How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True by Sarah Strohmeyer
4/5 stars
Balzer + Bray, 2013
320 pages
YA Contemporary
Scheduled to release April 23
Source: Received an e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book sounded so adorable! I love theme parks (especially that most famous of ones) and loved the sound of getting to be an intern at a magical place like Fairyland Kingdom, the New Jersey theme park setting of this book. That would have been my dream when I was a kid (it is less exciting now that I reflect on how customer-service oriented that position likely would have been.) I also really enjoyed Strohmeyer's previous YA novel Smart Girls Get What They Want and expected a story along the same lines.
One similarity was the focus on female friendship and ambition, both prioritized over mooning over stupid boys (although there are a couple of cute boys here!) Though Zoe is obviously the main character (hello-her name is in the title), her cousin Jess has an important subplot and allows us to see the unguarded Zoe as well as deeply explore her compassionate side. Ambition is also important as both girls (along with the other interns) are competing for a scholarship to pursue their big college dreams but neither is willing to compromise their standards.
A big difference though would obviously be that this is set at a theme park, bearing a remarkable resemble to Disney World but obliquely referencing the Mouse and his park. I feel like the setting was so magical and really helped to set this book apart as something different from other light humorous contemporaries. This also showcases the backbiting drama of high schoolers competing for a significant amount of money, something I really adore.
As I mentioned, there is a bit of romance. You couldn't have so many young people mixed together and not have some flirting going on! The romance is not a big part of the book but it was appreciated with the ending resolution being especially satisfying.
Overall: A fun funny story laced with Strohmeyer's trademark humor-definitely worth checking out when you need your next summer read!
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I loved Smart Girls Get What They Want and your review makes me want to read this book too. I have never been to a major theme park like Disney World or Disney Land but as a kid I really wanted to go and the idea of a book set in a similar place is kind of appealing.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I am not a fan of the cover since it emphasizes romance. I really don't like the new matching cover for the Smart Girls paperback. Still the story is fantastic and I am sure I'll like this book too.
I love the cover on its own but not so much as the cover for this book-I wish it showed more of a castle. Since you liked Smart Girls, I bet you'll like this one too.
DeleteIt does sound fun. I havne't read either of these, but cute cover! I like the theme of female frienship too, and not so much focus on the romance
ReplyDeleteIt was so refreshing to focus less on romance-so many contemporaries about the complicated ups and downs of a boy and girl's relationship.
DeleteAwe, this sounds like so much fun. I am doing to have make sure I pick this one up. Great review.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
It is a really fun light read!
DeleteI started this one and then put it aside.
ReplyDeleteBut glad you enjoyed it -- such a fun premise!
You can find me here: Jen @ YA Romantics
I wondered if that is what happened-I thought you had reviewed it but when I was looking for the link, I realized you had just spotlighted it.
DeleteThis does sounds like a pretty fun read :) I don't read many like this, but its refreshing when I do! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteJanina @ Synchronized Reading
Yep, I bet it's even more fun when you're not expecting all the twists and turns that come from reading a lot of YA contemporary.
DeleteOh you enjoyed this book WAY more than me, but I'm glad it clicked with you! It is a cool premise:)
ReplyDeleteThis is pretty much exactly the kind of book I love-contemporaries are my genre!
DeleteYay, I'm glad you liked it too! It made me excited for summer to get here. :) And to miss my teen years and all that crazy drama while at the same time making me NOT miss it, lol. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThere were some exciting times during my teens but I'm so very glad I'm no longer one-being an adult is a gazillion times better and I'm grateful!
DeleteI LOVED "Smart Girls Get What They Want"! I'm really looking forward to reading this one. I'm glad you liked it. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah I think if you liked Smart Girls, you'll like this one too!
DeleteThis book was soooo cute and fun, I just loved it!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great way to kick off summer reading-hope others check it out!
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