Smart Girls Get What They WantAuthor: Sarah Strohmeyer
Published by: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: June 26, 2012
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Gigi, Bea, and Neerja are best friends and total overachievers. Even if they aren't the most popular girls in school, they aren't too worried. They know their real lives will begin once they get to their Ivy League colleges. There will be ivy, and there will be cute guys in the libraries (hopefully with English accents)! But when an unexpected event shows them they're missing out on the full high school experience, it's time to come out of the honors lounge and into the spotlight. They make a pact: They will each take on their greatest challenge—and they will totally rock it.
Gigi decides to run for student rep, but she'll have to get over her fear of public speaking—and go head-to-head with gorgeous California Will. Bea used to be one of the best skiers around, until she was derailed. It could be time for her to take the plunge again. And Neerja loves the drama club but has always stayed behind the scenes—until now.
These friends are determined to show the world that smart girls really can get what they want—but that could mean getting way more attention than they ever bargained for. . . .
After reading Marie’s review of Smart Girls Get What They Want, I immediately downloaded it. I have been in the mood for some fun books lately and had a feeling this would fit my craving. And it did!
Bea, Gigi, and Neerja are best friends. All three are obsessed with being overachievers and going off to the best Ivy League colleges. They want to be surrounded by others who take learning and intelligences just as seriously as they do, including the guys. While working hard to achieve this goal, they don’t take the opportunity to enjoy their high school years and are missing out on the great experiences and people they already have around them. Until circumstances put them on a path that will open them up to opportunities that will do just that.
I really liked all three girls. The story is told from Gigi’s perspective, so I was able to have a great connection with her. She turned out to be pretty funny, and kind of quirky at times. I had to laugh when she mentioned math being relaxing, because I feel the same way. Crazy, I know. Even though liked Gigi a lot, I loved Bea. I’m always drawn to the fiery ones, especially when they swear in Latin for extra credit (haha). Neerja was lovely too, but I wasn’t as invested in her as I was Gigi and Bea.
The girls do a lot of growing throughout the book. I loved how Gigi and Co. saw certain people one way and how they interpreted their behavior, but was taught a very good lesson in appearances and how they can be deceiving. More importantly, to open themselves up and give people a chance. Although they were kind of judgmental of others, it wasn’t in a way that made them seem like a-holes. It was the type of things a lot of people would think or assume, even me.
What I also liked about this book was that it showed that it’s okay to holdout for someone who has the qualities you want in a boyfriend/girlfriend. There’s no need to settle, and sometimes you have to experience what you don’t want in order to know what you do want.
Smart Girls Get What They Want was sweet and a lot of fun. This was my first Strohmeyer book, but I look forward to reading more by her.
I KNEW I needed to read this one and now it’s official: I do. I love seeing character growth. Sometimes authors fail and don’t do this, but I love how this is a main aspect of the story. Also, that it shows that you don’t have to settle for a guy. You’re young! You’re free, live it up! And don’t just “settle” if the guy isn’t the right one.
I think it’s a book you’d enjoy Sunny! I’d certainly enjoy reading your thoughts on it. 😉
This sounds wonderful and I love the message it delivers. Glad you enjoyed this one 🙂
It was a lot of fun!
I remember grabbing this one when it first came out because I thought it looked really good and then I forgot about it. I am so glad you liked this Christy, makes me excited to read it and I am glad about the reminder of it. It is hard to find things in that mountain of a TBR pile I have sometimes. 😉
There are too many good books to read! lol. But start with The Boys of Summer.;D
That will be my next book from my TBR pile, I promise!!
The girls sounds like they go through some stuff and I like that they grow from it all. Great review. I will have to keep an eye out for it.
Yeah, they do, but it’s more fun and light, than serious.
Sounds like a really cute read! I like books that focus on friendships. And definitely a great message about dating. No need to settle; more people should realize that. 🙂
-Lauren
Yep, it’s a fun book but with a great message.
This one sounds like a ton of fun. Sometimes you need a bit of a light-hearted read.
Yeah, that’s what I’ve been in the mood for lately. I’m sure that will change soon though. 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed this book! I thought it was so much fun! I love a good contemporary read and this is one of the best! Welcome to the Strohmeyer group! Her other recent YA book is super cute too!
Yes, it was definitely fun! I was checking out her other books and definitely want to read them too.
Sounds like a fun, sassy book – you’ve been kind of on the sweet side of things lately – what’s up with that??? Next you’ll tell me you’re reading Lola and the French Kiss or something like that (I’m kidding!!!!!!!!)
😀
Dude, I so have. I’ll have to rein in all the fun sweet stuff soon though, and bring back the reign of terror.
I haven’t read anything by this author, and I certainly need a dose of sweet and fun. I will have to try something by her soon! Don’t be molesting the neighbors blow up crap, however it made me laugh it sounds like something you would do. Amazingly last night we only had two houses lit on our street, almost everyone took their decorations down over the weekend, thank god! I hate looking at Christmas crap through January!
He’s a creepy asshole anyway. I’d do it, but he’d suspect me. lol
Yay for character growth! That’s always something I really look for in a book, and this one sounds like it’s just an all around win. I read her other book, the name escapes me, about an internship at an amusement park and it was really cute and fun as well. I will be trying this one for sure, fabulous review Christy!
I know which book your talking about but can’t remember the title either. I do want to read it though.
Not really something I would read, but I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Great review!
I’m going through a phase … a contemporary phase. I’m sure it won’t last much longer. lol
OK… I want to read this book!! Like now. It does sound fun and cute and I have been looking for that lately too!!
Yeah, this is the kind of mood I’ve been in lately. I’m sure the horror genre will be my next phase. lol
This is definitely one of my all time favorite books. I also really liked all of the main characters (especially Mike ;). How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True is super cute, too. Awesome review Christy!
Haha – yes, good ol’ Mike. 😀 I’m sure I’ll be reading her other books too.
You know, this sounds like exactly the kind of book I’m in the mood for, something fun, but also thought provoking. “What I also liked about this book was that it showed that it’s okay to holdout for someone who has the qualities you want in a boyfriend/girlfriend. There’s no need to settle, and sometimes you have to experience what you don’t want in order to know what you do want.” <—I love this message, and it's one that I don't think is intuitive, especially when you're growing up and dating for the first time. It's a lesson we sometimes have to re-learn too! 🙂 Awesome review, thanks for putting this back on my radar, I had forgotten about it, and I really want to give it a try! (Also I'm in awe that you and Gigi find math relaxing! It stresses me out :D)
This sounds different, refreshing and fun. Always wonderful when there is something light with a meaningful mention in the end.
This story sounds amazing, added it to my TBR! It kind of reminds me of myself during high school. Thanks for sharing this book with us Christy 🙂
I’m SO glad you liked this one, Christy! It was just so sweet and so much fun, but had a great message too. That’s what I love about Strohmeyer’s books – they’re light and easy to read, a great break between serious books, but there’s enough of a story there to make it memorable.