte that it’s time she sung some of those lyrics she writes. Charlotte is used to being the girl who’s never noticed, but she is not going to be able to hide anymore. Maybe she doesn’t want to.

It’s not too often that a book written by a woman with a female narrator has more male characters than female characters, but this is the case in “Being Friends With Boys.” When it comes to her male characters, McVoy does this great thing where she tells us a little bit about them when they are first introduced and then deepens their character throughout the novel. Trip is the guy who gets lost walking around the neighborhood with Charlotte and then decides they should sing their way home. Then he’s the guy who directs his attention to school and martial arts and another girl when he gets kicked out of the band. Oliver is the lead singer, and then he’s the guy who needs to be perfect. Abe and Eli are just guys in the band until they’re encouraging Charlotte to sing. Fabian is the first guy who makes Charlotte feel like a girl, and then he might just be the guy that Charlotte can never have. Benji is the drug addict, and then he’s the guy who’s actually smart and willing to help Charlotte study, perhaps because he wants to make Charlotte feel like a girl, too.

Despite the fact that male characters dominate, female characters still get their say. Taryn and Sylvia, Fabian’s friends who ask Charlotte to sing in their band, provide a lot of energy to the novel. They are the ones who drag Charlotte out on the dance floor the first time she sees a band at a club. Taryn is one of those girls who does what she wants without thinking about others, and I could not help but feel for Sylvia when Taryn did things that hurt her. I felt for Charlotte when she was missing her sister, Jilly, who is away at college, but I was glad that her sister’s absence gave her a chance to get to know her stepsisters better. I loved when Darby helped Charlotte get ready for dates. Learning that Gretchen misses Jilly, too, really touched me and had a nice way of bringing Charlotte and Gretchen closer.

And then, of course, there’s Charlotte. I am not particularly fond of people who are capable of getting good grades and choose not to, but I just loved Charlotte. She’s already in one band when she gets asked to be in another, but she is just so humble about it. She is also shocked when guys start seeing her as a girl, which I found believable instead of annoying because Charlotte is used to being friends with boys. Also, I admired the decisions Charlotte made at the end of the novel. It was refreshing to see such an honest character.

Now that I am writing about it, I am amazed by just how many characters—both male and female—there are in “Being Friends With Boys.” It is even more amazing that McVoy managed to give them each their own personalities, complete with desires and shortcomings.

While reading “Being Friends With Boys,” I realized what it is that keeps bringing me back to McVoy’s novels: they are just so realistic. McVoy succeeds in writing realistic fiction about characters and events that could easily exist outside of her pages, a strength that not all realistic fiction authors have mastered quite as well as McVoy has.(less)

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Jan 19, 2013 Reilly rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

*spoilers ahead*

I loved this book. So, so much. But you see the three star rating. Yeah. I took one star for the beginning and one for the end.
It started in a weird place for me. We never got to experience what it was like with Trip actually in the band. I think it should have started a week before the beginning of school. That way, we get to see the end of Their Golden Summer, Trip and Oliver together, Trip in the band, Lish's "phone call" or whatever because we never even really got a flashba...more *spoilers ahead*

I loved this book. So, so much. But you see the three star rating. Yeah. I took one star for the beginning and one for the end.
It started in a weird place for me. We never got to experience what it was like with Trip actually in the band. I think it should have started a week before the beginning of school. That way, we get to see the end of Their Golden Summer, Trip and Oliver together, Trip in the band, Lish's "phone call" or whatever because we never even really got a flashback about that.
I loved the characters in here so much. I, personally, am in love with Benji. Fabian was cute and it actually took me by surprise that he was gay. I'm very gullible when it comes to things like that, I'm sure it's very apparent to most throughout the beginning of the book.
I wish Abe had been more involved. I literally don't think he said more than a few word throughout the entire novel. Eli was more involved than he was and he's supposed to be the third member of the original Oliver-Charlotte-Abe gang. I didn't understand at all.
BENJI. Oh my god, he's perfect. I'm really sad it didn't work out with them, even though it was clearly Trip and her from the beginning, I was hoping something would change it.
And the ending. I don't see why it had to end there. The story clearly wasn't over. It should have ended the Monday after Winter Formal or something. It just dropped off abruptly and it was cheesy, ugh. This book, the whole way through, made me feel all bubbly and excited (like any fluff piece should) but it left me with this sinking feeling. She didn't have her big talk with Trip, nothing. There wasn't really any resolution with her mom, in my opinion.
It was just an unfinished story. It easily could've been another couple hundred pages. I don't know how the author could've just stopped there.
But whatever. It was slightly disappointing. If not for the end and the beginning it would've gotten five stars from me, no question. I still recommend it, but just brace yourself for the incompleteness. (less)

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Jan 10, 2013 Keira rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 08, 2012 Ahlorha Brooks rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

this review was originally posted at a-thousand-ships.blogspot.com

Ships Launched: 565

Being Friends With Boys was kind of a cute story, but it wasn't great. Most of the time, the drama felt overdone and pointless. The story also seemed a tad slow, yet somehow rushed, if that makes any sense.

The characters. Hm.

Trip and Oliver were just plain weird. What's up with the moodiness, guys? That was never really explained too well.

And Fabian! Oh, you were gorgeously amazing. (view spoiler)...more

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Jul 16, 2012 Leah R rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is definitely a fluff book, but it's the most complexly-characterized, realistic, and well-plotted fluff book I've read in quite a while. (Also I apparently have a weakness for books about bands- The Last Days not that they have anything else in common).

Charlotte has personality! She thinks about her decisions, which are not straightforward or obvious, and sometimes she makes bad ones, and sometimes she realizes that and decides to try something else! She figures out when other people are b...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Siew Ee rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book revolves around Charlotte’s life – her family, her music, her friends (who are all boys). It’s similar to Natalie Palmer’s “Second Kiss”, yet different. Here, Charlotte has, not one, but a group of guy friends whom she had been mixing with since 5th grade, plus two others who joined the band later on. We see her relationship with them and how she finally decided whom she likes.

Initially, I couldn’t understand how her mind could change so constantly on the romantic front, but as I read...more

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May 06, 2012 Anesha †Curious & Obsessive Bookworm† rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: high-school, childhood-friends

I dont even know where to start.

This book got so frustrating at times, and so easily.

I hate how Char seem to just take things as it came. I mean Oliver was such a jerk so many times and she kept running back to him - like a softy... Then there's Trip... The relationship between them was amazing... even when they weren't talking... The only thing that got me mad was the lack of communication which in all honesty made it that much more fun to read.

He without a doubt deserve her - He noticed her be...more

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May 04, 2012 Belle (Little Paper Rose) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

- Review taken from my YA book blog Little Paper Rose

(3.5)

‘Being Friends with Boys’ I’d say, centered around friendship – old friends, current friends, new friends, lost friends. Charlotte will lose and gain friends and, perhaps, something more. McVoy shows a true picture of friendship, how you sometimes lose friends without prior warning and how
you sometimes gain friends through unlikely events.

This was a greatly easy-going, flowing kind of read. The writing was clean and simple.
What you know...more

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Sep 17, 2012 Dreamer rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: eh, not-so-good, realistic-fiction

It's not that this book was poorly written or anything. It's just that...I didn't care. Charlotte just rubbed me the wrong way (that's what she said) one too many times.

To give it to you straight, this would be her biography.

"My name's Charlotte. I'm not like other girls. I don't wear makeup and I don't like getting dressed up for things. I have so many friends that are boys because girls are too dramatic, but it turns out that every guy I speak to wants me."

No. Just no.

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Apr 26, 2012 Isamlq rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-galley

3.5/5

Oh Thank God… Lately, I’ve been feeling less than enthusiastic over the stuff I’ve been picking. I think I’ve had me fill of girls saving the world/ post apoc/ whatever. Apparently, it takes a bunch of teenagers who don’t know what they want and how to say what they want once they’ve figured things out to get me pumped. Being Friends with Boys is not without its problems, take the girl who’s not aware of what she’s got going for her, take her very complicated non-love life… but I enjoyed it...more 3.5/5

Oh Thank God… Lately, I’ve been feeling less than enthusiastic over the stuff I’ve been picking. I think I’ve had me fill of girls saving the world/ post apoc/ whatever. Apparently, it takes a bunch of teenagers who don’t know what they want and how to say what they want once they’ve figured things out to get me pumped. Being Friends with Boys is not without its problems, take the girl who’s not aware of what she’s got going for her, take her very complicated non-love life… but I enjoyed it.

It starts at their end. But her recollections of what had gone on prior -all short and brief- high lit how good they were together. I liked her flashing back to them; her memories of them and their “golden summer” all pointed to a group who liked being together and had fun together; had a genuine connection.

Supporting character made for a more interesting read too. There’s Fabian, with his words of wisdom; it’s his and her connection that balanced out what would have been too much boy drama. Of course there’s Benji who is likely my favorite character. He was just always there and so easy to read of- which is not necessarily what I’d have to say for the two originals: Trip and Oliver. I like how it’s a mostly a non romance because there’s very little to that effect most of the book. It’s mostly this girl being friends with boys Then eventually, the same girl figuring things out. There was that eventual romantic revelation to her in that final moment with her holding things then but reducing everything that had happened in a couple of breathes… but it was all right. Most of the time thoe two were absent, but it’s their absence that propelled most of the drama she experienced, as well as most of the discoveries made.

While I’d normally be scrunching my forehead over how oblivious she could get, her recognizing what was is half the fun/frustration of this story. She could be both (seriously,) but at least there was more to her. She’s frustratingly unaware of why things had turned out the way they had, but willing to roll with things. Benji got her I suppose in calling her his “Coastal.” She did go with the flow, but not always with her striking out on her own and trying some new things.

3.5/5
Thank You Simon and Schuster G&G!
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Aug 06, 2012 Janina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: teens-romance

Charlotte is friends with a bunch of boys. She's in a band with said boys. She used to have girl friends, but her former bff kind of really sucks and just blew Charlotte off. It hurt Charlotte, who is no stranger to feeling blown off after her mother leaves the family and then later, her sister takes off for college.

What I learned from this book was that relationships with boys can be just as complicated as relationships with girls. Considering they never really talk about what they're really t...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Teresa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

I didn't think much of it when I picked up Being Friends with Boys. A story about a girl who falls for one of her best guy buds? I figured it would be the kind of book that's fun but not very memorable. I was definitely caught off guard by how much I ended up liking it.

What I liked

Being Friends with Boys didn't give everything away on the cover flap. In fact, I found the cover flap to be quite misleading. For example, (view spoiler)...more I didn't think much of it when I picked up Being Friends with Boys. A story about a girl who falls for one of her best guy buds? I figured it would be the kind of book that's fun but not very memorable. I was definitely caught off guard by how much I ended up liking it.

What I liked

Being Friends with Boys didn't give everything away on the cover flap. In fact, I found the cover flap to be quite misleading. For example, (view spoiler) It was frustrating at times to not know what was going on but I liked it. It kept me on my toes the entire book and made me feel closer to Charlotte as I hardly ever knew more than she did.

(view spoiler)[Fabian. Oh my god, I actually started laughing when I found out he was gay. Charlotte spent like 2/3 of the book in love with him! I guess it would really suck if something like that actually happened in your life but it was refreshing because things like that are rarely written about. The one other book I can think of is Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by David Leviathan and that was too angsty for me to enjoy. Charlotte was upset for an appropriate amount of time (She'd pretty much just met Fabian, after all) and then she got over it. Not that I'm dissing Naomi and Ely as they'd known each other for much longer. But, yeah, I liked this plot twist.

BENJI!! I thought he was absolutely adorable! I was determined to hate him for his 'bad boy' character but he grew on me just like he grew on Charlotte. I felt bad for him when things didn't work out romantically between them but that's just another thing that makes me call this book real. Charlotte legitimately considered them being together before she called it off. Sure, it was originally to dispel the rumours about her and Oliver but you could tell she really was wondering during their date. To be honest, I think I prefer Benji over Trip but, hey, if the feelings aren’t right, they aren’t right. It will obviously take some time for Benji to move on but he was a real trooper about it and I'm glad they can still be friends. Anyhow, here’s my favourite Benji quote from when Charlotte was thanking him after the movie.

" And I do mean it. Mean it so much that when he says, soft brown eyes focused directly on my lips, "You're welcome," I'm suddenly not afraid of what will happen.
He moves close enough for me to lean in too. Our mouths meet. And it doesn't feel at all awkward or fake. His lips are half parted, and mine don't land quite squarely on his at first, but it's sweet."

Triipppp. He's no Benji but he's still pretty amazing. I loved how he and Charlotte wrote to each other in the notebook and passed it back and forth. It reminded me of Dash and Lily's Book of Dares - again by David Leviathan, which is one of my favourites. I also loved their song Hansel and Gretel Crumbs. It's exactly the sort of song I'd have on my ipod; no joke. Okay, fine. The way they're so in sync; I guess I can see why Charlotte and Trip would end up together. But I still love Benji.

Charlotte joining the 'lesband'. I think it was a key experience for her. Here's a quote that hopefully explains why I feel that way.

" Jilly was right. Just because something's fun, it doesn't necessarily bring out the best in you. You need to work at it. You need what I had when I was with Sad Jackal."

Charlotte rejecting Lish. Hooray! Hurrah! Huzzah! Pure awesomeness.

The ending with Charlotte's mom. Here's yet another quote because, at this point, I’m too lazy to explain where I'm coming from with my own words.

" But for the first time, while she talks, I can hear in her voice how content Mom is there. Holidays without her usually make me all sorry for myself, but somehow, today, I know she wouldn't be happy if she was here. She wouldn't - and neither would we. It's a strange thing to have my head around.
(hide spoiler)]

What I didn't like

(view spoiler)

Conclusion

Being Friends with Boys was an all-round great read. Fresh, fun and surprisingly honest, it kept me flipping its pages well into the night. Seriously. I was supposed to go on a major hike the next day but, against my better judgement, I stayed up late to finish this book. I have a long list of books I'd like to read so they might take awhile to get to but I'll be looking out for the other books by Terra Elan McVoy.(less)

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Jun 09, 2012 Lauren rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Being Friends with Boys may be the first book I’ve read by Terra Elan McVoy but I promise you it won’t be the last. Besides it’s smooth and fast-paced writing style (which I loved) this is the first time in a long time that I’ve truly adored every aspect of a book. For one, the characters were fabulous. Every single one was well-thought out and interesting because of their individual personalities and part they played in the overall story. The dialogue was easy to follow and very fun to read. Al...more Being Friends with Boys may be the first book I’ve read by Terra Elan McVoy but I promise you it won’t be the last. Besides it’s smooth and fast-paced writing style (which I loved) this is the first time in a long time that I’ve truly adored every aspect of a book. For one, the characters were fabulous. Every single one was well-thought out and interesting because of their individual personalities and part they played in the overall story. The dialogue was easy to follow and very fun to read. Although at times there was a lot of humor, Ms. McVoy balanced the story out nicely with more thought-provoking ideas and situations. At it’s core, this book is about a teenage girl (Charlotte) whose life suddenly diverges from it’s comfortable and understood path. Like most girls at this time, Charlotte is struggling with accepting and understanding the changes that inevitably come with growing up. I felt a tidal wave of emotions while reading this book including happiness, anger, pride, and confusion (along with Charlotte). This is one book that because I enjoyed so much, I’d definitely consider reading again at some point down the road.

Charlotte is 100% anti-drama. She’s had past incidents involving friends (who I don’t believe were truly ever real friends) who’ve caused her a lot of grief. In the past these “friends” have ignored and shunned her for stupid, non-reasons. Since most girls drive Charlotte crazy it makes since that her close knit group of friends would mainly consist of boys. Although she’s known Oliver since grade school, he along with two other boys – Abe and Trip along with Charlotte, make up a band called Sad Jackal. Charlotte is perfectly content with her life until one day, out of the blue, Oliver announces that Trip is out of the band. This announcement comes at a complete shock to Charlotte, simultaneously starting a domino affect. This is where life (as she knows it) begins to change.

Charlotte has a hard time adjusting. For one, she can’t understand how or why her perfect group of friends and beloved band have been teared apart. Trip whose friendship has been a constant, shining light in her life, this last year and a half, now becomes harder to hold onto. Although she has two stepsisters at home, her sister-sister, Jilly, who Charlotte has always relied on for emotional support, is now away and busy at college. This all together could make a great story line, however that’s not all. Add in not one but two cute, new boys and a quick rise to high school rocker-fame and you’ve got 368 pages of time-stealing awesomeness.

I am absolutely head over heels for Being Friends with Boys. I thoroughly enjoyed following Charlotte’s path to self-discovery. Through humorous, exhilarating, and sometimes, heartbreaking encounters, Charlotte not only learns more about herself but also who her “true” friends are, the ones that she can count on through thick and thin. It was easy to understand Charlotte’s character, feeling sad about a sibling living far away, not knowing how to repair a friendship that is slipping away, and most importantly, understanding what you truly want and then believing that it does matter that you want it. This book was perfect in every way. Except for sleep, which eventually I had to give into, I for the most part didn’t part with this book until it was finished. It’s been months since I’ve read a book without some type of supernatural element. I’d almost forgotten how good a book could be without vampires, witches, werewolves, etc.(less)

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May 20, 2012 Kelli rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fluent-in-sarcasm, unrequited-best-friend-love

A really nice young adult contemporary, with interesting characters and a fresh take on a plot (not to mention characters) I was afraid was going to be cliched. I see a lot of reviews complaining about how frustrating and clueless Charlotte could be, and while I totally get that, I think her character was done exactly right, without going too much to one extreme or another (i.e. not so annoying you want to pull her out of the book and bludgeon her over the head with it, but also not so Mary Sue...more

A really nice young adult contemporary, with interesting characters and a fresh take on a plot (not to mention characters) I was afraid was going to be cliched. I see a lot of reviews complaining about how frustrating and clueless Charlotte could be, and while I totally get that, I think her character was done exactly right, without going too much to one extreme or another (i.e. not so annoying you want to pull her out of the book and bludgeon her over the head with it, but also not so Mary Sue Perfect In Every Way that you want to pull her out of the book and vomit all over her). If you ever once were/currently are/have hung out with/parented (etc, etc) a teenage girl, then you know what a mess they can be.

Not to generalize or say there aren't exceptions, but for the most part girls at that age have absolutely NO IDEA who they are or what they want (I know I certainly didn't--I was a HOT MESS) even when it's obvious to everyone else (I'm sure your best friend would tell you what's what in your life and be completely right, all the while having no idea what to do with her own dysfunction, and vice versa). It's rare that anyone immediately knows exactly what's best for them and then does everything they need to attain it. If so, this would be one boring story that would only last like one chapter. Being a mess at Charlotte's age is actually a good thing, I think. That's the time when you should be making mistakes and figuring it all out, when you're probably going to get more things wrong than right. And that's ok, if you learn from those mistakes, take responsibility for them and try not to make those same mistakes over and over again. Charlotte messed up a lot, but eventually she figured it out and owned up to her mistakes. And it was all done in a way--at least to me--that was realistic, yet utterly entertaining. I really liked Charlotte AND all her messiness. I think Terra Elan McVoy did an excellent job of making this story and character her own, yet it/she was still something/someone so very relatable.

Plus, this book was filled with adorable band guys, playing guitars, and synths. And singing. And doing adorable things like writing back and forth in notebooks with the main character. I will admit without shame that I have a weakness for those kinds of things. It was not difficult for me to like all the "band boys". BUT, my absolute favorite male character wasn't a musician. And that's rare for me in a book filled with cute guys playing instruments. For me, that's another testament to the author. Benji totally snuck up on me and stole my heart. So much so, I honestly wanted to read more of his story after this one ended. I was ok leaving the other characters where they were, felt like their stories were told, with the exception of Benji. Is it just me, or did anyone else feel this way?

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It's the first I've read by this author, and I'm definitely going to check out her other work.(less)

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Feb 22, 2013 Fran rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Charlotte has had poor relationships with most of the females in her life, including her artsy, distant mom who lives in Taos. Even her close relationship with her sister is becoming strained now that Jilly is away at college. The constant in Charlotte’s life has been her role as manager and lyricist for the all-boy band, Sad Jackal. But, things become complicated when her best friend, Trip quits the band and lead singer,Oliver feels threatened when Charlotte’s singing talent is discovered. She...more

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May 31, 2012 Cierra (The Book Lover's Report) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was about a high school aged girl (sixteen) who was used to being 'just one of the guys'. She had had only one boyfriend and really only one girl friend (who dropped her for the cooler crowd). I'd say this was like the sort of tom-boy's point of view, or rather girl-who'd-rather-hang-with guys. Throughout the book, Charlotte is trying to find a normal be it from the friendship with Oliver, the weirdness between her and Trip, the newness of Benji, and new band mates. This story was abou...more This book was about a high school aged girl (sixteen) who was used to being 'just one of the guys'. She had had only one boyfriend and really only one girl friend (who dropped her for the cooler crowd). I'd say this was like the sort of tom-boy's point of view, or rather girl-who'd-rather-hang-with guys. Throughout the book, Charlotte is trying to find a normal be it from the friendship with Oliver, the weirdness between her and Trip, the newness of Benji, and new band mates. This story was about friendships, and boys, and the question: What if I don't/ do?

I thought that this book was good, though confusing at parts. Like how at the beginning it was all about Trip, but in the middle, she wasn't thinking about Trip at all. BUT I did like Benji's character. He was like the bad-boy who's sweet/cute on the inside and awkward around the girl he likes. This is something I think ALL girls would love in a guy, so even though he's not a main character, I felt myself loving him anyway.

Now, Oliver. Let me tell you about Oliver. He annoyed me throughout the whole book. He shouldn't have ended his and Charlotte's friendship because of a choice she made! That makes absolutely no sense to me. Also, when he thought she liked him.... Ignore her, why don't you! But, oh well.

I don't think Trip should have stopped talking to her and being her friend, but that's what made Charlotte grow and become more mature on the inside. I think that if she'd had a shoulder to brace her up every time she fell, she wouldn't have learned ANYTHING! So, even thought I didn't like Trip for a majority of the book, I still like him (a little bit) because he inevitably helped her grow.

I think Terra's writing is inspiring and inspirational. Her writing (in this book) helps you understand how come some girls just aren't friendly with other girls, how all of the gossip (even if it's about someone liking someone) hurts, and how some people feel as if by going away, they're helping the situation (all though they're just making it worse). It also showed how some girls are strong when they seem like they should really be at their weakest.

So, although I generally liked this book, it will be getting four stars because some of the characters really annoyed me. (Don't trust me. YOU may like this book and the characters better than I did)(less)

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Mar 30, 2013 Manda rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: so-much-awww, smells-like-teen-spirit, rom-lite, oh-boy, for-love-of-music, family-ties, drama-o-drama, character-love, bubur-soul-sister, better-than-expected, awesome-relatable-girl, all-for-one-and-one-for-all, your-passion-is-infectious, words-for-you-truths-for-me

I've seemed to become tired of the typical doesn't-know-she's-hot-girl-with-tragic-background-that-attracts-the-attention-of-the-hot-player-boy stories. So this book was refreshingly different in that it's - just like the title says - about being friends with boys, and the ups and downs of having guys as your closest friends.

This isn't one of those ah-mazing books, but it's a fun light read that has a lot going for it. It's not about the popular kids, or the social rejects, but about a group of...more

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Nov 26, 2012 Sica ♡ YA＼(^o^)／ rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-done-reading

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 08, 2012 Devyani rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: music

Soooo.. i finally finished reading this one ! Yay me .

What a disappointment . Seriously .
LOOK at the title ! doesn't it just grab your heart and call out your soul ?!
It's about Being friends with boys for god's sake ! BOYS.
If someone asked me as to what i expected out of this book here , I would have easily pointed out stuff like Love-triangle , Lots of music , A really great premises and ofcourse , BOYS. I'm a romantic , So cheesy ideas come naturally to me .

you come across many books where you...more

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Aug 08, 2012 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I thought that this was a very realistic book, even if it was one giant cliche. It's nice to see that some authors actually know how to properly place commas. I just felt like for such a long book, it meandered a lot. We didn't really get to see the main love interest very much, and I was disappointed with the ending. (view spoiler)...more

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May 01, 2013 Maggie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm giving this three stars because at least it held my interest until the end unlike the last book I read. But overall it was kind of disappointing. The two love interests are great together, but it takes WAY TOO LONG for them to get together at the end. This made the book feel very confusing, because after they stopped talking, I figured it was over for good and she would be with someone else. But there were so many prospective love interests for the MC that my head started spinning.

I really l...more

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Apr 29, 2013 Savannah Lowery rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own

Well please let me begin by saying that I can relate to this book because my childhood was much like what was portrayed in this book (and so is my 12 year old daughters). This book was very easy for me to relate to because most girls/women cause issues and drama while boys/men relate to their friends differently.

I enjoyed the plot, the subject matter, and the characters portrayed in this book. I would recommend it to anyone who has a daughter who isn't a "girly girl". this book was easy to read...more

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Mar 29, 2013 Niki rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was amazing!! Considering I knew everything about the setting also made the book even better! I love Charlotte, she is freaking perfect. I wouldn't change anything about her, I love her personality and how she was portrayed throughout this book! (I wish I could get as many guys as her) All of these guys were so different and it made the story exiting to see all these different people come into Charlotte's life. Charlotte is experimenting her options and what she want to do in life and...more

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May 14, 2012 Blue Bates rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: good-character-development, rockstar, ya

I liked this book more than I thought I would. Also more than other people did - based off of the reviews.

I thought it was a beautifully interwoven story. There was the main plot about the band, and the songwriting. But there was also that underlying theme about the power of friendships.

I don't know, this story definitely surprised me. I was very fond of the main character - Charlotte, and really understood a lot of the secondary characters.

It was a little slower to get through, a lot of interna...more

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About Terra Elan McVoy

I have been reading and writing, basically, ever since I learned how to, and everything I've done has pretty much been connected to those two things. I went to college at a small, fantastic school (with a super writing program) called St. Andrews Presbyterian College. I got my Master's degree in Creative Writing from Florida State. I have worked as an event coordinator at a major chain bookstore;...more

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Quotes from Being Friends with Boys

“I wasn't aware that was how I felt, either, until it was out. And now that I've said it like that, I'm not exactly sure it is how I feel. But this isn't a piece of paper I can crumple up and throw away. they aren't words I can cross out to start over. Now they're out, and I know they'll hang here, between us, maybe forever.” — 24 people liked it

“I know—better than anyone—that once someone’s made up her mind to leave you, there’s nothing you can do to make her stay.” — 10 people liked it

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