When you are blasting calories on your recumbent exercise bike, one of the best things you can do for yourself is read an entertaining book that makes the time go by quickly. Y’all, The Boy Recession by Flynn Meany was a book where I read 21% in half an hour on the bike. I was so absorbed that those calories just fell away and time flew right by. But I suppose that is what the most entertaining contemps are supposed to do.
When half the football team decides to go away to private school, a boy recession hits Julius P. Heil High School. The claws will come out as the girls fight to get boyfriends. Told in the dual points of views of Kelly and Hunter, The Boy Recession by Flynn Meany is a way too adorable read.  For real, I had originally told myself I would only read this while on the bike, but of course I am a total liar. Instead, I ended up bringing it to work and reading another 50% and then reading the rest on the way to get pizza. I could not set it down.
Kelly, the female point of view character in The Boy Recession is a super chill girl. Like, I would totally hang out with her of my own free will and actually enjoy it. She is really into music. She’s relatively drama free. Plus, she has two awesome best friends — Darcy and Aviva. After working hard with Hunter in band and really being able to joke around with him, Kelly realizes that she’s crushing pretty hard on Hunter. The only problem is, he’s kind of a hot commodity, recession and all.
Hunter also gets point of view chapters in The Boy Recession. He’s a total slacker who makes a few dumb decisions, but for the most part is totally laid back. I really liked Hunter’s character as well as I liked Kelly. His chapters totally felt like an authentic teen male voice. I did crack up a bit during his scenes, especially whenever his friend Eugene showed up. Eugene is basically a 40 year old man trapped in the body of a high schooler, and he totally offers stock tips and wears wing tips and takes advantage of the recession.
The romance is super cute. Like, there’s no sexytimes or anything, so this book is fairly appropriate for the younger end of YA. Even though I totally knew how The Boy Recession was going to end, who was going to end up with who, I couldn’t help but get a little bit nervous in some parts. Mostly though, I read it with a smile over the chemistry between the two point of view characters and the hope that they would just hurry up and get together. There’s something to be said for anticipation and rooting for Kelly and Hunter though.
The Boy Recession by Flynn Meany clocks in at 256 pages. It is an incredibly fast read. If I had read it all in a single sitting, it probably would have taken me 2 hours to read. Between the short chapters and the WILL THEY/WON’T THEY, I had a hard time putting this book down and the pages just turned of their own accord, you know how that happens.
If you’re looking for a totally chill contemporary romance, definitely check out The Boy Recession by Flynn Meany. It’s a fun book that calmed my stressed out brain down, and for that I am appreciative.
Disclosure: Received for review via Netgalley.
Other reviews of The Boy Recession by Flynn Meany:
YA Love Blog – “exactly what I needed when I read it”
Justin’s Book Blog – “lacking in some departments”
Hobbitsies – “had me laughing so hard I could have cried”
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This sounds like such a fun read! I read or listen to audiobooks on my exercise bike everyday. I need to pick this one up for my next one. 🙂
Ooh, this sounds so cute! And I love the simplicity of the cover. It’s always great to have a light read between aIl the fantasy, dystopian, and sci-fi.
Great review. =)
Yes, your review is spot-on! I absolutely adored The Boy Recession and I’m going to order a finished copy soon to add to my “re-read whenever I am le sad” shelf! I can’t wait to read more from Flynn Meaney.
Awww, this does sound like the perfect gym read. Light enough that you’re not in any danger of bawling or making funny faces, but entertaining enough to keep those legs a-moving! Glad you enjoyed!
Sounds fun! Thanks for the review! 😀 I’ll TBR it!
Oh my gosh! HIgh school me is freaking out over the idea of a boy recession! Not good!! And I need a great unputdownable book! So I think I’m going to hunt for this one!!
-Jac @ For Love and Books
This sounds way cuter than I thought it would be! I think I May need to buy it. Excellent review!
This sounds like such a fun feel-good read! I was going to dismiss this one at first as being not for me, but you’ve made me take another look with your review. Especially if it will make me look forward to reading on the exercise bike 🙂
This book was my grade school experience. My class had twice as many girls as guys. Might need to check it out sometime.
Aw, this seems like a cute contemporary! I love that Kelly is totally a character you would hang out with and that the male voice actually sounded authentic. Will definitely check this out if I’m in need of a quick, nice read.
It sounds like a really fun book!!
light-hearted and sweet, I’m gonna try to read it. 😀
Love this rec 😀
This sounds like such a fun read! Sometimes cute but predictable romances are exactly what a girl needs! I’m going to try to read this soon!