How to Hook a Hottie

I picked up this book on a whim when I saw it on display. Did not know the author or any of her other books. Two days later I had the chance to meet Tina Ferraro at a Borders book signing. Great lady, great book. I enjoyed every page. For adults who like YA like myself, this book was entertaining, and a fun read. I would definitely recommend it. I immediately picked up her first novel Top Ten Uses for an Unworm Prom Dress. More on that later.

Kate Delvecchio has a one-track mind: make a million before she hits twenty. Her kickstart to this plan involves earning five grand by graduation and earning straight As her senior year, so she can convince her parents that she doesn't need college to succeed. Not because her mom bailed on the family to pursue a PhD in Germany. Really. So, Kate's raking in weekly bucks toting a twelve year old (boy can I sympathize with her on that hardship!) to and from skating practice, but she'll still wind up a thou short. When a disastrous situation--i.e. being forced to go out with the star baseball player just so she can get their Chem work done--turns into an Ideal Opportunity--i.e. classmates lining up to pay her (yes, pay her) to hook them up with their crushes--she doesn't need The Donald to tell her what to do. But Kate doesn't take into account that people don't always act in accordance to spreadsheets and hexagon charts, and soon her Ideal Opportunity is turning into a complete mess. With her at the bottom of the social pile. Thankfully she has her best friend Dal--Jason Dalrymple--to pull her back onto her feet. Kate starts off in a world that makes perfect sense. Except for the missing mom, the snotty twelve year old, the unwanted jock boyfriend, and the jealousy over the best friend's overnights to visit his girlfriend. Wait, did Kate think her world made sense? By the end, she learns that not everything of value can be tabulated in a ledger and sometimes you have to stop reacting to the actions of others in order to make your own place in the world. Ferraro hits another homerun--oops, ixnay on the aseballbay alktay--with HOW TO HOOK A HOTTIE. It's fun, fast-paced, with characters you'll root for and a romance you'll be dying to see finally happen.

money, that is. If it did, Kate DelVecchio would be a happy camper. Kate would do just about anything to earn five thousand dollars so that her parents give her control of her college savings, even if it means giving dating advice when she can't figure out her own love life. You'll love this sweet tale of a girl who learns that money isn't everything!

When Kate DelVecchio hooks her own high school Hottie, she shoots to popularity and also nabs the wisdom to make some serious cash by graduation. All she has to do is help her peers find their romantic match. With a mom MIA and a money-making goal, Kate's got it all under control with the help of her best pal, Jason "Dal" Dalrymple, who swears their flying by the seat of their pants. But this new biz can't be as hard as landing straight As and studying all those business books, right?? With more clients than she can handle, and a topic she's not exactly an expert on, Kate soon realizes maybe money isn't all its cracked up to be. Tina Ferraro once again gives readers a smooth entertaining read with her engaging voice and delightful characters. HOW TO HOOK A HOTTIE has a business-savvy heroine, a sweet first love that blossoms from a childhood friendship, and one very cool Six-Point Plan. You'll want to hook this novel for your keeper shelf!

There are two main things that everyone has to know about Kate DelVecchio, specifically what she is and what she isn't going to be. Businesswoman: YES College student: NO Kate is basically all business when it comes to her future, literally. Her parents really want her to go to college, but since they know that Kate has no intentions to do so, they strike up a deal with her: if she is able to raise five grand by graduation, along with having straight As on her report card, then they will hand over every single penny in Kate's college savings account. Kate is almost there, earning most of the money by driving around a bratty rich girl to her ice skating practices. But that job is definitely not going to help her earn all of the $5,000. Then something weird happens. Brandon Callister, the school's hottie, baseball hero, and Kate's lab partner, asks her go with him to a sports awards ceremony. Everyone, of course, is surprised that someone like Kate could snag someone like Brandon. Fortunately for Kate, Brandon asking her out gave her the perfect opportunity to earn the rest of her money. Her fellow classmates are paying Kate to give them advice on how to hook their own hottie, even though Kate doesn't know too much on the subject -- but no one has to know that. Soon enough, Kate has a hexagonal plan and a partner in crime, Dal. Aside from her new business, Kate has to deal with a mother who went off to college once again; Brandon, who she never should have said yes to, and Dal, her best friend who she is beginning to see in a whole new light, but who unfortunately already has a girlfriend. Yet, Kate will soon find out that helping others get the ones that they want isn't so easy and that maybe the future she planned out for herself isn't the best one. HOW TO HOOK A HOTTIE definitely surprised since it was not just some ordinary teen novel. Sure, Kate may seem like one tough cookie, but, in the end, she learns and goes through some important things that not only her but the readers will find useful later on. Another great read from Tina Ferraro, following Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress. Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen