Customer Reviews

A Match Made in High School

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A MATCH MADE IN HIGH SCHOOL was not at all what I had expected, but it was still a really great debut novel! I feel that the summary from the back of the book fit the story pretty well, but it led me to make some assumptions that weren't at all true - which left me a little disappointed. However, the book did have a great plot line and satisfying ending - even if it wasn't what I had expected!

The premise of MATCH caught my attention from the first mention I heard of the novel. I've always been fascinated by the health classes in which students have to take an electronic baby home for the week... And I admit to daydreaming about an assignment in which my crush and I would have to raise a baby together and how much fun it would be. So Walker's novel in which guys and girls are paired and "married," for the entire school year, including having a job together and attending counseling sessions togethe, I was intrigued. And kind of amazed that Walker was the first YA author to sit down and write the story! :) After all, I'd been playing out a similar story in my head all through junior high! I'm happy to report, however, that Walker's version of the story was much better than the one in my head... and had a much better lessons to impart.

The aspect of MATCH that really stands out to me is the focus on stereotyping. In high school I was much like Fiona when it came to stereotyping.... and sometimes I still catch myself writing people off without getting to know them. The marriage assignment served as a great venue for Walker to focus on how often people don't get to know people, settling for just a glance at their exteriors without a second thought for their interior.

The only part of the novel that I didn't really love was the romantic elements. I understood why Fiona fell for the guy she ends up with, but I really didn't see any sparks flying. They are a good match, but I could have used more of something. It just lacked passion... There was another character that I liked as Fiona's match, if only for the dialogue between the two. They really didn't make much sense as a couple, but I really enjoyed their back and forth.

A MATCH MADE IN HIGH SCHOOL is definitely worth checking out! I really liked the premise of the novel - it was something that I could relate to - and I think Walker's story shed some light on how wrong stereotypes can be and how they can limit you. Also, I feel that I must add that this book was released in paperback, which means that it is relatively cheap! So go find it at the bookstore right away!

A Match Made in High School turned out a little differently than I expected. It was a fun, enjoyable read, but there were a lot of sub plots going on that were very important. A lot of my feelings on the characters changed throughout the book. You never knew who was suddenly going to turn nice or who was going to turn around and stab you in the back. I really enjoyed Fiona and Todd's pranks and it was fun trying to guess what they were going to cook up next. At first, when Todd did his first prank on Fiona, I wondered what she would do. I didn't know how she would react at all. I was pleasantly surprised to see Fiona's personality was a lot different than I originally suspected. She could totally stand up for herself! There were so many characters in the book I liked- Todd, Johnny, Sam, and even a bunch of the cheerleaders. On thing that disappointed me was that some of the characters kind of faded into the background- Sam, Fiona's parents, and even Gabe. The ending with Gabe was such a surprise! I'm really glad everything didn't turn out as I expected.

In addition to the characters I also really liked the plot. It was original and something that got me thinking about how kids at my school would react if we suddenly had to do this course. Probably about the same way Fiona's did. I don't think I could deal with being fake-married to someone for an entire year. The course seems like it almost consumes your whole life. Fiona was a super cool main character. Her narration was fresh, fun, and humorous. Her pranks and jokes were fun to read about and her descriptions of everything were really fun. Kristin Walker created a fabulous main character who I would love to read more books about.

Finally, every high schooler should read this book. It shows that anything is possible and not to judge someone from the outside. Also, how what a different a year makes. So much of Fiona's life changed in such short amount of time. She faced losing friends, protesting parents, angry guidance counselors, cute boys, mean boys, surprising girls, and everything in between.


Rating;

Plot: 9/10

Characters: 9.5/10

Ending: 9/10

Enjoyment: 9/10

Cover: 9/10

Overall: 45.5/50=91%

Seventeen-year-old Fiona, along with all the other seniors of East Columbus High School, is outraged when the principle and guidance counselor announce that their participation in a new marriage-education class is mandatory for graduation. Each senior is paired up with a fake marriage partner not of their choosing for the entire school year. They are forced to earn money together, do a budget, participate in a social activity, figure out together how to solve randomly assigned life problems, and meet weekly for marriage counseling with the guidance counselor. Fiona's best friend Marcie doesn't come off too badly. She's paired with the music-mad Johnny Mercer who is a gentle giant and extremely funny. No such luck for Fiona. Not only didn't she get paired with the one guy that would have made this whole exercise worth doing, her long-time, unrequited crush, Gabe, but to add insult on injury, Gabe is placed with Fiona's biggest enemy. Amanda is a beautiful, arrogant cheerleader who's been calling Fiona Princess Pee Pants ever since she wet her pants in public in second grade. And to make matters as bad as possible, Fiona is matched with Amanda's jock boyfriend, Todd, who plays pranks on Fiona that make Amanda's taunts over the years look like friendly hugs. But Fiona doesn't take Todd's inciting actions lying down. She pranks him right back, and the war is on.

This book is repeatedly laugh-out-loud funny. Fiona is a strong, determined heroine, and her sparring with Todd is hilarious. In the midst of the humor, though, is a compelling coming-of-age story line as Fiona learns, through her travails with the marriage-education course, a great deal about her friends, her enemies, and herself that she never realized before.

This is Kristin Walker's debut novel, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next! For those who enjoy this book, I recommend several other YA romantic comedies, including The Oracle of Dating by Allison van Diepen and Tina Ferraro's The ABC's of Kissing Boys, How to Hook a Hottie, and Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress.

I. Loved. This. Book. A Match Made In High School is one of the funniest books I've ever read. It was absolutely hilarious, I was almost crying I was laughing so hard at parts. It was cute and just an overall great read!

I loved the characters in A Match Made In High School. At several points different characters did begin to get slightly on my nerves, but they redeemed themselves later in the story. The main character, Fiona, was a bit too self centered at times. I loved Todd, he was hilarious.

A Match Made In High School wasn't what I was expecting. I wasn't thinking it was a book that would really make you think, but it really got you thinking about different lessons you can learn through high school. Everything that went down between Todd and Fiona had me laughing. You'll have a hard time putting down A Match Made In High School, once you start reading!

This is a must read! I cannot believe I didn't read it sooner, it is that great!

First of all, let me say that I read this book in less than 24 hours. It was pure fun! And hilariously funny! I found myself laughing outloud at several of the things that Fee said and thought. And I also thought a lot of the pranks that Fee and Todd pulled were great (although I think in real life there would have been disciplinary actions taken).

This book was full of great characters. You couldn't help but love Fee who is funny and tells everyone what she thinks. She proclaims that she only has one friend but she seems secure in who she is. And I loved Todd. Yes, he is a macho-jerk, most of the time. But you can tell that he's being a jerk in kindergarten type way---he is mean to show he cares. I even liked Amanda, who was the cheerleader but she did have a hidden sensitive side. I didn't however really fall for Johnny like a lot of other blogger seem to have. I liked what I knew about him, but I feel that I just didn't know enought about him (besides that he liked music and was sweet to Fee). And I didn't like Marcie. Without giving anything away, I don't think what she did was forgivable--at least I wouldn't be so forgiving.

As for the plot--it was fun. I think I would have been one of those dorks who actually liked the project--being married and having to figure out budgets and stuff. Although I suppose it probably would have depended on who I was attached to. There were some twists in the book, but I figured them out in advance. The only one I didn't see coming was the surprise about Fee's crush, Gabe. And while the ending was good and made sense and was happy, I was hoping for a different happy ending. But either way, this was a funny read about not judging people based solely what they appear to be from a distance.

A Match Made in High School is a delightful, laugh-riot-a-minute, side-splitting good time. An unforgettable debut novel from talented author Kristin Walker.

One of the things I liked so much about this book was how authentic and well developed the characters were. Fiona's inability to keep whatever thought popped into her head from popping out her mouth made her so funny and relatable. At times she could be selfish and judgemental, but then again, can't we all? I really enjoyed watching her change through out the story and getting to go on that journey with her.

I admit, I couldn't stand Todd at first. However, as the story went on, I actually grew to like him. There was a lot more to him then what originally appeared. Sam, the girl Fiona babysits, was, as Fiona says, "Too freakin adorable." She was so spunky and sassy that I wish she could be my little sister. Marcie wasn't exactly my favorite person but she had her moments. Even Amanda, who wasn't really in the book all that much, had changed some by the end. Last but not least is Johnny who was so sweet and reminded me a lot of someone I know, though I wish I could have gotten to know him better. Hmmm, did I say last. My mistake, how could I possibly forget Fiona's parents who were so gosh darn freakin' funny.

The story itself, though a bit predictable, was very original as well as fast paced and down right hilarious. Like seriously, by the time I could calm down and compose myself after rolling on the floor laughing about one thing, something else just as funny would happen or be said. Of course, I like to think that there are some underlying messages about friendship and getting to know a person better before you judge them, too. The writing was good and the dialogue witty with a bit of bite.

I thought the ending was perfect and everything was tied up so well. I don't know that I'd have changed anything about it.

All in all, A Match Made in High School is a great, fun read that I think most anyone, even adults, would enjoy and I highly recommend it. Two thumbs up to Walker for this wonderfully humorous and satisfying debut novel. I can definitely see my self reading this book again in the not so distant future.

A Match Made In High School was one of the most wickedly hilarious books of the year!

From page one, you are thrown into Fiona's grueling senior year. Fiona is a character that you are going to love, because of her tell it as it comes attitude to her comical side which has you forever laughing. Tod and Johnny are the exact same way, making the characters in this book a key part to it's greatness.

The plot was unique, because really have you ever read a teen book dealing with mandatory Marriage Education program? Yeah, I didn't think so. I loved different jokes and pranks Kristin added in this, ones that you wouldn't normally have seen if the Marriage Education program wasn't present. Also, there were constantly different revelations thrown at you, making this a fast and fun read.

Overall, Kristin is a yet another great add to the YA market, I look forward to reading more by her in the future.

I suggest A Match Made In High School to fans of Meg Cabot and Susane Colasanti or teens just looking for a cute and funny romance comedy.

Grade: A+

I found this book to be completely hilarious! It had such a cute and original plot. Fiona is just soo likeable even when the other characters don't think so lol. She's blunt and to the point and I love it. She's someone I'd enjoy hanging out with. At least you'll always know where you stand with her! She gets paired with this jock Todd who she believes is such a prick yet he actually has a soft side and they love to hate each other. The pranks they pulled on each other throughout the book were such a riot! Johnny Mercer, Marci's "husband" is such a huge teddy bear and I wish he was real so I could give him a great big hug! Unfortunately the Johnny Mercers in real life never get much play with the ladies :(


The only part in this book that I didn't like was Fiona and Marci's relationship. I won't go into details because I don't want to give spoilers but let's just say I wouldn't have been so forgiving. All in all it was a fun light read.

I can honestly say that a book has never made me laugh so much in my life. I am pretty sure that when I was reading this book around people they probably thought I was losing it. This book was so fun and hilarious!

Fiona is starting her senior year in high school. On the first day the seniors find out that, in order to graduate, they have to pass a marriage ed course. This course requires them to be paired up in couples decided by their principal. Unfortunately she ends up being paired with the school jock, Todd, that she can't stand and her crush gets paired up with her worst enemy Amanda, Todd's head cheerleader girlfriend. Todd does everything in his power to make a fool of her and she gives it right back to him. Thus hilarity ensues.

Fiona is one of the best, most hilarious characters that I have ever come across. Nothing is off limits for her. She says what's on her mind and she doesn't take crap from anyone. She was always quick with a snappy comeback. If I could quote on her funny lines in the book, I would end up quoting just about every single thing she said.

What's crazy is this was Kristin Walker's first novel. I could not believe it when I found out. It was so cute and clever! If I didn't have to work I am pretty sure that I would have completed this in one sitting. I didn't want to stop! I wanted to stay wrapped up in this adorably hilarious story. If you are looking for a fun, quick, hilarious read then this is definitely the book for you! I got my copy from the library, but I will definitely be running out to buy my own. This is a book I could read over and over again!

A Match Made in High school is a hilarious read with a quirky main character you can't help but love. It should come with a warning label: do not read while someone is trying to sleep in the same room as you. It kept me up all night and I kept waking up my husband with fits of giggles.

Fiona is an 'outcast' carefree and not afraid to speak her mind. I could really relate with that, because I wasn't in any of the cliches in high school. She is witty and has pranks going with her assigned husband, who she initially hates. Their banter is amazing, and I love to watch how their truce formed.

The little girl that she babysits is amazing too, and I love the truths that she speaks, and how profound they really are. We forget as we get older true friendship, forgiveness and innocent love.

And don't even get me started on Johnny Mercer. He is a wonderful character and I am glad that he breaks the mold. His personality is wonderful and although his looks are not the greatest, I would date him any day (well, provided I wasn't already married, but you get my drift.) His humor, his loyalty, his kindness, and selflessness really blew me away.

Although there are a lot of cliched groups in this book, Kristin really makes it her own. She puts her own spin on it, and she has the main character Fiona learn something about herself and others. It helps to bridge the gap in between the social divides.

I recommend this book when you need a light, easy, and HILARIOUS read.