(ARC) Book Review: The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller

The Summer I Became a Nerd
by Leah Rae Miller
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Published: May 7th 2013 by Entangled Teen
Format Acquired: ARC from publisher (thank you, Heather!)
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository

On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader—perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she’s a nerd hiding in a popular girl's body isn’t just unknown, it's anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way.

Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever.

The Summer I Became a Nerd is the first book I featured on my WoW. Seeing the word "nerd" in the title completely drew me in. I just knew I was going to love it. I just knew.

AND I WAS RIGHT!!!

There was never a moment while reading the book where I felt like my expectations were not met. I hate it when a book is supposed to be filled with geekiness but it doesn't go all out. This book did not disappoint me; the overall geekiness was an 11 over 10! How geeky is this book? As in comic book-sniffing geeky. As in Live-Action Role Playing (LARP) geeky. Uh huh. While I had a slightly hard time trying to grasp the concept of LARP (which my brother was very happy to explain to me... I live with a geek.), it didn't bother me one bit. It's the first Young Adult book I've read that completely celebrates nerdom. All the geekiness made the story cuter and added to its charm.

I liked how Maddie, the main character, was written. She's a big nerd inside but she strives to stay popular 24/7. At times it was frustrating how Maddie would do anything to keep her status. Sometimes she just seemed shallow but when she brought out the nerd, I'd forget about it. She's just too cute! I especially loved Maddie's obsession with comic books because you can see how much of a nerd she really is with the way she described the comics she reads - how it felt in her hands, how vibrant the illustrations were and even how they smelled. I don't know if it's just the nerd in me but Maddie was a very relatable character all throughout. She may have had issues but let's face it: she was going through a common struggle in high school. And I think the author did a really great job at presenting it through the eyes of one very lovable and spunky Maddie Summers.

Aside from the insane dorkfest that went on, readers will certainly fall in love with the very adorkable Logan. Unlike most of the nerdy guys I read about in books, Logan is not wound up, he's not a loner, he's not clueless about girls. Sure he's not so smooth all the time but at least he's not too nerdy to function. He's funny, easy-going and incredibly swoon-worthy. I loved how he put on "the moves" without Maddie even realizing it. There were just these "moments" that were happening between them even before they recognized  it and I think that's exactly what made me love their story even more. I got the feels I always look for in love stories and it's all because of how adorkable Logan was and even more adorkable when he's with Maddie.

This book is so fan-freaking-tastic that it gave me a hangover. Deep down I know I'll always be craving for more of Mattie and Logan and all their nerdiness combined. I want more. It's been days since I've read it and I still want more. The Summer I Became a Nerd is instantly one of my favorite books this year. It has a great set of characters, lots of nerdiness, a lesson every teen should learn and a love story that made my heart jump for joy plenty of times. I don't see myself getting over this hangover inducing book any time soon.

My Rating

(Refer to rating system)

About the author

Leah Rae Miller

Mother, wife, and YA author living on a windy hill in Natchitoches, Louisiana. I love fuzzy socks, comic books, cherry coke, and brand new office supplies. THE SUMMER I BECAME A NERD coming Summer 2013 from Entangled Teen. Stay cool! 

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