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Smart Girls Get What They Want

by Sarah Strohmeyer (Goodreads Author)

3.97 of 5 stars 3.97 · rating details · 1,261 ratings · 309 reviews

Gigi, Bea, and Neerja are best friends and total overachievers. Even if they aren't the most popular girls in school, they aren't too worried. They know their real lives will begin once they get to their Ivy League colleges. There will be ivy, and there will be cute guys in the libraries (hopefully with English accents)! But when an unexpected event shows them they're miss...more

Hardcover, 348 pages

Published June 26th 2012 by Balzer + Bray

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Jul 18, 2012 Mitch rated it 4 of 5 stars

I admit, I had my doubts about this book at first. The summary makes this sound like light fluff, right? And the first few chapters, well, they're kind of shallow. I mean, an academically obsessed girl accused of letting a dumb jock cheat off of her decides she's had enough of it and figures she'd rather be a social climber? Oh boy, I could see where this was headed, cheesy fun maybe but otherwise not much of a plot. But I seriously underestimated this book, turns out Strohmeyer was only using t...more I admit, I had my doubts about this book at first. The summary makes this sound like light fluff, right? And the first few chapters, well, they're kind of shallow. I mean, an academically obsessed girl accused of letting a dumb jock cheat off of her decides she's had enough of it and figures she'd rather be a social climber? Oh boy, I could see where this was headed, cheesy fun maybe but otherwise not much of a plot. But I seriously underestimated this book, turns out Strohmeyer was only using the light fluff as a cover to explore a lot of deeper issues about identity, perception, public personas, so while the book provides some very good laughs, it also didn't fall into the obvious traps I'd expected and ended up giving me a lot to chew on as well - Smart Girls Get What They Want really surprised me.

It helps too that I really liked Gigi even when I thought she didn't have more dimensions than just the outcast smart girl angle. She's fun, not entirely accurate - I'm pretty sure a competent AP Chemistry teacher would've taught Avogadro's number before the midterms, but she's an odd yet interesting mix of brains and pop culture, talking about US magazine and Fermat's Last Theorem in the span of a few pages, or Anna and the French Kiss and then House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende (one of my favorite books!). Really cute. Plus she's witty, gets some really good lines, and has a ridiculous dog to boot. But what I really liked was how her character developed, she does things she didn't think she could do, learns things about herself and other people in the process, and basically ended up being this really well rounded, well developed character I totally rooted for.

Speaking of well developed, her friends Bea and Neerja, aren't they great too or what? They're both awesome supporting characters in their own right - they're not just Gigi's best friends, but they have their own things going on, so even though this book is nominally about Gigi, it really feels like three best friends going on an adventure, where they do things together but get their own little things on the side too. And of course, a lot of that is because the three of them are the kind of true friends that are fun to read about too, friends who stick together, have fun, and aren't bitchy or anything even when they have their disagreements.

But the part that really won me over was Gigi and her friends discovering things about the other students, about themselves, as they're going for it. Like Ava, she's not the typical villain character, she sort of gains all these extra dimensions as Gigi learns more about her. Or Will, there's stuff to like about him and obviously stuff that makes him a huge ass. Or Mike, down to the reasons he needs a sports scholarship. It's all pretty predictable, but because Strohmeyer does an excellent job fleshing out almost every single character, not because any of them are really flat. Well, except Justin, but that can't be helped. And of course, it all ends with Gigi, Bea, and Neerja figuring out things about themselves that makes this book all the more satisfying.

I'm surprised myself how much fun I had with Smart Girls Get What They Want. It's a light, fun read, but at the same time hits quite a few serious notes. Basically, a book anyone can enjoy.(less)

27 likes · like · see review

Jul 01, 2012 Katy rated it 4 of 5 stars

SQUEEEEE!!!!! (That one's for you, Mitch. And you better not call my review "girly" because I'll throw it right back at you.)

This book was just what I needed - a cute, fun read that just leave you with a happy feeling. Yes, this book was cliche, and yes, it was totally predictable. But I liked the pacing of the book, and I thought Strohmeyer did a great job developing her characters and providing entertaining dialogue.

I love Gigi's personality. She had a sarcastic spunk to her, but not in an ann...more

16 likes · like · see review

Apr 08, 2013 Stacia ~ Mistress of Mediocrity marked it as did-not-finish

Being as that I've read several books lately featuring extremely dumb girls (actually, the girls have been smarter than the women I've read lately), I was quite interested in a book which was touting smart girls in the title.

I thought was I going to be all rawr girl power. You know - GET SOME, BITCHES. WE DON'T NEED TO TRIP OVER OUR SHADOWS, OR GIGGLE AND BOUNCE LIKE IDIOTS TO GET WHAT WE WANT.

Truth be told, I couldn't get into it. This might very well have been a cute book, but it read too muc...more

11 likes · like · see review

Jul 17, 2012 Celina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned

I chanced upon this book at the bookstore, saw the title, read the blurb and then bought it immediately.

“Smart Girls Get What They Want” is the kind of book I wish I read back in high school. I suppose that’s because I was considered as a “nerd” back in high school, so I could totally relate to Gigi, Neerja and Bea. I really enjoyed all of the characters in this book – they were believable, smart (obviously) and funny, but also a bit clueless about everything. I especially loved the wonderful fr...more

8 likes · like · see review

Jan 26, 2013 Eileen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: borrowed, contemporary, physical-book, romance, young-adult, favorite-books

Check out more of my reviews at ***Sinnging and Reading in the Rain***!

A tale about three "nerds" deciding to take a stand against social invisibility Smart Girls Get What They Want isn't just regularly amazing; it is epically amazing. It's cute, funny, and totally realistic, with just a hint of romance thrown in.

What Sarah Strohmeyer captures so eloquently in Smart Girls Get What They Want are the nerds. As a nerd myself, both academically and also outside of those confines, you all hopefully k...more Check out more of my reviews at ***Sinnging and Reading in the Rain***!

A tale about three "nerds" deciding to take a stand against social invisibility Smart Girls Get What They Want isn't just regularly amazing; it is epically amazing. It's cute, funny, and totally realistic, with just a hint of romance thrown in.

What Sarah Strohmeyer captures so eloquently in Smart Girls Get What They Want are the nerds. As a nerd myself, both academically and also outside of those confines, you all hopefully know that I'm not a monotonous drone that buzzes "School. School. Must. Do." 24/7. Yes, school is a very important factor in my life, as with many other people, but it doesn't dominate my life and I'm not one to say that my grades are something that I stress about the most. Gigi, our protagonist, is exactly like me when it comes to the nerd department, which made her very personable and relatable. She was funny, she cared about how she looked, and she valued things other than school and getting straight As.

Another thing I loved about Smart Girls Get What They Want was the romance in itself. It was that kind of sweet high school romance that had everybody "Ooh"ing and "Ah"ing over it. We don't go through a case of insta-love, and the love interests change throughout the story, like most high school romances do. Gigi originally had a crush on Will, but then started to develop feelings for another boy who wasn't who she thought she was. In my opinion, that just made Gigi an even more endearing character because of the way she learned things about herself and the people around her.

In fact, most of the time the romance sits on the back burner while Gigi, Bea, and Neerja went through their journeys as teenagers and found their way through their lives. Gigi conquered her fears, Bea faced her past, and Neerja confronted her feelings for her all-time crush while participating in what she loved most. The thing about Smart Girls Get What They Want is not only the romance aspect of it, but rather how these characters grow and change throughout the novel. We see them change from invisible beings to socially accepted, with friends.

A compelling story where finding oneself and reevaluating one's thoughts on his or her peers are closely related, Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer will not fail to completely lure you in and keep its grip on you until the very last page.(less)

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Jul 31, 2012 Sophie Riggsby rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adorable-quotient-is-high

*Review published on Mundie Moms on August 4, 2012*

I’m always on the lookout for books I want my girls to read. They’re in 4th and 2nd grade now, but I know how fast years will pass and before long, they’ll be glancing through my shelves for reading material. And Smart Girls Get What They Want is a book I definitely want them to read.

These characters hit such a personal note with me and I know that my high school self would’ve fit in easily with Bea, Neerja and Gigi. I, too, could hardly wait t...more *Review published on Mundie Moms on August 4, 2012*

I’m always on the lookout for books I want my girls to read. They’re in 4th and 2nd grade now, but I know how fast years will pass and before long, they’ll be glancing through my shelves for reading material. And Smart Girls Get What They Want is a book I definitely want them to read.

These characters hit such a personal note with me and I know that my high school self would’ve fit in easily with Bea, Neerja and Gigi. I, too, could hardly wait to get through high school and go to a good college. But much like the three of them, I had a wonderful group of friends who kept me a little more balanced with after-school activities that didn’t include reading ahead in AP English.

Oh, how I loved their story! The girls, especially the protagonist Gigi, were so very real. She’s surrounded by smart women: her absentee, scientific mother who is off saving the world, one atom at a time and her French speaking grandmother who lends a sweetness to key moments in the story. And then there are her equally intelligent friends, Neerja and Bea. The girls are taught a lesson by Neerja’s older sister who excels academically, but not socially, in high school. After finding her yearbook, the girls realize that they want a different high school experience. So they get out of their Honors-Roll-Advance-Placement mindset and challenge themselves to be more plugged into the social aspects of high school by running for student government, trying out for a play and joining the ski club.

There are moments in the story that made me smile so much. Sarah focuses on the permanent bonds of friendship and it's such a good reminder to us all to treasure those relatioships. I loved that, no matter what, the girls stuck together even as they embraced their new adventures.

As for romance, well, over-achievers usually don’t have room for that or do they? Again, Sarah gives us these perfectly plausible scenarios – a long-time crush, the boy next door, a new boy who suddenly everyone wants and the dumb jock who manages to get into AP classes. I felt like I knew them all. I won’t spoil it for you, but I will say that the girls, in the end, use their brains and choose well, but first, they all learn some very important lessons. The sweetest moments occur between Gigi and Mike, the jock. His insights into the teenage boy mind are spot-on perfect. I just adored him and how he would call Gigi out on her geekish-awkward tendencies. Every geek girl needs a Mike in her life.

If you were that girl, that studious, quiet girl who people (outside your classes) may not have noticed, you will love this story. If you weren’t that girl, you will love the glimpse inside the life of a high school over-achiever. I’m not sure which one of these girls my daughters will be, but I know this, I’m saving Smart Girls Know What They Want for them to read because it’s a story that may just open their eyes to not being so single focused in high school and to not label people so quickly.
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Jul 18, 2012 Shreya (CCReviews) rated it 5 of 5 stars

May I just say, this is another book I've dived into this week and emerged utterly and positively surprised. I seem to be judging more books by their covers these days, much to my demise. If I hadn't opened this book, I would've missed out on a great experience. Everything in it fit together perfectly, and flowed smoothly. I didn't want to put this book down, and when I did, there was a magnetic force that was pulling me back towards it. I almost heard it calling to me, saying "Shreyaaaa, come o...more May I just say, this is another book I've dived into this week and emerged utterly and positively surprised. I seem to be judging more books by their covers these days, much to my demise. If I hadn't opened this book, I would've missed out on a great experience. Everything in it fit together perfectly, and flowed smoothly. I didn't want to put this book down, and when I did, there was a magnetic force that was pulling me back towards it. I almost heard it calling to me, saying "Shreyaaaa, come on, you know you want to read one more page." The fact that this one book brought out such feelings in me told me it was a keeper. While I was reading it, the realization that I was becoming a couch potato because of this book occurred to me. But STILL, I just could not put it down. Should I blame my stubbornness or the book? ZING! The book. It was that good. Miss Strohmeyer, I sincerely approve.

After reading the summary, I was a little put off because I don't take to different POV's very well, the max being 2. The summary made it seem as if this book was about the lives of three best friends, and the first thought that popped into my head was: "THREE different POV's?!" Leaving the book to catch dust on my shelf. But ladies and gentlemen, once I picked it up and read the first couple of chapters, I realized it was about 3 different girls, but told only from the POV of one of them, this being Gigi, and I absolutely loved her. She's smart, funny, kind, and stands up for herself (most of the time). Plus, she's the most loyal friend I've ever read about. I couldn't, not that I tried, find any one flaw in her. So it made me, the reader, just want to keep reading more. Gigi maybe a genius, but she's not your average, chip-off-the-block genius that you come across your high school hallway. I wish there were people like her in my school, we'd connect instantly. That's another big reason I fell in love with this book, because of how much it reminds me of me. Stressing about grades? Check. Overnight cramming? Check. Known as the "smart one"? Umm, yeah, basically my whole life, ha ha. So when reading about Gigi, it was like I was reading about my life, expect with cuter boys, and a much more lively high school.

The other characters, such as Gigi's best friends, Bea and Neerja, were also an important part of the book. I loved each of these three best friends for many different reasons. Bea is someone I would look up to in real life. She's smart (of course), funny, loyal, and VERY supportive of her friends. She wasn't afraid to throw a sharp remark or even a punch is someone insulted her best friend. Then there's Neerja, the shy and sweet girl who always looked out for the best in everyone, no matter how despicable they may be. These three girls, joined at the hip, couldn't have been more perfect for each other. I really do admire friendships like this one. OK, before I start on the hotties, might I just say there were a LOT of guys involved, because, well, duh, there were three girls, ha ha. I didn't know who to cheer for, and was horrified once I got to the middle of the book when I realized I was rooting for the wrong team, but quickly corrected myself. I can't talk about Gigi's romantic life without giving away spoilers, but let's just say that in the end, she made the right and perfect choice. As for Bea and Neerja, they found their match alongside Gigi as well. It was a heart-warming an squeal-worthy ending.

The one major aspect about this book that I loved the most was that these girls had each others backs. When all three were determines to be known/seen in their school as anyone other than just "nerds" or "geeks" or even "nobody's", they looked out for each other, and by the end, they proved everyone wrong. Sarah Strohmeyer captured the essence of high-school life for three teenage girls perfectly. She has created a charming, sweet, funny, and irresistible read that rendered me speechless. Throw in a smokin' hot guys, Romeo and Juliet, extreme skiing, and a Christmas miracle, and you've got yourself a great read.

My Rating: 5/5 stars
Perfect flow, flawless, and a sweet read that'll make you disappointed you finished it in a matter of hours.(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Jul 09, 2012 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

(4.5 Stars!!)
Wow, what a great book! It's kind of a relief after all the serious books I've been reading. :)

The story and plot are so interesting! I teared up at times and was screaming at others! I stayed up past my usual bedtime to get my full dose of this book and even preferred this book over the company of my friends. That's how good it was.

The writing was really beautiful too. Words flowed so beautifully together and it wasn't chunky and awkward at all.

Next, the characters. I can totally...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jun 01, 2012 Savannah (Books With Bite) rated it 5 of 5 stars

I thought this book is super cute and so fun to read! It amazed me with plot twist I did not see coming.

What I adored about this book is the great plot. The reader meet Gigi, a very smart girl who thinks she knows everything, especially what type of guy a jock is. Gigi is taking by surprise when she is paired up with the jock in a misunderstanding. This part of the book I loved. Gigi doesn't think twice to assume that he will just make her do all the work and take credit for it. Even he surprise...more

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Oct 03, 2012 Claire rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2012, ya-stand-alone

This was really good! It was lovely to read a nice, straight forward story. Please don't think that this means the story is boring cause it's not!! It is really well written and the characters are likeable - you really are rooting for these people to get what they want. There are so many funny moments and some lovely touching ones as well. I felt these girls pain - I often told myself that I was single because guys are intimidated by my brains and I felt that I would have to dumb myself down to...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 30, 2012 Michelle (FabbityFabBookReviews) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-young-adult

I loved this novel. From beginning to end, this was just a fantastic, fun, and romantic read. That this novel has three pretty brilliant female leads, who stand up for each other, watch each others' back, and aren't afraid to show their smarts? Awesome. The protagonist of the novel, Gigi, is a hardworking teen, supremely focused on acing her exams, getting recommendation letters, and making it into an Ivy League school. So what if she may not be having a so-called memorable time in high school?...more I loved this novel. From beginning to end, this was just a fantastic, fun, and romantic read. That this novel has three pretty brilliant female leads, who stand up for each other, watch each others' back, and aren't afraid to show their smarts? Awesome. The protagonist of the novel, Gigi, is a hardworking teen, supremely focused on acing her exams, getting recommendation letters, and making it into an Ivy League school. So what if she may not be having a so-called memorable time in high school? She's got her wonderful best friends, and the not-so-distant future- a very successful one- totally mapped out. But Bea, Gigi, and Neerja - due to a discovery about Neerja's erudite older sister- find out that they're missing on a life outside of studying. And then, Gigi is falsely accused of cheating on an almost-impossible exam that she aces- due to hardcore studying. She is cleared of the erroneous accusation, but when she finds out that it still may ruin her chances at a great future, she decides it's time to for her, Neerja, and Bea to speak out and take action.

There is one scene in the book which really stood out for me. Gigi is book shopping at the Harvard Book Store. Jane Eyre simply won't work for her mood so she goes in search comfort reading and picks up books by Meg Cabot, Stephanie Perkins, and others. Her maybe-more-than-a-friend Mike, who runs into her at the bookstore, laughs and is surprised over her picks as he expected Gigi, or 'Einstein' as her calls her, to just read complex Russian novels. Not, as Mike says, "trash like this". This scene really struck a chord with me- especially as someone who has heard smarmy comments about the romantic books I read. Not only does the author reference two beloved authors who write significant and critically-acclaimed romantic novels, but also she makes a statement that contemporary romantic fiction IS smart (read and enjoyed by intelligent women) and IS meaningful (...just like Strohmeyer's novel).

In fiction, I [Gigi] searched for my favorite authors, women I have trusted to reassure me that not all teenage guys are total ditwads, that the archetype if the noble cute hero who devotes himself to the girl loves has not gone the way of the rotary phone. That all I had to do was be myself (smart, hardworking, funny) and be patient and kind and he and I would find each other (Excerpt from Chapter 18, ebook edition)

If you're a fan of contemporary/romantic YA, then I would definitely recommend this read! It's got everything I love to read in that genre: kick-ass and funny protagonists, well-developed secondary characters, a compelling plot and genuinely romantic romance. The novel also has this lovely charm and a few zany situations that, for various reasons, reminded me of the writing of greats like Cabot, Judy Blume and Ellen Conford. I think that when I look back on my reads of the year, this will rank up there on my list of favourites.
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2 likes · like · see review

Jun 30, 2012 Rena rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: amazon-vine

Whatever you do, don't call Smart Girls Get What They Want a cute book. It is partly that, but so much more. It's also an insult to the heroines of Sarah Strohmeyer's novel. Gigi, Neerja, and Bea are the smart girls who finally realize that high school is more than good grades and getting into the right college. So they set out to make names for themselves and conquer their fears and goals.

SGGWTW is great book for girls, written with heart and humor, and tells girls that they can accomplish anyt...more

2 likes · like · see review

Oct 10, 2012 Bluerose's Heart rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, young-adult-12-and-up, on-the-fence

Oh, how I LOVED this book!

This is one of those books that took me by surprise. I was looking for a fun "chick lit" kind of book at the time I read it. I got that and so much more!

Gigi, Bea, Neerja are 3 ridiculously smart best friends. Their goal is to make it through high school with the highest possible grades and then get into a great ivy league school. When they discover a yearbook belonging to Neerja's older sister, they also discover that their goal comes with the price of an "unknown stat...more

3 likes · like · see review

Nov 02, 2012 Jen (A Reading Daydreamer) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Guys, this book was SO SO CUTE. Like I love it a lot. This book was MADE for me, I swear. Not only did the cover & title attract my attention, but I instantly knew that I would be able to connect with the characters in the book, because, well, I'm a nerd, too. I'm so glad to say that my hypothesis was correct; I completely understood the characters and thoroughly enjoyed Smart Girls Get What They Want.

I'm not even quite sure if there is anything that I didn't like about this book. As I menti...more

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 23, 2012 Mandee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Mandee by: Jenny

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, hc-au, june2012release, realistic-fiction, ya-lit, for-review, review-on-the-blog, female-pov

Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer is set in Boston. Gigi, Bea and Neeja are the best of friends and they all attend Denton High School. They’re also three of the smartest girls at the school and they spend most of their time studying together with some fun thrown in when they have time. They slowly realise that hardly anyone at school knows who they are, this includes most of their classmates, so they decide they need to try new things. When Gigi and fellow student Mike are accu...more Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer is set in Boston. Gigi, Bea and Neeja are the best of friends and they all attend Denton High School. They’re also three of the smartest girls at the school and they spend most of their time studying together with some fun thrown in when they have time. They slowly realise that hardly anyone at school knows who they are, this includes most of their classmates, so they decide they need to try new things. When Gigi and fellow student Mike are accused of cheating, she is encouraged to run for student rep so she can petition the board to remove the accusation from their personal records. Bea joins the ski team and Neerja auditions for Romeo and Juliet and together they start making themselves more well known at school.

This was a really fun read and I had a feeling it would be thanks to the cover and after I read a couple of reviews (one by Jenny, one by Magan). I liked all three girls and thought their characters were well done. Despite being intelligent, none of them are perfect. Gigi is petrified of public speaking to the point of being sick, Bea is very bossy and opinionated and Neerja lacks self confidence. The story is told from Gigi’s point of view and I enjoyed her voice, though she is quite quick to judge. She thinks Mike is a bit stupid because he’s always asking to borrow her notes or copy her homework and finds herself falling for new boy Will, despite the fact that he apparently has a girlfriend back home. I enjoyed the occasions where Gigi and Mike hung out, and I had a feeling I knew what was really going on.

There was a lack of communication between most of the characters but that usually creates a bit of drama which drives the story along, so while I was annoyed with them some of the time, I understood why it had to happen.

I felt the ending was wrapped up really quickly and I had a few lingering questions, but overall this was a lot of fun and very sweet. The story was peppered with lots of pop cultural references, including the mention of YA books and authors and I found that to be a great addition.

Smart Girls Get What They Want is a fun read with an array of characters that readers will be able to relate to and a setting of high school that will appeal to teens as well as adult fans of contemporary YA.

Thanks to the lovely people at Harper Collins Australia for my review copy.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 31, 2013 Andrea at Reading Lark rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012, 5-stars, favorites, young-adult, contemporary

Review Posted on Reading Lark 7/11/12: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2012/...

Whenever I start to get overloaded with paranormal reading, I start to crave a humorous, well written contemporary. When this little beauty showed up on my doorstep, I couldn't wait to start reading it. Strohmeyer and the Smart Girls certainly didn't disappoint. In fact, I'm having trouble articulating just how much I loved this book. I'm already planning a fall reread to go along with the time period in the book.

Smar...more

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Jul 20, 2012 Hilda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-favorites, young-adult, mundane-world-normal-people

Get smart. Get everything.

Three best friends Gigi, Bea, and Neerja thought that high school is nothing. When they get into one of Ivy League colleges, they would have anything they want: the cute boys, the grades, and the happy-ever-after. Who needs high school when they can have Ivy League college waiting?

But when the girls see the empty year book of Neerja's genius older sister, Parad, a bunch of questions about success versus happiness raised up. Now it's their mission to ensure they got ever...more Get smart. Get everything.

Three best friends Gigi, Bea, and Neerja thought that high school is nothing. When they get into one of Ivy League colleges, they would have anything they want: the cute boys, the grades, and the happy-ever-after. Who needs high school when they can have Ivy League college waiting?

But when the girls see the empty year book of Neerja's genius older sister, Parad, a bunch of questions about success versus happiness raised up. Now it's their mission to ensure they got everything they deserved from high school, whether that was grades, fame, guys, a totally full yearbook. After all, if they were supposedly so smart, this should have been a piece of cake... right?

Oh my goodness. I think this book might be one of the most brilliant contemporaries ever. Plus, it has such amazing title that I want to put it on my shirt! I love this book so much to the point I want to marry it. Er… figure of speech.

This book is unlike any other contemporaries I’ve ever read! It’s witty, funny, adorable, romantic, and so smart! If you multiply each good point I mentioned one hundred times, then you finally get the result: this book!

Gigi is my newest favorite heroine. She’s super smart, beautiful, and funny. She’s just what I need after reading too much self-proclaimed smart heroines who keep making reckless choices. I really like Gigi because she’s very relatable. The friendship she has with Neerja and Bea is very adorable too. They are clearly best friends for life! I’m the happiest person when Gigi learns to speak up in public. When she still runs for student representative although it means she has to become opponent with her crush Will, I was so proud of Gigi!

Now, Mike. Mike is the guy who gets involved with Gigi in cheating scandal. At first, I thought he is just like other jocks. But then I see the other side of him, and I fell in love. Mike is smart, funny, protective, and sweet beyond words. I swooned every time he appeared. I rooted for Will at first, but afterward, my heart belongs to Mike and his brilliant mind.

I don’t think I can recommend enough of Smart Girls Get What They Want. Fans of contemporary would heart this book, but I think anyone with love of books would find this book very entertaining. I know that this is hardly a review, more likely a gushing, but when you love a book too much… you can’t help it, right? ;)

“Dude,” Bea said. “So true. I say we go for it. Ski team. Student rep. The play. Gigi’s right. Let’s not think and, for once, just do.”

We squeezed our hands together. We could do this. We had to. Because high school only comes around once, and I would hate to look back and think I didn’t make the most of every moment because I was scared of what other people thought. Other people never think that much about you anyway.

Eleanor Roosevelt said that.(less)

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Nov 28, 2012 Mary H rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: giveaway-win

This book is definitely sweet and fun, but what I like best is that there is actual substance to it! Like Gigi, Neerja, and Bea, I took AP and honors classes and participated in the nerdier aspects of high school, but thanks to the advice of my siblings before me, I also made sure to have a social life. This book is all about the girls finding out they need to create a life outside academia after a less-than-positive interaction with Neerja's Ivy-League-bound sister.

One of my favorite aspects of...more

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Jun 21, 2012 Kris rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, contemporary, ya-books, books-reviewed

Gigi and her friends are the hero(oine)s of smart girls! At last, there is a contemporary read where the smart girls take the spotlight. Not to say that there aren't other smart girls or girls who are smart in other ways. This is a book that focuses on the fact that the main characters are smart girls and how they go about finding popularity while maintaining their studies. Other unique features of the book: one of Gigi's friends (Neerja) is Indian (go ethnic diversity!) and Gigi's grandmother i...more Gigi and her friends are the hero(oine)s of smart girls! At last, there is a contemporary read where the smart girls take the spotlight. Not to say that there aren't other smart girls or girls who are smart in other ways. This is a book that focuses on the fact that the main characters are smart girls and how they go about finding popularity while maintaining their studies. Other unique features of the book: one of Gigi's friends (Neerja) is Indian (go ethnic diversity!) and Gigi's grandmother is French and uses French.

I adore Gigi's character. She's an overachiever like Bea and Neerja, and she relates thermodynamics to the hair-styling process. She has a great sense of humor and good taste in books. A smart girl who also loves Anna and the French Kiss = win. One day, she wakes up and realizes that if she spend all of her time studying, she won't have a social life. I went through a similar stage--also in my sophomore year of high school, now that I think about it--so I can relate. It was the year that I began trying to talk to people more instead of studying all the time, and I picked up my first "fun reading book" in years. Gigi's progress takes time as well, though she manages to find herself by the end of the school year with the help of her best friends and a chemistry project she's forced into with a jock.

Although Gigi didn't want to leave high school without any memories, it takes an almost suspension to set plans into motion. It also makes the principal aware that students didn't view themselves quite as equals, as Gigi looks down on jocks and the jocks think she's out of their league. There are also the students who don't get smart people at all. I love this angle to the story. It's very real and applicable to high school life today. I knew students who were better at sports than studies, but my high-school valedictorian was part of the band and was pretty into sports. A physics and computer science nerd at my school was on the football team. People shouldn't be labelled just by the groups they hang out with, and it's something that Gigi will learn when she realizes that she's been overlooking a hot sweetie with brains hiding under a a jock-ish exterior.

Smart Girls Get What They Want plays on the social stereotypes that we see in too many schools today and shows how people aren't always what they seem to be on the surface. The story is light and filled with humor, as Gigi struggles to overcome her fear of public speaking and find her niche in the school where she'll be remembered, and her friends undergo similar experiences. The story is light, cute, and filled with humor. It is about friendship, branching out, and speaking up. There is romance, but it is secondary to the girls' plans to succeed in something other than their studies. I recommend this to those looking for a fun contemporary read with depth to it and a memorable cast of characters.

--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog Imaginary Reads.

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Jun 15, 2012 Christina (A Reader of Fictions) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Review originally posted here.

What attracted me to Strohmeyer's first YA effort is obvious: the title. I want to live in this magical world where being smart will get me precisely what I desire. Of course, nothing's really that simple, and the girls spend a lot of time NOT getting what they want. SGGWTW (long-ass title even when abbreviated!) isn't so much about how being smart will open every door for you; it's about understand others and discovering yourself in the process.

The most powerful th...more Review originally posted here.

What attracted me to Strohmeyer's first YA effort is obvious: the title. I want to live in this magical world where being smart will get me precisely what I desire. Of course, nothing's really that simple, and the girls spend a lot of time NOT getting what they want. SGGWTW (long-ass title even when abbreviated!) isn't so much about how being smart will open every door for you; it's about understand others and discovering yourself in the process.

The most powerful theme for me was this one of first impressions and their general inaccuracy. Throughout the book, Gigi learns things that surprise her about people she's known for years. For example, she is shocked to find out that one of the popular girls not in top level classes, who she thought only cared about boys and shopping, is obsessed with Anna Karenina. As time passes and she gives people a chance to be get to know her, she discovers hidden depths, forms new kinships with people she always stereotyped, and learns that people aren't necessarily what they appear to be. This realization helps her to overcome her own stereotype of being 'the smart girl,' freeing her to just be Gigi.

For roughly the first half of this book, I thought Strohmeyer had written hackneyed teen chick lit. In fact, it was reminding me a lot of Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink, with the supposedly smart girl obsessed with a hot, obviously douchey guy. I was not particularly into the book until about half way through when I realized that Strohmeyer was going to overthrow all of that. If you're frustrated in the beginning, do not give up, because, if you're like me, you will all of a sudden be SO INTO IT.

Strohmeyer ultimately does some things here that I really do not see in enough YA fiction. First and foremost, I was thrilled to see a real friendship. In a lot of YA, the friends serve only as a receptacle for the plaintive cries of the heroine about how X is so hot and she can't help wanting him despite the fact that he is an asshat. The heroine never thinks of her friend except when SHE needs something, and we never learn anything about the friend's life.

Bea, Neerja and Gigi are not like that at all. Throughout the novel, they are constantly watching out for one another, supporting one another, and hanging out. They clearly love one another so much, and are always ready to offer a comforting shoulder after a breakup. Gigi joins a sports team to support Bea (even though she's really not good at it) and tries out for a play to support Neerja (even though she's so afraid of public speaking she often throws up). They will do anything for one another, and no boy could ever stand in the way of that. They are straight up 'hos over bros,' which is so REFRESHING.

As I mentioned, Gigi does have a jerk that wants her or at least pretends to, and she wants him as well. However, what makes Gigi different is that, despite her hormones saying yes yes yes, she doesn't make any rash decisions. She questions his motivations and considers whether he would be a good idea. She moons over him a little, but she does so privately. You can't really help who you're attracted to so much, but you CAN help how you react to it, and I'm so glad to finally see a YA heroine who is not overwhelmed by her lust.

SGGWTW totally charmed me in the end, proving to be much deeper than I was anticipating. If you want to read some realistic fiction that's actually realistic (but still happy and romantic), this is a good one. This is a wonderful summer read, so grab a copy for your vacation! You will not regret it!(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Jul 09, 2012 Jamie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-arc, 2012, contemporary, young-adult, needs-review

Initial Reaction: When you've had a bad day, you need three things: a bubble bath, chocolate, and this book. It was the perfect blend of sweetness and humor and great friends and steamy romance. Loved it.

Review: Can I just say how much I lovelovelove feel-good contemporaries that are more than just fluff? Smart Girls Get What They Want is about exactly what the title implies. Gigi, Bea, and Neerja are smart girls. They may not have overflowing social calendars or afternoons filled with extracurr...more Initial Reaction: When you've had a bad day, you need three things: a bubble bath, chocolate, and this book. It was the perfect blend of sweetness and humor and great friends and steamy romance. Loved it.

Review: Can I just say how much I lovelovelove feel-good contemporaries that are more than just fluff? Smart Girls Get What They Want is about exactly what the title implies. Gigi, Bea, and Neerja are smart girls. They may not have overflowing social calendars or afternoons filled with extracurriculars, but who cares? They're totally going to Harvard/Princeton/Dartmouth and will have plenty of time for that later. Except when they find Neerja's sister's empty yearbook, they panic. What if by only worrying about life after high school they are missing out on some of life's greatest experiences? The three girls decide right then and there to make the most of high school, and not just in the academic sense. After all, they are smart girls. Who says they can't have everything they want?

One of the things I liked most about this novel was the meaningfulness of it. The girls didn't just want to let loose and party. They each faced some major obstacles and took on their fears. Of course they had a lot of fun on the way, but I really appreciated the way they remained themselves but became better versions. I loved that there was such a positive message throughout the story without it feeling preachy or condescending. I also loved the confidence these girls had in themselves, and in each other, and their attractiveness. Too often the smart girls are the mousy-haired, glasses-wearing loners. It was very refreshing to see three beautiful girls rocking the books who weren't constantly moaning about their insecurities.

There was a small love triangle, but it did not provoke one single eye roll from me. Both boys were not without merit (at least in the beginning), and I could see it going either way. Of course, as the story progressed things were more clear, and I was very happy with the outcome. I really appreciated the poetry-loving jock and may have even swooned a time or two.

Smart Girls was a smartly written, humorous contemporary I wish was around when I was in high school. Then maybe I could have been more like Gigi, Bea, and Neerja. Sarah Strohmeyer did a fantastic job of erasing stereotypes and giving value to being a smart girl.

FTC: I was gifted with an ARC of this novel, which was picked up at ALA Midwinter. Sash for the win!

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Jun 30, 2012 Juhina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: harper, my-arcs, review-books, favorites, own

Smart Girls Get What They Want has become the only YA contemporary novel that has finally reached the same love I have for Anna and the French Kiss. This is saying ALOT. I loved every single page of SGGWTW. It was full of laughs, such likable and flowing writing, realistic plot, amazing secondary characters, a kick-butt protagonist that is SMART and is independent, an enjoyable plot, and finally a cute boy to giggle about! That being said, beware, this review will be full of praises, gushing, an...more Smart Girls Get What They Want has become the only YA contemporary novel that has finally reached the same love I have for Anna and the French Kiss. This is saying ALOT. I loved every single page of SGGWTW. It was full of laughs, such likable and flowing writing, realistic plot, amazing secondary characters, a kick-butt protagonist that is SMART and is independent, an enjoyable plot, and finally a cute boy to giggle about! That being said, beware, this review will be full of praises, gushing, and outright infatuation over Sarah Strohmeyer's debut novel!

The protagonist, Gigi, is nicknamed "Einstein". That should give you an understanding of her level of smartness. Along with her other two best friends, Neerja and Bea, they are the three smartest girls in their sophomore year. However getting tired of not being noticed or leaving an imprint during their high school years, they decid to try out for different things. Neerja for the play Romeo and Juliet, Bea for the Skiing team, and Gigi for Student Rep. However Gigi, at first, is only running for Student Rep to win and be able to remove the accusations of cheating that were filed against her and Mike at the beginning of the year, even if they were exonerated. What Ivy League school would take a possible cheater? Here enters Mike. The guy that is all fun and Jokes. He is not the usual hot jerk, even with his constant teasing of Gigi, he is truly goodhearted and sweet. I really loved Mike! however the other side of the love triangle, Will, I can't say the same about. He ticked me off, and I'm glad the protagonist is smart and follows her head, and not only her heart.

The secondary characters (her best friends) were amazing! I am so glad the protagonist had such loyal friends. A great change from the 'mean best friend' we see in YA novels. You also get a glimpse of their high school struggles and also you see their strong friendship. Also, they all make new friends. There is no evil witch, or a mean girl. Even Mike's ex-girlfriend. I was totally invested in not only the protagonist's life, but also all the secondary characters! including Mike's ex-girlfriend! Sarah Strohmeyer knows how to grab the readers and immerse them into her characters' lives and make us become totally involved in their lives!

The only way to describe Smart Girls Get What They Want is that it is a totally feel good novel. A contemporary that would appeal to all YA readers. All I can say, at the beginning the synopsis didn't make me that excited for this novel, but when I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. So in my opinion give it a try! This novel is amazing. I can not wait to see what Sarah Strohmeyer has in stores for her next novel! I will definitely be picking it up! (less)

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Aug 16, 2012 Angela rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

Just finished this fabulous young adult debut novel from the already widely published favorite chick lit and mystery writer, Sarah Strohmeyer. Strohmeyer's voice is pitch-perfect for the genre. Her ability to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of her audience always leaves me waiting for her next book, regardless of the genre.

In this book of smart teens, Gigi, Bea, and Neerja vow to be not only smart but memorable as high school students. They struggle to break the stereotype of the geek...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 04, 2012 JenniferElizabeth Austin rated it 5 of 5 stars

I've been meaning to write a better review for this book because it deserved one!

The author did an amazing job of creating characters that were likeable and a storyline that was realistic and believable.

I’ll be sharing this with my friend’s teen daughter. This is the kind of book I consider to be a good influence on the values of friendship and doing the right thing even when it’s hard.

1 like · like · see review

May 12, 2013 Tabitha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-reads, contemporary, favorite-book-guys, kindle-copy, romance, young-adult

See more of my reviews at Tabitha's Book Blog

Smart Girls Get What They Want is a book that I’ve been seeing everywhere - whether it be on a fellow bloggers blog, the bookstore, or even Twitter - it’s been everywhere. So when I found an incredible deal on Amazon for it - I had to buy it, and then I had to read it right away. And now, one day later - Smart Girls Get What They Want is probably one of my favorite light contemporaries.

With that being said, Smart Girls Get What They Want is definitel...more See more of my reviews at Tabitha's Book Blog

Smart Girls Get What They Want is a book that I’ve been seeing everywhere - whether it be on a fellow bloggers blog, the bookstore, or even Twitter - it’s been everywhere. So when I found an incredible deal on Amazon for it - I had to buy it, and then I had to read it right away. And now, one day later - Smart Girls Get What They Want is probably one of my favorite light contemporaries.

With that being said, Smart Girls Get What They Want is definitely not what I expected it to be. I expected a book about the three main characters - Gigi, Bea, and Neerja - and their difficulties in achieving their goals of going from nobodies to somebodies. And while they did struggle - it was much lighter than I would have otherwise expected. However, once I got into the book I really didn’t mind - I enjoyed seeing how their friendship worked and how they slowly integrated themselves into their high schools social scene.

I LOVED THE CHARACTERS IN THIS BOOK. Mainly the main character, Gigi - but that’s not too important. All of the characters in this book were so normal, and it made them all incredibly easy to relate to. The relationship between Gigi and her two best friends Bea and Neerja was really sweet - I loved seeing how they would all leave their comfort zones in order to help each other. And I loved how despite the fact that these girls were so academically driven - they still managed to find time to pay attention to things like pop culture and even notice that they needed to change their social habits.

There was a bit of romance in this book, but it wasn’t the focus of the story. I really enjoyed watching the relationship between Gigi and this certain guy develop. I actually would have liked to have a bit more between them - it kind of felt like their “moment” didn’t happen until the last chapter of the book.

Sarah Strohmeyer is definitely an author that I’m going to be looking out for in the future. I actually think she just released a book, so I’ll be looking out for that one. ALSO. I just want to point out that the author slipped in a small reference of Anna and the French Kiss which just made me love this book and the characters so much more.
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May 09, 2013 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Summary:
Gigi, Neerja, and Bea have been friends forever. They are entering into their sophomore year of high school with one thing on their minds, get noticed/involved. The dream of being the smart girl that goes through high school and then makes it into a college where they are finally are understood had previously kept them going, but after stumbling across Neerja's sister's yearbook that was almost completely blank of signatures, the girls need something more than just studying hard and gett...more

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Apr 13, 2013 Chloe rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read this in, what? 2 hours?!
Well, actually, I read really fast.
When I was re-reading the Harry Potter series, *cough cough* I read one book per day. So yeah, I've heard that I'm a fast reader.
Well, anyway, this book is simply great.
This is not the nerd-girl-suddenly-transforms-into-popular-girl-by-acting-like-a-bitch-and-abandoning-her-best-friend type of book.
The main character, still has her sweet personality, and manages to not to be a bitch!
THIS IS A MIRACLE
She's a nerd, but actually, sh...more

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Apr 12, 2013 Gillysegal rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fair warning: this is a rave not a review.

I LOVED this book. Loved it, loved it, loved it. I stayed up too late in order to finish it and went to sleep with a smile on my face still thinking about it.

This is the story of three smart, hard working high school girls who are appalled to discover that, for all their hard work, they are non-entities at their high school. And they set out to change that before it's too late.

Smart Girls Get What They Want is pitch perfect. Strohmeyer absolutely nails t...more

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Mar 06, 2013 Lo rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book is largely garbage with a positive underlying feminist message. But, as I said, its like a diamond hidden under a whole landfill worth of trash.

My first real issue with this book appeared when the main character, Gigi, was talking about her parents, who are both professional physicists. I was completely mortified by the shallow stereotypes that Strohmeyer decided to employ to personify Gigi's parents. They were both absent minded messes who couldn't function outside the lab.

The next,...more

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Jan 27, 2013 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this book, it had great strong characters and provided several hidden messages that teenage girls would be aware of and would take notice of!

First of all I really liked the refreshingly different cast of characters, how instead of angst ridden, spoiled brats the main character Gigi was smart not only academically but in general life, for example sticking with her friends and finding out the truth behind people and even though she made mistakes she redeemed herself by using her hea...more I really liked this book, it had great strong characters and provided several hidden messages that teenage girls would be aware of and would take notice of!

First of all I really liked the refreshingly different cast of characters, how instead of angst ridden, spoiled brats the main character Gigi was smart not only academically but in general life, for example sticking with her friends and finding out the truth behind people and even though she made mistakes she redeemed herself by using her head and ultimately making the right decisions in the end!

I loved Neerja and Bea, they were so supportive and caring just like best friends should be. The three of them where there for each and and helped each other pursue their goals and even though their was a little hiccup with their friendship midway you know that nothing could tear them apart and that they would always stay friends.

I loved how their we're hardly any cliches especially with the popular people, I half expected one of the popular girls to through a bitchy comment but I swear it didn't happen and I was so happy because Sarah portrayed them as normal relatable people. She even avoided the overused cliche of a dumb jock. I also loved how Sarah didn't stick with the average happy family structure and I found it really cool that Gigi lived with her French grandmother while her mother was nerding it out trying to get rid of black holes. So refreshingly different!!!

I thought the book was very well written although some bits where a little dull I still enjoyed the storyline. The pop culture references were cool and I loved the quotes. I also loved the bit where's she was picking out books to read and she had Meg Cabot! and Stephanie Perkins, it shows that she appreciates all types of literature and not what you would expect as with her being a genius and everything. I absolutely loved the hidden messages Sarah scattered throughout the book. For example:

Don't ditch your friends over a guy
Don't change yourself for a guy
Stick up for what you believe in
Don't judge a book by its cover and so on...

Overall I found it an excellent read with fascinating strong characters and messages that will make you think twice. I recommend it to any teenage girl as it is a worthwhile book that certainly inspired me to do my best in everything I take on!!!(less)

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About Sarah Strohmeyer

Sarah Strohmeyer is the award-winning, nationally bestselling author of fifteen novels one of which, THE CINDERELLA PACT, became a Lifetime Movie, LYING TO BE PERFECT.
Her first mystery, BUBBLES UNBOUND, won the Agatha Award and THE SLEEPING BEAUTY PROPOSAL was nominated for a prestigious RITA™. Her books have been translated into German, French, Italian, Turkish, Taiwanese and a bunch of others.
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“This is probably the advantage of being stupid. Stupid people just do. We tend to overthink. If we could eliminate the “over” and just think, then we could do, too. Only we’d be smarter doers because we’d be thinkers.” — 32 people liked it

“In fiction, I searched for my favorite authors, women I have trusted to reassure me than not all teenage guys are total ditwads, that the archetype of the noble cute hero who devotes himself to the girl he loves has not gone the way of the rotary phone. That all I had to do was be myself (smart, hardworking, funny) and be patient and kind and he and I would find each other.

As Bea would say, this why they call it fiction.” — 23 people liked it

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