Title: Smart Girl
Series: The Girls #3
Author: Rachel Hollis
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: January 26, 2016
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:
Brilliant designer Miko Jin is a hopeless romantic. She’s spent most of her life falling in love over and over again…with the men she finds in the pages of her favorite novels.
When Miko meets Liam Ashton, it’s love at first sight. At least, for her. Sure, the two of them are polar opposites, and yes, he seems to be dating someone new each week. But Miko knows what true love is and that you can’t rush it—after all, what she lacks in real-world experience, she makes up for in book smarts. With novels as her guide, and her best friends by her side, she knows she can get Liam to love her back. But just like any good romance novel, fate has a few plot twists in store. Will Miko get her own happy ending? Will she find the strength to stand up for what she deserves even if it means breaking her own heart?
Read on for my thoughts on Smart Girl. No true spoilers, promise.
Miko is truly a quirky character. She definitely marches to her own drum and could care less about being conventional. She is unique, and also a romance novel addict (in the best possible way). While she’s been in love with the man of her dreams, Liam for a while now but not too much is happening in getting this player to acknowledge that they are perfect for each other. So Miko sets out to use every bit of romantic novel knowledge at her fingertips to convince this handsome, frustrating man that she is “it” for him.
I enjoyed Smart Girl very much. Probably because as a boa fade romance novel addict myself, I can get where she’s coming from. After all, every romance novel ends with a happy ever after so why shouldn’t those same rules apply to real life. Trouble is, real life cannot be wrapped up neatly like a romance novel. And when Miko is slowly redefining herself in order to get Liam’s attention – she begins to see that the loss of herself isn’t worth gaining the love of one stubborn man.
You will recognize so many of the novel seduction / attraction references scattered about. And I’m sure you’ll also find some chuckles and some cringe worthy moments as well. Smart Girl is a lighthearted romance that also teaches a lesson as well – be true to yourself otherwise it’s not worth it. I would definitely recommend it for any romance reader.
*I received an e-ARC of Smart Girl from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
Available in paperback, audio and for the Kindle
