Review of Geek Charming by Robin Palmer

The ideal L.A. fairy tale for fans of Once Upon a Time and L.A. Candy! Inspiration for the Disney Channel TV movie, Geek Charming! Dylan Shoenfield is the princess of L.A.'s posh Castle Heights High. She has the coolest boyfriend, the most popular friends, and a brand-new it bag that everyone covets. But when she accidentally tosses her bag into a fountain, this princess comes face-to-face with her own personal frog: self professed film geek Josh Rosen. In return for rescuing Dylan's bag, Josh convinces Dylan to let him film her for his documentary on high school popularity. Reluctantly, Dylan lets F-list Josh into her A-list world, and is shocked to realize that sometimes nerds can be pretty cool. But when Dylan's so-called prince charming of a boyfriend dumps her flat, her life and her social status comes to a crashing halt. Can Dylan with Josh's help pull the pieces together to create her own happily-ever-after?

Geek Charming by Robin Palmer is about a girl named Dylan who is at the top of the popularity chain. Dylan makes Regina George look like Eleanor Roosevelt. Anyways Dylan makes a promise to let Josh, one of her geeky classmates, make a documentary about her and the other popular people.

As a character, I couldn’t stand Dylan. I have little tolerance for people who seem too dumb to breath the same air as me. I mean, this character, Dylan though Annie Hall was a person who went to her school, not a film. Also, she has a boy name. I know, I know, as a feminist I should not be irritated when people’s names do not conform to gender standards, but still. Anyways, within the book we get to see that Dylan is a human too. Honestly, I still felt she was one dimensional even while I was reading about her ‘human’ side. Plus, she’s manipulative — she would make others do her homework. All she cared about was shopping and celebrities, not very endearing to me.

Now, Josh on the other hand was wonderful. He’s the film geek. He’s passionate, he’s not an idiot. Josh had qualities I admire, such as being a good friend and not backstabbing his friends. You see, Josh gets a makeover and somewhat enters the popular crowd, but he’s still close with his friends from his pre-makeover days. Josh’s biggest flaw was how nervous he would get. That was aggravating, I couldn’t stop thinking, grow a set and get on with it. Now, this is high school, so obviously I should have let it slide, but man was it annoying.

The writing in Geek Charming by Robin Palmer was average. I was consistently reminded that Josh is a geek (does anyone really use that word anymore?!) and that Dylan is popular and beautiful. The story alternates between Josh’s point of view and Dylan’s. Towards the end Josh and Dylan began to sound alike, which was a weak point for me. Really, I’ve read much better YA. However, Geek Charming was fluff and definitely not a Printz contender. I suppose Geek Charming is a good read when you are between books and have not a clue as to what to read next, but really need a book in your hand.

While reading Geek Charming, I suggest you sip upon some diet cola, seeing as how that seems to be the type of drink Dylan and her friends enjoy, cuz god forbid you have some calories.

Other reviews of Geek Charming by Robin Palmer:

A Reader’s Adventure
Princess Bookie
The Dreamer Reader

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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