Reviews

The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions) by Amy Spalding

fromjesstoyou's review

Go to review page

4.0

"4 out of 5 stars. Jules (Julia) has had her senior year all planned out for a long time. So, when Alex (a well-known ex-boy band member) starts at her school and begins to act interested in her, her organized world turns into organized chaos. But will Jules be able to roll with the punches or will Alex be the one curveball she won't be able to avoid?

Definitely not, what I expected as it had romance yet was based around a school rivalry between Jules and her academic enemy. While being back to school Jules received her dream of becoming editor of the high school paper, except she is very smart and harsh about herself, which makes her feel like nothing she does would be good enough for those that she loves. Being this way has made her strive for perfection in herself and the world around her, even though perfection isn't possible.

Though Jules neuroticness is annoying at times and the way her mind works is both jaw-dropping, while makes me cringe because I can be that obtuse at times too, I appreciated her as a character. Both Alex and Jules..."

Read more of this review and THREE TEASERS here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2016/09/feasted-on-new-guy-and-other-senior.html

giraphes's review

Go to review page

2.0

I wanted a lighthearted, fun, summery read, but I didn't get it with this one. It started out that way, but it eventually evolved into a book about incredibly petty drama between the school newspaper and newscast. I wouldn't have even minded the story, but so much of it was spent coming up with revenge plots. Meh. It wasn't​ bad, but I don't see myself recommending it to anyone anytime soon.

inesgueifao's review

Go to review page

2.0

I was really enjoying this book. The premise was exactly my type and the characters seemed all fluffy and cute. And then a "problem" occurred and everything was so ridiculous I just couldn't finish the book. The characters' reactions were plain dumb and childish.

janeneal's review

Go to review page

5.0

I won't lie, I was nervous that The New Guy would not live up to the humor and heart of Kissing Ted Callahan and I'm so glad I was so wrong! Amy Spalding has officially been cemented as one of my most favorite authors.

Jules is a ridiculously great character. I love that she's dedicated and uptight and works insanely hard for everything in her life. She takes everything so seriously, to a fault even, which is where most of her problems originate from (think Leslie Knope from Parks & Rec). This can be both frustrating but also hilarious and even a really realistic portrayal of most high school experiences. I love that aspect particularly. Meeting a cute new guy stirs things up for Jules in ways she didn't expect, but it doesn't cause her to drop everything in her life for him. She still makes time for homework, volunteer work, and helping with dinner. That might sound boring, but I love when authors include small life things like this.

Jules is a hilariously endearing protagonist partly because of the other people in her life. Her moms were really wonderful. I liked that they were present and always a part of Jules' day and just really supportive of all of her goals. They even try to convince her dial it back a bit. The group of friends Jules had cultivated were really relatable and I loved her relationship with her very best friend, Sadie and the amount of plot devoted to it. The rivalry between Jules and Natalie was wonderfully entertaining and while I was hoping it would lead to romance, I really like where it went.

The romance that did happen was just about as perfect as any teen romance can be (in a good way). It's a healthy, consensual, and smart relationship that doesn't feel exaggerated in it's progression from first meeting to eventual romance. Like I mentioned before, Jules doesn't suddenly drop everything in her life for Alex. She includes him and it feels natural. And adorable; they're pretty cute together. Alex is a really great guy and basically the opposite of other fictional boyfriends that try to control everything their girlfriends do.

I would recommend this for anyone wanting something lighthearted and funny with a little bit of high school drama. My favorite comparison for Amy Spalding's writing is still 'Parks & Recreation but set in high school'. If you don't like either of those things, then this definitely would not be up your alley.

I was really lucky to win an ARC of this novel through a giveaway, so check it out when it comes out in April!

becca's review

Go to review page

4.0

When I'm looking for a feel-good, YA Contemporary to get me out of a reading rut, I turn to my NetGalley shelf. I know I should read more eBooks but I've always preferred books in hand, you know? The feel of turning the pages and new book smell. But The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions) drew me away from that and actually got me out of a Galley rut.
Jules McCallister-Morgan knows exactly what she wants and she's not afraid to fight for it, either. Journalism is her great love, among striving to attend an Ivy-league school. When formerly major-famous Alex joins her school and she's picked to give him a tour, she plays dumb to his viral famous nature. But just as quick as they became close, a wedge is driven between them. Knocked off her course, charismatic and snarky Jules fights her way to the top in this sweet, charming YA book.
I was totally won over by The New Guy. Not only did it deliver what it promised, but there was a kick-ass heroine and brilliant character development too. It wasn't overly complicated to get into and was a fun, great read. I love that reading it was a breeze and it was funny and smart and all the things a YA novel should be. How close Jules was to her Mom's and Alex and Jules's back-and-forth's were some of the great highlights and I loved how Amy wrote their personalities so relateable. Definite four-star novel with poise and charisma.

kellyhager's review

Go to review page

The first thing you need to know about this book is that Jules makes Tracy Flick from Election look super chill and relaxed about her future. The second thing is that your reaction to that sentence will make it clear whether you will enjoy this book.

This is an incredibly sweet novel (although I did occasionally shake the book and yell "OMG WEIRDO CALM DOWN" about seven times) and I love the premise.

This book isn't likely to become your favorite, but if you're looking for an incredibly fast read and one that will make you smile and laugh a bunch of times, this is for you.

melissayabookshelf's review

Go to review page

4.0

I'll be the first to admit that I've never been the biggest fan of boy bands - the last one that I really listened to was New Kids on the Block (before they became NKOTB), so the back story for Alex - the new guy that Jules finds so distracting - of a ex-member of a one-hit wonder boy band didn't wow me. But, in spite of this, The New Guy (And Other Senior Year Distractions) did grab my attention and caused me to spend the large part of one day and the morning of the next, glued to its pages and Amy Spalding's writing.

Anyone who has been über focused on school, a large number of extracurriculars, and their future...only to have their attention taken away by a guy and an old rival's new media venture will love this one.

Incidentally, I think there's a great comparison that can be made between Paris Geller and Rory Gilmore's rivalry if one of them had been the editor of the school newspaper and the other had been the editor/founder of a new media equivalent.

kcmmp13's review

Go to review page

4.0

This was such a fun read. I loved the characters of overachiever and type A Jules, her friends Sadie & Em, and the new guy, Alex. I liked that the romance wasn't the main focus but it was still there in the background. The one thing I didn't love, was that there was a turn of events with about thirty pages left. It seemed rushed at the end. I would've much rather had some things cut out or have read a longer book. If there's ever a follow up book I'd definitely be interested in reading it.

theherondale's review

Go to review page

4.0

Typical cerita anak SMA yang kebanyakan masih labil dengan drama-dramanya yang terkadang berlebihan. Meskipun begitu isi pesan moral dari bukunya dapat kok. Banyak pelajaran yang bisa diambil dari si tokoh utama, Jules.

cannonsr's review

Go to review page

2.0

I really liked the beginning of this book--recent teen star comes to my high school and gets together with the most college-focused character possible. I still decided to abandon it when the real plot entered. High school competition wasn't catching me this time. Think this was mostly a case of not the book for me at this time. (And I did sneak ahead and read the ending just to make sure ;)