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inteamanda's review against another edition
3.0
A cute, fun and easy read. I liked how the characters were so thought out, they were multi-dimensional, much like real people usually are. Thumbs up!
beckymmoe's review against another edition
4.0
Not Okay, Cupid is a very cute enemies-to-lovers story that threw in a touch of best friend's brother with a fake relationship/revenge plot just to keep things interesting. It's my first from this author, but it definitely won't be my last!
The characters of Not Okay were on the youngish side of high school, even though they were upperclassmen--and that was really okay. It's nice to see teens acting like teens instead of mini adults. They spoke and thought in italics, parentheses, and exclamation points; they were essentially good kids who had respect for their moms and sometimes made silly choices but essentially tried to do good.
Hazel McCallister thought she had her life all planned out--she was going to go to college, marry her perfect high school boyfriend, and live happily ever after somewhere in the suburbs--much like her mom had tried to, before Hazel's dad died. Finding out her best friend had stolen her boyfriend just before Valentine's Day threw a bit a of wrench in the works. As the story goes on, it becomes clear to the reader at least that Hazel was probably only sticking with the boyfriend (and possibly her best friend as well) because his presence in her life made her feel safe and anchored--she really didn't have deep feelings for him, and seriously, the guy was a bit of a tool. Her former bestie's brother, Felix, witnesses Hazel's public shaming in the caf and jumps to her aid with the promise of a revenge plot against the two.
Felix James has long been the best friend's brother that lives to torment Hazel; but it's pretty obvious early on that the antagonism--at least on his end--definitely has more than a touch of pulling-the-pigtails-of-the-girl-you-actually-like to it. Really, it reminded me quite a bit of the Anne Shirley/Gilbert Blythe dynamic from the early years, which is definitely a good thing :) He throws himself full speed ahead into the "get back at Jay and Kimmi to make Hazel feel better" idea and soon finds out that spending more time with "Hazel Basil" makes all the girls he's been "seeing" pale by comparison.
Felix and Hazel's relationship was a slow burn, and it felt very realistic. I liked that they moved slowly, even though Felix was supposedly having much more adult-type relationships with the girls he'd been with before; Hazel was clearly not ready for that at all. Their reasons for each questioning the other's feelings for them made sense, and the way they finally got together was adorable. The book left me with warm and fuzzy feelings all around.
(Plus, Felix wears holiday-themed boxers! I'm not a fan of the wearing your pants around your ankles so everyone can see your underwear trend, but I do enjoy seasonal underwear and guys who are confident enough to wear it.)
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
The characters of Not Okay were on the youngish side of high school, even though they were upperclassmen--and that was really okay. It's nice to see teens acting like teens instead of mini adults. They spoke and thought in italics, parentheses, and exclamation points; they were essentially good kids who had respect for their moms and sometimes made silly choices but essentially tried to do good.
Hazel McCallister thought she had her life all planned out--she was going to go to college, marry her perfect high school boyfriend, and live happily ever after somewhere in the suburbs--much like her mom had tried to, before Hazel's dad died. Finding out her best friend had stolen her boyfriend just before Valentine's Day threw a bit a of wrench in the works. As the story goes on, it becomes clear to the reader at least that Hazel was probably only sticking with the boyfriend (and possibly her best friend as well) because his presence in her life made her feel safe and anchored--she really didn't have deep feelings for him, and seriously, the guy was a bit of a tool. Her former bestie's brother, Felix, witnesses Hazel's public shaming in the caf and jumps to her aid with the promise of a revenge plot against the two.
Felix James has long been the best friend's brother that lives to torment Hazel; but it's pretty obvious early on that the antagonism--at least on his end--definitely has more than a touch of pulling-the-pigtails-of-the-girl-you-actually-like to it. Really, it reminded me quite a bit of the Anne Shirley/Gilbert Blythe dynamic from the early years, which is definitely a good thing :) He throws himself full speed ahead into the "get back at Jay and Kimmi to make Hazel feel better" idea and soon finds out that spending more time with "Hazel Basil" makes all the girls he's been "seeing" pale by comparison.
Felix and Hazel's relationship was a slow burn, and it felt very realistic. I liked that they moved slowly, even though Felix was supposedly having much more adult-type relationships with the girls he'd been with before; Hazel was clearly not ready for that at all. Their reasons for each questioning the other's feelings for them made sense, and the way they finally got together was adorable. The book left me with warm and fuzzy feelings all around.
(Plus, Felix wears holiday-themed boxers! I'm not a fan of the wearing your pants around your ankles so everyone can see your underwear trend, but I do enjoy seasonal underwear and guys who are confident enough to wear it.)
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
inahreads's review
4.0
I was a bit skeptical if I will like this book when I first saw it in Entangled Teen’s request list but I was seriously craving for some light and fluffy read and THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THIS BOOK HAS BROUGHT ME.
I wasn’t really a fan of the “falling-for-your-bestfriend’s-brother” trope. I haven’t read that much books that falls into this category and I’m not a big fan of third-wheels!!!
This book got me hooked from the get-go, I adored the main characters, Hazel and Felix. Hazel is smart, charming and very relatable. I love her relationship with her mom! It’s open and honest.
Felix might be presented as a bad boy, but this guy surprised me big time. I love that he actually cares for both ladies, Hazel and his sister Kimmy, but he chose to side with Hazel because she was the victim, but I think it’s more because of his feelings towards Hazel. His bad boy personality wasn’t actually shown, it was just told and from what I’ve seen in him from the start, he’s actually a softie and I personally loved reading from his POV.
I love the chemistry between Felix and Hazel and I truly enjoyed reading their romance in alternating POVs. It helped a lot for the story to flow and develop.
The writing style was simple but very effective. It made me swoon many times that I expected. Honestly, this book was such a big awesome surprise! It’s like I was given more than I expected and I really appreciated it! I definitely recommend this book if you’re craving for a light, fast read with lots of fluff!
I wasn’t really a fan of the “falling-for-your-bestfriend’s-brother” trope. I haven’t read that much books that falls into this category and I’m not a big fan of third-wheels!!!
This book got me hooked from the get-go, I adored the main characters, Hazel and Felix. Hazel is smart, charming and very relatable. I love her relationship with her mom! It’s open and honest.
Felix might be presented as a bad boy, but this guy surprised me big time. I love that he actually cares for both ladies, Hazel and his sister Kimmy, but he chose to side with Hazel because she was the victim, but I think it’s more because of his feelings towards Hazel. His bad boy personality wasn’t actually shown, it was just told and from what I’ve seen in him from the start, he’s actually a softie and I personally loved reading from his POV.
I love the chemistry between Felix and Hazel and I truly enjoyed reading their romance in alternating POVs. It helped a lot for the story to flow and develop.
The writing style was simple but very effective. It made me swoon many times that I expected. Honestly, this book was such a big awesome surprise! It’s like I was given more than I expected and I really appreciated it! I definitely recommend this book if you’re craving for a light, fast read with lots of fluff!
ashurq's review
2.0
Hazel has her entire future planned out. She and her boyfriend are going to get into the same college, then the same grad school, and then they’ll have 2.5 kids together and live in a house with a white picket fence. At least that was the plan until he cheated on her with her best friend Kimmy. Now Hazel doesn’t know what to do. Luckily, someone else does. Felix the Player of La Playa (also Kimmy’s older brother) has a plan for revenge.
This book had so much potential. I really mean that. The premise of this book was great, but the execution was not. The whole book is very surfacey. I felt like there was the potential to go in depth several times with the characters (since Hazel’s dad had died and Felix’s was out of the picture) but nothing ever happened. The book just stayed on the surface when it could have been so much deeper. The story really would have benefited from some character development throughout, but I feel like all of the character development (and there wasn’t even very much) was packed into the last few chapters of the book. This made it hard for me to really care too much about the characters. They didn’t seem deserving of my feelings.
Another thing that seriously bugged throughout was the multitude of inconsistencies that this book had. First Felix’s eyes are blue–glacier blue. Then they’re “sweet chocolate brown”. Next they’re green, only to end up turning back to brown by the end of the story. Other inconsistencies: Does Felix have his surfboard or not? When did they get out of the car? Did Hazel see Felix waving from the shore or not? Does Hazel see Felix while he’s standing by the punch bowl or is the first time she sees him out on the dance floor? Just A LOT of inconsistencies that made it hard to lose myself in the story. I ended up having to reread certain pages to make sure that I didn’t miss something that was there. It almost seems like the author had the beginning and the end of a scene planned out, but then forgot about what she had planned while she was writing the middle. Just very frustrating as a reader.
The last thing that I was so confused about was the relationship between Felix and Kimmy. Okay, we know they’re siblings and we find out pretty early on that Felix is older than Kimmy. But at the same time I thought Kimmy and Hazel were the same age and we know Hazel is a senior…so does that make Kimmy and Felix twins? But that’s never mentioned and I feel like if they were twins, that would have been said at least once. Finally we find out (very near the end of the book) that Felix is older than Kimmy, but he was held back a year so they’re in the same grade. I just feel like this should have been explained much earlier in the book. Or Kimmy and Hazel should have just been juniors or something.
Overall, I was not happy with this book. As I said earlier, there was so much untapped potential! Based on their family situations, Kling really had the opportunity to make us care about these characters but she didn’t capitalize on it. I just feel really frustrated as a reader because I can see what this book could have been but wasn’t.
Overall Rating: 2
Language: Moderate
Violence: Mild
Smoking/Drinking: Mild
Sexual Content: Moderate
Note: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book had so much potential. I really mean that. The premise of this book was great, but the execution was not. The whole book is very surfacey. I felt like there was the potential to go in depth several times with the characters (since Hazel’s dad had died and Felix’s was out of the picture) but nothing ever happened. The book just stayed on the surface when it could have been so much deeper. The story really would have benefited from some character development throughout, but I feel like all of the character development (and there wasn’t even very much) was packed into the last few chapters of the book. This made it hard for me to really care too much about the characters. They didn’t seem deserving of my feelings.
Another thing that seriously bugged throughout was the multitude of inconsistencies that this book had. First Felix’s eyes are blue–glacier blue. Then they’re “sweet chocolate brown”. Next they’re green, only to end up turning back to brown by the end of the story. Other inconsistencies: Does Felix have his surfboard or not? When did they get out of the car? Did Hazel see Felix waving from the shore or not? Does Hazel see Felix while he’s standing by the punch bowl or is the first time she sees him out on the dance floor? Just A LOT of inconsistencies that made it hard to lose myself in the story. I ended up having to reread certain pages to make sure that I didn’t miss something that was there. It almost seems like the author had the beginning and the end of a scene planned out, but then forgot about what she had planned while she was writing the middle. Just very frustrating as a reader.
The last thing that I was so confused about was the relationship between Felix and Kimmy. Okay, we know they’re siblings and we find out pretty early on that Felix is older than Kimmy. But at the same time I thought Kimmy and Hazel were the same age and we know Hazel is a senior…so does that make Kimmy and Felix twins? But that’s never mentioned and I feel like if they were twins, that would have been said at least once. Finally we find out (very near the end of the book) that Felix is older than Kimmy, but he was held back a year so they’re in the same grade. I just feel like this should have been explained much earlier in the book. Or Kimmy and Hazel should have just been juniors or something.
Overall, I was not happy with this book. As I said earlier, there was so much untapped potential! Based on their family situations, Kling really had the opportunity to make us care about these characters but she didn’t capitalize on it. I just feel really frustrated as a reader because I can see what this book could have been but wasn’t.
Overall Rating: 2
Language: Moderate
Violence: Mild
Smoking/Drinking: Mild
Sexual Content: Moderate
Note: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
xsophiehoughton's review
3.0
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
This book was just one of those cute, fluffy contemporaries that you need to sort of cleanse your reading palette between hard hitting fantasy, dystopian, etc. I read the book in just under 24 hours, and it definitely hit the spot, though wasn't my favourite I've ever read.
In the book, Hazel's best friend Kimmy and boyfriend Jay commit the biggest sin: they get together and cheat on Hazel. As you'd expect, Hazel is devastated, especially considering it all happened in the school cafeteria. To get back at them, Kimmy's brother (I'm thinking twin brother?) Felix cooks up a plan for them - that they get into a fake relationship to make them jealous. Suffice to say, it doesn't turn out for the best, as their 'fake' feelings slowly turn into actual, real feelings. Told in dual PoV, we get to see how both Felix and Hazel deal with their new feelings.
I quite enjoyed the fact that the book offered an insight into both the main character's feelings. However, the voices weren't very distinctive, and seemed very same-y. I liked them as characters, but just wish they were a bit more.
The storyline was very similar to many I've read before, and the whole 'fake relationship to real feelings' trope is one of my favourite in YA books. I don't think I've ever seen one like this though, where it's one of the cheater's brother who came up with the plot. I found the relationship between Hazel and Felix really cute and fluffy, and definitely shipped them. I got very confused at times, because one of Felix's nicknames for Hazel as Basil, and, being English, basil doesn't rhyme with Hazel for me. That definitely took some time getting used to when reading.
All in all, it was a quite enjoyable book. It hit the spot just when I wanted a nice contemporary. However, I think one of the main problems I had with not enjoying it as much, was that I've just read Kasie West's The Fill-In Boyfriend, and that just seemed a bit better executed. I'd still recommend this book, though it may not be my top choice.
This book was just one of those cute, fluffy contemporaries that you need to sort of cleanse your reading palette between hard hitting fantasy, dystopian, etc. I read the book in just under 24 hours, and it definitely hit the spot, though wasn't my favourite I've ever read.
In the book, Hazel's best friend Kimmy and boyfriend Jay commit the biggest sin: they get together and cheat on Hazel. As you'd expect, Hazel is devastated, especially considering it all happened in the school cafeteria. To get back at them, Kimmy's brother (I'm thinking twin brother?) Felix cooks up a plan for them - that they get into a fake relationship to make them jealous. Suffice to say, it doesn't turn out for the best, as their 'fake' feelings slowly turn into actual, real feelings. Told in dual PoV, we get to see how both Felix and Hazel deal with their new feelings.
I quite enjoyed the fact that the book offered an insight into both the main character's feelings. However, the voices weren't very distinctive, and seemed very same-y. I liked them as characters, but just wish they were a bit more.
The storyline was very similar to many I've read before, and the whole 'fake relationship to real feelings' trope is one of my favourite in YA books. I don't think I've ever seen one like this though, where it's one of the cheater's brother who came up with the plot. I found the relationship between Hazel and Felix really cute and fluffy, and definitely shipped them. I got very confused at times, because one of Felix's nicknames for Hazel as Basil, and, being English, basil doesn't rhyme with Hazel for me. That definitely took some time getting used to when reading.
All in all, it was a quite enjoyable book. It hit the spot just when I wanted a nice contemporary. However, I think one of the main problems I had with not enjoying it as much, was that I've just read Kasie West's The Fill-In Boyfriend, and that just seemed a bit better executed. I'd still recommend this book, though it may not be my top choice.
bookbriefs's review
2.0
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**Not Okay, Cupid is the first book in the High School Heartbreakers series by Heidi R. Kling. Not Okay, Cupid is a young adult contemporary romance that I think would be fitting for a younger, young adult audience. The end of the book ended up being pretty cute, but it was a rough start for me. The book is told in dual narrative between Hazel and Felix. I really liked the dual narrative, and I really enjoyed Hazel and Felix. They were both good people and good characters, their voices just seemed so young and impulsive. (which I guess they are.)
I think a lot of people will enjoy this cute story of wanting to get revenge on your friend and ex, and ending up falling for the guy helping you enact said revenge. (I bet you can guess why revenge was needed...her best friend and ex boyfriend got together behind Hazel's back.) But to set the scene, we were 4 percent into the book when Hazel and Felix walk into the school cafeteria and she sees her best friend (her best friend people!) and her current boyfriend all over each other. When she confronts them, the boyfriend couldn't care less and just breaks up with her. I mean, who does that?? How could her best friend just think it is ok to blindside her freakin' best friend by announcing to the whole school at lunch that she was with her boyfriend. And not even seem to care about it. The whole scene rubbed me the wrong way. Those two were not going to be the characters for me, no matter what they did to redeem themselves later on. They were just too immature and frankly, mean.
I read on because even though Hazel and Felix's voices bugged me a bit, I wanted to see where the story was going to go. I liked Felix and I wanted him to get the girl. Honestly Felix was my favorite part about the story. Even though his narrative sometimes irked me, he was pretty adorable in how much he has always liked Hazel. And I do have to say, Not Okay, Cupid is a book that builds as the story goes on. In a positive way. The story did get better and better, but the immature voices and choppy start made it hard for me to recover from and really fall in love with the story. I still think that a lot of people will enjoy this story. It makes for a cute romance.
Bottom line: If you like your romances with a side of light and fluffy revenge, this might be the book for you. But be warned, the characters show their age. They are pretty immature, but if you stick with it, Not Okay, Cupid makes for a quick read that turns out cute in the end. I'm just not sure it was the book for me. I think a lot of readers will enjoy Not Okay, Cupid.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
I think a lot of people will enjoy this cute story of wanting to get revenge on your friend and ex, and ending up falling for the guy helping you enact said revenge. (I bet you can guess why revenge was needed...her best friend and ex boyfriend got together behind Hazel's back.) But to set the scene, we were 4 percent into the book when Hazel and Felix walk into the school cafeteria and she sees her best friend (her best friend people!) and her current boyfriend all over each other. When she confronts them, the boyfriend couldn't care less and just breaks up with her. I mean, who does that?? How could her best friend just think it is ok to blindside her freakin' best friend by announcing to the whole school at lunch that she was with her boyfriend. And not even seem to care about it. The whole scene rubbed me the wrong way. Those two were not going to be the characters for me, no matter what they did to redeem themselves later on. They were just too immature and frankly, mean.
I read on because even though Hazel and Felix's voices bugged me a bit, I wanted to see where the story was going to go. I liked Felix and I wanted him to get the girl. Honestly Felix was my favorite part about the story. Even though his narrative sometimes irked me, he was pretty adorable in how much he has always liked Hazel. And I do have to say, Not Okay, Cupid is a book that builds as the story goes on. In a positive way. The story did get better and better, but the immature voices and choppy start made it hard for me to recover from and really fall in love with the story. I still think that a lot of people will enjoy this story. It makes for a cute romance.
Bottom line: If you like your romances with a side of light and fluffy revenge, this might be the book for you. But be warned, the characters show their age. They are pretty immature, but if you stick with it, Not Okay, Cupid makes for a quick read that turns out cute in the end. I'm just not sure it was the book for me. I think a lot of readers will enjoy Not Okay, Cupid.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
justkeyreads's review
4.0
*Recieved ARC through Netgalley*
I picked this book up and it got me out of my reading slump and it was perfect pick me up. This was a charming, but honest book about two people were never supposed to be together and especially not pretending to date.
"It means sometimes the life you think you wanted isn't the one you truly need."
Characters:
Hazel Bazel: She had the perfect boyfriend, perfect grades, perfect best friend. But everything's not perfect when she finds her best friend with her boyfriend. Her world crumbles and she doesn't know she's going to do. Felix, her best friend's brother is someone who teases her relentlessly, but not someone she would ever pretend to date.
Felix the Cat: Playa of All the Players is ticked off at his sister for betraying Hazel and devises a plan that they should fake date to make her ex jealous. But soon pretending to date Hazel Basil is the realest thing he's had in a long time. And she was right in front of him.
I am a big sucker for witty comebacks and banter and it was perfect for Hazel and Felix's friendship/relationship. It was really fun to read. The pacing was perfect for the plot. It was a slow burning romance that was perfect.
I picked this book up and it got me out of my reading slump and it was perfect pick me up. This was a charming, but honest book about two people were never supposed to be together and especially not pretending to date.
"It means sometimes the life you think you wanted isn't the one you truly need."
Characters:
Hazel Bazel: She had the perfect boyfriend, perfect grades, perfect best friend. But everything's not perfect when she finds her best friend with her boyfriend. Her world crumbles and she doesn't know she's going to do. Felix, her best friend's brother is someone who teases her relentlessly, but not someone she would ever pretend to date.
Felix the Cat: Playa of All the Players is ticked off at his sister for betraying Hazel and devises a plan that they should fake date to make her ex jealous. But soon pretending to date Hazel Basil is the realest thing he's had in a long time. And she was right in front of him.
I am a big sucker for witty comebacks and banter and it was perfect for Hazel and Felix's friendship/relationship. It was really fun to read. The pacing was perfect for the plot. It was a slow burning romance that was perfect.