Publication: April 5th, 2016
by: Entangled Teen
Series: Companion to The Summer I Became A Nerd
Genres: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher via Netgalley
My Rating: 4 Stars
Dan Garrett has become exactly what he hates—popular. Until recently, he was just another live-action role-playing (LARP) geek on the lowest run of the social ladder. Cue a massive growth spurt and an uncanny skill at taking three-point shots in basketball and voila…Mr. Popular. It’s definitely weird.
And the biggest drawback? Going from high school zero to basketball hero cost Dan the secret girl-of-his-dorky dreams.
A tuba-playing nerd with an eclectic fashion sense, Zelda Potts’s “Coolness” stat is about minus forty-two. Dan turning his back on her and the rest of nerd-dom was brutal enough, but when he humiliates her at school, Zelda decides it’s time for a little revenge—dork style. Nevermind that she used to have a crush on him. Nevermind that her plan could backfire big time.
It’s time to roll the dice…and hope like freakin’ hell she doesn’t lose her heart in the process.
Review
I had been looking forward to this book ever since I knew of it’s existence. The Summer I Became A Nerd was one of my favorite books of 2013, so I had to read this companion. I love the LARP fun, but I really enjoy the characters themselves more. Dan and Zelda are no Logan and Maddie, but I liked their story. I wish there was more time spent on the romance, but overall it’s a good story. If you have read the first book, then you know Miller has some role playing and other shenanigans going on here. This is a cute, fun read.
So Dan and Zelda used to kick it. Not romantically, of course, but just two nerds who love their comics and movies. But ever since Dan lost a little weight and started playing sports, he’s forgot all about Zelda. Or has he? Zelda is a band geek, and loves all things LARP. She thinks Dan is a traitor, and decides to teach him a lesson. She wants to expose him and his sudden popularity, but it all back fires. Dan likes Zelda and she him. They both have the wring impressions of each other and all it takes is an accidental hit to the head for Zelda, and Dan’s confessions online. They were so oblivious, that it was cute.
I like Dan’s character, because even while Zelda is plotting against him, we get his POV and we know his feelings for her. I don’t, however, like the manipulation that his father was so keen on doing to him. Always wanting him to play sports and become one of the popular kids. It’s always about getting a scholarship with parents these days. I get that part, but why not let him be who he wants to be? Dan’s constant lying to his father about where he was and what he was really doing got a little old. This plot plays on the nerdy boy suddenly becoming popular, so you can pretty much guess how it turns out. I would have liked a little more romance between Dan and Zelda than there was. Maddie and Logan, from book one, make appearances. It’s nice to see their growth and what they’re up to these days. They’re college students now, but they still go to the LARP games, and still work at the comic store.
If you like nerdy romances, this book is the perfect read for you. I liked this book, just not as much as book one. Still, if you’ve read that one, there’s no way to pass up on this sequel. Miller always fills her pages with great characters and lots of nerdy fun. Definitely recommend!
Ohh, I had no idea this was a companion book to The Summer I Became a Nerd. I loved that one so I hope I’ll like this one too.
You wrote an awesome review, I’m glad you liked it! 🙂
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Yes, I flipped out last year when I first discovered this one. TSIBAN is one of my favorite nerdy romances, so I was anxious to read this. I don’t like it as much as it’s predecessor, but I still love it.
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I will definitely read it!
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This one sounds so cute! But I’m not sure I could handle the obliviousness of the characters. Like why not be honest with each other rather than drag a problem out? But that’s just me in general. 😛 I think I could really relate to Zelda, being a band geek hehe. Awesome review!
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I can definitely relate to Zelda because I was in the band from 6th grade to I graduated high school. Ahh, memories 🙂
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Yes to nerdy romances! Count me in, although I think I might like the first one better.
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You should definitely try the first book, because it is great!
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Nerdy romance for the win! I remember seeing this book around when it was about to publish, but I passed on the opportunity to review. Maybe some day in the future! I’m definitely still interested. 😀
Fabulous review, Lekeisha!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
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I hope you give it a shot. Especially if you enjoy some nerdy romance and LARP.
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I love nerdy books! I haven’t read one in forever but they are so much fun. I am glad you enjoyed this one, Lekeisha. Great review!
Carole @ Carole’s Random Life
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Thanks!
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Aw, I love nerdy books with nerdy protagonists in nerdy romances! And he’s a LARPer to boot – heck yes!
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This one is fun, but if you want more LARP book one has it. This one has it also, but I just feel like the first book was so perfect.
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OMG! I wasn’t aware this book existed! Must. Have. This! I love TSIBAN too!
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Awesome! I hope you enjoy it!
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Ah parental conflict…shivers. I am glad I no longer deal with that. I like that you get both povs.It makes it easier to connect 🙂
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Yes, both POVs made it easy to connect with the characters, but I really think if we had just gotten Zelda’s POV it would have been great because we wouldn’t know how Dan felt and it would have been more surprising. Maybe? I still enjoyed it though.
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It feels like ages ago that I read The Summer I Became a Nerd and I didn’t even realise that there was a companion coming out! This one sounds so adorable and I’m glad that you were able to enjoy it! Lovely review Lekeisha!
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If you loved book one, then you will probably enjoy this as well.
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oh this seems so fun!! I love nerd romances—they are the best!!
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It is a fun read!
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I read the first book and I liked it but I don’t remember it very well now. I like that this is a companion so that’s okay that I don’t remember a lot from the other one. I never even knew about this book!
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I only found it a few months ago when I was on Goodreads searching to see if the author had any more books coming up. Glad I saw it!
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This sounds really cute! I’ve never heard of this one or The Summer I Became a Nerd, but I’m definitely headed to add it on goodreads. 🙂 Great review.
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The first book was a shock to me years ago, but I fell in love with it from the first few pages. This sequel is a good read, but I def love book one more.
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This sounds like a cute and fun series to read for an escapism. 😉 Great review!
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Thanks!
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This sounds adorkable! 🙂
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It is!
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I loved Dan too! He was so cute and I loved reading about his feelings for Zelda. I didn’t love this one as much as the first book though because I definitely wanted a little more romance between the two of them. All the nerdiness was adorable though.
Great review!
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I loved the first book more too.
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This looks super cute 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it!!
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Thanks!
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Yesss I love these cute nerdy books and this one sounds so cute with the LARP in here. And how adorable that the character’s name is Zelda! Lovely review!
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Yes, Zelda is not a name you see often in contemporary YA.
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Oh nerdy romance, it sounds nice and sweet, I confess that I’m quite curious.
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I hope you give it a shot!
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I really like the cover of this book! I should try this duology. It sounds like my opinion of what Anna and the French Kiss is – light, fun and sweet. The romance sounds like it was done well and that there are funny entertaining parts to keep the reader interested. I am looking forward to it although I will probably start with the Summer I Became a Nerd first!
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It’s definitely light and fun. I love the LARP games in these books. Makes me want to get into it myself.
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Loved Summer I Became a Nerd. Didn’t know about this companion novel. And don’t these two sound like quite the pair.
Fun review, Lekeisha!
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Yeah, you remember Dan from book one? He’s lost weight and is all popular now.
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I do like nerdy romances 😀
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Then you will probably like these books.
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This sounds like so much fun! I want to read both of the books. #NerdLove
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They are! I think the first book is the best though.
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