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Love Letters #1
Perfect Strangers
Dear Blue, Do you think it's really possible to start over?Madison and Jeremy are both running for president of their high school. They've been bitter enemies since Jeremy punk'd Madison freshman year.Then Madison gets paired in an anonymous "pen pal" program. While the school election heats up, so do the letters between Madison and this guy who calls himself Blue. They're practically hooked up on paper -- and they've never even met!Election Day reveals all -- the winner, the loser, and the school's hottest new couple.
217 pages, Paperback
First published December 28, 2004
20 people are currently reading
821 people want to read
About the author
Jahnna N. Malcolm
100 books75 followersJahnna N. Malcolm is the pen name for husband-and-wife team Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner. Together they've written four musicals, two movies, three CD-ROM games, and nearly one hundred books, including the popular series The Jewel Kingdom. They met in the theater and were married on the stage using Marlowe's famous love letter from "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" as their wedding vows.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
April 27, 2017
Even though I first read this book a few years ago, it is still one of my favorite books. It is short, sweet, and easy to read. I finished it in an hour or two. But, even though it is so short, it is still worth the read.
It was actually my sister who introduced me to this book. I was hesitant to start it because back then I wasn't very intrigued in the romance genre. I liked adventure and fantasy books. (I still do, by the way.) When I started reading it, though, I couldn't put it down!
This book is perfect for practically any age. I was around...let me think...eleven or twelve years old when I read it first. Now, even though I am older, I still read it. And, I am pretty much positive that I will be reading this when I am in my fifties and older!
Isn't the cover just so cute? I love it! It is totally cool!
I am totally giving this book five stars. Yes, I am trying not to give all books five stars, but this one deserves it!
Title: Perfect Strangers
Author: Jahnna N. Malcolm
Author's Website: N/A
This review is written in my own opinions and words.
It was actually my sister who introduced me to this book. I was hesitant to start it because back then I wasn't very intrigued in the romance genre. I liked adventure and fantasy books. (I still do, by the way.) When I started reading it, though, I couldn't put it down!
This book is perfect for practically any age. I was around...let me think...eleven or twelve years old when I read it first. Now, even though I am older, I still read it. And, I am pretty much positive that I will be reading this when I am in my fifties and older!
Isn't the cover just so cute? I love it! It is totally cool!
I am totally giving this book five stars. Yes, I am trying not to give all books five stars, but this one deserves it!
Title: Perfect Strangers
Author: Jahnna N. Malcolm
Author's Website: N/A
This review is written in my own opinions and words.
March 24, 2007
So, I read this book because
a) a GEB girl recommended it to me and
b) it's about falling in love with someone you've never met.
Within the first couple pages, and the first couple name-drops of "Prada bag" and "GAP perfume," I was prepared to hate this novel as thinly-veiled marketing. After seeing all the characters neatly described by their a) hobbies and b) clothes, I expected this novel to have absolutely no depth whatsoever. "Great, another high school novel that would really rather be a chick-flick movie." It's got that "high school glamor" to it that clearly designates it as a book for girls who are too young for high school.
In spite of all that, I was surprised to find a glimmer of depth here, in an after-school-special sort of way. After all that talk about name-brand and all that time describing the protagonists' clothes, the message actually ended up being about challenging assumptions and breaking out of the role that your peers assign to you. What's more surprising was that it almost had a Jane Austen feel, picking up on her penchant for exposing the "charmers" as dangerous and the "misunderstoods" as noble. Although I don't think it was the authors' intention, this book could be interpreted as a modern version of "Pride and Prejudice." And that really tickled me.
So it ended up being less time wasted than I thought.
***
a) a GEB girl recommended it to me and
b) it's about falling in love with someone you've never met.
Within the first couple pages, and the first couple name-drops of "Prada bag" and "GAP perfume," I was prepared to hate this novel as thinly-veiled marketing. After seeing all the characters neatly described by their a) hobbies and b) clothes, I expected this novel to have absolutely no depth whatsoever. "Great, another high school novel that would really rather be a chick-flick movie." It's got that "high school glamor" to it that clearly designates it as a book for girls who are too young for high school.
In spite of all that, I was surprised to find a glimmer of depth here, in an after-school-special sort of way. After all that talk about name-brand and all that time describing the protagonists' clothes, the message actually ended up being about challenging assumptions and breaking out of the role that your peers assign to you. What's more surprising was that it almost had a Jane Austen feel, picking up on her penchant for exposing the "charmers" as dangerous and the "misunderstoods" as noble. Although I don't think it was the authors' intention, this book could be interpreted as a modern version of "Pride and Prejudice." And that really tickled me.
So it ended up being less time wasted than I thought.
***
April 11, 2009
I love this book....its about a girl who gets an assingment to pen pal with someone in the school but she doesn't know who she has to pen pal with and ends up is her enemy!!!!!.Then she notices not all enemys stay the same.What i liked about this book is that it tells what many girls go through ,what i didn'nt like is that to say 1 main important thing it lastest to long but its pretty good. If you would lik to read this book u could find it in Ms.Lacy's library bin relistic fiction u-z !!!!ENJOY
June 11, 2012
I just finished reading this book and Id have to say that it wasnt at all what I was expecting. I found it to be a little simple. Almost too simple. The plot was a bit easy to guess at. The books basic line for romance was pretty good, it was just the inbetween stuff that seemed to drag the story on. I really dont think Im going to continue to read the second one. Finishing the first one didnt leave me wanting to find out what happens next.
June 24, 2024
2024
2019
This book is always so adorable. It's a quick, snappy read, but it is well worth the time it takes to read through it! The first time I discovered it, I was probably in my early 20s, but even 10 years later, I still love it.
Basically, the two main protagonists hate each other (for fairly good reasons - ). However, a high school assignment might be just the key to get the two of them talking again.
2019
This book is always so adorable. It's a quick, snappy read, but it is well worth the time it takes to read through it! The first time I discovered it, I was probably in my early 20s, but even 10 years later, I still love it.
Basically, the two main protagonists hate each other (for fairly good reasons - ). However, a high school assignment might be just the key to get the two of them talking again.
April 22, 2021
I enjoyed this book, from the mystery of who the pen pal was, to........the events that happened in the book.
I dont want to give anything away like the ending.
very cute sweet story although I felt bad for the girl at one point in the story.
recommended for a nice afternoon read.
back cover
Dear Blue, do you think it’s really possible to start over?
Madison and Jeremy are both running for president of their high school. They’ve been bitter enemies since Jeremy punk’d Madison freshman year.
Then Madison gets paired in an anonymous “pen pal” program. While the school election heats up, so do the letters between Madison and this guy who calls himself Blue. They’re practically hooked up on paper—and they’ve never even met!
Election Day reveals all—the winner, the loser, and the school’s hottest new couple.
I dont want to give anything away like the ending.
very cute sweet story although I felt bad for the girl at one point in the story.
recommended for a nice afternoon read.
back cover
Dear Blue, do you think it’s really possible to start over?
Madison and Jeremy are both running for president of their high school. They’ve been bitter enemies since Jeremy punk’d Madison freshman year.
Then Madison gets paired in an anonymous “pen pal” program. While the school election heats up, so do the letters between Madison and this guy who calls himself Blue. They’re practically hooked up on paper—and they’ve never even met!
Election Day reveals all—the winner, the loser, and the school’s hottest new couple.
July 9, 2012
This book was nice but predictable. From the beginning I knew who "Blue" was and I also knew Reed must have been the one to frame Jeremy and cause Madison to hate him. I don't know if others might have figured this out right when they started reading it or if it was just me. Despite the obviousness of what was going to happen at the end, I liked this book. It was a really cute short read. Nice for a bored day at home.
September 30, 2011
I didn't finished the book because of one reason I was already reading another book called ''LORD IF THE FLIES''. To me reading to books is dumb so why not read 1 book knocking out two things in one .. but that was a nice book very interesting .. i wouldn't minding the book when i done with the book I'm reading
April 21, 2009
This book teaches us to be slow to judge and quick to love. It was a fun, quick read. Definitely worth it.
February 23, 2011
http://breesabookworm.blogspot.com/
Cute! Short and sweet. Kind of lame...but perfect for a fast, sweet read. Plus, I like reading books with letters in them. :)
Cute! Short and sweet. Kind of lame...but perfect for a fast, sweet read. Plus, I like reading books with letters in them. :)
September 30, 2011
This book is kinda sorta really bad. The story is cute and the idea is nice, but it is so completely predictable, and the writing is kind of awful.
May 28, 2011
I love this book, its just so real.
July 16, 2011
This is a completely predictable book. I guarantee no surprises.
June 14, 2013
I had started it a long time ago and I had like 50 pages left and I final got around to reading it :), it was pretty good
October 3, 2013
a fun light read. so cute!
September 23, 2010
Awesome. Basically a teen version of You've got mail!
February 14, 2011
Very cute, girly, fast read.
August 31, 2012
Cute but totally predictable.
February 9, 2021
I had seen this at a local bookshop and passed it up, and kept seeing it there (which rarely happens) so I decided I better get it before someone else did!
What ruins it is the dated clothing on the front. It looks like the 90’s, early 2000s.
I love the storyline, and the idea of secret messaging. Reminds me of A Cinderella Story with Haley Duff and Chad Michael Murray. How sweet!
Oh, it’s a Simon Pulse. This might have potential!
I noticed the character’s faces on the side of the book. I wish they were on the cover! It bugs me when their heads are chopped like that. They don’t go together at all. The ‘girl’ looks much older than a high schooler, too.
-It’s weird that the name of the series is also on the book, which looks like the title, so I try looking Love Letters up and can’t find the book!
I wish the guy had a better nickname than ‘Blue.’
I love when her teacher was about to help her with her writing assignment, and she was horrified at the thought, and started furiously typing keys, a bunch of random letters.
I found it odd that the teacher said they weren’t going to meet their partner, but then said they have to correspond for a month, have twice weekly advisor meetings, are given anonymous e-mail addresses each, and then once the month is up, they decide if they want to keep talking or meet up. So they could be meeting who they’re talking to?
surprised she would write letter like that. Didn't fit her at all. Wanna dye hair pink, shave head and party.
Overachiever perfectionist. That’s always annoying. If she’s a straitlaced perfectionist, why would she wanna dye her hair and go crazy?
-'the prank easily rated a perfect "10" for meanness, which hadn't won Jeremy any friends with the students or teachers. It certainly had made a permanent enemy of Madison.' I'm surprised the students weren't behind him.
-'Madison found herself face-to-face--or face-to-chest--with Alex Kazinsky.'
Her friend is too much. As in unrealistic. Her outfits, speech. I'm not charmed.
Idk why you'd write about a character who isn't very popular. It's embarrassing to read. He nominates himself, even though the rules say you can't. He gets his friend(?) to nominate him. Then after an awkward pause some girl seconds him. Then he makes a comment about everyone being equal on the bus, and the crowd suddenly cheers. And she realizes he could be serious competition.
If you're that ready to rebel it's a wonder you kept it together that close.
-I was shocked that all these cheerleaders and preps were talking to her. Then she says:
'super-straight preppies, which was her clan.' I didn't know she was a prep!
'However, once I graduate next year--I'm going to go wild! pierce some body part and get a tattoo.' Who is this girl? You don't give us perfectionist and then hit us with rebel.
Why would their competition tell her and Jeremy about his mom's radio show where they can broadcast? & why would they be on a radio show anyway?
I expected so much more from the embarrassing Jeremy story.
It wasn't even that clear that he planned it. & it's your own fault for not hearing the announcer. Basically I thought it was a lame story. Her going to buy hot chocolate, but it was slowing her down.
I'm surprised Reed and Jeremy asked her to homecoming. & she told them she already had a date. But she didn't. She was going with friends to decorate the float. She keeps saying when she turns ppl down that it wasn't a "put-down."
When people found out Jeremy 'planned it' they cut him dead. Even the teachers cut him dead. Um, yeah right. I'm pretty sure the teachers don't care.
I'm sure it would have been mortifying and traumatizing but the story didn't really convey it.
She all of a sudden daydreams about Blue and her standing on the pier, him protecting her from the wind. I get why you'd get swept away by letter writing--or e-mails--especially if you're a romantic, or day dreamer. But this is so soon.
She keeps saying she laughs out loud at his letters but they aren't funny. I def haven't laughed out loud, or even smiled. They could be a lot funnier.
Her brother comes to tell her their mom is looking for her, because she's been in her room. Sigh.
Her mom is introduced as Mrs. McKay. Which makes it sound like she calls her mom that. Wouldn't u say 'Mom took off her reading glasses' instead. Annoying parents. Her mom questions that she went to her room and is now going back there. Nosy annoying parents.
She gets a phone call and thinks it's from Blue. Because he wanted to hear her voice. Did you give him your phone number?!?
She tells her friend she's in love. She amends to seriously like. I hate the word LOVE thrown out too soon.
'He cocked one eye at a clock on the wall.'
She goes from hating Jeremy, to noticing how handsome he is, and then started to smile at him.
I think this author is a fan of alliteration. Her name is Madison McKay, Reed Rawlings, and the radio host Kasey Kramer.
Jeremy said 'the guy in the back of the class. The guy at the top of the bleachers. The guy on the sidelines at the dance."
I thought it was rude how Reed asked if they were going to dinner and she's like take Jeremy. He set you up on the radio.
Piper is a seriously annoying side character. Make her stop. "I may have flirted, but Jeremy started it." He didn't even come close to flirting!! And why is she getting all "what do you care? You hate the guy." She cares because you're flirting with a guy who embarrassed her.
I couldn't believe she asked Jeremy if Ruby could eat her ice cream cone. Dogs shouldn't be eating that!
-I realized nearing halfway it's in third person. But the third person is really impersonal, calling then Mr. and Mrs. McKay.
'The whole family had glasses of water in front of them to keep them hydrated.' I found that an odd sentence. Like we care if they're hydrated.
-whoa whoa! Blue writes to her and mentions their date. This is crazy considering they've never met!
-"Got the beat, feel the heat. Drum's the man, let's repeat.'
"She's going with the 'I'm just people' look." Don't you mean I'm just a person?
The names in here are ridiculous. And not just people's names. The names of diners, like the Two Dot Diner. And Jeremy's last name, Drum. Which, once his campaign came out, I see was probably only used so they could have drums playing.
Earlier it referenced losers, now Madison says 'Evergreen's resident nerd.'
Idk why, if they're writing in their own time or if they feel like it at all, do they have to go to the advisory class, which is taking time out of school to write e-mails. How does the teacher keep track of who's actually doing the assignment or not?
He gives her his number. Won't they recognize each other's voices??
I can't believe this idiot deleted the e-mail while trying to log off the computer. How do you mix those two things up?!?
Reed drives a BMW, which could be realistic for a rich kid. But the Armani sunglasses, on a high school kid? Idk about that.
Madison loses Blue's number, after deleting the e-mail. Boy this isn't funny.
"You can call information," Pepper whispered.' OMG they called her Pepper! Hahaha
She could just email him again for his number, but to throw in a little "plot twist" he's away from his computer for the next couple days, and if she doesn't call him he'll think she doesn't care. So they have to find the number RIGHTNOW, even to the point of skipping class. Which is ridiculous. At least wait until the end of school!!
What are the chances of her finding the sticker with the number on it on HIS locker?
Finally her and Jeremy have some alone time, at his locker, but it's cut short by the principal.
That's funny the story she made up of her paper being in his locker and the the assignment they were working on. & Jeremy adds something too. Haha
For her phone call, she dresses all in pink--again with the matching--then buys pink lip gloss and pink glitter spray for her hair, for good luck. Are you kidding me?
I can't believe she writes the opening of their phone call and then says 2 hours later they were still talking.
'Sort of like a Kurt Cobain without the suicide.' Wow I would not have gone there!
It's pg 145 and we're just now learning our MC wants to be a famous author and live in a villa in Italy. But her dad wants her to be a lawyer.
"I have to confess that I know your voice, which means we must know each other. This could be a good thing, or a really awkward thing."
-"then I will say farewell."
"Forever? I mean, will we talk again?" Pathetic.
-he wants to meet up and he's going to wear a blue carnation, which is girly. Why not just a blue shirt?
Jeremy's campaign had all the punk, Goth and skaters and I'm shocked that Alex, Mr. Theater, says "they're still on the fringe." Because so is theater. He's come across as a loser the whole time. So does Piper. Def not popular.
'Madison closed her eyes as Alex spoke. Had it been HIS voice she'd listened to last night on the phone? She couldn't tell.' You mean to tell me you don't know if you talked to your best friend on the phone? You'd recognize his voice, you idiot! I love how they're throwing us off the trail; to make it seem like it could be someone else. Wish it wasn't so obvious.
There's posters of the Homecoming debacle all over the school.& everyone thinks Jeremy's done it. Maybe because Madison is supposedly popular, people are taking her side. But if this was my school people would have been laughing and cheering Jeremy. It's just the sort of mean thing rude high schoolers would have loved. Who the heck took pics of them? And who had them for that long they're only surfacing 2 years later??
Now there's a mystery of who took the pics, because the angle is wrong for Jeremy or Reed to have taken them.
I can't believe Madison asked Piper to help her get ready for the date, and I thought she was only dropping her off, so that's ok. But no, she actually gets out and goes with her.& is the one to identify who Blue is because stupid Madison can't even look.
That's so cool Space Needle was built for the 1962 World's Fair!!
When she mentions she thought it was Alex, and piper was like would that be so bad? Cuz they're good friends and that's how the best realationsjip begins (which is sweet and would also make a good story) Madison says "I know, but I guess I hoped deep in my heart that Blue would be this killingly handsome guy who would make me go weak in the knees every time I looked at him." And piper says "shallow, but understandable." How is that shallow?
This is going all wrong. And the author wins the award for ruining what could have been a great storyline and a great scene!
Instead of being mad and/or flabbergasted that Blue is Jeremy Drum, she instantly says 'he WAS handsome, weak-in-the-knees handsome, and his letters were wonderful. The phone call had been heaven.' Then says "maybe he isn't a jerk. Maybe we've been all wrong about him."
Madison decides to cover her pink outfit and take the rose off. Walks up to Jeremy, who is so distracted by looking for his perfect girl that he can't focus on Madison.
"I don't want to be rude"--he paused for a second--"or maybe I do. But I have a date, and now is not a good time to talk." I would hope that when being confronted with the person you like you'd be a little less excited about your date.
"This girl is beautiful on the inside and out. She's smart and funny. She's not so wrapped up in being cool that she's afraid to have a good time. And, above all, she's kind. She would never try to hurt anyone."
All that from a handful of letters? I don't think so.
-"you and your vindictive friends have practically ruined my life. Why? You have every right to run for president. But you don't need to destroy me to do it. Please, just leave me alone!"
Wow this doesn't sound like he likes her at all! She sees contempt in his eyes and she just leaves. You're confused about what he said, so instead of asking him you just walk away. 2 years worth of anger, hurt, resentment and bad feelings between you two and instead of rehashing it all out, getting it out in the open, you just walk away. Like an idiot. This character sucks.
-it's revealed that ol Reed is the one behind the Homecoming prank. & the latest posters.
She meets up with Jeremy to apologize and let him know she knows the truth, and that she's pulling out of the election, then she goes to leave and I'm thinking not again!! Can't they just finish a conversation without her running away?
Turns out Jeremy didn't hear the announcement. Reed told him she won and to tell Madison. It just hit me, that was a risky move to pull, because what if Madison had heard the announcement and knew she didn't win? What of the entire school hearing the announcement and knowing she didn't win? Anyone could have told her the truth and stopped her. Reed was banking on a lot. Then there's a curveball--a stupid, idiotic one--that reed only did it to get her hot chocolate because he was tired of standing in line. So you get out of line to hear an announcement, plan to tell somebody they won& humiliate them, have your buddy stand in line for you, just so you could get her hot chocolate. Ok this is even more stupid than I thought before.
That's funny when Jeremy suggested they do Chinese water torture on Reed, and she said they'd key his Beemer, and pants him at lunch. Omg I remember kids doing pants!! Aha!
Blow me down with a feather!! Alex said he's carried a torch for her, and that it ended two months before. How come I haven't picked up those vibes?
And she says she's always felt he liked her in that way. Why haven't you said anything before!!
Then he likes Mouse. Here again, why haven't we picked up on this! There's been nothing!
I thought Alex might be gay in the beginning. He's way too out there.
You can't keep things from your readers.
-'dear Pinky,
I'm assuming the reason I never heard back from you is because of the girl you saw me with at the Space Needle. I could tell you she doesn't mean a thing to me--but I'd be lying. I have very strong feelings for her. Idk if anything will come of it, but I just wanted to be honest with you. Blue.' Wow!
She should have told him it was her!!
-the voting was more like a play. They were on stage with fog rolling out, and a light show and dancers wearing white gloves. Then they recite this speech (script), even a corny looking over at eachother as they say a line, and at times speaking the same line, and end with a "two hearts that beat as one" finish.
"Names were called," Madison explained. "And we each were branded."
"Never once did we speak to each other," Jeremy said.
"Never once did we allow the other to explain," Madison said.
"We accepted what others told us, and continued blindly on the path that others chose for us," Jeremy said.
Then goes on to say "we asked a lot of questions and listened to the answers," Madison said, turning to face Jeremy.
"We dispensed with labels like "preppie' or 'loser' or 'skater' or Goth.'" Jeremy turned to Madison.'
What are you talking about? What questions and answers? And you've never called each other that.
"If Jeremy and I can find a way to join hands and work together..."
"Then all of us can do it," Jeremy said.' That was a nice note.
-'ultra cool Liz Struthers actually ran down the hall.' Why are you just now calling her that?
This was a disappointment. This didn't go how I thought it would. I wish it had been better, I wish her and Jeremy had been together more. It was too juvenile, too. I wish these Simon Pulse books would be for an older audience and had more to them; humor, plot, and romance.
What ruins it is the dated clothing on the front. It looks like the 90’s, early 2000s.
I love the storyline, and the idea of secret messaging. Reminds me of A Cinderella Story with Haley Duff and Chad Michael Murray. How sweet!
Oh, it’s a Simon Pulse. This might have potential!
I noticed the character’s faces on the side of the book. I wish they were on the cover! It bugs me when their heads are chopped like that. They don’t go together at all. The ‘girl’ looks much older than a high schooler, too.
-It’s weird that the name of the series is also on the book, which looks like the title, so I try looking Love Letters up and can’t find the book!
I wish the guy had a better nickname than ‘Blue.’
I love when her teacher was about to help her with her writing assignment, and she was horrified at the thought, and started furiously typing keys, a bunch of random letters.
I found it odd that the teacher said they weren’t going to meet their partner, but then said they have to correspond for a month, have twice weekly advisor meetings, are given anonymous e-mail addresses each, and then once the month is up, they decide if they want to keep talking or meet up. So they could be meeting who they’re talking to?
surprised she would write letter like that. Didn't fit her at all. Wanna dye hair pink, shave head and party.
Overachiever perfectionist. That’s always annoying. If she’s a straitlaced perfectionist, why would she wanna dye her hair and go crazy?
-'the prank easily rated a perfect "10" for meanness, which hadn't won Jeremy any friends with the students or teachers. It certainly had made a permanent enemy of Madison.' I'm surprised the students weren't behind him.
-'Madison found herself face-to-face--or face-to-chest--with Alex Kazinsky.'
Her friend is too much. As in unrealistic. Her outfits, speech. I'm not charmed.
Idk why you'd write about a character who isn't very popular. It's embarrassing to read. He nominates himself, even though the rules say you can't. He gets his friend(?) to nominate him. Then after an awkward pause some girl seconds him. Then he makes a comment about everyone being equal on the bus, and the crowd suddenly cheers. And she realizes he could be serious competition.
If you're that ready to rebel it's a wonder you kept it together that close.
-I was shocked that all these cheerleaders and preps were talking to her. Then she says:
'super-straight preppies, which was her clan.' I didn't know she was a prep!
'However, once I graduate next year--I'm going to go wild! pierce some body part and get a tattoo.' Who is this girl? You don't give us perfectionist and then hit us with rebel.
Why would their competition tell her and Jeremy about his mom's radio show where they can broadcast? & why would they be on a radio show anyway?
I expected so much more from the embarrassing Jeremy story.
It wasn't even that clear that he planned it. & it's your own fault for not hearing the announcer. Basically I thought it was a lame story. Her going to buy hot chocolate, but it was slowing her down.
I'm surprised Reed and Jeremy asked her to homecoming. & she told them she already had a date. But she didn't. She was going with friends to decorate the float. She keeps saying when she turns ppl down that it wasn't a "put-down."
When people found out Jeremy 'planned it' they cut him dead. Even the teachers cut him dead. Um, yeah right. I'm pretty sure the teachers don't care.
I'm sure it would have been mortifying and traumatizing but the story didn't really convey it.
She all of a sudden daydreams about Blue and her standing on the pier, him protecting her from the wind. I get why you'd get swept away by letter writing--or e-mails--especially if you're a romantic, or day dreamer. But this is so soon.
She keeps saying she laughs out loud at his letters but they aren't funny. I def haven't laughed out loud, or even smiled. They could be a lot funnier.
Her brother comes to tell her their mom is looking for her, because she's been in her room. Sigh.
Her mom is introduced as Mrs. McKay. Which makes it sound like she calls her mom that. Wouldn't u say 'Mom took off her reading glasses' instead. Annoying parents. Her mom questions that she went to her room and is now going back there. Nosy annoying parents.
She gets a phone call and thinks it's from Blue. Because he wanted to hear her voice. Did you give him your phone number?!?
She tells her friend she's in love. She amends to seriously like. I hate the word LOVE thrown out too soon.
'He cocked one eye at a clock on the wall.'
She goes from hating Jeremy, to noticing how handsome he is, and then started to smile at him.
I think this author is a fan of alliteration. Her name is Madison McKay, Reed Rawlings, and the radio host Kasey Kramer.
Jeremy said 'the guy in the back of the class. The guy at the top of the bleachers. The guy on the sidelines at the dance."
I thought it was rude how Reed asked if they were going to dinner and she's like take Jeremy. He set you up on the radio.
Piper is a seriously annoying side character. Make her stop. "I may have flirted, but Jeremy started it." He didn't even come close to flirting!! And why is she getting all "what do you care? You hate the guy." She cares because you're flirting with a guy who embarrassed her.
I couldn't believe she asked Jeremy if Ruby could eat her ice cream cone. Dogs shouldn't be eating that!
-I realized nearing halfway it's in third person. But the third person is really impersonal, calling then Mr. and Mrs. McKay.
'The whole family had glasses of water in front of them to keep them hydrated.' I found that an odd sentence. Like we care if they're hydrated.
-whoa whoa! Blue writes to her and mentions their date. This is crazy considering they've never met!
-"Got the beat, feel the heat. Drum's the man, let's repeat.'
"She's going with the 'I'm just people' look." Don't you mean I'm just a person?
The names in here are ridiculous. And not just people's names. The names of diners, like the Two Dot Diner. And Jeremy's last name, Drum. Which, once his campaign came out, I see was probably only used so they could have drums playing.
Earlier it referenced losers, now Madison says 'Evergreen's resident nerd.'
Idk why, if they're writing in their own time or if they feel like it at all, do they have to go to the advisory class, which is taking time out of school to write e-mails. How does the teacher keep track of who's actually doing the assignment or not?
He gives her his number. Won't they recognize each other's voices??
I can't believe this idiot deleted the e-mail while trying to log off the computer. How do you mix those two things up?!?
Reed drives a BMW, which could be realistic for a rich kid. But the Armani sunglasses, on a high school kid? Idk about that.
Madison loses Blue's number, after deleting the e-mail. Boy this isn't funny.
"You can call information," Pepper whispered.' OMG they called her Pepper! Hahaha
She could just email him again for his number, but to throw in a little "plot twist" he's away from his computer for the next couple days, and if she doesn't call him he'll think she doesn't care. So they have to find the number RIGHTNOW, even to the point of skipping class. Which is ridiculous. At least wait until the end of school!!
What are the chances of her finding the sticker with the number on it on HIS locker?
Finally her and Jeremy have some alone time, at his locker, but it's cut short by the principal.
That's funny the story she made up of her paper being in his locker and the the assignment they were working on. & Jeremy adds something too. Haha
For her phone call, she dresses all in pink--again with the matching--then buys pink lip gloss and pink glitter spray for her hair, for good luck. Are you kidding me?
I can't believe she writes the opening of their phone call and then says 2 hours later they were still talking.
'Sort of like a Kurt Cobain without the suicide.' Wow I would not have gone there!
It's pg 145 and we're just now learning our MC wants to be a famous author and live in a villa in Italy. But her dad wants her to be a lawyer.
"I have to confess that I know your voice, which means we must know each other. This could be a good thing, or a really awkward thing."
-"then I will say farewell."
"Forever? I mean, will we talk again?" Pathetic.
-he wants to meet up and he's going to wear a blue carnation, which is girly. Why not just a blue shirt?
Jeremy's campaign had all the punk, Goth and skaters and I'm shocked that Alex, Mr. Theater, says "they're still on the fringe." Because so is theater. He's come across as a loser the whole time. So does Piper. Def not popular.
'Madison closed her eyes as Alex spoke. Had it been HIS voice she'd listened to last night on the phone? She couldn't tell.' You mean to tell me you don't know if you talked to your best friend on the phone? You'd recognize his voice, you idiot! I love how they're throwing us off the trail; to make it seem like it could be someone else. Wish it wasn't so obvious.
There's posters of the Homecoming debacle all over the school.& everyone thinks Jeremy's done it. Maybe because Madison is supposedly popular, people are taking her side. But if this was my school people would have been laughing and cheering Jeremy. It's just the sort of mean thing rude high schoolers would have loved. Who the heck took pics of them? And who had them for that long they're only surfacing 2 years later??
Now there's a mystery of who took the pics, because the angle is wrong for Jeremy or Reed to have taken them.
I can't believe Madison asked Piper to help her get ready for the date, and I thought she was only dropping her off, so that's ok. But no, she actually gets out and goes with her.& is the one to identify who Blue is because stupid Madison can't even look.
That's so cool Space Needle was built for the 1962 World's Fair!!
When she mentions she thought it was Alex, and piper was like would that be so bad? Cuz they're good friends and that's how the best realationsjip begins (which is sweet and would also make a good story) Madison says "I know, but I guess I hoped deep in my heart that Blue would be this killingly handsome guy who would make me go weak in the knees every time I looked at him." And piper says "shallow, but understandable." How is that shallow?
This is going all wrong. And the author wins the award for ruining what could have been a great storyline and a great scene!
Instead of being mad and/or flabbergasted that Blue is Jeremy Drum, she instantly says 'he WAS handsome, weak-in-the-knees handsome, and his letters were wonderful. The phone call had been heaven.' Then says "maybe he isn't a jerk. Maybe we've been all wrong about him."
Madison decides to cover her pink outfit and take the rose off. Walks up to Jeremy, who is so distracted by looking for his perfect girl that he can't focus on Madison.
"I don't want to be rude"--he paused for a second--"or maybe I do. But I have a date, and now is not a good time to talk." I would hope that when being confronted with the person you like you'd be a little less excited about your date.
"This girl is beautiful on the inside and out. She's smart and funny. She's not so wrapped up in being cool that she's afraid to have a good time. And, above all, she's kind. She would never try to hurt anyone."
All that from a handful of letters? I don't think so.
-"you and your vindictive friends have practically ruined my life. Why? You have every right to run for president. But you don't need to destroy me to do it. Please, just leave me alone!"
Wow this doesn't sound like he likes her at all! She sees contempt in his eyes and she just leaves. You're confused about what he said, so instead of asking him you just walk away. 2 years worth of anger, hurt, resentment and bad feelings between you two and instead of rehashing it all out, getting it out in the open, you just walk away. Like an idiot. This character sucks.
-it's revealed that ol Reed is the one behind the Homecoming prank. & the latest posters.
She meets up with Jeremy to apologize and let him know she knows the truth, and that she's pulling out of the election, then she goes to leave and I'm thinking not again!! Can't they just finish a conversation without her running away?
Turns out Jeremy didn't hear the announcement. Reed told him she won and to tell Madison. It just hit me, that was a risky move to pull, because what if Madison had heard the announcement and knew she didn't win? What of the entire school hearing the announcement and knowing she didn't win? Anyone could have told her the truth and stopped her. Reed was banking on a lot. Then there's a curveball--a stupid, idiotic one--that reed only did it to get her hot chocolate because he was tired of standing in line. So you get out of line to hear an announcement, plan to tell somebody they won& humiliate them, have your buddy stand in line for you, just so you could get her hot chocolate. Ok this is even more stupid than I thought before.
That's funny when Jeremy suggested they do Chinese water torture on Reed, and she said they'd key his Beemer, and pants him at lunch. Omg I remember kids doing pants!! Aha!
Blow me down with a feather!! Alex said he's carried a torch for her, and that it ended two months before. How come I haven't picked up those vibes?
And she says she's always felt he liked her in that way. Why haven't you said anything before!!
Then he likes Mouse. Here again, why haven't we picked up on this! There's been nothing!
I thought Alex might be gay in the beginning. He's way too out there.
You can't keep things from your readers.
-'dear Pinky,
I'm assuming the reason I never heard back from you is because of the girl you saw me with at the Space Needle. I could tell you she doesn't mean a thing to me--but I'd be lying. I have very strong feelings for her. Idk if anything will come of it, but I just wanted to be honest with you. Blue.' Wow!
She should have told him it was her!!
-the voting was more like a play. They were on stage with fog rolling out, and a light show and dancers wearing white gloves. Then they recite this speech (script), even a corny looking over at eachother as they say a line, and at times speaking the same line, and end with a "two hearts that beat as one" finish.
"Names were called," Madison explained. "And we each were branded."
"Never once did we speak to each other," Jeremy said.
"Never once did we allow the other to explain," Madison said.
"We accepted what others told us, and continued blindly on the path that others chose for us," Jeremy said.
Then goes on to say "we asked a lot of questions and listened to the answers," Madison said, turning to face Jeremy.
"We dispensed with labels like "preppie' or 'loser' or 'skater' or Goth.'" Jeremy turned to Madison.'
What are you talking about? What questions and answers? And you've never called each other that.
"If Jeremy and I can find a way to join hands and work together..."
"Then all of us can do it," Jeremy said.' That was a nice note.
-'ultra cool Liz Struthers actually ran down the hall.' Why are you just now calling her that?
This was a disappointment. This didn't go how I thought it would. I wish it had been better, I wish her and Jeremy had been together more. It was too juvenile, too. I wish these Simon Pulse books would be for an older audience and had more to them; humor, plot, and romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2020
I was going through my bookshelf, trying to make space for new books that I thought were more important than a simple, typical teenage novella that I had displayed for years. However, I found it really difficult to just donate this one without even opening it.
I have absolutely no regrets. This short and sweet book just hit the spot, and I repeatedly asked myself ‘God, why am I so damn similar to the main character?’, which was quite fun.
Even if it’s unlikely than in five years I’ll remember what this was about, I will confidently remember that it was a juicy and spontaneous read that kept me hooked and sitting in one spot until it was finished.
On another point, as a reader that’s slightly above the age of the characters, I began to think about how much emphasis we put on ‘embarrassing’ moments that feel like the end of the world to us in that moment, but are not actually that deep. While the melodrama in this book can be thought of as a bit excessive, it is a reminder that as children, we have the same tendency to catastrophize everything beyond a reasonable level. As adults, we should begin to get over ourselves and realise that we pay attention to ourselves more than anyone else, and that we don’t have a proverbial ‘spotlight’ on us at all times.
Also, this book teaches another important point about socially excluding a person because of a rumour, without ever hearing their perspective. It is increasingly relevant in our age to make an effort to gain more insights into other people’s thoughts rather than superficially label them and promote unhealthy mindsets.
This book truly teaches some great life lessons in a really entertaining way, and shows us that:
1). Our actions can have drastic, lifelong consequences for other people(imagine Maddy’s anxiety, which she had to overcome to get to a position of status at her school)
2). To not dismiss people based on limited information, because they might be more similar to you than you would have thought. This is even more relevant when we think about inequalities in our modern societies, where we either overemphasise our differences, or completely ignore them. The simple solution is just to truly listen to the other person.
I have absolutely no regrets. This short and sweet book just hit the spot, and I repeatedly asked myself ‘God, why am I so damn similar to the main character?’, which was quite fun.
Even if it’s unlikely than in five years I’ll remember what this was about, I will confidently remember that it was a juicy and spontaneous read that kept me hooked and sitting in one spot until it was finished.
On another point, as a reader that’s slightly above the age of the characters, I began to think about how much emphasis we put on ‘embarrassing’ moments that feel like the end of the world to us in that moment, but are not actually that deep. While the melodrama in this book can be thought of as a bit excessive, it is a reminder that as children, we have the same tendency to catastrophize everything beyond a reasonable level. As adults, we should begin to get over ourselves and realise that we pay attention to ourselves more than anyone else, and that we don’t have a proverbial ‘spotlight’ on us at all times.
Also, this book teaches another important point about socially excluding a person because of a rumour, without ever hearing their perspective. It is increasingly relevant in our age to make an effort to gain more insights into other people’s thoughts rather than superficially label them and promote unhealthy mindsets.
This book truly teaches some great life lessons in a really entertaining way, and shows us that:
1). Our actions can have drastic, lifelong consequences for other people(imagine Maddy’s anxiety, which she had to overcome to get to a position of status at her school)
2). To not dismiss people based on limited information, because they might be more similar to you than you would have thought. This is even more relevant when we think about inequalities in our modern societies, where we either overemphasise our differences, or completely ignore them. The simple solution is just to truly listen to the other person.
September 6, 2025
Man, wish I owned this book so that I’d read it whenever I need comfort. prolly a first ever book I’ve dedicated as my 'comfort Book '
This book gave me— I’d not call it ick— bc this is a children's appropriate book. So yeah… just that last speech and the nickname pinky was ick-y to me
The book is so great tho
Other than that_
- The book and gave me a kind of mystery vibe at the end.
reminds me of how good mysteries are, oh and! I love the characters!!!
All of ‘em except Reed ofc -_-
I LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. JEREMY ✨✋🏻
madison might’ve been a bitch to him but him, always the gentle man, god— he's sure got the confidence.sass and damn I love those in boys aishh
ɢᴏᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇᴀᴛ
ꜰᴇᴇʟ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇᴀᴛ
ᴅʀᴜᴍ'ꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀɴ
ʟᴇᴛ'ꜱ ʀᴇᴘᴇᴀᴛ
This book gave me— I’d not call it ick— bc this is a children's appropriate book. So yeah… just that last speech and the nickname pinky was ick-y to me
The book is so great tho
Other than that_
- The book and gave me a kind of mystery vibe at the end.
reminds me of how good mysteries are, oh and! I love the characters!!!
All of ‘em except Reed ofc -_-
I LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. JEREMY ✨✋🏻
madison might’ve been a bitch to him but him, always the gentle man, god— he's sure got the confidence.sass and damn I love those in boys aishh
ɢᴏᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇᴀᴛ
ꜰᴇᴇʟ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇᴀᴛ
ᴅʀᴜᴍ'ꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀɴ
ʟᴇᴛ'ꜱ ʀᴇᴘᴇᴀᴛ
September 21, 2017
I remember borrowing this in our public library and I finished this within a day. I think I was a senior in highschool around that time. My brother also read this book and liked it. It was a light read, it was really entertaining. I'm a junior in college and my brother is already working but we still remember this book. We remember Jeremy's slogan "Jeremy Drums beats for you!" HAHAHAHA ♥
December 26, 2018
Loved the book and every plot twist. Read it earlier in high school and still obsessed years later.
February 12, 2022
I am in love with this book
January 4, 2023
I've read this book multiple times. I love the mystery and the romance. It's a fun and easy read.
December 1, 2025
This is a book I've read countless times and enjoy it every time! It's a quick read and very enjoyable.
October 6, 2016
I read this book along with The Write Stuff many times in grades 10 and 11 - I loved them! But I preferred this one, read it a lot more. And now reading it 6-7 years later, I still enjoy it. The characters are all so likeable and humorous! Even though there are characters who actually aren't very nice , I still loved reading about them because they're just all so funny. I remember reading this in high school and thinking, I wish my high school life was like this. Haha. This one is a little predictable too, not to mention cliché, but at least it's written in an entertaining way where I don't want to yell at any of the characters. (Not that I would, anyway.) It's about a girl named Madison who is in grade 11 and is running for school president for grade 12 (senior year). Her friends Alex (he's so awesome!) and Piper (she's so cool) help her with her campaign. Two other people are running against her for the presidency - Reed (the school jock) and Jeremy (the school outcast, who happens to be Madison's worst enemy). At the same time, all students in the grade have a Heart-2-Heart online buddy where they chat with someone they've been assigned to, but it's anonymous so they don't know who anyone is. Madison's Heart-2-Heart name is Pinky, and her online guy is Blue. They chat to each other every night, and she starts to fall for him without knowing who he is. But, who IS he? (Once you read the story, it's pretty obvious who he is by a quarter of the way through, if that.) But anyway, I do still love this story. Maybe not quite as much as I did years ago, but still!
Favourite character: Honestly, it would have to be Alex! He's the kind of friend I want - he's so funny, supportive, and can make a bad day good and a good day even better. I also like Reed though, he is super hilarious !
Favourite character: Honestly, it would have to be Alex! He's the kind of friend I want - he's so funny, supportive, and can make a bad day good and a good day even better. I also like Reed though, he is super hilarious !
July 9, 2015
ceritanya tentang dua orang remaja yang saling membenci karena sebuah kesalahpahaman . si cewek, madison, adalah bintang pelajar di sekolahnya sementara si cowok, jeremy, adalah cowok biasa yang nggak terlalu populer. pada saat pemilihan calon ketua osis, madison yang terkenal akan reputasi baiknya, tentu saja ikut mendaftarkan diri sebagai calon ketua osis. namun, tak disangka, jeremy dengan gayanya yang tenang dan santai, juga ikut mencalonkan diri sebagai salah satu kandidat ketua osis mewakilkan golongan 'belakang' yang sering dianggap sebelah mata oleh murid murid lain yang merasa lebih hebat. tak dinyana, pencalonan jeremy ini mendapatkan sambutan yang meriah. madison yang sebelumnya sudah membenci jeremy, semakin antipati saja kepada cowok manis itu. namun, takdir ternyata berkata lain. tanpa saling mengetahui, ternyata jeremy dan madison adalah pasangan tugas chatting yang wajib diikuti oleh seluruh siswa siswi di sekolah mereka (tetapi tanpa mengetahui identitas pasangan chat nya) tugas ini bertujuan untuk membuat mereka bisa saling curhat dan berkeluh kesah dengan nyaman karena toh teman chat nya tidak saling mengetahui identitas pasangannya. madison yang pada awalnya ogah ogahan mengikui program 'chatting dengan orang asing' ini tiba tiba menjadi antusias karena ternyata pasangan chatt nya , jeremy, yang disini mengaku bernama blue (madison sendiri mengaku bernama pink), adalah seorang yang asyik dan bisa memahami cita cita liar madison.
lalu bagaimana kelanjuan hubungan mereka? harus baca sendiri! buku ini bagus banget
lalu bagaimana kelanjuan hubungan mereka? harus baca sendiri! buku ini bagus banget
April 9, 2017
Warning: SPOILERS!!!
I enjoy this book. It's funny and cute and I really like her friends Mouse and Alex.
It's really close to 'She Loves Me'. Madison and Jeremy are enemies (Jeremy embarrassed her terribly. It was bad), never speak to each other, avoid each other like the plague. Until they both run for school president, and then they can't help but bump into each other and talk... sort of.
At the same time, the school starts up an Emailing thing where they assign you a partner and you're not supposed to tell each other who you are, you're just supposed to tell each other about your problems. Madison and her partner, Blue, really hit off! She loves talking to him and actually begins to fall in love with him. They talk on the phone and then arrange to meet!
But then Madison shows up and Blue is Jeremy. She walks up to him, they have a fight, and when she leaves, Jeremy waits an hour for Pinky(Madison) to show up. When she doesn't, he's disappointed.
After that, Madison finds out that it wasn't Jeremy who embarrassed her per-say. It was a boy named Reed who just wanted her hot chocolates! She and Jeremy make up and become friends and decide to run for president together! Reed is left in the dust, not sure how his plan failed.
But Blue is still disappointed and waiting. So Madison arranges to meet Blue again, one more time.
I bet you know how it ends, don't you? :P This is my second time reading this book. It's good!
I enjoy this book. It's funny and cute and I really like her friends Mouse and Alex.
It's really close to 'She Loves Me'. Madison and Jeremy are enemies (Jeremy embarrassed her terribly. It was bad), never speak to each other, avoid each other like the plague. Until they both run for school president, and then they can't help but bump into each other and talk... sort of.
At the same time, the school starts up an Emailing thing where they assign you a partner and you're not supposed to tell each other who you are, you're just supposed to tell each other about your problems. Madison and her partner, Blue, really hit off! She loves talking to him and actually begins to fall in love with him. They talk on the phone and then arrange to meet!
But then Madison shows up and Blue is Jeremy. She walks up to him, they have a fight, and when she leaves, Jeremy waits an hour for Pinky(Madison) to show up. When she doesn't, he's disappointed.
After that, Madison finds out that it wasn't Jeremy who embarrassed her per-say. It was a boy named Reed who just wanted her hot chocolates! She and Jeremy make up and become friends and decide to run for president together! Reed is left in the dust, not sure how his plan failed.
But Blue is still disappointed and waiting. So Madison arranges to meet Blue again, one more time.
I bet you know how it ends, don't you? :P This is my second time reading this book. It's good!
September 16, 2012
A girl name Madison is in highschool. A boy name Jeremy deroyed Madison's freshman year. In a class Madison has penpal that calls himself Blue. Madison is tied up with Blue and they have not met! Madison is also running for president and things heat up. Do the school's hottes cople come to play or fall back? Dose Madison become president?
The connection I made to the book was I ran for student conil. I had to make speech for my classmates so they would vote for me. I had to get up in front of my class to say my speech just like Madison did in the book. Madison felt glad and had the butterflys in her belly. I felt a little like that but less of a deal. I had to wait to see how many votes I got.
I would recommend this book to my friend Hihi because she likes to read this kind of book. Also because this book is good book talk about how you can be emeny but you, in the end are close friend. I say that because thats what happen to us. That is why I recomend this book to my friend Hihi.
The connection I made to the book was I ran for student conil. I had to make speech for my classmates so they would vote for me. I had to get up in front of my class to say my speech just like Madison did in the book. Madison felt glad and had the butterflys in her belly. I felt a little like that but less of a deal. I had to wait to see how many votes I got.
I would recommend this book to my friend Hihi because she likes to read this kind of book. Also because this book is good book talk about how you can be emeny but you, in the end are close friend. I say that because thats what happen to us. That is why I recomend this book to my friend Hihi.
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