Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) reviewed How to Ruin a Summer Vacation (How to Ruin, Bk 1) on + 5322 more book reviews
Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com
All Amy Nelson wanted was to have a regular summer. To spend time with her best friend, Jessica, and her new boyfriend. But that won't happen for Amy by a long shot. It seems that her estranged father wants her to go back to Israel with him to visit her grandmother. Sure, going to Israel may seem exciting to most people, but not for Amy. Not when there are wars going on and the fact that she has to go with a man that she hardly knows. The one good thing that may come from this is the coolest fashions that her best friend is always telling her about.
Before she knows it, Amy's mother makes her go and she's on the next plane to Israel. Things couldn't get any worse for Amy at this point; well, actually they can. When she arrives, Amy sees something totally different then what she would see at home in Chicago. There seems to be soldiers and guards at every corner. Not only that, but Amy just discovered that she isn't sleeping in a fancy hotel, but more like an old house, with one bathroom and seven other people that she's never met. Then there's her cousin Snotty, I mean Osnat, who seems to hate Amy the moment she sees her, and the no-shirt cute-jerk, Avi, who Amy happens to see everywhere she turns. If only she could just get him out of her mind. There's also her aba, or grandmother, that for someone she hardly knows, Amy discovers there's a deep connection between the two of them.
With an entirely new family and obnoxious people in a totally different country, it seems like this might be the craziest summer yet for Amy.
HOW TO RUIN A SUMMER VACATION, no doubt, was the greatest book I've read in a long time. Not only does the basis of the book pull you in, but the cast of characters all charm their way into your heart. Even though Amy may be a little bratty at times, every obstacle she goes through and every awkward situation for her makes reading the book worthwhile. Simone Elkeles eliminates all the myths we had about Israel and introduces a completely new culture that I, for one, hardly knew anything about. Not only will you begin to appreciate Amy's new culture, but you'll also think about your own culture and how unique it is. The sequel to this book, HOW TO RUIN MY TEENAGE LIFE, will release on June 1, 2007.
All Amy Nelson wanted was to have a regular summer. To spend time with her best friend, Jessica, and her new boyfriend. But that won't happen for Amy by a long shot. It seems that her estranged father wants her to go back to Israel with him to visit her grandmother. Sure, going to Israel may seem exciting to most people, but not for Amy. Not when there are wars going on and the fact that she has to go with a man that she hardly knows. The one good thing that may come from this is the coolest fashions that her best friend is always telling her about.
Before she knows it, Amy's mother makes her go and she's on the next plane to Israel. Things couldn't get any worse for Amy at this point; well, actually they can. When she arrives, Amy sees something totally different then what she would see at home in Chicago. There seems to be soldiers and guards at every corner. Not only that, but Amy just discovered that she isn't sleeping in a fancy hotel, but more like an old house, with one bathroom and seven other people that she's never met. Then there's her cousin Snotty, I mean Osnat, who seems to hate Amy the moment she sees her, and the no-shirt cute-jerk, Avi, who Amy happens to see everywhere she turns. If only she could just get him out of her mind. There's also her aba, or grandmother, that for someone she hardly knows, Amy discovers there's a deep connection between the two of them.
With an entirely new family and obnoxious people in a totally different country, it seems like this might be the craziest summer yet for Amy.
HOW TO RUIN A SUMMER VACATION, no doubt, was the greatest book I've read in a long time. Not only does the basis of the book pull you in, but the cast of characters all charm their way into your heart. Even though Amy may be a little bratty at times, every obstacle she goes through and every awkward situation for her makes reading the book worthwhile. Simone Elkeles eliminates all the myths we had about Israel and introduces a completely new culture that I, for one, hardly knew anything about. Not only will you begin to appreciate Amy's new culture, but you'll also think about your own culture and how unique it is. The sequel to this book, HOW TO RUIN MY TEENAGE LIFE, will release on June 1, 2007.
Cindy H. (Cindy84) reviewed How to Ruin a Summer Vacation (How to Ruin, Bk 1) on + 118 more book reviews
My Thoughts: First off, I just want to say that I am reviewing all 3 books in this one review. The other titles in the series are How To Ruin My Teenage Life and How To Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation. We are introduced to Amy who lives with her mom. Her dad has been in and out of her life throughout the years but he calls and wants Amy to go to Israel because her grandmother whom she has never meant and to learn more about his home country and her family. Amy goes and spends time there and it is nothing like what she is used too. She meets her dad's side of the family. She meets a boy. Not just any boy but a hot boy named Avi. It was love at first page for me. I loved him and throughout all three books I fell in love more and more. Part of me felt like he was my Avi!
How To Ruin My Teenage Life deals with Amy being back home in the states and she has went to live with her father in Chicago. She meets a new boy named Nathan but deep down her heart belongs to Avi but the catch is Avi is spending 3 years in the military because that is law in Israeli so how can she be with someone who is not around? But what happens when he does come around?
Book 3, How To Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation deals with Amy ending up on Avi's boot camp. I don't want to say much more without giving away every detail of every book. But, here is the short version. I spent 24 hours reading these 3 books. Did I sleep? Not much. One of the times, my boyfriend came in the room and I was asleep on top of the book. I fell asleep reading it! Of course I got right back up and started reading it again until my eyes got tired. I went to bed for a few hours, got back up, and started reading again. These books are so addicting and I love Amy, all of Amy's friends, and Avi. I hope there is a book 4!!!!!
Overall: Loved the whole series! Devoured it! So good!
Cover: I think all 3 covers are really adorable!
How To Ruin My Teenage Life deals with Amy being back home in the states and she has went to live with her father in Chicago. She meets a new boy named Nathan but deep down her heart belongs to Avi but the catch is Avi is spending 3 years in the military because that is law in Israeli so how can she be with someone who is not around? But what happens when he does come around?
Book 3, How To Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation deals with Amy ending up on Avi's boot camp. I don't want to say much more without giving away every detail of every book. But, here is the short version. I spent 24 hours reading these 3 books. Did I sleep? Not much. One of the times, my boyfriend came in the room and I was asleep on top of the book. I fell asleep reading it! Of course I got right back up and started reading it again until my eyes got tired. I went to bed for a few hours, got back up, and started reading again. These books are so addicting and I love Amy, all of Amy's friends, and Avi. I hope there is a book 4!!!!!
Overall: Loved the whole series! Devoured it! So good!
Cover: I think all 3 covers are really adorable!
I recommend this book to EVERYONE .This book is so amazing. I honestly wish the author would make more books on Amy and Avi they are so adorable together. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make more about Amy and Avi!
