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Once Upon a Kiss
So much has happened since 1986, and Zoe Brenner is about to find out just how much.
From the author of the book that inspired the Disney original movie Geek Charming!
It's 1986 and sixteen-year-old Zoe Brenner's world revolves around Depeche Mode, Judd Nelson, exercise-obsessed parents, and her best friend Jonah. Then one day, in a freak Fun-Dip choking accident, Zoe falls unconscious, and awakes in the year 2016. So much has changed, and Zoe needs Jonah to help her make sense of it all. But in this life, Zoe is the most popular girl in school, and she soon realizes this Zoe doesn't associate with nerds like Jonah. As Zoe juggles new technology, attempts to hide her enthusiasm for poet blouses, and manages to keep her super jock boyfriend at bay, she tries to rekindle her friendship with Jonah and use her popularity for a good cause. Will she ever get back to 1986? And more importantly, does she want to?
From the author of the book that inspired the Disney original movie Geek Charming!
It's 1986 and sixteen-year-old Zoe Brenner's world revolves around Depeche Mode, Judd Nelson, exercise-obsessed parents, and her best friend Jonah. Then one day, in a freak Fun-Dip choking accident, Zoe falls unconscious, and awakes in the year 2016. So much has changed, and Zoe needs Jonah to help her make sense of it all. But in this life, Zoe is the most popular girl in school, and she soon realizes this Zoe doesn't associate with nerds like Jonah. As Zoe juggles new technology, attempts to hide her enthusiasm for poet blouses, and manages to keep her super jock boyfriend at bay, she tries to rekindle her friendship with Jonah and use her popularity for a good cause. Will she ever get back to 1986? And more importantly, does she want to?
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2016
26 people are currently reading
1258 people want to read
About the author
Robin Palmer
30 books298 followersRobin Palmer grew up in Massachusetts and New Jersey, and after graduating from Boston University, moved to Hollywood. Starting as an assistant in the television literary department of the William Morris Agency, she quickly moved up the ranks and spent the next decade as a literary agent, producer, and television network executive at Lifetime Television, where she developed over one hundred scripts and oversaw the production of many of the network's original movies.
In 2001, she remembered that she had originally intended to spend her life either as a writer or a toll booth collector (so she could indulge her penchant for spending her days alone reading), but as there are no toll roads in southern California, she decided to give the writing thing a try. Since then, she's written everything from "To Do" lists to screenplays to essays to love letters and, of course, novels.
She currently resides in New York City.
In 2001, she remembered that she had originally intended to spend her life either as a writer or a toll booth collector (so she could indulge her penchant for spending her days alone reading), but as there are no toll roads in southern California, she decided to give the writing thing a try. Since then, she's written everything from "To Do" lists to screenplays to essays to love letters and, of course, novels.
She currently resides in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
January 18, 2016
This book was just WAY too stereotypical, unnatural and cheesy. I managed to push through to finish the book, but I didn't enjoy it one bit, unfortunately.
Full review soon!
Full review soon!
February 24, 2016
How dare this book remind me that 1986 was almost 30 years ago.
UPDATE: Now that I've read it, this book more or less met my expectations of a light, fluffy read. But OH MAN, did I ever have major issues with the protagonist, which cancelled out the parts I did like (and then some).
Read my full review on Forever Young Adult.
UPDATE: Now that I've read it, this book more or less met my expectations of a light, fluffy read. But OH MAN, did I ever have major issues with the protagonist, which cancelled out the parts I did like (and then some).
Read my full review on Forever Young Adult.
May 30, 2017
Initial Impressions 1/8/16: 3.75 - 4 stars
This was definitely cutesy, fluffy, and a lot of fun! I feel like the 2016 references will easily date the book quickly but it's hard when you really need them to emphasize the amount of modern knowledge that Zoe lacked. I did feel like they got to be a bit much sometimes though!
The book was definitely fun and definitely cute. It had a very 13 Going On 30 feel except instead of being older, Zoe was the same age that she was in 1986 and 2016 was more like her alternate life that she could have had in the future.
I was actually kind of surprised by the ending! I wasn't expecting things to happen like that which wasn't bad but I also don't know if I really enjoyed it. I did like that it was a little something different and not totally expected.
Great for a light read and super easy to breeze through!
Review as originally posted HERE on The Book Addict's Guide 1/18/16: ONCE UPON A KISS was exactly what I thought it would be — adore, cute, and just a feel-good book! I’d say it’s 13 Going on 30 meets Mean Girls, except instead of simply moving forward into her own future like Jenna does in 13 Going on 30, Zoe Brenner ends up in an alternate present-day life where all of her friends and family are the same but 2016 is their reality instead of 1986. The concept was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed this new take on time travel and alternate realities where the two really end up blending!
I really enjoyed how ONCE UPON A KISS was a blend of contemporary with a little bit of science-fiction! I wouldn’t necessarily call it a time travel book but what happened to Zoe really did span the boundaries of time and also ended up skewing into an alternate reality where her life in 1986 got shifted to what life would be like at the same age, in the same house, with the same people but all in 2016. It was really fun to see how her entire life would have shifted if she was living the same teenage years in 2016 instead of 1986 and how her family was adjusted to that change as well!
The book was definitely adorable but at times actually a bit too cutesy for me. I really loved the switch from 1986 to 2016 and it’s always interesting and fun to see how the author adjusts each person’s life from the day to day routines in 1986 and how much different those same lives would be in 2016. It was highly entertaining to watch the same lifestyles adapt to modern day, especially Zoe’s parents and their work out videos! They were a bit silly and over the top sometimes but it was also hilarious to see the new name drops of celebrities that helped them endorse and participate in their work out routines!
I’ll admit that the use of modern-day jargon was a bit too much for me at times. I think I was more okay with it when they were being silly with overuse of 80s jargon because it amped up the 80s atmosphere (and hey, I was a baby in the 80s so I can’t tell you how many of these words were actually used and how often) but the 2016 catch phrases, abbreviations, and terms got to be a bit too much for me at times. People don’t really use that many buzz words in everyday speech (well, if they do, they’re not people I know) and the 2016 vocabulary felt a bit like overkill for me sometimes… BUT that also amps up the 2016 feel for Zoe and allows room for laughs as she tries to figure out what the heck these people are talking about! It was one of those moments where it was definitely cute but maybe went a bit too far for my personal taste.
Right off the bat, I was shipping Zoe with her best friend Jonah. If you know my reading tastes at all, you know that I adore best friend to romance relationships so even when I wasn’t sure if that was the idea of the book, I was already on board with it when the book first took off! I totally felt for Zoe when she ends up in 2016-life and a best friend who doesn’t even really know this new version of her. I thought the friendships and romances throughout the whole book were really well done! I enjoyed the romantic aspects of the book as well as the various friendships that Zoe both maintains and strives to acquire. She really worked hard to be a good person, include everyone that she could, and went out of her way to befriend others!
ONCE UPON A KISS was definitely a quick, fun, and light book! It bordered a bit more on the fluffy side for me but it was perfect timing because that was exactly what I needed! I wished there was a bit more to the plot development and I could have used a bit more possible explanation why Zoe was transported to the future and why her life there was different, but I did love the character development and how everything really varied from 1986 to 2016. I had a great time reading the book and it was definitely a delight!
This was definitely cutesy, fluffy, and a lot of fun! I feel like the 2016 references will easily date the book quickly but it's hard when you really need them to emphasize the amount of modern knowledge that Zoe lacked. I did feel like they got to be a bit much sometimes though!
The book was definitely fun and definitely cute. It had a very 13 Going On 30 feel except instead of being older, Zoe was the same age that she was in 1986 and 2016 was more like her alternate life that she could have had in the future.
I was actually kind of surprised by the ending! I wasn't expecting things to happen like that which wasn't bad but I also don't know if I really enjoyed it. I did like that it was a little something different and not totally expected.
Great for a light read and super easy to breeze through!
Review as originally posted HERE on The Book Addict's Guide 1/18/16: ONCE UPON A KISS was exactly what I thought it would be — adore, cute, and just a feel-good book! I’d say it’s 13 Going on 30 meets Mean Girls, except instead of simply moving forward into her own future like Jenna does in 13 Going on 30, Zoe Brenner ends up in an alternate present-day life where all of her friends and family are the same but 2016 is their reality instead of 1986. The concept was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed this new take on time travel and alternate realities where the two really end up blending!
I really enjoyed how ONCE UPON A KISS was a blend of contemporary with a little bit of science-fiction! I wouldn’t necessarily call it a time travel book but what happened to Zoe really did span the boundaries of time and also ended up skewing into an alternate reality where her life in 1986 got shifted to what life would be like at the same age, in the same house, with the same people but all in 2016. It was really fun to see how her entire life would have shifted if she was living the same teenage years in 2016 instead of 1986 and how her family was adjusted to that change as well!
The book was definitely adorable but at times actually a bit too cutesy for me. I really loved the switch from 1986 to 2016 and it’s always interesting and fun to see how the author adjusts each person’s life from the day to day routines in 1986 and how much different those same lives would be in 2016. It was highly entertaining to watch the same lifestyles adapt to modern day, especially Zoe’s parents and their work out videos! They were a bit silly and over the top sometimes but it was also hilarious to see the new name drops of celebrities that helped them endorse and participate in their work out routines!
I’ll admit that the use of modern-day jargon was a bit too much for me at times. I think I was more okay with it when they were being silly with overuse of 80s jargon because it amped up the 80s atmosphere (and hey, I was a baby in the 80s so I can’t tell you how many of these words were actually used and how often) but the 2016 catch phrases, abbreviations, and terms got to be a bit too much for me at times. People don’t really use that many buzz words in everyday speech (well, if they do, they’re not people I know) and the 2016 vocabulary felt a bit like overkill for me sometimes… BUT that also amps up the 2016 feel for Zoe and allows room for laughs as she tries to figure out what the heck these people are talking about! It was one of those moments where it was definitely cute but maybe went a bit too far for my personal taste.
Right off the bat, I was shipping Zoe with her best friend Jonah. If you know my reading tastes at all, you know that I adore best friend to romance relationships so even when I wasn’t sure if that was the idea of the book, I was already on board with it when the book first took off! I totally felt for Zoe when she ends up in 2016-life and a best friend who doesn’t even really know this new version of her. I thought the friendships and romances throughout the whole book were really well done! I enjoyed the romantic aspects of the book as well as the various friendships that Zoe both maintains and strives to acquire. She really worked hard to be a good person, include everyone that she could, and went out of her way to befriend others!
ONCE UPON A KISS was definitely a quick, fun, and light book! It bordered a bit more on the fluffy side for me but it was perfect timing because that was exactly what I needed! I wished there was a bit more to the plot development and I could have used a bit more possible explanation why Zoe was transported to the future and why her life there was different, but I did love the character development and how everything really varied from 1986 to 2016. I had a great time reading the book and it was definitely a delight!
Read
January 13, 2016This is a little younger and fluffier than my typical YA read, but it was fun, especially since I am old enough to remember things like Hot Dog on a Stick. (Their lemonade was really good!)
The blurb (and the book's characters) call what happens in Once Upon a Kiss time travel, but I don't completely agree. To me, it felt more like a comic switcheroo book like Freaky Friday or a crazy dream sequence, like The Wizard of Oz. Zoe -- a not-so-popular high school student from the 80s -- starts choking and is suddenly transported into 2016, where she's a popular mean girl. All her friends from 1986 are there, but they haven't aged -- they're still teenagers. In time travel I think they would have aged, but if I'm wrong about that, please let me know in comments!
This isn't a very plot-heavy book -- it mainly involves Zoe trying to get back to her old (uncool) life, which makes all the popular kids really confused. There's humor if you remember the 80s, and more humor as you watch Zoe try to navigate modern technology, etc.
In sum, while this wasn't my typical kind of read, I'd recommend it to readers who are looking for something light and comic.
Read more of my reviews on YA Romantics or follow me on Bloglovin
Thanks to the publisher for providing a free advance copy of this book for me to review.
The blurb (and the book's characters) call what happens in Once Upon a Kiss time travel, but I don't completely agree. To me, it felt more like a comic switcheroo book like Freaky Friday or a crazy dream sequence, like The Wizard of Oz. Zoe -- a not-so-popular high school student from the 80s -- starts choking and is suddenly transported into 2016, where she's a popular mean girl. All her friends from 1986 are there, but they haven't aged -- they're still teenagers. In time travel I think they would have aged, but if I'm wrong about that, please let me know in comments!
This isn't a very plot-heavy book -- it mainly involves Zoe trying to get back to her old (uncool) life, which makes all the popular kids really confused. There's humor if you remember the 80s, and more humor as you watch Zoe try to navigate modern technology, etc.
In sum, while this wasn't my typical kind of read, I'd recommend it to readers who are looking for something light and comic.
Read more of my reviews on YA Romantics or follow me on Bloglovin
Thanks to the publisher for providing a free advance copy of this book for me to review.
September 15, 2017
yeah, um, yikes...
Okay so I like watching rom coms. They're cheesy and they're fun. I watched the movie adaptation of Palmer's Geek Charming and I thought it was good. Super lame and cheesy, but I enjoyed it. I think maybe watching rom coms is the better way to go. Reading them (at least this one) was excruciating. There was so. much. CRINGE. This book is so short, but it took me so long to read because I couldn't stop rolling my eyes. Honestly picking this book up gave me anxiety. This book made absolutely no sense. The plot had so many holes and the romance I guess made sense, but was also garbage. Everyone was a stereotype. There was some slight racism. The dialogue was the worst. The celebrity name dropping was irritating. The main character was annoying and an idiot. The whole "time-travel" thing was bullshit, because it wasn't even time travel?? It was more like an alternate reality set in the future. The ending was annoying. I don't understand what the point of anything was. Was there supposed to be some greater lesson that was learned? Cause I really didn't pick up on anything. This book was trash. I'm glad it's over.
Okay so I like watching rom coms. They're cheesy and they're fun. I watched the movie adaptation of Palmer's Geek Charming and I thought it was good. Super lame and cheesy, but I enjoyed it. I think maybe watching rom coms is the better way to go. Reading them (at least this one) was excruciating. There was so. much. CRINGE. This book is so short, but it took me so long to read because I couldn't stop rolling my eyes. Honestly picking this book up gave me anxiety. This book made absolutely no sense. The plot had so many holes and the romance I guess made sense, but was also garbage. Everyone was a stereotype. There was some slight racism. The dialogue was the worst. The celebrity name dropping was irritating. The main character was annoying and an idiot. The whole "time-travel" thing was bullshit, because it wasn't even time travel?? It was more like an alternate reality set in the future. The ending was annoying. I don't understand what the point of anything was. Was there supposed to be some greater lesson that was learned? Cause I really didn't pick up on anything. This book was trash. I'm glad it's over.
January 20, 2016
Check out this and other reviews on my young adult book blog, Here's to Happy Endings!
When I started reading this book, I was feeling a little down and was hoping for a story that really light and fun, something that would make me smile. This definitely did the trick. I practically devoured this book in one sitting, it was so good.
Romance isn’t a genre I read much of on its own – usually it’s coupled with fantasy or a thriller, but this book was one of the best I’ve read in a while. A huge part of this book has to do with time travel, but that kind of makes it even more fun.
Once Upon a Kiss starts off by introducing us to Zoe and her best friend Jonah. The year the story starts off in is 1986, and for the most part, Zoe is happy. She doesn’t have a lot of friends, but Jonah is her rock, and her family is pretty close, too (aside from the disco exercise videos they film). Of course, Zoe is far from being popular, and she has her share of mean girl drama from the popular girls in school. So after a rough day when she is in the process of trying on a dress in her favorite store, she chokes on Fun-Dip…and wakes up in the year 2016.
Only when she wakes up in 2016…things are different. She isn’t in her 40’s (which is what you’d expect waking up 30 years later, right?), but she is still a teenager. She still lives with her parents, and her annoying little brother. She still goes to high school…but instead of dealing with the popular mean girls…she finds out she is a popular mean girl. Her best friend Jonah? Doesn’t want anything to do with her, and instead he has a new best friend. And to top it all off, she’s apparently dating her old arch-nemesis’s boyfriend (and he’s really in love with her). So while Zoe tries to make sense of things (such as how to use a cell phone, and why her closet is completely full of pink clothing, and why she is now best friends with a girl who used to despise her), she also has to figure out how to get back to her life in 1986. But she figures while she’s stuck in 2016, why not enjoy the popularity a little bit? She might not have had success running for class president back in 1986, but now she has a chance to do some good.
Once Upon a Kiss has an awesome cast of characters, and a main character that is truly unforgettable. Zoe is fun, goofy, and she is so easy to connect with (especially if you were that unpopular girl in high school). Her relationship with Jonah is strictly friendship…but the entire book you can’t help but wonder if that’s all it will ever be. As Zoe spends time trying to convince Jonah that in another time period, they really were best friends, you really hope that things work out for the best with them. The parts where Zoe has a rough time figuring out what a cell phone is and how to use Google are kind of amusing, too. Like I said, Zoe is a fun character, and she really does make the book.
There is an ending here that I didn’t see coming, honestly. I’m not going to talk about it, because you really have to read this book for yourself, but I did not expect this one to end the way it did. It kind of seems like it will be predictable for the most part, and then it just takes a turn that you wouldn’t expect.
If you like cute, fluffy reads, this is definitely one you should pick up! It isn’t that long, and it’s just so fun that you won’t want to put it down. It’s getting added to my list of books to read again soon! Once Upon a Kiss really is quite the gem!
Note: I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
When I started reading this book, I was feeling a little down and was hoping for a story that really light and fun, something that would make me smile. This definitely did the trick. I practically devoured this book in one sitting, it was so good.
Romance isn’t a genre I read much of on its own – usually it’s coupled with fantasy or a thriller, but this book was one of the best I’ve read in a while. A huge part of this book has to do with time travel, but that kind of makes it even more fun.
Once Upon a Kiss starts off by introducing us to Zoe and her best friend Jonah. The year the story starts off in is 1986, and for the most part, Zoe is happy. She doesn’t have a lot of friends, but Jonah is her rock, and her family is pretty close, too (aside from the disco exercise videos they film). Of course, Zoe is far from being popular, and she has her share of mean girl drama from the popular girls in school. So after a rough day when she is in the process of trying on a dress in her favorite store, she chokes on Fun-Dip…and wakes up in the year 2016.
Only when she wakes up in 2016…things are different. She isn’t in her 40’s (which is what you’d expect waking up 30 years later, right?), but she is still a teenager. She still lives with her parents, and her annoying little brother. She still goes to high school…but instead of dealing with the popular mean girls…she finds out she is a popular mean girl. Her best friend Jonah? Doesn’t want anything to do with her, and instead he has a new best friend. And to top it all off, she’s apparently dating her old arch-nemesis’s boyfriend (and he’s really in love with her). So while Zoe tries to make sense of things (such as how to use a cell phone, and why her closet is completely full of pink clothing, and why she is now best friends with a girl who used to despise her), she also has to figure out how to get back to her life in 1986. But she figures while she’s stuck in 2016, why not enjoy the popularity a little bit? She might not have had success running for class president back in 1986, but now she has a chance to do some good.
Once Upon a Kiss has an awesome cast of characters, and a main character that is truly unforgettable. Zoe is fun, goofy, and she is so easy to connect with (especially if you were that unpopular girl in high school). Her relationship with Jonah is strictly friendship…but the entire book you can’t help but wonder if that’s all it will ever be. As Zoe spends time trying to convince Jonah that in another time period, they really were best friends, you really hope that things work out for the best with them. The parts where Zoe has a rough time figuring out what a cell phone is and how to use Google are kind of amusing, too. Like I said, Zoe is a fun character, and she really does make the book.
There is an ending here that I didn’t see coming, honestly. I’m not going to talk about it, because you really have to read this book for yourself, but I did not expect this one to end the way it did. It kind of seems like it will be predictable for the most part, and then it just takes a turn that you wouldn’t expect.
If you like cute, fluffy reads, this is definitely one you should pick up! It isn’t that long, and it’s just so fun that you won’t want to put it down. It’s getting added to my list of books to read again soon! Once Upon a Kiss really is quite the gem!
Note: I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2019
It was humorous! I loved the plot of time travelling!
January 12, 2016
Imagine waking up one morning in your room, in your bed, but it isn't your room...or your bed. Everything about it is similar, but not. Oh and there are all these strange new contraptions that you have no idea how to use.
I am going to assume that you would be more than just a little weirded out.
Well, this is what happens to Zoe in Once Upon a Kiss. One day shes rockin out in the 80's with her best friend Jonah, then the next day she finds herself in the year 2016. A world with iphones and computers. A world where she is the queen bee at her school. A world where her best friend, Jonah, won't talk to her.
This is a fun filled, very fluffy story. Perfect if you want to read something quick, but still enjoyable. There really isn't much to the story line. It is the same "how did I wake up in this time period" story that you are used to. There isn't much depth to the characters, but they are still fun.
Really, this book is probably perfect for those who love watching the Disney channel and all of their Disney channel original movies (guilty as charged!). So a preteen and a younger teen would really enjoy this story.
For those who are like me, in their 30s, that were alive at least for part of the 80s, it is also a HUGE flash back. There were also a few references for those who grew up during the 90s too!
Not everything super popular back then was mentioned, but wow, a lot was. Probably the most common references were for movies, music, and fashion. However, other things were mentioned.
Even if something wasn't mentioned that I remembered really enjoying back then, I still found myself thinking about them.
This book made me remember a lot things. I personally think that having all these references just make it more fun for us "older kids" that like to read YA books. Hopefully it inspires some of the younger readers to look into pop culture and learn about things that were popular before their time.
All in all, I really enjoyed this Once Upon a Kiss. Light and fluffy. Nothing to be taken too serious. It was a very quick read.
My Rating
3.5 stars
This review is based on an ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Find more of my reviews here:
http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/
I am going to assume that you would be more than just a little weirded out.
Well, this is what happens to Zoe in Once Upon a Kiss. One day shes rockin out in the 80's with her best friend Jonah, then the next day she finds herself in the year 2016. A world with iphones and computers. A world where she is the queen bee at her school. A world where her best friend, Jonah, won't talk to her.
This is a fun filled, very fluffy story. Perfect if you want to read something quick, but still enjoyable. There really isn't much to the story line. It is the same "how did I wake up in this time period" story that you are used to. There isn't much depth to the characters, but they are still fun.
Really, this book is probably perfect for those who love watching the Disney channel and all of their Disney channel original movies (guilty as charged!). So a preteen and a younger teen would really enjoy this story.
For those who are like me, in their 30s, that were alive at least for part of the 80s, it is also a HUGE flash back. There were also a few references for those who grew up during the 90s too!
Not everything super popular back then was mentioned, but wow, a lot was. Probably the most common references were for movies, music, and fashion. However, other things were mentioned.
Even if something wasn't mentioned that I remembered really enjoying back then, I still found myself thinking about them.
This book made me remember a lot things. I personally think that having all these references just make it more fun for us "older kids" that like to read YA books. Hopefully it inspires some of the younger readers to look into pop culture and learn about things that were popular before their time.
All in all, I really enjoyed this Once Upon a Kiss. Light and fluffy. Nothing to be taken too serious. It was a very quick read.
My Rating
3.5 stars
This review is based on an ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Find more of my reviews here:
http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/
January 22, 2016
The only reason I'm giving this 2 stars was that it was such a quick read. It took me about an hour and a half to get through it. I am going to do this entire review in pictures so strap in and grit your teeth. This will be the most pointless review in the history of goodreads.
February 27, 2016
A cute, fluffy read. All the 80s stuff was fun and I liked how baffled Zoe was by the culture of 2016 versus 1986. What I wasn't so fond of was the ending. Also, Zoe stringing along Brad for almost the entire book when she knows she doesn't even like him.
September 8, 2017
This review sponsored by the Galleria and Lee Press-On Nails
Ok if I could give this 1.5 stars I still wouldn't because this book really bothered me and it doesn't deserve it. I wanted to read this because I really liked the movie 13 going on 30 and unfortunately this is nothing like that.
Zoe, the main character, is the Not-Conventionally-Pretty-Nerd-Quiet-Girl (you know, she has blonde hair and blue eyes and like.... a WEIRD nose) is a nerd in 1986, and chokes on some fun dip and ends up in 2016.
So here's where the problems start happening:
1. They keep talking about "time travel" but it's not really time travel if EVERYONE ELSE WENT TOO. Seriously, it's just an alternate reality at this point. Literally her parents, her friends, her classmates, people she doesn't know, etc. all went to 2016 with her. So it isn't time traveling. It's an alternate universe that she needs to get back to. But is it? Because everything else is the same. The 80s still happened the way they were happening when she left 1986. Does that even make sense? I can suspend belief, but honestly WHAT??????? This was my big issue. OH RIGHT and at the end of the book, she stays in 2016! WHAT HAPPENED TO 1986?????????? I honestly thought this whole thing was going to be an elaborate coma or something.
2. 2016 Jonah SUCKED. 1986 Jonah was BEST FRIEND and COOL NERD GUY. 2016 Jonah was weird and I didn't even understand why she liked him. I felt the 1986 chemistry, but not the same in 2016
3. Brad. So he's the popular guy in 1986 who possibly has a crush on Zoe? Then In 2016 she is dating him? And stringing him along because she wants to get her BFF Jonah back. Brad was the only likable character in the book, but they made him so dumb that he was almost a parody.
4. Zoe. I mean she is legitimately terrible. When she first ends up in 2016 she is so confused by everything (ok) but then refuses to retain anything. She figured out what an iPhone was, but kept calling it a "silver thing" (eyeroll). She was just dumb. I could write wayyy more about the problems I had with her, but I'll save that for when I'm talking about this with Julie and Robbie.
5. Her parents. In 1986 they had afros? In 2016 they have cornrows? They are making hip hop exercise videos? I dont even know where to begin. Their dialogue is so cringey
6. The dialogue. IT IS SO CRINGEY. all of it. Teenagers don't talk like that in 2016 or 1986. Everything about this book just makes me cringe so hard
Maybe if she had ended up in 1986 at the end? Like she woke up from a bad dream in one final Dallas-like moment.... or hell, even the whole thing was in a snowglobe. I'm annoyed.
Ok if I could give this 1.5 stars I still wouldn't because this book really bothered me and it doesn't deserve it. I wanted to read this because I really liked the movie 13 going on 30 and unfortunately this is nothing like that.
Zoe, the main character, is the Not-Conventionally-Pretty-Nerd-Quiet-Girl (you know, she has blonde hair and blue eyes and like.... a WEIRD nose) is a nerd in 1986, and chokes on some fun dip and ends up in 2016.
So here's where the problems start happening:
1. They keep talking about "time travel" but it's not really time travel if EVERYONE ELSE WENT TOO. Seriously, it's just an alternate reality at this point. Literally her parents, her friends, her classmates, people she doesn't know, etc. all went to 2016 with her. So it isn't time traveling. It's an alternate universe that she needs to get back to. But is it? Because everything else is the same. The 80s still happened the way they were happening when she left 1986. Does that even make sense? I can suspend belief, but honestly WHAT??????? This was my big issue. OH RIGHT and at the end of the book, she stays in 2016! WHAT HAPPENED TO 1986?????????? I honestly thought this whole thing was going to be an elaborate coma or something.
2. 2016 Jonah SUCKED. 1986 Jonah was BEST FRIEND and COOL NERD GUY. 2016 Jonah was weird and I didn't even understand why she liked him. I felt the 1986 chemistry, but not the same in 2016
3. Brad. So he's the popular guy in 1986 who possibly has a crush on Zoe? Then In 2016 she is dating him? And stringing him along because she wants to get her BFF Jonah back. Brad was the only likable character in the book, but they made him so dumb that he was almost a parody.
4. Zoe. I mean she is legitimately terrible. When she first ends up in 2016 she is so confused by everything (ok) but then refuses to retain anything. She figured out what an iPhone was, but kept calling it a "silver thing" (eyeroll). She was just dumb. I could write wayyy more about the problems I had with her, but I'll save that for when I'm talking about this with Julie and Robbie.
5. Her parents. In 1986 they had afros? In 2016 they have cornrows? They are making hip hop exercise videos? I dont even know where to begin. Their dialogue is so cringey
6. The dialogue. IT IS SO CRINGEY. all of it. Teenagers don't talk like that in 2016 or 1986. Everything about this book just makes me cringe so hard
Maybe if she had ended up in 1986 at the end? Like she woke up from a bad dream in one final Dallas-like moment.... or hell, even the whole thing was in a snowglobe. I'm annoyed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2018
Before starting to read it I thought it was kind of a retelling of 13 going on 30. It isn't but at the same time it kind of is... Unlike in the movie I mentioned, when Zoe goes to the future she's not her older self she's in another universe I guess... So the concept was interesting but the story wasn't. It was very predicable. The end seemed unresolved.
January 5, 2016
Closer to a 4.5, but this is so good, guys.
Zoe has a freak accident and is transported from her time in the 1980s to the present day. It quickly becomes a classic strange time travel tale as the nerdy, geeky Zoe of 1986 is actually a really popular mean girl type in 2016. Zoe quickly has to navigate a world with technology with friends she didn't have before and friends she's lost, and squaring her prior activities with her current day realities.
It's kind of a fun and different take on the whole Freaky Friday-style story. Lots of good modern twists, a strong message about introspection and prioritizing, and an ending I really honestly truly didn't see coming, and one that really impressed me on a whole. I went in with some pretty solid expectations and came out wishing it wasn't over, which is about all you can ask for, right?
Absolutely give this one a look. One of the more fun reads of recent times for me.
Zoe has a freak accident and is transported from her time in the 1980s to the present day. It quickly becomes a classic strange time travel tale as the nerdy, geeky Zoe of 1986 is actually a really popular mean girl type in 2016. Zoe quickly has to navigate a world with technology with friends she didn't have before and friends she's lost, and squaring her prior activities with her current day realities.
It's kind of a fun and different take on the whole Freaky Friday-style story. Lots of good modern twists, a strong message about introspection and prioritizing, and an ending I really honestly truly didn't see coming, and one that really impressed me on a whole. I went in with some pretty solid expectations and came out wishing it wasn't over, which is about all you can ask for, right?
Absolutely give this one a look. One of the more fun reads of recent times for me.
October 21, 2016
Up until the end, the book was somewhat good. It was a cute and past time book. The only problem is it was a bit to boring. I get she went back in time but everything that happened was predictable. I knew what was going to happen next and it wasn't so much fun. In the end I thought she would go back to the 80's and fall in love with Jonah but that DIDN'T HAPPEN! I thought it would happen because in the book it states that there is a movie that ended just like what happened to Zoe. Plus they said it was made back in the eighties. It didn't give any explanation to why that movie was made because everything that happened to Zoe was in the movie but Zoe couldn't have made it because she is still stuck in 2016!?!?!?! I'm not impressed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2016
I seriously love Robin Palmer's books because I know I'll get a fun fluffy lighthearted read. This was no exception. I felt so old at the beginning when I realized 1986 was 30 years ago but I got over it quickly. I loved all the 80s references throughout even in 2016. It was fun reading about Zoe learning about technology and just realizing how different the world was back then.
This one is going on my favourites shelf and will almost certainly be one of my favourite books released in 2016.
This one is going on my favourites shelf and will almost certainly be one of my favourite books released in 2016.
February 10, 2016
I usually like Robin Palmer books so I'm at a loss right about now. From the very first page, I hated the book. The main character, yeah, annoying as hell. I finished it and I don't know why...it's one of those times that has me thinking, how come? Like, how come I couldn't like this more? Or how come I didn't just DNF?
I just thought it would get better. It didn't.
I just thought it would get better. It didn't.
July 28, 2017
It took me a while to suspend my disbelief when I started this and I had a hard time not comparing it to the movie "13 Going on 30," but once I got into it, I got swept up and my 1980's New Wave-lovin' heart just burst with joy over the fun of this sweet romance with a ton of heart.
December 21, 2015
4.5
At first, the story takes place in the '80s. '86, to be exact. Zoe Brenner is quite happy with her life. She and her best friend, Jonah, are inseparable. Her parents have invented "Discocize", the latest exercise trend, and she's absolutely infatuated with Judd Nelson. I mean, rightly so. Have you seen the man?
The only sore point in Zoe's life is her arch nemesis, stereotypical mean girl, Andrea. As they're both running for class president, they aren't the greatest friends, and while Zoe has to beg for votes, Andrea earns them easily. Their speeches play a significant role. So when all the votes are tallied, the class election is a landslide - mainly due to Andrea's popularity - and Andrea is decreed president, much to the chagrin of Zoe.
Eventually, Zoe goes back to her sad (sort-of but not really) life as an employee at Hot Dog on a Stick. But after a traumatizing corndog incident, she's fired that same day and dashes to her favorite clothing store owned by a sweet gal named Vicky with a packet of Fun Dip. Terri presents her a fabulous Lycra minidress and she runs to try it on. So after walking out of the dressing room, she's stunning to find herself under the gaze of Andrea's boyfriend, the ultimate tool, Brad Bundy, who owns an "Easter egg-like palette of polo shirts."
Zoe couldn't be more peeved at his presence. So when she starts choking on Fun Dip and Brad is rushing in with his CPR training.
Then, everything goes dark.
Then, Zoe awakens in her bed.
Then, she discovers peculiar items in her room and her brother mentioning something called "Instagram" and a closet full of pink things, and something called Starbucks. The year is 2016 and Fun Dip is the culprit. It's soon discovered Andrea is her new best friend, Brad is her boyfriend, Zoe has become the queen bee, and Jonah wants nothing to do with her and has found a new best friend in another.
Like I said, her only friends are Andrea and Brad, who have become semi-decent people in 2016. The 2016 versions of Andrea and Brad were so loyal and genuine. Though I mostly liked Zoe, she treated them sort-of terribly and I wish she made an effort to like them. And in an attempt to win back her fellow classmates and discard her Regina George image, she appeals to run for student body president again in 2016, find clothes to her liking, and befriend Jonah.
There was a lot to love. Definitely, Jonah. He was super super super cute. The 2016 versions of Andrea and Brad, obviously. 1986. Fashion throwbacks. (Gold sunglasses and Lycra miniskirts. Like, LOVE.) Even Zoe's family was fantastic. Both versions of them. There were even a few quirky, hilarious, sitcom-worthy moments. I have so many things to geek over, I could seriously type all day. For now, grab the book when you can. Because what's there not to love?
At first, the story takes place in the '80s. '86, to be exact. Zoe Brenner is quite happy with her life. She and her best friend, Jonah, are inseparable. Her parents have invented "Discocize", the latest exercise trend, and she's absolutely infatuated with Judd Nelson. I mean, rightly so. Have you seen the man?
The only sore point in Zoe's life is her arch nemesis, stereotypical mean girl, Andrea. As they're both running for class president, they aren't the greatest friends, and while Zoe has to beg for votes, Andrea earns them easily. Their speeches play a significant role. So when all the votes are tallied, the class election is a landslide - mainly due to Andrea's popularity - and Andrea is decreed president, much to the chagrin of Zoe.
Eventually, Zoe goes back to her sad (sort-of but not really) life as an employee at Hot Dog on a Stick. But after a traumatizing corndog incident, she's fired that same day and dashes to her favorite clothing store owned by a sweet gal named Vicky with a packet of Fun Dip. Terri presents her a fabulous Lycra minidress and she runs to try it on. So after walking out of the dressing room, she's stunning to find herself under the gaze of Andrea's boyfriend, the ultimate tool, Brad Bundy, who owns an "Easter egg-like palette of polo shirts."
Zoe couldn't be more peeved at his presence. So when she starts choking on Fun Dip and Brad is rushing in with his CPR training.
Then, everything goes dark.
Then, Zoe awakens in her bed.
Then, she discovers peculiar items in her room and her brother mentioning something called "Instagram" and a closet full of pink things, and something called Starbucks. The year is 2016 and Fun Dip is the culprit. It's soon discovered Andrea is her new best friend, Brad is her boyfriend, Zoe has become the queen bee, and Jonah wants nothing to do with her and has found a new best friend in another.
Like I said, her only friends are Andrea and Brad, who have become semi-decent people in 2016. The 2016 versions of Andrea and Brad were so loyal and genuine. Though I mostly liked Zoe, she treated them sort-of terribly and I wish she made an effort to like them. And in an attempt to win back her fellow classmates and discard her Regina George image, she appeals to run for student body president again in 2016, find clothes to her liking, and befriend Jonah.
There was a lot to love. Definitely, Jonah. He was super super super cute. The 2016 versions of Andrea and Brad, obviously. 1986. Fashion throwbacks. (Gold sunglasses and Lycra miniskirts. Like, LOVE.) Even Zoe's family was fantastic. Both versions of them. There were even a few quirky, hilarious, sitcom-worthy moments. I have so many things to geek over, I could seriously type all day. For now, grab the book when you can. Because what's there not to love?
January 12, 2016
4.5 stars.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
January 24, 2016
So much potential but ended up disappointing.
May 6, 2016
Didn't like it after the first few chapters, but this is just my opinion.
October 29, 2018
Let's be honest, this was never going to be some literary masterpiece. It's the epitome of a fluffy feel-good sort of book, and I almost gave it 3 stars because it doesn't really have any expectations to live up to, and it isn't like it's offensive or anything (well, mostly, though there are a few questionable points), but I just...couldn't.
It's fine, but...well...the best way I can think of to describe it is that it's basically a Disney Channel Original Movie in book form. And I like DCOMs, but drawn out to book length, there's just so much of that mildly cringe-inducing dialogue and those weirdly unrealistic interactions that it's hard to brush it all aside and focus on the actual story. It almost feels more like a middle grade book, but I'm not quite sure it'd work as that, either.
Now, obviously the premise requires some major suspension of disbelief, but there was one nagging detail that I kept struggling with--how did everybody exist largely the same in 2016 as they did in 1986? I know, I know, it doesn't matter, but it's just so weird. Every single person from Zoe's life in 1986 shows up in 2016 (except one, which makes it even weirder), and while there are some minor changes to personality details (mostly things like what kind of music they like and what sort of clothes they wear) and who's friends with whom, apparently most of what's happened in their lives is nearly identical. Every new example of this left me wondering what the heck the logic of this time shift was supposed to be. Don't bother wondering, there is none. Just go with it, I guess.
A lot of the book is about Zoe trying to understand life in 2016, from the perspective of a teenager from 1986. That sounds interesting, right? I mean, it's the main reason I read it. But for the most part, it's extremely cringey descriptions of technology and social media, both from the people explaining it to Zoe and from her attempts to understand it, and it never felt convincing. For example, at one point Zoe (understandably) can't quite remember the word Instagram, so she says "Insta..." and the person she's talking to goes "Instagram?" in a tone of voice like she's super weird. But--and maybe we weren't doing this yet in 2016--people do just call it Insta, and even if that wasn't a thing yet, I doubt anyone would find it terribly odd for the sort of person 2016-Zoe to do so. In general, the way they used social media felt a bit off. I'm fine with it feeling a bit more 2012 than 2016 (it was probably written a couple years earlier, after all, and the author is in her 40s), but even with that it was a little unnatural. And it's so prominent and recurring that it's hard to ignore. Everything related to pop culture was pretty cringe-inducing too, as was a lot of the dialogue and some of the characters (like Zoe's parents and the culture club).
Zoe's attempt to destroy the popularity hierarchy at school is admirable, at least, and the book did make a pretty good point about why even the less popular kids were reluctant to get on board with the idea. I also liked how, even though there's clearly a point being made about how Zoe judges people as much as the popular kids do, she also does seem to know everyone and have something positive to say about them. Zoe's longer, more personal conversations with various people were the highlight of the book, and it would've been a lot stronger if it'd focused more on those relationships. Unfortunately, the pluses are offset by Zoe's whole "not like other girls" persona--which, unlike her elitism, goes pretty much unchecked. The whole "Brad is dumb" thing was overdone, too. I will give Palmer credit for humanizing the mean girl a bit, though she could've done more (and while Zoe was totally fine with it, is hardly a positive).
There was one thing that definitely surprised me, and it's a pretty major spoiler. Unfortunately, the book doesn't explore the ramifications of that, which is a little disappointing but, all things considered, I'm not sure it would've added much.
In short, it's fine if you want a fluffy book and have a high cringe tolerance. It's light-hearted and short, so even though it's super cringey, it's not terrible and I don't regret reading it or anything. And hey, if Disney ever turns it into a movie, I'll probably watch it.
It's fine, but...well...the best way I can think of to describe it is that it's basically a Disney Channel Original Movie in book form. And I like DCOMs, but drawn out to book length, there's just so much of that mildly cringe-inducing dialogue and those weirdly unrealistic interactions that it's hard to brush it all aside and focus on the actual story. It almost feels more like a middle grade book, but I'm not quite sure it'd work as that, either.
Now, obviously the premise requires some major suspension of disbelief, but there was one nagging detail that I kept struggling with--how did everybody exist largely the same in 2016 as they did in 1986? I know, I know, it doesn't matter, but it's just so weird. Every single person from Zoe's life in 1986 shows up in 2016 (except one, which makes it even weirder), and while there are some minor changes to personality details (mostly things like what kind of music they like and what sort of clothes they wear) and who's friends with whom, apparently most of what's happened in their lives is nearly identical. Every new example of this left me wondering what the heck the logic of this time shift was supposed to be. Don't bother wondering, there is none. Just go with it, I guess.
A lot of the book is about Zoe trying to understand life in 2016, from the perspective of a teenager from 1986. That sounds interesting, right? I mean, it's the main reason I read it. But for the most part, it's extremely cringey descriptions of technology and social media, both from the people explaining it to Zoe and from her attempts to understand it, and it never felt convincing. For example, at one point Zoe (understandably) can't quite remember the word Instagram, so she says "Insta..." and the person she's talking to goes "Instagram?" in a tone of voice like she's super weird. But--and maybe we weren't doing this yet in 2016--people do just call it Insta, and even if that wasn't a thing yet, I doubt anyone would find it terribly odd for the sort of person 2016-Zoe to do so. In general, the way they used social media felt a bit off. I'm fine with it feeling a bit more 2012 than 2016 (it was probably written a couple years earlier, after all, and the author is in her 40s), but even with that it was a little unnatural. And it's so prominent and recurring that it's hard to ignore. Everything related to pop culture was pretty cringe-inducing too, as was a lot of the dialogue and some of the characters (like Zoe's parents and the culture club).
Zoe's attempt to destroy the popularity hierarchy at school is admirable, at least, and the book did make a pretty good point about why even the less popular kids were reluctant to get on board with the idea. I also liked how, even though there's clearly a point being made about how Zoe judges people as much as the popular kids do, she also does seem to know everyone and have something positive to say about them. Zoe's longer, more personal conversations with various people were the highlight of the book, and it would've been a lot stronger if it'd focused more on those relationships. Unfortunately, the pluses are offset by Zoe's whole "not like other girls" persona--which, unlike her elitism, goes pretty much unchecked. The whole "Brad is dumb" thing was overdone, too. I will give Palmer credit for humanizing the mean girl a bit, though she could've done more (and while Zoe was totally fine with it, is hardly a positive).
There was one thing that definitely surprised me, and it's a pretty major spoiler. Unfortunately, the book doesn't explore the ramifications of that, which is a little disappointing but, all things considered, I'm not sure it would've added much.
In short, it's fine if you want a fluffy book and have a high cringe tolerance. It's light-hearted and short, so even though it's super cringey, it's not terrible and I don't regret reading it or anything. And hey, if Disney ever turns it into a movie, I'll probably watch it.
December 28, 2016
This review was originally posted on In Wonderland
So much has happened since 1986, and Zoe Brenner is about to find out just how much.
From the author of the book that inspired the Disney original movie Geek Charming!
It's 1986 and sixteen-year-old Zoe Brenner's world revolves around Depeche Mode, Judd Nelson, exercise-obsessed parents, and her best friend Jonah. Then one day, in a freak Fun-Dip choking accident, Zoe falls unconscious, and awakes in the year 2016. So much has changed, and Zoe needs Jonah to help her make sense of it all. But in this life, Zoe is the most popular girl in school, and she soon realizes this Zoe doesn't associate with nerds like Jonah. As Zoe juggles new technology, attempts to hide her enthusiasm for poet blouses, and manages to keep her super jock boyfriend at bay, she tries to rekindle her friendship with Jonah and use her popularity for a good cause. Will she ever get back to 1986? And more importantly, does she want to?
(Goodreads)
I really enjoyed this book! It reminded me a lot like the movies, 13 Going on 30 mixed with Mean Girls and it was simply adorable! It is a little daunting knowing that 1986 was 30 years ago. Which means I am only a short 4 years away from being 30, however, this book delivered the cute and quirky that I was hoping it would!
Zoe got transported from 1986 to 2016, The entire thing was pretty much dreamlike, since she was the same age in both years and all of her classmates were there in both time periods as well. Only the 2016 version of Zoe was this "Regina George" like character as to where the 1986 version was this timid and quiet version. I really liked watching Zoe transform her 2016 version into a better version of herself.
I really enjoyed Jonah and Montana. They were totally my kind of people. I also really liked Zoe's family in both versions. They were hysterical! And it totally reminded me of my family (the embarrassing moments yet you love them anyways and wouldn't have them any other way!)
If you're in the mood for a romantic comedy with time travel in it. You should pick up this book and give it a shot! I kid you not it is 13 Going On 30 meets Mean Girls. It's quirky and cute and just perfect to sit down for a couple hours and get lost in the fun!
Time to Throwback!
Title: Once Upon a Kiss
Author: Robin Palmer
Series: Standalone
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary yet Sci-fi
Pages: 304
Published By: Speak on January 5, 2016
Challenges: 2015 Reading Challenge
**I received a copy of this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Where To Get:
So much has happened since 1986, and Zoe Brenner is about to find out just how much.
From the author of the book that inspired the Disney original movie Geek Charming!
It's 1986 and sixteen-year-old Zoe Brenner's world revolves around Depeche Mode, Judd Nelson, exercise-obsessed parents, and her best friend Jonah. Then one day, in a freak Fun-Dip choking accident, Zoe falls unconscious, and awakes in the year 2016. So much has changed, and Zoe needs Jonah to help her make sense of it all. But in this life, Zoe is the most popular girl in school, and she soon realizes this Zoe doesn't associate with nerds like Jonah. As Zoe juggles new technology, attempts to hide her enthusiasm for poet blouses, and manages to keep her super jock boyfriend at bay, she tries to rekindle her friendship with Jonah and use her popularity for a good cause. Will she ever get back to 1986? And more importantly, does she want to?
(Goodreads)
I really enjoyed this book! It reminded me a lot like the movies, 13 Going on 30 mixed with Mean Girls and it was simply adorable! It is a little daunting knowing that 1986 was 30 years ago. Which means I am only a short 4 years away from being 30, however, this book delivered the cute and quirky that I was hoping it would!
Zoe got transported from 1986 to 2016, The entire thing was pretty much dreamlike, since she was the same age in both years and all of her classmates were there in both time periods as well. Only the 2016 version of Zoe was this "Regina George" like character as to where the 1986 version was this timid and quiet version. I really liked watching Zoe transform her 2016 version into a better version of herself.
I really enjoyed Jonah and Montana. They were totally my kind of people. I also really liked Zoe's family in both versions. They were hysterical! And it totally reminded me of my family (the embarrassing moments yet you love them anyways and wouldn't have them any other way!)
If you're in the mood for a romantic comedy with time travel in it. You should pick up this book and give it a shot! I kid you not it is 13 Going On 30 meets Mean Girls. It's quirky and cute and just perfect to sit down for a couple hours and get lost in the fun!
Time to Throwback!
Because this book made me think of a lot of stuff from my past. Here are some things that were from my childhood. Do you remember any of these?
And here is a collage of all things 90s that I found!
Let's talk about it!
Did you read Once Upon a Kiss? Or do you want to?
Leave your thoughts in the comments! :)
did-not-finish
April 17, 20224/22 DNF Chapter 6 (Page 82). I started out really liking this one - it wasn't anything special, but it was a light and easy read a la 13 Going on 30. 1986 Zoe was an original outlying teen who liked herself that way, and she had an amazing male BFF. Life wasn't perfect, but it wasn't terrible. But then she was suddenly transported to 2016 where she was the most popular girl, aka the opposite of 1986 Zoe, and she was miserable - and a miserable character is not a light and easy character to read. Still, I could've put up with it for the sweet male BFF reconnect part of the story (who she'd never befriended in 2016, naturally), but unfortunately when she went to do so she discovered that SHE HAD BEEN REPLACED: there was an exact replica of 1986 her already as Jonah's BFF. THERE WAS NO VACANCY FOR HER TO FILL. To me, that is a complete story fail and my interest instantly tanked. All I could see in the book's future was awkward flailing as she tried to convince him to drop his current perfect BFF in favor of her, who had been the opposite of BFF material until today. Yeah, no thank you, I'm out.
September 7, 2017
Okay cool, so. Here's the thing: I adore Robin Palmer. Which is odd because her books are usually in the good-not-great range for me. As much as I like Wicked Jealous and Geek Charming (and the Disney Channel movie), I'm not sure any of her books have ever hit that 5-star mark for me. And this one, despite how much I'd been looking forward to reading it, was on the lower end. I never connected to the characters and had so many unanswered plot questions. Which, okay, it's a light, contemporary take on a fairytale so I shouldn't expect answers to why our main character (whose name I honestly don't even remember) has jumped 30 years into the future, but I still wanted them, even if it was a lazy answer wrapped around something like "love's true kiss."
It was a decent book. It kept me entertained for a couple hours. But I wouldn't read it again, and I don't see myself recommending it to anyone. A large part of the reason I finished it was just to see how it ended -- I was hoping for plot answers I never got, and was fully , but I'm still glad I finished it.
It was a decent book. It kept me entertained for a couple hours. But I wouldn't read it again, and I don't see myself recommending it to anyone. A large part of the reason I finished it was just to see how it ended -- I was hoping for plot answers I never got, and was fully , but I'm still glad I finished it.
January 11, 2022
This book was strangely addictive, something I would’ve enjoyed more being younger except it includes parts for a more mature audience which was confusing, since it was written in a way that seemed to be for younger readers. The characters were likeable, but it is easily outdated because of everything mentioned about 2016. Everything revolving around popularity in this book is very cliche and on the verge of annoying. Jonah and Zoe’s relationship is cute, but there is no depth to any of Zoe’s other relationships making it hard to really connect with the characters. Overall, it’s an easy, cute read that isn’t an emotional investment if you know what I mean (lol).
November 19, 2023
As I was reading it, this seemed like a pretty good book. It wasn’t great, but some of it was entertaining and I think, in spite of the other ratings for this book, I might’ve given it 4 stars, or at least said it was a 3.5 star read. But oh my god, what was that ending? Seriously, what in the world was that? It definitely was not how I thought this book would end— and I don’t mean that in a good way. Just because of that, I don’t even think I can say this was a 3.5 star read. My rating now would be a 2.5 or 3. Honestly, if you’ve got this book on your tbr, just go ahead and skip it. I don’t hate this book, but I also don’t think it’s worth your time. There are way better books to read.
June 10, 2018
Growing up I didn’t read much young adult novels so I thought I’d give this one a try. It’s about a girl from 1986 who gets kisses by the wrong guy and is time traveled to 2016. She tries to figure out how to go back to 1986 but her best friend (a guy) doesn’t talk to her and in this time she’s the popular girl. So it’s about her trying to win over her best friend and use her newfound popularity for good. I really enjoyed this book, it was different and quite interesting. I highly recommend.
May 14, 2019
The book, Once Upon a Kiss, written by Robin Palmer, is a fiction book based on the life of a typical teenager. The main character Zoe, is suddenly sent to the future after weird events in 1986. She goes from an outsider to the most popular girl in school. 2016 seems so unfamiliar, until one familiar face appears. Follow Zoe as she journeys to the future. Will she return home? I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars because it was interesting but very predictable.
March 28, 2021
I enjoyed this book for what it was - which was a very BAD sci-if and a cute romance. I enjoyed the MC trying to figure out her life. But the time travel was ... bad. It was such an unnecessary thing. And it was never solved. Like did the two Zoe’s switch places? So is the 2016 Zoe in 1986 and hating her life?? Or did she just disappear? Are we expected to believe both timelines do or don’t exist??? You can tell the author never thought any of that through.
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