Reviews

Fool Me Twice by Mandy Hubbard

mehsi's review against another edition

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4.0

I just adored Mackenzie (well for most of the book, she is a bit over the top at times, not just character but also with clothes/hair and other things), she is a cute and wonderful character, and I felt for her when we found out about Landon and her being dumped because he cared more for his ex. (stupid guy *rolls eyes*). However, while the book was fun, I had hoped she was more honest sooner. Instead of pretending to be his girlfriend the whole time, I just wish she would have told him, and sure he might have gotten angry, but now I was just waiting for the inevitable to happen and when it happened it was a bit anticlimactic, especially considering what happened.

She is a strong character and I love how dedicated she is to things (though if we have to believe everything, she might be a bit over dedicated (painting your hair in blue/red, too much, just too much).

I did love how she thought up the pranks (her pranks were, at times a bit painful, but also hilarious fun). And I loved how a prank war ensued between Mackenzie/Bailey and Landon. How they each tried to do better than the other. (which ended in hilarious situations)

I disliked Landon in the beginning. He was a total asshole and I just wanted to smack him. Using Mackenzie like that, just no. Luckily he changes (yeah for hits to the head) and he becomes more sweet and nice. I really loved that Landon.

Bailey, ah my favourite side-character. I loved her, she was a fantastic person and I loved how she was there for Mackenzie and tried to help her. I do hope these two will stay friends even when they are away from each other. *crosses fingers*

All in all a fun, interesting book and I would certainly recommend it. A nice summer read. But I will have to warn people, you will have to push yourself at times. I also had a few parts where I just wanted to close the book, but I continued, and dang I am happy I did.

Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/

rfrockwood's review

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2.0

To be completely transparent, I read the first 10 chapters and the last 2 chapters. Once the plot revolved around lying to a concussed individual and taking advantage of their weakened state, I just couldn't stick it out. Too Hallmark, too simple of a plot.

maggiemaggio's review against another edition

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2.0

2.5 stars

I've said it before, but there's something about memory loss stories that I really enjoy. This one excited me because the guy loses his memory not the girl. Maybe it's a crazy feminist thing to say, but as much as I like stories about memory loss, it kind of sucks that the girl is always the one losing her memory and the one in a vulnerable, more traditional female role.

Sadly, that's pretty much the one thing about Fool Me Twice that I really liked. The main character, Mack, was fine, she was harmless and easy to like, but she didn't really have much of a personality. The story takes place at a ranch where Mack, her best friend, and her ex-boyfriend, Landon, all live and work during the summer. Beyond's Mack life on the ranch and the fact that she was heading to WSU in the fall we didn't really know anything about her. Or any of the other characters. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but personally I prefer more well rounded characters with a backstory.

As much as I felt ok about Mack I didn't enjoy her best friend or Landon, her ex. The friend is an annoying sidekick who is completely boy crazy and kind of bullies Mack into doing things. Landon, I expected to like more, but at the beginning of the book, before he loses his memory, he's such an a-hole. He's not nice to Mack at all and the fact that she still liked him so much made me respect her less. It's kind of explained at the end, but I still was never sold on the romance.

Then Landon loses his memory and at first it was kind of interesting and funny, but the longer it went on the less believable it was. Basically Landon falls off a horse and thinks he's back in the previous summer when he and Mack were together. Mack and her best friend (mostly the best friend) decide to mess with Landon and make him fall in love with Mack and then break his heart. If Landon only interacted with Mack and her best friend it might be believable, but lots of people work at the ranch and I'm sure he talked to his mother and his sisters at some point and it seems strange to me that no one would mention something that tipped him off either about society or about his own life. I mean in reality he's going away to college at the end of the summer, but in his mind he's going into his senior year of high school and just that seems like something that would come up. I tried to not take it so seriously, but it bothered me.

The pacing of the book was also off. In one chapter it's July Fourth, but then a chapter or two later it's suddenly the end of the summer. There was also a point where suddenly it was "a few weeks later" and it pretty much seemed like nothing happened in those few weeks.

Despite all of that I didn't dislike the book, it was well written (besides the pacing) and the pranks Mack played on Landon were funny. Towards the end of the book I thought I might give it three stars and say it was mindless fun. However, I got to the actual end and I was so surprised by what happened, in a good way! I did not expect it to end like that and I really liked it. But, then Mack and Landon started talking and I was decidedly unhappy. Their personalities both took such a turn and the things they both said were cliche and pretty much made me want to vomit from the cheesiness.

Bottom Line: I'm sure a lot of people will read this and enjoy it was a fun summer book, but I just couldn't. I didn't buy that Mack could keep Landon's memory loss a secret from him for the entire summer and the pacing and cheesiness at the end of the story really turned me off.

I received an electronic review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

fictionalkate's review

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4.0

Mackenzie has spent the last year trying to get over her break up with Landon. They had spent a magical summer together but when school started up again he broke her heart and returned to his ex. Now it's summer again both Mack and Landon are working at the Serenity Ranch and Spa. Mack is determined not to let Landon get under her skin no matter how what. When Landon has an accident, he can't remember the past year and thinks he and Mack are still together. Deciding to play along and then break his heart like he did hers, Mack gets to see a different side of Landon - one she didn't even discover last summer when they were dating.

I think there's a misconception especially in young adult fiction where an entirely clean read is somehow juvenile - more of a middle grade read than YA. Fool Me Twice shows that this is not the case. Mack and her best friend Bailey are preparing to go to college and for all the pranks and antics, it's clear that they are on the verge of adulthood but they don't need to over indulge in alcohol, swearing, sex and other things to show it.

This book is such a fun read. I had some issues regarding the lack of proper medical assistance given to Landon (I mean seriously - he's fallen off a horse and can't remember the past year of his life and all they do is get the Botox doctor to check him out?!) but that in no means detract from what I found a very cute and amusing read. It is clear that Mack is a good person despite her plan but Landon hurt her badly and she does want some kind of closure. Her friendship with Bailey is fun to read and getting to see Bailey's own relationship dramas was a great addition to the story. My favourite part of this book without doubt was the clever and inventive prank war which ensued between Mack and Landon. I can't believe some of the things they came up with! The one with the cups? Oh wow!

In terms of plot, Fool Me Twice may be a little predictable but this is definitely one of those books you read for the journey and not the destination. I loved seeing just how everything was playing out between Mack and Landon and the actual ending was less important. The romance is adorable and sweet. Mack isn't the same girl she was last summer and is less bothered by what Landon things in terms of her interests. Horror movies are a passion and I have to admit I'm impressed with just how many movie references the author managed to flawlessly insert into the novel.

Fool Me Twice is one of the cutest and funniest books I've read in a while. The characters are realistic and have quite a sense of humour. This book would make a perfect summer read or a great story to curl up
with in the middle of winter and dream of warmer days.

Thanks to Bloomsbury Australia for the review copy

sc104906's review

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3.0

Mackenzie and Landon had a summer romance last year, but the relationship ended in flames. Landon broke up with Mack by kissing his ex-girlfriend.

Now Mack and Landon are back to the stay the summer at the ranch. This year is going to be different because Mack will not fall for Landon's charm. Actually Mack is given the chance of a life time because Landon has amnesia and he thinks it's last year. She will be able to get her revenge by making him fall in love with her and then breaking his heart (or maybe she will lose her heart in the process).

This is the fluffiest fluff. The main character is pseudo punk or whatever, totally annoying. It's like a teenie bop summer tv movie.

suey's review

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3.0

Cute fun fluff! I enjoyed. :)

auburnedge's review against another edition

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5.0

This is everything I want in a cute romance. Hallmark worthy. But please make this into a movie so I can giggle along with it!
The plot is simple and you know exactly what will happen and it makes it just that much easier to sit back and enjoy the story. You find yourself laughing along with the antics and if you are a horror movie fan trying to place the quotes before finding out what they are. I am not a fan but it was fun anyway.
Perfect nighttime reading when you just want to relax with a Happily Ever After.

ninas_nook's review

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4.0

This review can also be found on my website:
http://www.booksarelifereviews.com/2014/05/fool-me-twice-by-mandy-hubbard-review.html

This book was wonderfully cute. I didn't know quite what to expect when opening it, I've always been a fan of Mandy Hubbard but this title seemed different than some of her earlier material, more fun and girly almost.

What I found was an adorable story that kept me drawn in. I've always been fascinated by stories involving amnesia and this one was refreshing. It wasn't the classic story of remembering after losing ones memory, but a story of falls and folly that leads to redemption.

I loved the setting of the ranch, for a story like this being away from a "normal reality" was necessary and I found the knowledge that Hubard displayed about horses to be kind of amazing. She knew what she was talking about and when it comes to cowboys - that's a necessity.

This book is the perfect short, fun summer read. I was drawn in and at no point did I get bored. I was invested in discovering what would happen with Landon and what their story would hold.

In the end, I felt that this book really explored what, "Timing is everything" means. You can be the right person, at the wrong time and the way this book explored that reality made it feel incredibly true.

When it comes to summer though, anything can happen...

hazelstaybookish's review against another edition

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4.0

Actual rating: 3.5-4

Like/love
- the pranks
- the constant movie quoting
- romance!!!!
- mac and bailey's friendship

annarue22's review against another edition

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4.0

Pretty good book. Didn't think I'd like it at first but I got towards the end and I didn't want it to end yet. Not much happened but it was still a good book