Title: The Boyfriend App
Author: Katie Sise
Published: April 30th by Balzer & Bray
Format: paperback
Website: Author's Website
Source: ARC borrowed from Chyna, the blog tour host
In The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise, super-smart, somewhat geeky Audrey McCarthy can’t wait to get out of high school. Her father’s death and the transformation of her one-time BFF, Blake Dawkins, into her worst nightmare have her longing for the new start college will bring.
But college takes money. So Audrey decides she has to win the competition for the best app designed by a high schooler—and the $200,000 that comes with it. She develops something she calls the Boyfriend App, and suddenly she’s the talk of the school and getting kissed by the hottest boys around. But can the Boyfriend App bring Audrey true love?
My Thoughts
I originally requested The Boyfriend App from Edelweiss but unfortunately, I missed the expiration date for the download but luckily, the tour host, Chyna, sent me a copy of her ARC and thanks to her I got to read this novel with a very refreshing plot. :)
First of all, I love the cover! It really got me. I think that was the main reason why I requested it on Edelweiss. And the blurb! I knew right away that I had to read this book, whatever happens.
Audrey, the main character in the story is someone who doesn't give up and that is one of the things I loved about her. Yes, I knew that this story was going to be something different but of course, I still had my doubts about it especially the main character. But I was really surprised by the flow of the story because it was not that predictable. I had a moment there when I told myself, "Oh, didn't see that coming!" And from the moment when Audrey said, "I was fearless.", I knew that I will like this story. :)
I feel that some people can really relate to Audrey because she experienced teenage things like having fights with your best friend (but her fight with Blake was a pretty nasty one) and having a happy crush and losing someone you love. These are all part of growing up and I, myself, can relate to Audrey too. And of course, there will always be those guys. Yes. Guys who will sweep the lead character off her feet and let's admit it, sometimes, they sweep us off our feet too. *winks*
I just felt like I didn't get to know more about Xander other than him being Blake's boyfriend. He also sent mixed signals to Audrey and it's kind of frustrating to have him doing that because it's like he's doing the push-pull strategy. I think that even if he wasn't in this story, things will still flow smoothly. As for Aidan, I love his shyness and mysteriousness, but like Xander, I think it'll be nicer if I got to know more about him too and his friendship with Audrey.
I liked the fact that Audrey was strong enough to go through every challenge that she faced in this story. Imagine your ex-best friend bullying you in front of the whole student body. That's painful enough, isn't it? So, kudos to Audrey for never giving up and standing tall despite everything that happened.
The Boyfriend App is a refreshingly fun and cutesy story that readers will surely like!
My Rating
About the Author
Katharine “Katie” Sise is a New York City based author, jewelry designer and television host. Years ago, at age twenty-four— after dropping a rare and very expensive bottle of champagne on her way to deliver it to Robert De Niro’s table—she realized she needed a way to fund her acting and writing career that didn’t involve balancing a tray full of cocktails. That fall, she taught herself to make jewelry and launched Katharine Sise Jewelry. Within a few months, Lucky Magazine called her a “Designer to Watch” and her company appeared in every major fashion magazine—including Vogue, W, Elle, Self, Lucky, InStyle, Bazaar, Allure, Us Weekly, People, In Touch, Page Six Magazine, Real Simple, FN, Life and Style, Teen Vogue, Seventeen, Women’s Wear Daily, Marie Claire and Glamour. Before she knew it, her celebrity clientele included Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Kelly Ripa, Ellen Pompeo, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Beyonce Knowles, Anne Hathaway and Drew Barrymore.
Katharine has been profiled on dozens of online fashion and lifestyle outlets including Forbes.com, Elle.com, InStyle.com, People.com, Sweet, The Huffington Post and The New York Post. Her jewelry has appeared on television shows such as The View, Live with Regis and Kelly, E! News, Good Day New York, Full Frontal Fashion, Movie and a Makeover, The O.C., Brothers and Sisters and Gossip Girl. While Katharine was chatting with the ladies from The View, one of her necklaces broke on air and fell from her neck to her lap because she didn’t spend enough time getting the clasp right. That moment is preserved, forever, on a DVD at her parents’ house.
Katharine has designed jewelry for national campaigns like Vera Wang, Gap and Keds. In 2009, Target launched Katharine Sise for Target.
Katharine has worked as a fashion and lifestyle consultant, appearing on-air for networks like HSN, Oxygen, Discovery Channel, CNBC and ABC’s Good Morning America. For eighteen months, Katharine co-hosted a live monthly television show for The Home Shopping Network. She also appeared as The Daily Special’s resident style expert.
Katharine’s first book, Creative Girl: The Ultimate Guide for Turning Talent and Creativity into a Real Career (Perseus/Running Press) hit shelves in September of 2010. Creative Girl is written for every woman who wants to make her living in the creative world, whether in an office job or at the helm of her own business. The book is an encouraging and practical take on how to make a living doing what you love.
Katharine’s first novel, The Boyfriend App, will be published by HarperCollins Balzer + Bray on April 30, 2013. The Boyfriend App tells the story of a girl who, in order to win a scholarship offered by a secretly-evil global computing corporation, invents an app that makes any boy fall madly in love with her, with chaotic results.
Katharine has a BA in Film, Television and Theater from The University of Notre Dame. She lives in New York City with her family.
