What do you think?
Rate this book
Geeklandia #1
The Boyfriend Algorithm
Technology is easy. Relationships? Not so much.
When introverted computer engineer Charlie Forrester developed a passive matchmaking model for her doctoral dissertation, she never expected it to go beyond theoretical. Now, with her dream job on the line, she has thirty days to prove her program’s accuracy. The only problem? She’s the test subject, and her stupid algorithm has chosen watchdog reporter Daniel Shawn, her childhood best friend-turned-nemesis, as her perfect partner.
Notorious for his relentless pursuit of technology fraud, Daniel’s reputation tanked when he fell victim to an online matchmaking con. When he discovers evidence of a scam reboot, he’s convinced it’s the perfect story to redeem his career.
Charlie has awkwardness down to a science, but a relationship with Daniel could mean more than simple humiliation. If he discovers her algorithm uses the same concepts as the sting that ruined him, he could destroy her professional credibility forever.
But as Charlie gradually emerges from her techno-cave, she realizes that being outed as the “Love Programmer” might be less devastating than actual love.
(The Boyfriend Algorithm is a retitled and slightly expanded edition of Lost in Geeklandia.)
When introverted computer engineer Charlie Forrester developed a passive matchmaking model for her doctoral dissertation, she never expected it to go beyond theoretical. Now, with her dream job on the line, she has thirty days to prove her program’s accuracy. The only problem? She’s the test subject, and her stupid algorithm has chosen watchdog reporter Daniel Shawn, her childhood best friend-turned-nemesis, as her perfect partner.
Notorious for his relentless pursuit of technology fraud, Daniel’s reputation tanked when he fell victim to an online matchmaking con. When he discovers evidence of a scam reboot, he’s convinced it’s the perfect story to redeem his career.
Charlie has awkwardness down to a science, but a relationship with Daniel could mean more than simple humiliation. If he discovers her algorithm uses the same concepts as the sting that ruined him, he could destroy her professional credibility forever.
But as Charlie gradually emerges from her techno-cave, she realizes that being outed as the “Love Programmer” might be less devastating than actual love.
(The Boyfriend Algorithm is a retitled and slightly expanded edition of Lost in Geeklandia.)
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2015
5 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
E.J. Russell
54 books400 followersE.J. Russell –grace, mother of three, recovering actor–writes romance in a rainbow of flavors. Count on high snark, low angst and happy endings.
Reality? Eh, not so much.
Reality? Eh, not so much.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 14, 2015
I've been majorly on the fence with this book. So let me get the technical mumbo jumbo out of the way and then I'll give you my pros and cons. Lost in Geeklandia is a standalone novel by E.J. Russell. It is told in dual third person point-of-views and it does have an HEA.
I'm going to start with the cons, because I want to leave you with positive thoughts on this book and review. It is a good book, it just is also extremely confusing in some regards.
To dive right into it, at the beginning of each chapter you get a "Geekronym" which is typically an acronym for some form of computer jargon. Under that, you get a translation, and then you get a complete techno babble definition. Okay that's fine and dandy, if you understand things like that... for some people it's down right mind boggling. It didn't bother me overtly, but it did take away from my enjoyment of the book. I get that each header connects with a meaning inside that chapter, but if you don't understand it from the get go, even with the definition given to you, it's hard to wrap your mind around.
The other con was that for me personally, it took me forever to read this book. I'm a person that reads two books a day, typically. I just kept getting completely bored with this book and part of it was due to all the techno in it. I get that it's supposed to be Geeklandia, but too much Geeklandia is coming off like a technical manual and not enjoyable.
The pros about this book far outweigh my cons, which might explain my rating a bit more. I enjoyed the characters immensely, not just the main characters either but the co-stars too. They are all very well written and I loved the personalities. You didn't have to read much about each one of them to get it.
If you're nerdy like me, and you like Dr. Who, Star Trek, Star Wars, any thing with star something in it.. well, you can let your geek flag fly with this book. I was beyond entertained at the level of trivia and research that had to go into those points.
Finally, the plot itself is sweet, once you get past all the technical stuff and find it. You have two former friends who basically lost touch. One who sees the other as their enemy but she has to make him fall in love with her due to a bet so she can get her dream job. It seems absolutely hopeless at first but somehow, through it all, it works. And by through it all, I mean with the help of the amazing co-stars mentioned above, the trivia and just the situations themselves.
You have a hot headed hero, a nerdtastic heroine and all around a nice read if you can get into it. I'll leave you with it being a solid three star book for me!
I'm going to start with the cons, because I want to leave you with positive thoughts on this book and review. It is a good book, it just is also extremely confusing in some regards.
To dive right into it, at the beginning of each chapter you get a "Geekronym" which is typically an acronym for some form of computer jargon. Under that, you get a translation, and then you get a complete techno babble definition. Okay that's fine and dandy, if you understand things like that... for some people it's down right mind boggling. It didn't bother me overtly, but it did take away from my enjoyment of the book. I get that each header connects with a meaning inside that chapter, but if you don't understand it from the get go, even with the definition given to you, it's hard to wrap your mind around.
The other con was that for me personally, it took me forever to read this book. I'm a person that reads two books a day, typically. I just kept getting completely bored with this book and part of it was due to all the techno in it. I get that it's supposed to be Geeklandia, but too much Geeklandia is coming off like a technical manual and not enjoyable.
The pros about this book far outweigh my cons, which might explain my rating a bit more. I enjoyed the characters immensely, not just the main characters either but the co-stars too. They are all very well written and I loved the personalities. You didn't have to read much about each one of them to get it.
If you're nerdy like me, and you like Dr. Who, Star Trek, Star Wars, any thing with star something in it.. well, you can let your geek flag fly with this book. I was beyond entertained at the level of trivia and research that had to go into those points.
Finally, the plot itself is sweet, once you get past all the technical stuff and find it. You have two former friends who basically lost touch. One who sees the other as their enemy but she has to make him fall in love with her due to a bet so she can get her dream job. It seems absolutely hopeless at first but somehow, through it all, it works. And by through it all, I mean with the help of the amazing co-stars mentioned above, the trivia and just the situations themselves.
You have a hot headed hero, a nerdtastic heroine and all around a nice read if you can get into it. I'll leave you with it being a solid three star book for me!
December 14, 2023
"I'm going to date him/her and hope they don't discover the secret I'm keeping..."
Remind me—when was the last time that went well?
Of all the tropey tropes, this is the one that signals its beats with the brassiest brass-band and biggest bass drum. It's also a lazy trope: with the conflict built in from the start, there's little need for subtle characterisation—a pass E.J. Russell (normally a competent journeyman) takes full advantage of.
L.C. Chase credited with the cover design of a worrying Harpo Marx look-alike.
Remind me—when was the last time that went well?
Of all the tropey tropes, this is the one that signals its beats with the brassiest brass-band and biggest bass drum. It's also a lazy trope: with the conflict built in from the start, there's little need for subtle characterisation—a pass E.J. Russell (normally a competent journeyman) takes full advantage of.
L.C. Chase credited with the cover design of a worrying Harpo Marx look-alike.
September 21, 2015
Rating: 4.5/5
If, like me, you’re a Star Trek or Doctor Who fan and enjoy your geekdom, this is a must read for you. If you’re also something of a computer nerd, then even more so. Having said that, if you just enjoy reading a different romance with a wide range of great characters and plenty of turmoil, this is also one you’ll probably love. It is definitely a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) type of book and I really enjoyed it.
Every chapter starts with a geeky computer term and its definition (like WYSISYG!). I actually surprised myself with how many of them I actually already knew but then again my friends and colleagues in real life probably won’t be surprised by that. However, I’ve never been as geeky as the heroine of this story, Charlie Forrester. She’s a brainiac and always has been, has multiple degrees and a doctorate and is fascinated by computers, coding and algorithms - but don’t let that put you off! She’s also someone who likes analysing data, drawing conclusions, working things out and predicting. She has a personal goal of working for a particular company - indeed her data analysis shows she’s the perfect employee for them. The only problem is getting an interview in the first place.
Her latest predictions have been related to romance! She’s developed her own matchmaking program, using the data trails left by people online (Facebook, Twitter, etc) to help predict who is likely to fall for whom. She’s tried it out on a few friends and as a result of this some are married, others in long term relationships and none have failed. She’s not doing this for money, just another research project which she started after reading her ex-school science partner, Daniel Shawn, denigrating one such scheme. They always challenged each other when working together and, even though they’ve not met for years and he basically ignored her in high school, she couldn’t resist trying to prove him wrong.
He’s a journalist who was conned and shamed when actually trying to expose an online matchmaking con he’d been investigating. He believes someone else is now out to repeat the same con but his professional reputation disappeared when he was conned and now he’s no longer supposed to investigate such matters. However, he can’t resist - but he’s being distracted by meeting up with Charlie again and the chemistry between them.
When the employment agency bets that Charlie can’t find her own perfect match - which shows up to be Daniel - promising to reward her by getting her the interview she has worked so hard for, can Charlie turn her down? With mutual attraction, a reward she’s dreamed of and someone she already relates well to should she really put the potential for love on the line to get a job? How will Daniel react when he finds out what she’s done?
Whilst some reviews seem rather negative, I advise folks to give this book a real chance. I found it hilarious with really great characters, not just Charlie and Daniel. Charlie’s support network of friends are all brilliant characters, each deserving of their own future novel! Lindsey has something going on in her life that really warrants exploring further and I’d love her to find her own HEA. Toshiko is so insightful about emotional reactions and behaviours whilst keeping her own so under wraps that they’re buried, hidden and I’d love to read about how they get uncovered and woken up! As for Gideon, well, he’s simply fantastic! In case you haven’t gathered, I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it!
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley, too, for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for this, an honest review.
If, like me, you’re a Star Trek or Doctor Who fan and enjoy your geekdom, this is a must read for you. If you’re also something of a computer nerd, then even more so. Having said that, if you just enjoy reading a different romance with a wide range of great characters and plenty of turmoil, this is also one you’ll probably love. It is definitely a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) type of book and I really enjoyed it.
Every chapter starts with a geeky computer term and its definition (like WYSISYG!). I actually surprised myself with how many of them I actually already knew but then again my friends and colleagues in real life probably won’t be surprised by that. However, I’ve never been as geeky as the heroine of this story, Charlie Forrester. She’s a brainiac and always has been, has multiple degrees and a doctorate and is fascinated by computers, coding and algorithms - but don’t let that put you off! She’s also someone who likes analysing data, drawing conclusions, working things out and predicting. She has a personal goal of working for a particular company - indeed her data analysis shows she’s the perfect employee for them. The only problem is getting an interview in the first place.
Her latest predictions have been related to romance! She’s developed her own matchmaking program, using the data trails left by people online (Facebook, Twitter, etc) to help predict who is likely to fall for whom. She’s tried it out on a few friends and as a result of this some are married, others in long term relationships and none have failed. She’s not doing this for money, just another research project which she started after reading her ex-school science partner, Daniel Shawn, denigrating one such scheme. They always challenged each other when working together and, even though they’ve not met for years and he basically ignored her in high school, she couldn’t resist trying to prove him wrong.
He’s a journalist who was conned and shamed when actually trying to expose an online matchmaking con he’d been investigating. He believes someone else is now out to repeat the same con but his professional reputation disappeared when he was conned and now he’s no longer supposed to investigate such matters. However, he can’t resist - but he’s being distracted by meeting up with Charlie again and the chemistry between them.
When the employment agency bets that Charlie can’t find her own perfect match - which shows up to be Daniel - promising to reward her by getting her the interview she has worked so hard for, can Charlie turn her down? With mutual attraction, a reward she’s dreamed of and someone she already relates well to should she really put the potential for love on the line to get a job? How will Daniel react when he finds out what she’s done?
Whilst some reviews seem rather negative, I advise folks to give this book a real chance. I found it hilarious with really great characters, not just Charlie and Daniel. Charlie’s support network of friends are all brilliant characters, each deserving of their own future novel! Lindsey has something going on in her life that really warrants exploring further and I’d love her to find her own HEA. Toshiko is so insightful about emotional reactions and behaviours whilst keeping her own so under wraps that they’re buried, hidden and I’d love to read about how they get uncovered and woken up! As for Gideon, well, he’s simply fantastic! In case you haven’t gathered, I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it!
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley, too, for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for this, an honest review.
September 29, 2015
I received an eARC of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The only reason I actually requested this book was the title. No Kidding! That's about it. I didn't even read the blurb - being a geek has been my pride and honor :D
Charlie Forester has done the impossible - she has turned our Social Media Life into finding us our soulmates - at least that's what her Doctoral Thesis is all about! And she has had quite the success but it is her Love Program that will now come and bit her back in her geeky little tushi.
Daniel Shaw on the other hand, is on the proverbial downturn in his career. His career took a deep dive when his investigation into another online dating site blew up in his face with a betrayal by the woman he was dating then!
Charlie and Daniel both had mistaken beliefs and assumptions about their past and their friendships. Charlie believed that Daniel tormented her throughout her high school years after actually being best friends with her. Daniel on the other hand, believes that they parted in great terms and actually missed Charlie and her unique band of friendship.
I actually liked this book. The writing was engaging and actually interesting enough to keep me turning the virtual pages. And while I loved the basic idea of the book and the characters in it, there was a little problem with the conceptualizations.
The fact that Charlie has such antagonism towards Daniel and yet it took no communication, really none at all, for the assumptions to be actually gone! And that chafed me. I literally had to read some chapters twice before actually being able to understand that some of the issues had already been resolved.
Beyond, this glaring downside, I did like the book and I really hope that E.J. Russell continues with the series because she has me intrigued even about the secondary characters.
For The Love of Fictional Worlds
The only reason I actually requested this book was the title. No Kidding! That's about it. I didn't even read the blurb - being a geek has been my pride and honor :D
Charlie Forester has done the impossible - she has turned our Social Media Life into finding us our soulmates - at least that's what her Doctoral Thesis is all about! And she has had quite the success but it is her Love Program that will now come and bit her back in her geeky little tushi.
Daniel Shaw on the other hand, is on the proverbial downturn in his career. His career took a deep dive when his investigation into another online dating site blew up in his face with a betrayal by the woman he was dating then!
Charlie and Daniel both had mistaken beliefs and assumptions about their past and their friendships. Charlie believed that Daniel tormented her throughout her high school years after actually being best friends with her. Daniel on the other hand, believes that they parted in great terms and actually missed Charlie and her unique band of friendship.
I actually liked this book. The writing was engaging and actually interesting enough to keep me turning the virtual pages. And while I loved the basic idea of the book and the characters in it, there was a little problem with the conceptualizations.
The fact that Charlie has such antagonism towards Daniel and yet it took no communication, really none at all, for the assumptions to be actually gone! And that chafed me. I literally had to read some chapters twice before actually being able to understand that some of the issues had already been resolved.
Beyond, this glaring downside, I did like the book and I really hope that E.J. Russell continues with the series because she has me intrigued even about the secondary characters.
For The Love of Fictional Worlds
September 24, 2015
*This book was provided by Entangled Contemporary in exchange for an honest review*
2 1/2 stars
Hmmm... well this was cute, but just a bit over the top for me.
Obviously, based on the title, this is going to get a bit nerdy. Which is fine by me- I am a definitely a geek. But I feel like this book tried so hard to be super geeky that it just became an over used concept.
There is a constant flow of sci-fi, pop culture, and technology references. While that may be fine for me, it is kind of excluding a ton of people - like the people who don't get every single reference being made. Or the people who like the sci-fi, but aren't computer savvy. You get the idea. Fortunately, I get it all, but was still annoyed by how hard it was trying to be nerdy or geeky or whatever.
This story moved really quickly, so of course the love story did too. Did I mention this book has the good ole' perfect guy? Cause it does.
Her GBF was funny. But she had 2 other friends that got some attention, but at the same time needed more. Its almost like they just got left hanging somewhere in there. It was weird.
The end seemed a bit rushed. Also, I'm pretty sure this is supposed to be NA, but basically for only one scene. It was mostly just a fluffy, trying too hard to be a hipster nerd novel. Its not bad, but I didn't feel really attached to the characters and it is just not anything that stands out or is super special.
2 1/2 stars
Hmmm... well this was cute, but just a bit over the top for me.
Obviously, based on the title, this is going to get a bit nerdy. Which is fine by me- I am a definitely a geek. But I feel like this book tried so hard to be super geeky that it just became an over used concept.
There is a constant flow of sci-fi, pop culture, and technology references. While that may be fine for me, it is kind of excluding a ton of people - like the people who don't get every single reference being made. Or the people who like the sci-fi, but aren't computer savvy. You get the idea. Fortunately, I get it all, but was still annoyed by how hard it was trying to be nerdy or geeky or whatever.
This story moved really quickly, so of course the love story did too. Did I mention this book has the good ole' perfect guy? Cause it does.
Her GBF was funny. But she had 2 other friends that got some attention, but at the same time needed more. Its almost like they just got left hanging somewhere in there. It was weird.
The end seemed a bit rushed. Also, I'm pretty sure this is supposed to be NA, but basically for only one scene. It was mostly just a fluffy, trying too hard to be a hipster nerd novel. Its not bad, but I didn't feel really attached to the characters and it is just not anything that stands out or is super special.
September 28, 2015
I absolutely adored this read..The definitions of computer terminology that started each chapter were spot on and cracked me up. Lost in Geeklandia centers around a computer programmer named Charlie who has had her entire life mapped out since she was five years old. Just when she is on the verge of getting her dream job her very attractive childhood friend shows up and throws a monkey wrench into things. We are left wondering if Charlie's career is toast. Daniel is trying to rise from the wreckage of his career because of a story he wrote that blew up in his face. When he accidentally runs into Charlie after several years he finds himself home. He realizes how much he missed her and what a breath of fresh air she is. There is an undeniable chemistry between the two of them and according to Charlie's mathematical calculations Daniel should be good for a fling. The character development was superb and I adored the secondary characters almost as much as the hero and heroine in this read. Both Charlie and Daniel have skeletons in their closets that keep you turning the pages to see which skeleton is going to come out next.. Lost in Geeklandia is a fresh and fun lighthearted romance that will have you laughing out loud one minute and turning up the A.C. the next. I can't wait to see what E.J. Russell has in store for us next. I really hope she writes Toshiko's story next. I am going to have to brush up on my Star Trek Trivia for sure.
February 19, 2016
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars
If ever I come across a book that has anything geeky or nerdy, almost always I will pick it up and read it, therefore, seeing this book brought out my absolute NEED to dive into the story.
It’s a cute premise, and the story has its amusing moments, full of adorable geek moments that made the read all comfy to read. Really, it was a comfy read—a sweet pastime of a romance story.
I will say, however, that the nerd dialogue was a bit over the top now and again, and made it slightly difficult to follow along at times. It was almost…too much.
Nonetheless, it’s a nice story, though there were no surprises here: best friends from school meet up after a long time and though they have not seen each other in years, nor spoken, SURELY they will get together by the end of the book and fall in love.
I was not disappointed.
2.5 stars
If ever I come across a book that has anything geeky or nerdy, almost always I will pick it up and read it, therefore, seeing this book brought out my absolute NEED to dive into the story.
It’s a cute premise, and the story has its amusing moments, full of adorable geek moments that made the read all comfy to read. Really, it was a comfy read—a sweet pastime of a romance story.
I will say, however, that the nerd dialogue was a bit over the top now and again, and made it slightly difficult to follow along at times. It was almost…too much.
Nonetheless, it’s a nice story, though there were no surprises here: best friends from school meet up after a long time and though they have not seen each other in years, nor spoken, SURELY they will get together by the end of the book and fall in love.
I was not disappointed.
September 5, 2015
No, just... no. Review to come.
October 10, 2016
Review originally published on my blog, Musings of a Bookish Kitty:
http://www.literaryfeline.com/2016/09...
Lost in Geeklandia by E.J. Russell (Entangled; 2015; 226 pgs)
Source: E-copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
First Sentence: The hotel ballroom doors whooshed closed behind Charlie Forrester, muffling the sound of wedding guests hooting at the groomsmen dancing to "Too Sexy for My Shirt."
Charlie Forrester, a computer engineer, is a woman after my own heart. Introverted and very much a geek, she is definitely someone I wouldn't mind hanging out with. Although, I am not sure I could win a game of Star Trek trivia against Charlie and her roommates. Lost in Geeklandia is a quirky and funny romantic comedy. Charlie has worked hard to perfect a matchmaking computer program, which she is testing out on her friends. Her former friend, investigative journalist Daniel Shaw is the last person she wants to see, much less get involved with. However, a bet and the possibility of getting her dream job, are just what it takes to bring Charlie and Daniel together. But will any hope of romance between the two have a chance once the truth comes out about the bet and Daniel's plan to prove the matchmaking program is a hoax?
I wasn't so sure about Daniel at first. He comes across as a jerk initially, but another side of him emerges as the story unfolds. Lost in Geeklandia reminded me a bit of the movie, How to Lose a Guy In Ten Days, but distinctly stands on its own. I read this one in a day, and found it a nice companion on a summer day.
http://www.literaryfeline.com/2016/09...
Lost in Geeklandia by E.J. Russell (Entangled; 2015; 226 pgs)
Source: E-copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
First Sentence: The hotel ballroom doors whooshed closed behind Charlie Forrester, muffling the sound of wedding guests hooting at the groomsmen dancing to "Too Sexy for My Shirt."
Charlie Forrester, a computer engineer, is a woman after my own heart. Introverted and very much a geek, she is definitely someone I wouldn't mind hanging out with. Although, I am not sure I could win a game of Star Trek trivia against Charlie and her roommates. Lost in Geeklandia is a quirky and funny romantic comedy. Charlie has worked hard to perfect a matchmaking computer program, which she is testing out on her friends. Her former friend, investigative journalist Daniel Shaw is the last person she wants to see, much less get involved with. However, a bet and the possibility of getting her dream job, are just what it takes to bring Charlie and Daniel together. But will any hope of romance between the two have a chance once the truth comes out about the bet and Daniel's plan to prove the matchmaking program is a hoax?
I wasn't so sure about Daniel at first. He comes across as a jerk initially, but another side of him emerges as the story unfolds. Lost in Geeklandia reminded me a bit of the movie, How to Lose a Guy In Ten Days, but distinctly stands on its own. I read this one in a day, and found it a nice companion on a summer day.
December 27, 2015
I requested this book just because it had the word 'Geeklandia' in the title. Yeah. How could you go wrong? Apparently you can. It turned out to be a contemporary romance. Thing is I actually enjoyed this one. Plus they had Star Trek trivia. And mentioned programming. Among other things. Ignore the Mary Sue-ish-ness (but seriously we like a bit of Mary Sue sometimes haha) among other glaringly potential annoying things... but tbh I actually liked it. Blazingly fast read. Okay, I think it's time for me to get back to my hard sci-fi and epic fantasy books now.
October 10, 2015
A fun and witty read, with great, interesting characters and a well-developed plot. My favorite part of any romance novel is the "black moment" and this one does that exceptionally well. The little blurbs at the beginning of each chapter that define a geek term and also foreshadow what the chapter is about added an extra, fun layer. Highly recommend for anyone who loves romance--or The Big Bang Theory!
February 20, 2020
3.75 stars
I liked the story, but I like this author's MM stories more. I wish Charlie had told Daniel what she remembered from middle school -- I was frustrated with how much he had hurt her then, even though she forgave him for ignoring her due to his own emotional distress at the time. I did appreciate . I need to go back and re-read Clickbait now, if only to see if Charlie and Daniel show up there.
I liked the story, but I like this author's MM stories more. I wish Charlie had told Daniel what she remembered from middle school -- I was frustrated with how much he had hurt her then, even though she forgave him for ignoring her due to his own emotional distress at the time. I did appreciate . I need to go back and re-read Clickbait now, if only to see if Charlie and Daniel show up there.
March 4, 2017
Rating: 4 stars (+ 1 star for computer geek-ery)
First off, I am totally on board for this. I understand that the 'Geekronyms' weren't everybody's cup of tea, but personally, I thoroughly enjoyed it. As a computer programmer, I had my reservations but I'm happy to say that this book passed my standards. It was quite enjoyable. The procedural vs object-oriented joke was a nice touch. Although it could use some work. Does it imply that Poindexter was a long-winded and repetitive person? Basically, I'm all over this because to me, it is like an inside joke; something that I understand and gives me the warm fuzzies. Also, I found Charlie relatable, and therefore endearing, due to her typical Thinking response (AKA logic away things or let data do the talking). I don't think I've reviewed a book before and I like this one enough to leave one, so there's that.
First off, I am totally on board for this. I understand that the 'Geekronyms' weren't everybody's cup of tea, but personally, I thoroughly enjoyed it. As a computer programmer, I had my reservations but I'm happy to say that this book passed my standards. It was quite enjoyable. The procedural vs object-oriented joke was a nice touch. Although it could use some work. Does it imply that Poindexter was a long-winded and repetitive person? Basically, I'm all over this because to me, it is like an inside joke; something that I understand and gives me the warm fuzzies. Also, I found Charlie relatable, and therefore endearing, due to her typical Thinking response (AKA logic away things or let data do the talking). I don't think I've reviewed a book before and I like this one enough to leave one, so there's that.
September 22, 2015
To read this review and others like it check out my site at www.homelovebooks.com
I’m pretty sure anyone who knows me, knows I am a huge geek/nerd/whatever you want to call it. I grew up going to Star Trek conventions, I can probably quote more Sci-Fi related stuff then I can quote the stuff I learned in college, heck I actually have the phrase “Live long and prosper” on my wall in my entryway, it’s literally the first thing you see when you walk in my house. So needless to say, this book appealed to me right off the bat. Plus I thought this book had a really cool cover, I don’t know why I like the cover, I just totally did.
So the book follows two people, two people who used to be childhood friends, and then life happened. Our heroine, Charlie, was always awkward in school, but she had her one true friend Daniel, and then Daniel had some hard life events and kind of turned on Charlie by the time they were in junior high and high school. So for Charlie seeing Daniel again as an adult is really just bringing up all the traumatic memories from being an awkward teenage girl. Plus it doesn’t help that when they sit down together with a group of friends Daniel tells just about the worst story ever, only humiliated Charlie in the process. So as a character I liked Charlie well enough, she awkward, and all about comfort, she relies on her statistics to get her through situations. She had a great group of friends around her, who both console her and help to push her outside of her standard comfort zone. I really liked the chances that Charlie took in this book, and I just found her to be sweet.
Now Daniel on the other hand, I wasn’t so much a fan of him. He is so black and white. Like he got screwed over while writing a story about this guy who was scamming people looking into relationships, and now he sees scams all over the place. I mean he has to constantly remind himself to tone it down. And yes I get that he was scammed and it seriously hurt his career, but he brings it to like every aspect of his life, like even when he is hanging out with friends. It got old. And fast. Also he seems like a normal guy, but kept falling over his feet to get things right with Charlie, he knows her, and yet he still does stuff that he knows is going to embarrass her or make her uncomfortable, I just wanted to shake him and tell him to get some game.
This book is cute, there is a little steam between the sheets but I wouldn’t call it a lot. It was kind of a medium length book for me, and the pacing was pretty steady throughout the book, which was nice. I do want to say that there is a lot of nerd stuff going on, like if you don’t watch sci-fi I think you are going to miss out a lot on the references. Also Charlie and her friends play this trivia game, and they play it so rapidly that it’s like impossible for the reader to follow along, so be prepared for that. Honestly, a lot of the characters have odd speech patterns, and I know it’s intentional, but it through even me off, so keep that in mind when you are picking up this book.
I’m pretty sure anyone who knows me, knows I am a huge geek/nerd/whatever you want to call it. I grew up going to Star Trek conventions, I can probably quote more Sci-Fi related stuff then I can quote the stuff I learned in college, heck I actually have the phrase “Live long and prosper” on my wall in my entryway, it’s literally the first thing you see when you walk in my house. So needless to say, this book appealed to me right off the bat. Plus I thought this book had a really cool cover, I don’t know why I like the cover, I just totally did.
So the book follows two people, two people who used to be childhood friends, and then life happened. Our heroine, Charlie, was always awkward in school, but she had her one true friend Daniel, and then Daniel had some hard life events and kind of turned on Charlie by the time they were in junior high and high school. So for Charlie seeing Daniel again as an adult is really just bringing up all the traumatic memories from being an awkward teenage girl. Plus it doesn’t help that when they sit down together with a group of friends Daniel tells just about the worst story ever, only humiliated Charlie in the process. So as a character I liked Charlie well enough, she awkward, and all about comfort, she relies on her statistics to get her through situations. She had a great group of friends around her, who both console her and help to push her outside of her standard comfort zone. I really liked the chances that Charlie took in this book, and I just found her to be sweet.
Now Daniel on the other hand, I wasn’t so much a fan of him. He is so black and white. Like he got screwed over while writing a story about this guy who was scamming people looking into relationships, and now he sees scams all over the place. I mean he has to constantly remind himself to tone it down. And yes I get that he was scammed and it seriously hurt his career, but he brings it to like every aspect of his life, like even when he is hanging out with friends. It got old. And fast. Also he seems like a normal guy, but kept falling over his feet to get things right with Charlie, he knows her, and yet he still does stuff that he knows is going to embarrass her or make her uncomfortable, I just wanted to shake him and tell him to get some game.
This book is cute, there is a little steam between the sheets but I wouldn’t call it a lot. It was kind of a medium length book for me, and the pacing was pretty steady throughout the book, which was nice. I do want to say that there is a lot of nerd stuff going on, like if you don’t watch sci-fi I think you are going to miss out a lot on the references. Also Charlie and her friends play this trivia game, and they play it so rapidly that it’s like impossible for the reader to follow along, so be prepared for that. Honestly, a lot of the characters have odd speech patterns, and I know it’s intentional, but it through even me off, so keep that in mind when you are picking up this book.
September 22, 2015
Got an ARC from Net Galley.
Thanks Entangled.
The title is what caught my attention. Maybe it was just me but I got sick of the Geekroymn so I started ignoring it. I was on the fence while I was reading this book. I'm not sure if that was in part because of a glitch Amazon had when I was just starting this book. I would have been fine with it being in the back of the book instead of right in my face. Color me odd but I'm not an acronym person. They make my brain bleed so I tend to ignore them. I will not confess to how many times I had to look up laughing my ass off because people would keep saying that to me. See I can't even type the acronym since it is just easier for me to type it since it doesn't require the thought it would to do the acronym.
I did enjoy the writing so I will be checking out other books by this author. I was a bit annoyed with Charlie at first because she was apologizing when I don't think she had any reason to. Color me strange but if I came face to face with the bitch that told me to take my mask off because it wasn't Halloween I wouldn't exactly be welcoming to her. Charlie's a geek. Yep she's good at the computer stuff and as part of her dissertation she has a program that she's using to pair up people. She ends up meeting a guy that she was friends with once upon a time and ends up in a bet so she can get her dream job. She did grow on me since she is fairly easy to relate to even if you aren't a computer whiz. Also you can't hate a character that has a Mutant Enemy shirt. Yes I'm having fictional shirt envy again. Charlie lives with three very interesting characters Lindsay, Gideon, and Tosh.
I'm not sure if I like Daniel or hate him. I'm kinda on the fence about that. He just isn't very likable when he shows up and he's totally clueless about what to do when it comes to Charlie. I guess by the end of the story I don't hate him but I'm not going to rush out and get a shirt that says Team Daniel. It also doesn't help that I wouldn't have the money to actually do that if I wanted to. I guess I don't hate him because I do enjoy his interactions with Gideon who just so happens to be Charlie's gay best friend. We should all be so lucky to have one. He seems like a lot of fun and I wouldn't mind seeing him in another book where the focus was on him. It was actually quite refreshing to read a book where the friendships existed more since most of the time they are virtually non-existent.
http://www.ficgal.com/book-club/lost-...
Thanks Entangled.
The title is what caught my attention. Maybe it was just me but I got sick of the Geekroymn so I started ignoring it. I was on the fence while I was reading this book. I'm not sure if that was in part because of a glitch Amazon had when I was just starting this book. I would have been fine with it being in the back of the book instead of right in my face. Color me odd but I'm not an acronym person. They make my brain bleed so I tend to ignore them. I will not confess to how many times I had to look up laughing my ass off because people would keep saying that to me. See I can't even type the acronym since it is just easier for me to type it since it doesn't require the thought it would to do the acronym.
I did enjoy the writing so I will be checking out other books by this author. I was a bit annoyed with Charlie at first because she was apologizing when I don't think she had any reason to. Color me strange but if I came face to face with the bitch that told me to take my mask off because it wasn't Halloween I wouldn't exactly be welcoming to her. Charlie's a geek. Yep she's good at the computer stuff and as part of her dissertation she has a program that she's using to pair up people. She ends up meeting a guy that she was friends with once upon a time and ends up in a bet so she can get her dream job. She did grow on me since she is fairly easy to relate to even if you aren't a computer whiz. Also you can't hate a character that has a Mutant Enemy shirt. Yes I'm having fictional shirt envy again. Charlie lives with three very interesting characters Lindsay, Gideon, and Tosh.
I'm not sure if I like Daniel or hate him. I'm kinda on the fence about that. He just isn't very likable when he shows up and he's totally clueless about what to do when it comes to Charlie. I guess by the end of the story I don't hate him but I'm not going to rush out and get a shirt that says Team Daniel. It also doesn't help that I wouldn't have the money to actually do that if I wanted to. I guess I don't hate him because I do enjoy his interactions with Gideon who just so happens to be Charlie's gay best friend. We should all be so lucky to have one. He seems like a lot of fun and I wouldn't mind seeing him in another book where the focus was on him. It was actually quite refreshing to read a book where the friendships existed more since most of the time they are virtually non-existent.
http://www.ficgal.com/book-club/lost-...
October 20, 2015
Full review up on the blog: http://gloriousbooks.blogspot.com/201...
I was a little disappointed with this read. I liked it well enough, but I wanted a lot more considering the potential the plot has.
I liked how driven Charlie was in terms of knowing what she wants and how to get it. She had her career all figured out and all she needed was a little push to get the rest of the way. She had no need for any outside help and when she eventually came across a huge obstacle in her way, she had no problem getting stuck in to get it out of her way so she could move on. I liked that - it wasn't necessarily a good character trait at times, but it gave her this strength that came apparent throughout the read. She knew when to apologise and when to backtrack and do the right thing which might not result in an outcome that's in her favour. She made a decision and stuck with it - there was no point in the read where Charlie was indecisive and it fit with the computer data aspect of the read.
However, where Charlie came across as the strong, independent woman, Daniel came across as totally the opposite. At first, by Charlie, he was portrayed as this ruthless reporter that follows the facts - I saw none of that. I understand that Charlie was exaggerating her opinion of him based off of her past, but I wanted some of that drive in Daniel too. He was too much of a good guy.
That brings me to what I really didn't like about this book. I wanted so much more of a fight than there actually was. Daniel didn't fight for Charlie, Charlie didn't fight for Daniel and none of the supporting characters had anything to do with the eventual romance. There was no 'push' from them.
For such a determined character, Charlie sure backed down awfully quickly and settled with the idea that Daniel would never speak to her again - where did all of that fire go? And Daniel was the same. He wasn't especially feisty to begin with, but he changed his mind in a single moment and it bugged me.
All in all I thought this read was okay. It had the outcome I expected and I enjoyed the humour involved, but in the end, it all happened too easily for me to believe in it.
I was a little disappointed with this read. I liked it well enough, but I wanted a lot more considering the potential the plot has.
I liked how driven Charlie was in terms of knowing what she wants and how to get it. She had her career all figured out and all she needed was a little push to get the rest of the way. She had no need for any outside help and when she eventually came across a huge obstacle in her way, she had no problem getting stuck in to get it out of her way so she could move on. I liked that - it wasn't necessarily a good character trait at times, but it gave her this strength that came apparent throughout the read. She knew when to apologise and when to backtrack and do the right thing which might not result in an outcome that's in her favour. She made a decision and stuck with it - there was no point in the read where Charlie was indecisive and it fit with the computer data aspect of the read.
However, where Charlie came across as the strong, independent woman, Daniel came across as totally the opposite. At first, by Charlie, he was portrayed as this ruthless reporter that follows the facts - I saw none of that. I understand that Charlie was exaggerating her opinion of him based off of her past, but I wanted some of that drive in Daniel too. He was too much of a good guy.
That brings me to what I really didn't like about this book. I wanted so much more of a fight than there actually was. Daniel didn't fight for Charlie, Charlie didn't fight for Daniel and none of the supporting characters had anything to do with the eventual romance. There was no 'push' from them.
For such a determined character, Charlie sure backed down awfully quickly and settled with the idea that Daniel would never speak to her again - where did all of that fire go? And Daniel was the same. He wasn't especially feisty to begin with, but he changed his mind in a single moment and it bugged me.
All in all I thought this read was okay. It had the outcome I expected and I enjoyed the humour involved, but in the end, it all happened too easily for me to believe in it.
September 13, 2015
Originally posted: https://heatherreviews.wordpress.com/...
_____________________________
Ahh, the old adage of young love gone awry only to be rekindled in adulthood. I loved this book. It has so many nerdy references in it, it was the perfect romance for someone like me.
Charlie has spent her entire life studying and moulding herself and her credentials so she would be the perfect fit for humanitarian company AGS. But when her enemy of a boss tells her she’s not even going to be considered for the interview she’s been waiting a lifetime for, it all seems to crash around her. But when a participant in her field study on predictive dating steps in to support her, Charlie finds herself locked in a bet to prove that her program works so she can get the interview. The only problem? She has to predict a relationship for herself.
The dashing, rogue reporter Daniel Shawn has only just returned to Portland in disgrace after several years away. After shutting her out and ending their friendship in high school, Charlie doesn’t want anything to do with him. But then his name pops up as her match and she has just thirty days to prove that it does work.
This story very much reminded me of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. I’ll admit, that film has always been a guilty pleasure of mine, so to have it in book form with added geekiness was a dream come true for me.
The relationship played out as I had expected and I figured out what would happen way ahead of time, but none of that took away from the overall warm fuzzy feeling that this story gave me. I was rooting for them the whole time. Add into the mix Charlie’s geeky and smart friends – Gideon being my favourite of the bunch! – and it’s a winning combination of personalities to liven up the plot.
A must read romance for those with a nerdy side!
_____________________________
Ahh, the old adage of young love gone awry only to be rekindled in adulthood. I loved this book. It has so many nerdy references in it, it was the perfect romance for someone like me.
Charlie has spent her entire life studying and moulding herself and her credentials so she would be the perfect fit for humanitarian company AGS. But when her enemy of a boss tells her she’s not even going to be considered for the interview she’s been waiting a lifetime for, it all seems to crash around her. But when a participant in her field study on predictive dating steps in to support her, Charlie finds herself locked in a bet to prove that her program works so she can get the interview. The only problem? She has to predict a relationship for herself.
The dashing, rogue reporter Daniel Shawn has only just returned to Portland in disgrace after several years away. After shutting her out and ending their friendship in high school, Charlie doesn’t want anything to do with him. But then his name pops up as her match and she has just thirty days to prove that it does work.
This story very much reminded me of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. I’ll admit, that film has always been a guilty pleasure of mine, so to have it in book form with added geekiness was a dream come true for me.
The relationship played out as I had expected and I figured out what would happen way ahead of time, but none of that took away from the overall warm fuzzy feeling that this story gave me. I was rooting for them the whole time. Add into the mix Charlie’s geeky and smart friends – Gideon being my favourite of the bunch! – and it’s a winning combination of personalities to liven up the plot.
A must read romance for those with a nerdy side!
October 1, 2015
I received a copy of this title via netgalley.com and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
http://readjezireread.blogspot.com/20...
Calling all Trekkies, Star Wars fans, computer nerds, and Fangirls/boys, if you are looking for a fun quirky romance that incorporates modern pop cultural references and a lot of hip nerd lingo than this might be the book for you.
This is the story about a geek girl, Charlie, who has multiple degrees and is an absolute nerd trying to prove that her computer/mathematic formula to find love with the use of social media can and will work and she has 30 days to do it.
He male interest is a journalist who wrote an journalistic expose on a dating website but was duped by his then girlfriend and shamed at work.
No spoilers here but these two were actually high school lab partners who ended their friendship on undefined terms.
The 30 days timeline is the amount of time Charlie has to find her own perfect mate in order to get the chance to interview for a position she wants and hopefully jump start the rest of her life and career but her pick turns out to be Daniel (the journalist).
Lots of drama ensues and although this book is very much what you would imagine I still found it entertaining to read. It was a light fun contemporary romance with a fun geek twist and I would definitely recommend it for someone who can relate to these things.
I personally am not a computer nerd and found the use of computer terms a little unneeded but I can definitely see the person who would read this and relate on so many levels to everything that is going on.
It was fun, light and worth considering.
http://readjezireread.blogspot.com/20...
Calling all Trekkies, Star Wars fans, computer nerds, and Fangirls/boys, if you are looking for a fun quirky romance that incorporates modern pop cultural references and a lot of hip nerd lingo than this might be the book for you.
This is the story about a geek girl, Charlie, who has multiple degrees and is an absolute nerd trying to prove that her computer/mathematic formula to find love with the use of social media can and will work and she has 30 days to do it.
He male interest is a journalist who wrote an journalistic expose on a dating website but was duped by his then girlfriend and shamed at work.
No spoilers here but these two were actually high school lab partners who ended their friendship on undefined terms.
The 30 days timeline is the amount of time Charlie has to find her own perfect mate in order to get the chance to interview for a position she wants and hopefully jump start the rest of her life and career but her pick turns out to be Daniel (the journalist).
Lots of drama ensues and although this book is very much what you would imagine I still found it entertaining to read. It was a light fun contemporary romance with a fun geek twist and I would definitely recommend it for someone who can relate to these things.
I personally am not a computer nerd and found the use of computer terms a little unneeded but I can definitely see the person who would read this and relate on so many levels to everything that is going on.
It was fun, light and worth considering.
November 9, 2015
I wanted to read this when I read the title and blurbs. I guess, when you're a bit of a geek or nerd, you'll be drawn to read this book too.
Charlie Forrester has created a matchmaking program to help her friend with their romantic life. But then, she was challenged to prove on the accuracy of her program, with her dream job on the line, to have a romantic relationship with Daniel Shawn, her childhood friend, who just came back to town. Daniel Shawn's career was ruined after he was conned by the online matchmaking site he was investigating. He suspected someone was starting another matchmaking scam, and was determined to expose this new scam.
Lost in Geeklandia by E.J. Russell was such a cute read. The writing was easy to get into, and the pace was just nice. Once I've started reading, it was hard to put it down. I loved the characters in the book. Charlie and Daniel were cute together. I especially enjoyed how Daniel got to know the new Charlie. And the supporting characters, mainly Gideon and Toshiko made the story much more entertaining. There were some references on Doctor Who and lots of Star Trek. But since I'm not a Star Trek fan, I didn't enjoy the references as much.
Lost in Geeklandia is a light, fun read with just the right amount of romance and humor. The story reminded me to a few rom-com movies I've seen. But still, I enjoyed reading this book. I would recommend this book to fans of romantic-comedy or to anyone who was looking for a light and fun read.
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher/NetGalley in exchange for my review.
Charlie Forrester has created a matchmaking program to help her friend with their romantic life. But then, she was challenged to prove on the accuracy of her program, with her dream job on the line, to have a romantic relationship with Daniel Shawn, her childhood friend, who just came back to town. Daniel Shawn's career was ruined after he was conned by the online matchmaking site he was investigating. He suspected someone was starting another matchmaking scam, and was determined to expose this new scam.
Lost in Geeklandia by E.J. Russell was such a cute read. The writing was easy to get into, and the pace was just nice. Once I've started reading, it was hard to put it down. I loved the characters in the book. Charlie and Daniel were cute together. I especially enjoyed how Daniel got to know the new Charlie. And the supporting characters, mainly Gideon and Toshiko made the story much more entertaining. There were some references on Doctor Who and lots of Star Trek. But since I'm not a Star Trek fan, I didn't enjoy the references as much.
Lost in Geeklandia is a light, fun read with just the right amount of romance and humor. The story reminded me to a few rom-com movies I've seen. But still, I enjoyed reading this book. I would recommend this book to fans of romantic-comedy or to anyone who was looking for a light and fun read.
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher/NetGalley in exchange for my review.
September 29, 2015
Entangled Publishing sent me this book for review a few weeks ago, and I actually got the opportunity to review it in time for the release date. My first impressions were really good! First of all, the cover is gorgeous…look at those colors. Second, the title told me that this book was bound to have a bit of nerd-isms in it.
Well, this story is full of nerd-isms. From Star Trek to computer terminology and just about everything in between, each chapter held some reference or definition. While the computer terminology at the start of each chapter began to make sense after a while, I began to find the Star Trek and other nerdy references somewhat redundant as I continued reading.
Don’t get me wrong, I love nerdy things! But I think there could have been more diverse references made rather than the strong tie to Star Trek. That aside, I think Lost in Geeklandia was a great story. Following the typical romantic comedy plot line, I was engrossed with Daniel and Charlie from the beginning.
Their story is cute (and while it is also strictly PG-13), I found it to be heart-warming. Coming from a journalism background, I could see Daniel’s point of view, but my introverted style held close to Charlie as well.
Russell has done a great job of weaving a story that readers will find humorous, surprising, endearing, and entertaining. I even found myself invested in the secondary characters as well.
If you ever have the chance or free time to skim through this short novel, it will make you smile, frown, laugh, swoon, and (maybe) cry (tears of happiness).
Well, this story is full of nerd-isms. From Star Trek to computer terminology and just about everything in between, each chapter held some reference or definition. While the computer terminology at the start of each chapter began to make sense after a while, I began to find the Star Trek and other nerdy references somewhat redundant as I continued reading.
Don’t get me wrong, I love nerdy things! But I think there could have been more diverse references made rather than the strong tie to Star Trek. That aside, I think Lost in Geeklandia was a great story. Following the typical romantic comedy plot line, I was engrossed with Daniel and Charlie from the beginning.
Their story is cute (and while it is also strictly PG-13), I found it to be heart-warming. Coming from a journalism background, I could see Daniel’s point of view, but my introverted style held close to Charlie as well.
Russell has done a great job of weaving a story that readers will find humorous, surprising, endearing, and entertaining. I even found myself invested in the secondary characters as well.
If you ever have the chance or free time to skim through this short novel, it will make you smile, frown, laugh, swoon, and (maybe) cry (tears of happiness).
October 8, 2015
Please check out all of my reviews at ultraviolentlit.blogspot.ca!
The vivid cover and clever description drew me into requesting this book, but the contents just didn’t measure up for me. It is a story about computer engineer Charlie, who has coded an algorithm for love. Her own program tells her that Daniel, her former friend turned enemy, is the one for her. Meanwhile, Daniel is highly suspicious of dating, but Charlie seems irresistible.
It seems like it should be a cute, geeky love story, but the geeky part overshadowed the rest. The plot is constantly interrupted with techno-jargon and geekery – some of it is fun, but a lot is just annoying. I found the story hard to get into; overall it was convoluted and gimmicky. The premise starts out sweet but becomes too cutesy, and everything is resolved too easily. For instance, Charlie thinks that Daniel hurt her in the past, but he doesn’t even realize he’s her nemesis – then suddenly, everything is fine between them.
Maybe I was expecting too much, for a story like this to be more complex than it is. If you like your romance simple and sweet, then this story is fine, I just prefer a few more surprises and less of a formula. I also felt like the geekiness was trying too hard. The characters had their funny moments, but I just found it hard to believe the connection between the main characters. Still a fun story.
I received this novel from Netgalley and Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
The vivid cover and clever description drew me into requesting this book, but the contents just didn’t measure up for me. It is a story about computer engineer Charlie, who has coded an algorithm for love. Her own program tells her that Daniel, her former friend turned enemy, is the one for her. Meanwhile, Daniel is highly suspicious of dating, but Charlie seems irresistible.
It seems like it should be a cute, geeky love story, but the geeky part overshadowed the rest. The plot is constantly interrupted with techno-jargon and geekery – some of it is fun, but a lot is just annoying. I found the story hard to get into; overall it was convoluted and gimmicky. The premise starts out sweet but becomes too cutesy, and everything is resolved too easily. For instance, Charlie thinks that Daniel hurt her in the past, but he doesn’t even realize he’s her nemesis – then suddenly, everything is fine between them.
Maybe I was expecting too much, for a story like this to be more complex than it is. If you like your romance simple and sweet, then this story is fine, I just prefer a few more surprises and less of a formula. I also felt like the geekiness was trying too hard. The characters had their funny moments, but I just found it hard to believe the connection between the main characters. Still a fun story.
I received this novel from Netgalley and Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
September 28, 2015
This book is just the right level of ridiculous and fluffy for the premise to work. Although, I did occasionally find myself a bit bogged down by the volume of techie speak Charlie had a tendency to use, I found it to be a minor annoyance in the overall picture. I enjoyed the realness of Charlie's character, from her discomfort with crowds and surprises, to her familiarity with some of my favorite nerdy circles, and her love for her oddball group of friends. She did, however, give of a bit of an unfeeling vibe whenever she referred to the people she was using as a test group as users, or stages.
Then there's Daniel, the bane of Charlie's adolescence. I really liked him, even when he came off as kind of an ass, because he reminded me of a boy I grew up with, who went from a dear friend, to an enemy, and back to a close friend. Call me stupid, but if a character tugs on that familiarity cord, they're bound to be a favorite of mine, even if they are the most ridiculous person out there.
All in all, I found Lost in Geeklandia to be a light, fun romp through a romance, with a good balance between the enemies-to-lovers side of the story, and the what would you do to achieve your lifelong dream side of the story. A solid 3.5-4 stars in my book.
-Digital ARC provided by the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for a review.
Then there's Daniel, the bane of Charlie's adolescence. I really liked him, even when he came off as kind of an ass, because he reminded me of a boy I grew up with, who went from a dear friend, to an enemy, and back to a close friend. Call me stupid, but if a character tugs on that familiarity cord, they're bound to be a favorite of mine, even if they are the most ridiculous person out there.
All in all, I found Lost in Geeklandia to be a light, fun romp through a romance, with a good balance between the enemies-to-lovers side of the story, and the what would you do to achieve your lifelong dream side of the story. A solid 3.5-4 stars in my book.
-Digital ARC provided by the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for a review.
December 4, 2018
ARC from Entangled Publishing!
When Charlie uses her "love program" to help her land a job it ends up landing her in hot water with an old friend and crush Daniel. You see, Daniel and she use to be close until he changed one day in school, then next thing you know they are both grown up. And Daniel is set against taking down any site or program that helps people in the dating life.. When Charlie finds out that the only way to be able to apply for her dream job she must use her own program on herself, and when things point in Daniel's direction the world as she knew it gets turned upside down.
This book was a lot different than what I was expecting. I really did like it though! I enjoyed the plot line, it was very different and interesting. And I liked both of the main characters as well, and the side characters.
However, I kind of felt like Charlie was sort of mean to Daniel, even though in some aspects I could totally understand, I also didn't like it much. And I thought Daniel did really good through out the story even though at times he was kind of a jerk.
When Charlie uses her "love program" to help her land a job it ends up landing her in hot water with an old friend and crush Daniel. You see, Daniel and she use to be close until he changed one day in school, then next thing you know they are both grown up. And Daniel is set against taking down any site or program that helps people in the dating life.. When Charlie finds out that the only way to be able to apply for her dream job she must use her own program on herself, and when things point in Daniel's direction the world as she knew it gets turned upside down.
This book was a lot different than what I was expecting. I really did like it though! I enjoyed the plot line, it was very different and interesting. And I liked both of the main characters as well, and the side characters.
However, I kind of felt like Charlie was sort of mean to Daniel, even though in some aspects I could totally understand, I also didn't like it much. And I thought Daniel did really good through out the story even though at times he was kind of a jerk.
September 19, 2015
DISCLAIMER: I received a review copy of this book (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
Characters/Plot: The main female character is Charlie. As the synopsis states, she is a computer engineer, and she is dared to prove her matchmaking flawlessness on herself. The glitch in the deal is that she must try and use her skills on someone whom she has chosen to loathe, Daniel. Because they have a history ( a friendship-py history) Charlie finds it to be quite a task. Sparks fly, chemistry builds. Its your typical good read.
My Honest Opinions/Thoughts: I am usually a fairly quick reader, but for some odd reason, it took me a couple weeks to get into this book. I was thrown off at the beginning because I was slightly confused with the character and it took a while for the plot to pick up. . . .
Full Review will be posted here - http://haddieshaven.blogspot.com/2015...
Characters/Plot: The main female character is Charlie. As the synopsis states, she is a computer engineer, and she is dared to prove her matchmaking flawlessness on herself. The glitch in the deal is that she must try and use her skills on someone whom she has chosen to loathe, Daniel. Because they have a history ( a friendship-py history) Charlie finds it to be quite a task. Sparks fly, chemistry builds. Its your typical good read.
My Honest Opinions/Thoughts: I am usually a fairly quick reader, but for some odd reason, it took me a couple weeks to get into this book. I was thrown off at the beginning because I was slightly confused with the character and it took a while for the plot to pick up. . . .
Full Review will be posted here - http://haddieshaven.blogspot.com/2015...
October 2, 2015
3.5 stars. Charlie is a data geek who is working a temp job waiting for her big break at her dream agency while managing the dating service which she created using online data of her clients. Daniel is her childhood friend, a tech journalist, who has returned to town after a disastrous story that left him a heartbroken pariah in the tech world. Through a weird bet with her boss, Charlie has thirty days in which to make Daniel fall in love with her and prove that her dating database actually works. I really liked the characters in this book and their chemistry made the borderline ridiculous plotline more palatable. I found that fact that Daniel humiliated Charlie in high school an interesting backstory and wished that was explored a bit more. Overall, this was a cute romance with nerdy interactions and likable characters...a purely enjoyable read. I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 28, 2015
What a sweet and different kind of book! Geeks need love too! I really enjoyed this one. Daniel and Charlie were friends from way back and drifted apart after Daniel changed. But once they saw each other again, their connection "clicked' back into place. The way he tried to make amends to her was so very sweet. The way he got to know her friends was hilarious. Props to the development of her friends. Gideon and Toshiko were a hot mess. He was hilariously challenging and she was so dry but so comedic to me. Their whole group was highly entertaining.
I liked the way the story progressed and even the way the conflict was resolved. It was a fitting end to show that no matter what data may tell you, the heart wins.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.
I liked the way the story progressed and even the way the conflict was resolved. It was a fitting end to show that no matter what data may tell you, the heart wins.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.
September 28, 2015
I liked this one, just not as much as I thought.
I love geeky themes, but in this case, I found it a bit too much. Because of this, I felt the story dragged for a bit. Mostly for things I didn’t care much about (I honestly didn’t care for the definitions at the beginning of each chapter, tbh).
I liked Charlie and Daniel, overall. She was wicked smart and sweet and Daniel could be more than we thought. Still, there were times I wanted to slap them both, lol. But hey, at least they learned in the end. ;-)
An entertaining read, all in all.
*Thank you to Entangled Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange of my honest opinion*
I love geeky themes, but in this case, I found it a bit too much. Because of this, I felt the story dragged for a bit. Mostly for things I didn’t care much about (I honestly didn’t care for the definitions at the beginning of each chapter, tbh).
I liked Charlie and Daniel, overall. She was wicked smart and sweet and Daniel could be more than we thought. Still, there were times I wanted to slap them both, lol. But hey, at least they learned in the end. ;-)
An entertaining read, all in all.
*Thank you to Entangled Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange of my honest opinion*
February 17, 2017
I love quirky and unconventional romances and I loved the concept of a computer geek that uses her tools of the trade to find love.However, I found little romance in Lost in Geeklandia. There wasn’t enough character development to really know Dan and certainly not enough to warrant his own pov. Charlie’s lack of warmth made it hard for me to root for her, let alone see her as a romantic heroine. The one liners and geekology inject some personality into the story, yet the overall shortage of emotion and intensity made it seem very robotic. It’s a cute, if bland love story that needs some fire to take it to the next level.
October 23, 2015
This was a fun read. Charlie is a IT geek...she lives and breathes data. She has created a computer program for dating and so far a few couples has gotten married. Daniel has known Charlie since they were in elementary school but he hasn't seen her in several years. He would love to date her but Charlie isn't interested until she has to use' her dating data on herself to prove she's the perfect candidate for an interview with her dream job. Her program pairs her with Daniel. But what happens when Charlie starts falling for Daniel but because of her data, she doesn't believe it's real.
*I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2016
This is a fun read involving a series of quirky characters that are just plain funny. While this plot follows the classic outline for romance novels, the story is entertaining, the heroine and hero very likable, and the geekish references enjoyable. The author has a delicious talent for good dialogue that had me giggling. If you like light-hearted romance featuring good people in funny situations, you'll enjoy this. A great holiday read for anyone who wants to kick back in front of a fire and get lost in the wild antics of Charlie as she tries to get herself out of a sticky situation. Great story with a wonderful heart.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews