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How to Meet Cute Boys
A young journalist who chronicles her romantic disasters for Filly, a women's magazine, believes that she has finally met the man of her dreams in Max, until she discovers that he is a lot younger than she is and is demonstrating signs of male commitment phobia.
Audio Cassette
First published September 1, 2003
10 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Deanna Kizis
11 books14 followersDeanna Kizis is an author and journalist who could not put books down as a kid. She read them in the car, on vacation -- she even read them in the bath!
Now Deanna writes her own children's books, including PUGGLETON PARK, books 1 and 2 (ages 6 to 10), and a very silly picture book called PLEASE DON'T READ THIS BOOK!
She's a mom to a little girl who is also book obsessed, along with a cat, a dog, and a fish known as "Famous Fish" because he once slid down the drain while Deanna was cleaning his tank and she got him out and gave him mouth to gill resuscitation! (True story! It was gross!) Her favorite things include having a dance party, taking long naps, giving presents and eating chocolate. And reading, of course. Oh, and saving fish. Kind of.
Now Deanna writes her own children's books, including PUGGLETON PARK, books 1 and 2 (ages 6 to 10), and a very silly picture book called PLEASE DON'T READ THIS BOOK!
She's a mom to a little girl who is also book obsessed, along with a cat, a dog, and a fish known as "Famous Fish" because he once slid down the drain while Deanna was cleaning his tank and she got him out and gave him mouth to gill resuscitation! (True story! It was gross!) Her favorite things include having a dance party, taking long naps, giving presents and eating chocolate. And reading, of course. Oh, and saving fish. Kind of.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
September 9, 2009
Months ago I had a book recommended to me called How to Meet Cute Boys. It's fiction-- don't worry. It looked cute, so I put it on my to-read list. A few weeks ago, while perusing the audiobooks at my library, I saw it in CD form. Deciding it would be as good a time as any to read it, I went to the desk to check it out. An older gentlemen librarian was waiting to do me the honors, so I placed the book on the counter in front of him. He picked it up, read the title aloud (I started blushing, but kept my head held high, it's just a book - right? No reason to be embarrassed), and then proceeded to look me up and down, glance back at the book, "how to meet cute boys, huh?" And then look at me again. "Ok," he finally said and swiped my library card. I suppose this meant that although he thought I was crazy, and was trying to determine if I should require help to meet cute boys, he decided to let me utilize my right to check out whatever materials I wanted.
This book was perfect as an audiobook. It wasn't too deep, and it was ok if I had to concentrate on traffic for a moment and missed a line or two. It was very cute and, at times, a bit too close to home -- probably for all twenty-something women (or those who have been twenty-something women) out there who have ever dated (and those of you who are denying it, I've probably listened to too many of your stories to have you shaking your heads like you don't know what I'm talking about). While on a few occasions (especially towards the end), the protagonist's decisions were highly irritating, I can't say that they were entirely foreign to me. Though the moments that she describes in this book wouldn't be anybody's high points, they are all too familiar to my ears (and heart) given the stories that have been confided to them. Again, this is a book that many women would never admit how closely they can relate (at least at one time or another), but most would be lying for shame. Those who have lived past these moments can use it as a path marker and cringe and laugh, while sighing in relief that those days are (hopefully) behind us.
I would recommend this book as an audiobook, or a vacation book. There is not much meat, and it will not change your life (though will add a dash of humor to situations you wish your psyche would have forgotten), but it will entertain you and not require much brain work in the process.
This book was perfect as an audiobook. It wasn't too deep, and it was ok if I had to concentrate on traffic for a moment and missed a line or two. It was very cute and, at times, a bit too close to home -- probably for all twenty-something women (or those who have been twenty-something women) out there who have ever dated (and those of you who are denying it, I've probably listened to too many of your stories to have you shaking your heads like you don't know what I'm talking about). While on a few occasions (especially towards the end), the protagonist's decisions were highly irritating, I can't say that they were entirely foreign to me. Though the moments that she describes in this book wouldn't be anybody's high points, they are all too familiar to my ears (and heart) given the stories that have been confided to them. Again, this is a book that many women would never admit how closely they can relate (at least at one time or another), but most would be lying for shame. Those who have lived past these moments can use it as a path marker and cringe and laugh, while sighing in relief that those days are (hopefully) behind us.
I would recommend this book as an audiobook, or a vacation book. There is not much meat, and it will not change your life (though will add a dash of humor to situations you wish your psyche would have forgotten), but it will entertain you and not require much brain work in the process.
February 8, 2010
It was on sale, so I picked it out of the shelf. Thought it would be a light reading for the weekend. Honestly, I don't expect much from this book.
So now that I officially finish the book, I can assure you that it is definitely not on my favorite list (it is free for giveaway, even, if anybody wants it). It is basically a story about how to meet cute boys - who are jerks. But the girl is dumb anyway, so she deserves it.
Moral lessons:
Don't date younger boys (or any guys) who are not looking for commitments. If both of you are not on the same page, maybe you two shouldn't date in the first place. It is as simple as that.
So now that I officially finish the book, I can assure you that it is definitely not on my favorite list (it is free for giveaway, even, if anybody wants it). It is basically a story about how to meet cute boys - who are jerks. But the girl is dumb anyway, so she deserves it.
Moral lessons:
Don't date younger boys (or any guys) who are not looking for commitments. If both of you are not on the same page, maybe you two shouldn't date in the first place. It is as simple as that.
October 17, 2007
This would have scored higher if it didnt just COMPLETELY END WITH NO RESOLUTION. That has to be my hugest pet peeves with books or movies.
The main character is pretty needy, and hung up on a guy that is 7 years younger than her. I kept waiting for the payoff of her realizing that he was a young jerk and she deserved better, but at the end all I got was her hopping in her car, driving to Las Vegas and back (from LA) and then deciding to ignore voicemails.
The main character is pretty needy, and hung up on a guy that is 7 years younger than her. I kept waiting for the payoff of her realizing that he was a young jerk and she deserved better, but at the end all I got was her hopping in her car, driving to Las Vegas and back (from LA) and then deciding to ignore voicemails.
October 26, 2008
Perhaps it was because the love interest's name was Max that bugged me. Not that it should... but whatever. I love the whole older woman with a younger guy theme, it's good fun. I hated the quizzes and little articles in between, so annoying. And once again the ending left much to be desired. I guess I'm the person who reads chicklit and likes it everything in the end to be all tied up nicely in a pink satin bow, is that too much to ask for?
May 23, 2012
Benjamina ‘Ben’ Franklin beranggapan bahwa mendapatkan cowok lebih susah daripada pekerjaannya yang hanya menulis berbagai artikel berupa tips dan cerita pribadinya di majalah gaya hidup, ‘Filly’. Walaupun mempunyai ibu yang pernah menikah tiga kali dan yang saat ini sedang berkencan dengan pria manapun yang bisa dikencani, Ben tetap tidak bisa mendapatkan pria idamannya. Terlebih lagi adiknya Audrey akan menikah, yang artinya akan mendahuluinya terlebih dahulu. Belum lagi sahabatnya Kiki, cewek molek dan cantik yang juga sama anggapannya dengan Ben. Menurut Ben, menemukan cowok yang benar-benar bisa diajak untuk ‘berkomitmen’ walaupun hanya terikat sebatas kata ‘pacar’ itu sangat susah.
Sampai pada suatu malam, ketika menghadiri suatu pesta bersama Kiky dan segenap artis dan jurnalis yang menghadiri pesta. Ben menemukan seorang cowok yang cocok untuk diajaknya berkenalan—walaupun Kiky menilai ia ‘homo’. Cowok itu ganteng, tinggi, tegap, dan kelihatan tidak tertarik dengan pestanya. Akhirnya, dengan berlagak seakan kehilangan teman, Ben sukses berkenalan dan memberikan nomor teleponnya ke cowok yang memperkenalkan dirinya sebagai ‘Max’.
Max, yang merupakan cowok pemilik suatu brand pakaian yang dibuat untuk anak muda, akhirnya menjalani suatu hubungan tanpa adanya status ‘pacar’. Max memperlakukan Ben dengan amat sangat manis, membawanya ke beberapa konser, membuatnya ikut berlibur ke suatu tempat, membuat acara-acara kencan ke suatu bar, tapi tanpa adanya suatu status ‘pacar’. Dan pada suatu hari, Ben mengetahui bahwa umur Max baru 20 tahun, yang notebene tujuh tahun lebih muda darinya.
Karena perbedaan usia yang cukup jauh dan hasutan teman-teman dekatnya yang mengatakan bahwa Ban layak diputuskan karena sudah bertingkah laku brengsek dengan menggantungkan hubungan mereka dan sepertinya tidak mau berkomitmen walaupun hanya mengatakan mereka ‘Berpacaran’, mau tidak mau Ben tergoda untuk memutuskan Ben, apalagi masih banyak sederet nama cowok yang mengejar-ngejarnya untuk diajak kencan. Tapi mengingat-ingat kembali hal-hal yang telah ia lakukan dengan Max, banyak hal, ditambah lagi Max yang terlalu ganteng dan sayang untuk ditinggalkan begitu saja, Ben urung memutuskan Max.
Suatu ketika, Ben nekat menanyakan kelanjutan hubungan mereka. Ben berpikir, semuanya akan berjalan dengan mulus dan mudah, Max akan menganggap mereka berpacaran, mereka akan tetap bersama-sama, dan berbagai hal indah lainnya yang sudah dibayangkan Ben. Ternyata, Max malah uring-uringan dan bertingkah tidak dewasa—sama seperti umurnya—di luar itu, Max juga menjauh dari Ben. Berhenti menghubungi Ben, dan sebagainya. Ben pun memulai lagi kehidupannya seperti ketika ia belum bertemu Max.
Sempet penasaran juga dengan novel ini karena terpancing duluan sama covernya yang mirip banget kayak majalah-majalah. Sempat bertanya-tanya, ‘Ini majalah? Tapi kok di belakangnya ada sinopsisnya?’ But, Thanks God, ternyata nggak cuma aku aja yang terjebak dengan covernya. Teman-teman yang lain juga sempat ngira ini tuh bukan novel. Oke, terkait dengan jebakan-jebakan tadi, saya mengira novel ini juga bakalan ada tips-tips yang ‘berguna’ buat menggaet cowok cute—oke, bukannya saya ingin menggaet cowok cute atau apa, tapi kalo tipsnya emang oke, boleh kan direkomendasikan ke teman-teman lainnya?
Dan ternyata setelah saya baca, Benjamina kan emang jurnalis, dan ia bertugas untuk mengisi kolom-kolom tips dan beberapa pengalaman pribadi, emang ada beberapa halaman yang ada tips-tips yang disusun kayak di majalah-majalah, tapi nih kalo menurut saya tipsnya bener-bener khayal, imajiner, irasional, nggak realistis, dan bener-bener nggak bisa ditiru di kehidupan nyata. Selain itu, benar-benar berisi hal-hal yang bersifat pribadi. Oke, saya tahu, harusnya saya nyadar kalo ini novel fiksi bahkan termasuk tips-tipsnya.
Sejujurnya, saudara-saudaraku sekalian, saya nggak suka banget sama ceritanya. Dimengerti sih dimengerti, hanya saja ada sesuatu dalam cerita ini yang bikin saya nggak suka sama buku ini.
Oke, pertama, sebenarnya kalo menurut pandangan saya, nggak masalah kalo kita—cewek-cewek—mempunyai pacar yang berusia jauh lebih muda daripada kita. liat di infotainment-infotainment. Jadi, kalo menurut saya, penulis terlalu membesar-besarkan masalahnya Ben yang sedang berhubungan dengan cowok yang jauh lebih muda dari dia. Jadi, selama saya membaca buku ini, mau nggak mau saya jadi menyalahkan Ben terus-terusan gara-gara dia—entahlah, kalo menurutku sih—terlalu dangkal padahal dia adalah seorang jurnalis untuk majalah lifestyle. Dan yang hampir jadi sorotanku adalah, ketika adiknya Ben—yang mau menikah mendahului kakaknya—tiba-tiba saja berselingkuh, oke, nggak benar-benar berselingkuh sih, cuma berselingkuh buat semalaman itu aja. Aku tahu, aku tahu, ia mabuk, tapi dia bisa kan bilang ‘aku akan menikah’ di sela-sela obrolannya dengan cowok selingkuhannya pas lagi mabuk? Apalagi sampai ketahuan calon suaminya saat tengah berciuman dengan selingkuhan-semalamnya. I mean, that’s so stupid. Trus ujung-ujungnya juga nggak jelas, apakah adiknya Ben nggak jadi menikah dengan tunangannya, apakah adiknya Ben akhirnya berantem sama tunangannya, karena endingnya diceritain kalo adiknya Ben pergi berlibur and that’s it!
Terus juga ceritanya Kiki, di buku diceritakan kalo Kiki bertemu dengan cowok yang menurutnya pas dengannya saat tiba-tiba cowok itu jatuh dari pohon hendak menyelamatkan kucing yang nggak bisa turun. Mereka berkenalan, lalu mereka berhubungan seks. Astagaaaaaa, terkesan murahan sekali kalau aku bilang. Kesannya adalah Kiki terlalu cepat untuk memutuskan bahwa ia adalah lelaki yang ‘pas’ untuknya.
Endingnya Ben sendiri adalah, setelah pertengkaran kecil mereka Max akhirnya menelepon Ben. Di saat Ben sudah mulai move on—walaupun belum sepenuhnya melupakan Max. Max akhirnya menelepon Ben, mengakui bahwa ia menyesal, ia ingin membicarakan hubungan mereka berdua, dan ia tidak benar-benar bisa melupakan Ben. Yaya, tertebak sekali saudara-saudara, bukan begitu? Seharusnya dari awal juga sudah ngira bahwa cerita ini bakalan berakhir klise. Dinilai dari pertemuan, kisah cinta, dan bagaimana mereka mengakhiri hubungan mereka.
Satu hal aja sih yang patut ditiru dari Ben, she plays hard to get and yet hard to forget. Jangan lupakan kehidupan lengkap-mu, maksudku kehidupan ketika kau belum menemukan seseorang yang bisa mengalihkanmu dari kehidupanmu sebelumnya.
Sampai pada suatu malam, ketika menghadiri suatu pesta bersama Kiky dan segenap artis dan jurnalis yang menghadiri pesta. Ben menemukan seorang cowok yang cocok untuk diajaknya berkenalan—walaupun Kiky menilai ia ‘homo’. Cowok itu ganteng, tinggi, tegap, dan kelihatan tidak tertarik dengan pestanya. Akhirnya, dengan berlagak seakan kehilangan teman, Ben sukses berkenalan dan memberikan nomor teleponnya ke cowok yang memperkenalkan dirinya sebagai ‘Max’.
Max, yang merupakan cowok pemilik suatu brand pakaian yang dibuat untuk anak muda, akhirnya menjalani suatu hubungan tanpa adanya status ‘pacar’. Max memperlakukan Ben dengan amat sangat manis, membawanya ke beberapa konser, membuatnya ikut berlibur ke suatu tempat, membuat acara-acara kencan ke suatu bar, tapi tanpa adanya suatu status ‘pacar’. Dan pada suatu hari, Ben mengetahui bahwa umur Max baru 20 tahun, yang notebene tujuh tahun lebih muda darinya.
Karena perbedaan usia yang cukup jauh dan hasutan teman-teman dekatnya yang mengatakan bahwa Ban layak diputuskan karena sudah bertingkah laku brengsek dengan menggantungkan hubungan mereka dan sepertinya tidak mau berkomitmen walaupun hanya mengatakan mereka ‘Berpacaran’, mau tidak mau Ben tergoda untuk memutuskan Ben, apalagi masih banyak sederet nama cowok yang mengejar-ngejarnya untuk diajak kencan. Tapi mengingat-ingat kembali hal-hal yang telah ia lakukan dengan Max, banyak hal, ditambah lagi Max yang terlalu ganteng dan sayang untuk ditinggalkan begitu saja, Ben urung memutuskan Max.
Suatu ketika, Ben nekat menanyakan kelanjutan hubungan mereka. Ben berpikir, semuanya akan berjalan dengan mulus dan mudah, Max akan menganggap mereka berpacaran, mereka akan tetap bersama-sama, dan berbagai hal indah lainnya yang sudah dibayangkan Ben. Ternyata, Max malah uring-uringan dan bertingkah tidak dewasa—sama seperti umurnya—di luar itu, Max juga menjauh dari Ben. Berhenti menghubungi Ben, dan sebagainya. Ben pun memulai lagi kehidupannya seperti ketika ia belum bertemu Max.
Sempet penasaran juga dengan novel ini karena terpancing duluan sama covernya yang mirip banget kayak majalah-majalah. Sempat bertanya-tanya, ‘Ini majalah? Tapi kok di belakangnya ada sinopsisnya?’ But, Thanks God, ternyata nggak cuma aku aja yang terjebak dengan covernya. Teman-teman yang lain juga sempat ngira ini tuh bukan novel. Oke, terkait dengan jebakan-jebakan tadi, saya mengira novel ini juga bakalan ada tips-tips yang ‘berguna’ buat menggaet cowok cute—oke, bukannya saya ingin menggaet cowok cute atau apa, tapi kalo tipsnya emang oke, boleh kan direkomendasikan ke teman-teman lainnya?
Dan ternyata setelah saya baca, Benjamina kan emang jurnalis, dan ia bertugas untuk mengisi kolom-kolom tips dan beberapa pengalaman pribadi, emang ada beberapa halaman yang ada tips-tips yang disusun kayak di majalah-majalah, tapi nih kalo menurut saya tipsnya bener-bener khayal, imajiner, irasional, nggak realistis, dan bener-bener nggak bisa ditiru di kehidupan nyata. Selain itu, benar-benar berisi hal-hal yang bersifat pribadi. Oke, saya tahu, harusnya saya nyadar kalo ini novel fiksi bahkan termasuk tips-tipsnya.
Sejujurnya, saudara-saudaraku sekalian, saya nggak suka banget sama ceritanya. Dimengerti sih dimengerti, hanya saja ada sesuatu dalam cerita ini yang bikin saya nggak suka sama buku ini.
Oke, pertama, sebenarnya kalo menurut pandangan saya, nggak masalah kalo kita—cewek-cewek—mempunyai pacar yang berusia jauh lebih muda daripada kita. liat di infotainment-infotainment. Jadi, kalo menurut saya, penulis terlalu membesar-besarkan masalahnya Ben yang sedang berhubungan dengan cowok yang jauh lebih muda dari dia. Jadi, selama saya membaca buku ini, mau nggak mau saya jadi menyalahkan Ben terus-terusan gara-gara dia—entahlah, kalo menurutku sih—terlalu dangkal padahal dia adalah seorang jurnalis untuk majalah lifestyle. Dan yang hampir jadi sorotanku adalah, ketika adiknya Ben—yang mau menikah mendahului kakaknya—tiba-tiba saja berselingkuh, oke, nggak benar-benar berselingkuh sih, cuma berselingkuh buat semalaman itu aja. Aku tahu, aku tahu, ia mabuk, tapi dia bisa kan bilang ‘aku akan menikah’ di sela-sela obrolannya dengan cowok selingkuhannya pas lagi mabuk? Apalagi sampai ketahuan calon suaminya saat tengah berciuman dengan selingkuhan-semalamnya. I mean, that’s so stupid. Trus ujung-ujungnya juga nggak jelas, apakah adiknya Ben nggak jadi menikah dengan tunangannya, apakah adiknya Ben akhirnya berantem sama tunangannya, karena endingnya diceritain kalo adiknya Ben pergi berlibur and that’s it!
Terus juga ceritanya Kiki, di buku diceritakan kalo Kiki bertemu dengan cowok yang menurutnya pas dengannya saat tiba-tiba cowok itu jatuh dari pohon hendak menyelamatkan kucing yang nggak bisa turun. Mereka berkenalan, lalu mereka berhubungan seks. Astagaaaaaa, terkesan murahan sekali kalau aku bilang. Kesannya adalah Kiki terlalu cepat untuk memutuskan bahwa ia adalah lelaki yang ‘pas’ untuknya.
Endingnya Ben sendiri adalah, setelah pertengkaran kecil mereka Max akhirnya menelepon Ben. Di saat Ben sudah mulai move on—walaupun belum sepenuhnya melupakan Max. Max akhirnya menelepon Ben, mengakui bahwa ia menyesal, ia ingin membicarakan hubungan mereka berdua, dan ia tidak benar-benar bisa melupakan Ben. Yaya, tertebak sekali saudara-saudara, bukan begitu? Seharusnya dari awal juga sudah ngira bahwa cerita ini bakalan berakhir klise. Dinilai dari pertemuan, kisah cinta, dan bagaimana mereka mengakhiri hubungan mereka.
Satu hal aja sih yang patut ditiru dari Ben, she plays hard to get and yet hard to forget. Jangan lupakan kehidupan lengkap-mu, maksudku kehidupan ketika kau belum menemukan seseorang yang bisa mengalihkanmu dari kehidupanmu sebelumnya.
January 18, 2023
Dobra za odmorit mozak. 🙂
April 6, 2022
Another chick lit, another fun...
Err... Ending nya koq begitu aja yak😣
Anyway ini format nya lucu, dibuat menyerupai majalah lengkap dengan artikel artikel & kuis segala.. 3,5* dibulatkan untuk effort nya 😁
Err... Ending nya koq begitu aja yak😣
Anyway ini format nya lucu, dibuat menyerupai majalah lengkap dengan artikel artikel & kuis segala.. 3,5* dibulatkan untuk effort nya 😁
September 3, 2010
I would give this a 2.5.
After I was about halfway into the book, I realized I had read it before but just forgot about it (it's probably been a year or two since I read it). I picked it up because I had just finished reading Kizis' other novel, which I enjoyed.
I thought it was a cute idea how Kizis used "magazine articles" throughout the book that the heroine, Ben, had written for the fictional magazine she writes for. The articles were cute and broke the book up some, plus I found them to be an original idea. I guess it makes sense because the author is/was a magazine writer/contributor, if I remember correctly from her bio. Having nothing to do with the book itself and for purely asthetic reasons, I also liked how the book used color (pink) a lot throughout the pages. It's nice to get some spice once in awhile, you know?
**Spoiler alert**
I'm not really sure how I felt about the ending. I liked how in Finishing Touches the heroine decides not to choose the boy and have a happy ending. I thought (hoped) that was what would happen here, so I could rave about how Kizis shows a woman doesn't need a man to be happy, etc. but she disappointed me with this one. I got the feeling (although it's not explicitly spelled out for the reader) that Ben is going to get back together with Max, which is clearly a horrible idea. Not that I blame her...I mean, who doesn't identify with her a little? We've all gone out with a guy who we knew was bad for us (can we say immature Max?) but then were devistated/heartbroken when it ended and would do almost anything to get back together with that person. It's almost like you want to shake Ben and tell her she's better off without him because you want to tell yourself that. So, I guess Kizis did a good job of making Ben relatable, at least to a single, twenty-something like myself.
If I had to sum this book up, I'd say it's not the best in the world, but had enough that I would read something else by Kizis again.
After I was about halfway into the book, I realized I had read it before but just forgot about it (it's probably been a year or two since I read it). I picked it up because I had just finished reading Kizis' other novel, which I enjoyed.
I thought it was a cute idea how Kizis used "magazine articles" throughout the book that the heroine, Ben, had written for the fictional magazine she writes for. The articles were cute and broke the book up some, plus I found them to be an original idea. I guess it makes sense because the author is/was a magazine writer/contributor, if I remember correctly from her bio. Having nothing to do with the book itself and for purely asthetic reasons, I also liked how the book used color (pink) a lot throughout the pages. It's nice to get some spice once in awhile, you know?
**Spoiler alert**
I'm not really sure how I felt about the ending. I liked how in Finishing Touches the heroine decides not to choose the boy and have a happy ending. I thought (hoped) that was what would happen here, so I could rave about how Kizis shows a woman doesn't need a man to be happy, etc. but she disappointed me with this one. I got the feeling (although it's not explicitly spelled out for the reader) that Ben is going to get back together with Max, which is clearly a horrible idea. Not that I blame her...I mean, who doesn't identify with her a little? We've all gone out with a guy who we knew was bad for us (can we say immature Max?) but then were devistated/heartbroken when it ended and would do almost anything to get back together with that person. It's almost like you want to shake Ben and tell her she's better off without him because you want to tell yourself that. So, I guess Kizis did a good job of making Ben relatable, at least to a single, twenty-something like myself.
If I had to sum this book up, I'd say it's not the best in the world, but had enough that I would read something else by Kizis again.
July 25, 2011
Deanna Kizis, West Coast Editor at Elle magazine, delivers a cute and entertaining debut addition to the chic-lit genre. Although the advice and dating policies are not what I'd take to heart, this remains a light, humorous break from the real world.
27-year-old Benjamina Franklin (a.k.a. Ben) is a journalist at a successful woman's magazine, which gives her almost instant access to the hottest parties and social events in L.A. You'd think finding a boyfriend would be easy. Wrong. As Ben continues her neurotic search, she must deal with the jealousy she feels towards her younger sister who's now engaged, her not-so-helpful friends (one of whom is an analytical psychology student), her boss who's always looking for a new and romantic article from Ben, and Ben's mother. You'll just have to read about Ben's mother. You wouldn't believe me if I told you!
The chic-lit genre is becoming very popular among women, probably in their 20s and 30s. This addition is light, refreshing and funny at times. What I thought was unique, were the numorous Cosmo-like quizes and dating tips added throughout the story. For me, this book provided a nice break from the heavier reading I also enjoy.
27-year-old Benjamina Franklin (a.k.a. Ben) is a journalist at a successful woman's magazine, which gives her almost instant access to the hottest parties and social events in L.A. You'd think finding a boyfriend would be easy. Wrong. As Ben continues her neurotic search, she must deal with the jealousy she feels towards her younger sister who's now engaged, her not-so-helpful friends (one of whom is an analytical psychology student), her boss who's always looking for a new and romantic article from Ben, and Ben's mother. You'll just have to read about Ben's mother. You wouldn't believe me if I told you!
The chic-lit genre is becoming very popular among women, probably in their 20s and 30s. This addition is light, refreshing and funny at times. What I thought was unique, were the numorous Cosmo-like quizes and dating tips added throughout the story. For me, this book provided a nice break from the heavier reading I also enjoy.
March 30, 2011
"How to Meet Cute Boys" is a very clever take on modern romance. The main character, Benjamina Franklin, is a writer in Los Angeles for a women's fashion/lifestyle magazine (along the lines of Cosmopolitan or Glamour) who starts dating a younger man. Interspersed throughout the narrative are samples of Benjamina's articles for the magazine, which parallel the story and are spot-on parodies of women's magazines. The novel also does a very good job of portraying the culture of Los Angeles and creating a definite sense of place. The story does not have the expected happily-ever-after ending, which I think contributes to the honesty of this story. I rated this book so highly because I read it 3 years ago and it still sticks out in my mind as an interesting and honest story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2008
The only reason I rated this chick-lit book so high was because a lot of it was my life, in a nutshell. So I identified, and the author made a lot of sense to me. That's all, really. Definitely not the best-written book I've ever read, by far. It was light, fluffy, the usual. But I actually DID like the way the ending left things unresolved: it made it feel more real, and more hopeful, in a way. Especially at this point in my life, I'm not all for lovey-dovey "and they lived happily ever after" endings. That's not real life. This one felt much more like it.
July 26, 2011
I can't believe I read this. It's not even really my style. The main character is a writer for a seriously man-hating fashion mag, she's 27 and completely insecure. Everything that happens I've already read in similarly pink-covered but better written books, and the ending just goes poof. There were some funny moments, but the relationships were all unbelievable. I just can't swallow the I-can't-live-without-a-man storyline these days. Aren't we past this?
This one's going to back to the office...at least I didn't buy it.
This one's going to back to the office...at least I didn't buy it.
November 23, 2009
This book read more like a Cosmo magazine. I have to say, I have never been a fan of those cheesy mags. I was never one of those girls that filled out any of those quiz's on what kind of friend/fruity drink/high heel shoe you are. I always seemed to have better things to do with my time (like reading books). So I guess it comes as no surprise that this book was not really my cup of tea.
March 5, 2011
This book was cute along the lines of Confessions of a Shopaholic. You do finally want to shake the main character and tell her to grow up and get over her schoolgirl crush and move on to a "real" relationship. It's definitely light, fast, and entertaining, but I wouldn't give it more than three stars just because I got tired of her neediness by the time I was about halfway through.
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August 9, 2011Got this at a library book sale for 50 cents. For that price it was a decent read. Nothing special but an ok easy chick read. But it did just sort of end without any real resolution which is annoying. If I'm going to read chick lit I want it to have a nice neat happy ending, or else a darn good different-style ending to make up for it, and this had neither of those.
March 3, 2013
Super cute fast read. Expect a light romp through the life of a confused 20- something trying to navigate career, workload, kooky mother, over achieving baby sister, and the dating world. Benjamina doesn't always get things "right", and she may frustrate you with her decisions, but Kizis' deft hand and clever style make this an enjoyable read.
March 8, 2008
This was a fun read, because as a stay-at-home mother of two, this is how I imagine all of my single friends' lives. The main character has an amazing job, great clothes, and fabulous parties to attend every night of the week. What's not to love?
September 21, 2009
Kizis writes in a light-hearted, fun style but the story never really takes off. Ben and her friends seem bright but lack depth of understanding. You think that Ben is finally going to understand her relationship problems... but she doesn't.
August 24, 2014
I flinched at the title--a bit over the top even for a fan of rom-coms--and never fell in love with the book. The built-in magazine articles and quizzes were mostly something to skip over, and the protagonist was spinning her wheels in a way that was more frustrating than entertaining.
October 1, 2007
I enjoyed this book - because I don't know how to meet cute boys - a good book to just shoot some new ideas out there. A very fast, and light, summer read.
February 25, 2010
It's like "Sex in the City" for 20-somethings, but written like it's "Cosmopolitan" (the mag). It's a fun, fast read that I was able to really relate to (during my wild 20s, ha ha).
February 8, 2014
Cute book. I liked the writing style and the non-traditional ending- I just have a hard time loving any book where the female main character spends the whole time obsessing about a guy.
July 28, 2011
This book was predictable. The title should have given it away. It was an easy quick read. At the same time easy to forget. Not an original what-so-ever.
September 4, 2012
When I started reading this book I didn't realized that I already read it. But I just had to reread it because I didn't remember the ending. The writing is good but I really didn't like the ending.
December 28, 2016
Personally, didn't like the ending, but there was a lot of interesting things going on in the story. The relationship between Ben and Max is VERY relatable!
April 20, 2014
This book is 10 years old and is still a witty accurate take on modern dating... except instead of calling, people text now. The observations are still spot on though. It had me giggling.
July 6, 2014
I didn't appreciate the quizzes every other page.
July 22, 2014
Kept my interest throughout, but the ending was disappointing.
November 7, 2014
I read this book in 2003. It was a really fun read and really cute. I would read it again.
April 9, 2015
Brief and light.
Writer of advice column and her love life.
No one is ever happy with what they have.
Sad and waste of time.
Writer of advice column and her love life.
No one is ever happy with what they have.
Sad and waste of time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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