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WORK TITLE: My New Crush Gave to Me
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE: 1975?
WEBSITE: http://www.shanipetroff.com
CITY: New York
STATE: NY
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
http://shanipetroff.blogspot.com/
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born c. 1975.
EDUCATION:Brandeis University, B.A.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer.
WRITINGS
Also author of material for television and other media.
SIDELIGHTS
Shani Petroff is the author of several popular novels for tweens and young adults. She also writes for television and other media. A graduate of Brandeis University, she lives in New York City.
Daddy's Little Angel and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Dress
Petroff”s “Bedeviled” series, about a girl whose father is the devil, was inspired by the kind of books the author enjoyed reading as a young teenager: lighthearted fiction with a blend of the supernatural and the romantic. In Daddy’s Little Angel, thirteen-year-old Angel Garrett learns that her mother has not been joking when she says that Angel’s estranged father is the Devil. He actually is Satan, and he wants to reconnect with her if she is willing to let him back into her life. Though Angel is wary, she is also tempted by her dad’s special powers, which he could use to make her popular at school and to gain the attention of Cole, the boy on whom she has a crush.
In The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Dress Angel struggles to learn how best to use the supernatural powers she has inherited from her father. Her initial efforts, which she hopes will impress Cole, prove so disastrous that she decides to avoid him until she perfects her new abilities. At the same time, though, she wants to get him to ask her to the upcoming dance. Angel’s dilemmas continue in Careful What You Wish For. Trying to help a nerdy boy make friends with the popular kids, Angel ends up granting the wishes of her rival in romance.
An angry outburst leads to bizarre consequences for Angel in Love Struck. Irritated at her parents, she exclaims that they should grow up–and her words send her mom and dad back to their teenage years. Her adult father was just starting to break away from his satanic identity, but now that he is a teenager again, Angel worries that he will he go back to his dark magic.
Ash and Ultraviolet
Written with Darci Manley, the “Destined” series is set in a dystopian post-apocalyptic world. A disaster known as The Event has killed seven billion people; the survivors have created a rigid new social system designed to prevent any danger that this could happen again. At birth, people are relegated to a particular social category, or ring, based on the society’s perception of their destiny.
Ash, the first novel in the series, introduces central characters Madden Sumner and Dax Harris. Madden is a member of the Purple ring, destined to become one of the Minister of the Seven. Dax, however, is a Blank. As such she has no identified destiny, and is placed in Ash, the lowest ring. Seemingly without anything in common, Madden and Dax become comrades when they decide to resist the system. Madden wants to uncover secrets about her past; Dax wants justice after her brother is executed for failing to fulfil his destiny. Volume two in the series is Ultraviolet, in which the protagonists continue their fight for their right to create their own destinies.
Romeo and What's Her Name and My New Crush Gave to Me
In Petroff’s stand-alone novel Romeo and What’s Her Name, high schoolers Emily and Amanda compete for the attentions of Wes, who has just ended a long romantic relationship with Leora. Emily has pined for Wes for a long time, and fears that Amanda, the most popular girl in school, will be the one to succeed in winning his heart. Complicating matters further is the fact that all three characters are in the school production of Romeo and Juliet. Emily is only Amanda’s understudy, but a twist of fate suddenly puts her onstage as Juliet opposite Wes’s Romeo, and Emily wonders if this is the opportunity she had been waiting for. In School Library Journal, Tabitha Nordby praised the novel as a “sweet, lighthearted look at high school romantic foibles.”
My New Crush Gave to Me is another story of a high school crush. Charlotte Donovan, co-editor of the school newspaper, is attracted to Teo Ortiz, a National Honor Society student and star athlete. To make him notice her, she plans to manipulate the paper’s Secret Santa gift exchange so that she will be the one to give Teo five perfect gifts. But since she knows next to nothing about him, she consults his cousin J.D. about what Teo might want. Charlotte finds J.D. annoying a first. But then things change. Amy Caldera, writing in School Library Journal, found the story predictable and lacking in character development. Booklist reviewer Maggie Reagan, on the other hand, did not consider the novel’s predictability a flaw, and said that romance fans would appreciate a story “light as powdered sugar and just as sweet.” Voice of Youth Advocates contributor Amy Cummins also praised the book highly, citing its “memorable cast of characters” and comforting tone.
Airports, Exes, and Other Things I'm Over
High school senior Sari Silver, the protagonist of Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over, is devastated to see her boyfriend Zev kissing his ex at a party. Sari, planning to start college in the fall and work toward a career as a singer/songwriter, is set to spend spring break with her grandmother in Florida, where she had hoped to see a lot of Zev. Now unsure about her future, she goes ahead with the visit. There she meets the hunky Fitz, a college student spending the vacation with his grandfather. She is attracted to Fitz, who is totally unlike Zev, but before anything can happen between them she gets a call to play an important gig back in New York.
Drawing from her own experience getting stranded at an airport, Petroff has a severe thunderstorm wreck Sari’s travel plans and force all three characters into an initially awkward togetherness. Describing the book as “well-written [and] breezy,” School Library Journal reviewer Selene Athas also admired its diverse range of characters and its happy conclusion.
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, January 1, 2017, Maggie Reagan, Maggie, review of Romeo and What’s Her Name, p. 85; September 15, 2017, Maggie Reagan, review of My New Crush Gave to Me, p. 68.
Publishers Weekly, September 4, 2017, review of My New Crush Gave to Me, p. 103.
School Library Journal, May, 2015, Amanda C. Buschmann, review of Ash, p. 122; December, 2016, Tabitha Nordby, review of Romeo and What’s Her Name, p. 114; October, 2017, Amy Caldera, review of My New Crush Gave to Me, p. 112; April, 2018, Selene Athas, review of Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over, p. 137.
Voice of Youth Advocates, August, 2017, Amy Cummins, review of My New Crush Gave to Me, p. 63.
ONLINE
Caroline Andrus, http://www.carolineandrus.com/ (May 15, 2018), review of My New Crush Gave to Me.
Laura Dail Literary Agency WebSite, http://www.ldlainc.com/shani-petroff/ (May 15, 2018), Petroff profile.
Literary Dust, https://literarydust.wordpress.com/ (May 15, 2018), review of Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over.
One More Stamp, https://www.onemorestamp.com/ (May 15, 2018), review of My New Crush Gave to Me.
Publishers Weekly Online, https://www.publishersweekly.com/ (May 15, 2018), review of Ash.
Romancing the Books and More, https://romancingthebooksandmore.wordpress.com/ (May 15, 2018), review of Romeo & What’s Her Name.
Shani Petroff Website, http://www.shanipetroff.com (May 15, 2018).
Series
Bedeviled
1. Daddy's Little Angel (2009)
2. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Dress (2009)
3. Careful What You Wish for (2010)
4. Love Struck (2010)
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Destined (with Darci Manley)
1. Ash (2015)
2. Ultraviolet (2017)
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Novels
Romeo and What's Her Name (2017)
My New Crush Gave to Me (2017)
Airports, Exes, and Other Things I'm Over (2018)
SHANI PETROFF
Shani Petroff is a writer living in New York City. She's the author of ROMEO AND WHAT'S HER NAME, MY NEW CRUSH GAVE TO ME, the “Bedeviled” series, and is the co-author of the "Destined" series. She also writes for television news programs and several other venues. When she’s not locked in her apartment typing away, she spends a whole lot of time on books, boys, TV, daydreaming, and shopping online.
Shani Petroff is a writer living in New York City. She's the author of the “Bedeviled” series, which includes Daddy’s Little Angel, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Dress, Careful What You Wish For, and Love Struck, and is the co-author of Ash. She also writes for television news programs and several other venues. When she’s not locked in her apartment typing away, she spends a whole lot of time on books, boys, TV, daydreaming, and shopping online.
Where did you grow up?
I’m originally a Connecticut girl and still visit whenever I can.
Is Bedeviled based on your life — was your dad the devil?
Surprisingly, I actually get this one a lot. Nope, my dad was not the devil. Not even close. (Although he would have been amused by the question). My father was an amazing man, and I was very lucky to have him for a dad. He died years ago but will always have a giant place in my heart.
So nothing from the book is from your life?
Little things here and there. For example in book 2, there’s a dachshund named Sam, which I based after the dog I had growing up. But most of the book comes from my imagination, although my mom says she can see aspects of my life and personality thrown into the mix. And while I don’t like to admit it that often, she is right quite a lot.
Where did you go to college?
I went to Brandeis University where I majored in theater and sociology. I’ve always loved acting and still do. If they ever make Bedeviled into a movie, I definitely want a part! :)
Any siblings?
A brother and a brand new sister-in-law. They are both pretty cool, if I do say so myself.
How did you come up with the idea for Bedeviled?
Growing up I read all the time. So when I was trying to decide what to write, I based it on what I liked to read as a tween. I decided it had to be something supernatural that still had cute boys thrown in. While talking about it with a friend I said, “Maybe I should write about a girl who finds out her dad is the devil.” She yelled, “That’s the book.” The rest is history.
Will there be more Bedeviled books?
For now there are just the four, but I do hope to write more about Angel and her friends someday!
My Mew Crush Gave to Me
Maggie Reagan
Booklist. 114.2 (Sept. 15, 2017): p68.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Full Text:
My Mew Crush Gave to Me.
By Shani Petroff.
Oct. 2017. 224p. Feiwel and Friends/Swoon Reads, paper, $10.99 (9781250130327).
Gr. 7-10.
Charlie Donovan is a perfectionist of the highest order, even when it comes to dating. With Christmas--and the biggest party of the year, newly romance-themed--approaching, she sets her sights on Teo Ortiz: the complete, smart, athletic, popular package. Charlie's convinced that if she can find the right gifts, Teo will realize they're perfect for each other, so she rigs a Secret Santa exchange. There's just one problem: she doesn't actually know anything about Teo. Enter J. D., Teo's laidback and superdisorganized cousin. J. D. pushes all of Charlie's buttons, but he might know the way to Teo's heart, so she enlists his help. But the more time she spends with both boys, the more Charlie starts to question what she really wants. Petroff (Romeo and What's Her Name, 2017) offers up a frothy, Christmas-themed romance where what's perfect on paper may not always be what's right. Sure, there's little doubt as to where this is heading, but what romance fan will care? It's light as powdered sugar and just as sweet.--Maggie Reagan
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Reagan, Maggie. "My Mew Crush Gave to Me." Booklist, 15 Sept. 2017, p. 68. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A507360025/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=9c53dce6. Accessed 15 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A507360025
My New Crush Gave to Me
Publishers Weekly. 264.36 (Sept. 4, 2017): p103.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
My New Crush Gave to Me
Shani Petroff. Swoon Reads, $10.99 trade paper (288p) ISBN 978-1-250-13032-7
In a Christmas romance that reads somewhat like a contemporary Cyrano de Bergerac, junior Charlotte "Charlie" Donovan has everything planned--except getting dumped. She's determined to find a new boyfriend before a friend's big post-Christmas birthday bash, and she has her sights on smart, popular, and athletic Teo Ortiz. After rigging the school newspaper's Secret Santa exchange, she tries to give Teo the perfect gifts, but getting close to him requires pulling strings and enlisting the help of his cousin J.D., whom she dismisses as irresponsible and annoying. Petroff cleverly plays on the "The Twelve Days of Christmas" during the Secret Santa gift-giving, though Charlotte's petty rivalry with a classmate can turn grating. Readers will easily recognize which Ortiz is right for Charlie; the most meaningful change in her life is the realization that not everything can be planned and controlled. Ages 13-up. Agent: Laura Dail, Laura Dail Literary. (Oct.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"My New Crush Gave to Me." Publishers Weekly, 4 Sept. 2017, p. 103. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A505468214/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=6fff2982. Accessed 15 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A505468214
Petroff, Shani. My New Crush Gave to Me
Amy Cummins
Voice of Youth Advocates. 40.3 (Aug. 2017): p63.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
Full Text:
3Q * 3P * J * S
Petroff, Shani. My New Crush Gave to Me. Swoon Reads/Macmillan, 2017. 224p. $10.99 Trade pb. 978-1-250-13032-7.
High school junior Charlotte "Charlie" Donovan pursues Operation Secret Santa to win over the senior she thinks is the perfect guy, Teo Ortiz. Charlie needs a date for Noelle's big Christmas party. She also wants to fill the emptiness caused by a breakup and by her single mother being too busy for her after a promotion at the hospital. An over-scheduler whose pet peeve is lateness, Charlie works as co-editor-in-chief of the student newspaper where J.D. Ortiz--who happens to be Teo's irritating cousin--is her photography editor. Charlie strikes a deal with J.D. to help her win over Teo. After spending so much time with J.D., however, her goals for holiday happiness shift.
Petroff's newest novel will put readers into the Christmas spirit as easily as the costume Charlie is tricked into wearing for a caroling party. Fans of holiday movies, rom-coms, and "All I Want for Christmas Is You" will enjoy My New Crush Gave to Me. From the holiday sweater cover to the multitude of eggnoggy details, the tone of the book is fun--with a tinge of melancholy at the possibility that everyone else's Christmas is better than yours. While some readers may find Charlie rigid and selfish, she is a unique character who grows to realize that not everything can be measured and categorized. Supported by a memorable cast of characters, Petroff s festive story will have readers baking gingerbread cookies and bunuelos at any time of year.--Amy Cummins.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Cummins, Amy. "Petroff, Shani. My New Crush Gave to Me." Voice of Youth Advocates, Aug. 2017, p. 63. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A502000811/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=1c69d6c8. Accessed 15 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A502000811
Romeo and What's Her Name
Maggie Reagan
Booklist. 113.9-10 (Jan. 1, 2017): p85.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Full Text:
Romeo and What's Her Name. By Shani Petroff. Feb. 2017. 224p. Feiwel and Friends/Swoon Reads, paper, $9.99 (9781250111142). Gr. 7-10.
It's not just because of Wes Rosenthal that Emily signs up to audition for a scene in her school's annual Shakespeare Fest--she really does need the extra credit in English. So what if Wes, her long-time crush, tries out for a scene from Romeo and Juliet! When Emily is cast as the Juliet understudy, it's a best-case scenario: she can get her extra credit and hang with the boy of her dreams without actually having to perform. But Amanda, the talented-but-nasty diva cast as Juliet, also has her sights on Wes and is doing all she can to get Emily out of the picture. When a last-minute hospital stay puts Amanda out of commission, Emily has to step in. Completely unprepared. Gulp. This has all the hallmarks of a high-school romance: a swoon-worthy male lead, a requisite mean girl, and plenty of backstage dallying and wacky miscommunication. Spunky Emily has great friends beside her, and it's this, even more than her budding romance with Wes, that makes this a worthwhile read. Flirty and fun.--Maggie Reagan
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Reagan, Maggie. "Romeo and What's Her Name." Booklist, 1 Jan. 2017, p. 85. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A479078106/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=0a9ec577. Accessed 15 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A479078106
PETROFF, Shani. Airports, Exes, and Other Things I'm Over
Selene Athas
School Library Journal. 64.4 (Apr. 2018): p137+.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
PETROFF, Shani. Airports, Exes, and Other Things I'm Over. 224p. Feiwel & Friends/Swoon Reads. May 2018. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781250130501.
Gr 8 Up--High school senior Sari Silver has it all: a great boyfriend named Zev, best friend Trina, and plans to go to college to pursue her dream of becoming a famous singer/ songwriter. But when she arrives at a party and finds Zev kissing his ex-girlfriend, her world flips upside-down. Sari keeps her plans of spending spring break at her grandmother's retirement community in Florida (which was more of a plan to spend time with Zev). While there, she meets Fitz, a college student visiting his grandfather, and she briefly considers a fling with this gorgeous guy she dubs "Captain America," who happens to be very different from Zev. When Sari gets a call to play a gig at her favorite club, Meta, her need to get back home to New York becomes more urgent. Unfortunately, these plans get derailed by a treacherous thunderstorm. Sari's travel woes were inspired by the author's own experience getting stranded at the airport. The protagonist ends up stuck with Zev and Fitz during her journey, and struggles with the decision to forgive Zev. This love story is a well-written, breezy read with a happy conclusion and a diverse cast of characters. Fans of Petroff's other titles should enjoy this one as well, as there are some commonalities among these standalone romances. VERDICT Give to fans of contemporary teen romance. A solid purchase for collections where teens devour quick reads.--Selene Athas, Glenelg Country School, Ellicott City, MD
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Athas, Selene. "PETROFF, Shani. Airports, Exes, and Other Things I'm Over." School Library Journal, Apr. 2018, p. 137+. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A533409106/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=f7f3ed0f. Accessed 15 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A533409106
Petroff, Shani. My New Crush Gave to Me
Amy Caldera
School Library Journal. 63.10 (Oct. 2017): p112.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
PETROFF, Shani. My New Crush Gave to Me. 224p. Feiwel & Friends/Swoon Reads. Oct. 2017. pap. $10.99. ISBN 9781250130327.
Gr 8 Up--Charlotte Donovan, aka Charlie, knows what she wants for Christmas, and his name is Teo Ortiz. Teo is a star athlete and a member of the National Honor Society; he gets invited to every party and contributes to tire school newspaper, of which Charlie just happens to be coeditor. He is exactly the kind of guy Charlie is looking for--but he barely knows she exists. Her plan is to rig the paper's Secret Santa exchange and win his heart with five perfect gifts. Problem is, she doesn't really know much about Teo, so she depends on the help of J.D., Teo's cousin. Charlie thinks that J.D. is the most annoying person on the planet because he is the exact opposite of her. But he knows what Teo wants, so she's stuck with him. This is a predictable, fluffy YA romantic comedy. Teens will be able to guess outcome of the plot within the first 10 pages. The characters are poorly developed and their dialogue is repetitive. VERDICT Not recommended.--Amy Caldera, Dripping Springs Middle School, TX
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Caldera, Amy. "Petroff, Shani. My New Crush Gave to Me." School Library Journal, Oct. 2017, p. 112. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A507950835/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=351050e4. Accessed 15 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A507950835
Petroff, Shani. Romeo and What's Her Name
Tabitha Nordby
School Library Journal. 62.12 (Dec. 2016): p114+.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
PETROFF, Shani. Romeo and What's Her Name. 224p. ebook available. Feiwel & Friends/ Swoon Reads. Feb. 2017. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9781250111142.
Gr 7-10-Emily has been pining for Wes Rosenthal for as long as she can remember. Finally, her moment arrives when she discovers that Wes has broken up with his longtime girlfriend, Leora. As Emily strategizes about how to get Wes to notice her, Amanda, the most popular girl in school and Emily's nemesis, breaks up with her boyfriend to pursue Wes, too. On top of that, Emily has been cast as Amanda's understudy in their high school's newest Shakespeare production, and Wes is the lead. Now both girls are vying for his attention, and neither is willing to give up. As Emily struggles to learn Shakespearean lines, run errands for the ever-demanding Amanda, and find ways to capture Wes's attention, she begins to wonder if any of her efforts will pay off. Then circumstances land her a role in the most romantic scene from Romeo and Juliet, playing opposite her crush. Will this be the way to win Wes's heart? Petroffs latest offering, published by Macmillan's crowdsourced imprint, will delight romance lovers with its fast pace and humorous tone. VERDICT This sweet, lighthearted look at high school romantic foibles will be of particular interest to fans of books by Ann Brashares and Jennifer Echoh.--Tabitha Nordby, Red River College, Manitoba
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Nordby, Tabitha. "Petroff, Shani. Romeo and What's Her Name." School Library Journal, Dec. 2016, p. 114+. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A472370662/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=0fdbcf4f. Accessed 15 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A472370662
Petroff, Shani & Darci Manley. Ash: A Destined Novel
Amanda C. Buschmann
School Library Journal. 61.5 (May 2015): p122.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
PETROFF, Shani & Darci Manley. Ash: A Destined Novel. 352p. (Destined), ebook available. Polis. 2015. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781940610320.
Gr 8 Up--After the Event, in which seven billion people died, the survivors created a system to ensure nothing like that would happen again. People are placed into what is essentially a caste or "ring" system, starting with the highest, most powerful Purples through the rainbow to the lowly Ashes. As people are born, specialists extract their destinies, down to the day and time--and to maintain order, all must fulfill their destiny. Dax is a rarity, a Blank--one whose destiny could not be extracted, the lowliest of the low. Madden is an elite Purple, being groomed to take over a position on the ruling board. After Dax's brothers commit the ultimate sacrifice in the name of breaking free from pre-determined destinies, Dax and Madden are thrown together in a plot of intrigue, secrecy, and danger. While many elements of the plot are left unexplained--for instance, how exactly does a specialist extract a destiny from a baby?--the action is never sparse in this science fiction series opener. VERDICT For those who enjoy stories about rebelling against "the system," such as Suzanne Collins's "The Hunger Games" (Scholastic) and Veronica Roth's "Divergent" (HarperCollins), the "Destined" series is bound to entertain and enthrall.--Amanda C. Buschmann, Atascocita Middle School, Humble, TX
Buschmann, Amanda C.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Buschmann, Amanda C. "Petroff, Shani & Darci Manley. Ash: A Destined Novel." School Library Journal, May 2015, p. 122. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A413169566/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=5fe90610. Accessed 15 Apr. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A413169566
Review: Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over
Dec
11
Title: Airports, Exes, and Other Things I’m Over
Author: Shani Petroff
Date of Publication: May 15th, 2018
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Goodreads Summary:
A bad storm, two canceled flights, stuck in an airport with a hot stranger and the guy who broke her heart… what could go wrong?
After Sari caught her boyfriend Zev cheating on her, their romantic Florida vacation was ruined. She can’t get back to NYC soon enough. Unfortunately, mother nature may have different plans. A huge storm is brewing in the Northeast, and flights all over the country are getting canceled—including Sari’s. She winds up stuck at the airport for hours. With Zev!
When another stranded passenger (a hot NYU guy) suggests a connecting flight to Boston, Sari jumps at the chance. But when her mom freaks out about her traveling alone, she has no choice—she has to include Zev, and somehow survive being trapped with the guy who broke her heart!
My Review:
So, far this is my third book by Shani Petroff. And she is quickly becoming one of my favorite YA contemporary authors. She knows how to write the perfect humor mixed with a great story.
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Photo Credit
What I loved best about this book was the setting! I love stories and movies involving airports. Sari has an upcoming trip all planned out, and her boyfriend Zev is going to be there with her. What happens before they are supposed to leave? She catches another girl’s lips planted on Zev’s.
My favorite character was hands down Zev, he was sweet and cute and thoughtful! I wish he would have shook Sari’s shoulders really hard! Sari, Sari, Sari… I love saying her name because it’s such an awesome name, but I wanted to smack some sense into her. What I liked best about her, though, was she felt like a real teen in that situation—and teens tend to overreact and do things without thinking! I know I did!
I had fun with this book, and even after I finished the last page, I kept thinking about the story. It just gave me all sorts of feels, and I was with Sari every step of the way. I can’t wait to see what Petroff has next!
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When’s the last time you were at the airport?
Review: Romeo & What’s Her Name by Shani Petroff
posted in Contemporary, Review, Young Adult by Ashia
garden
ROMEO AND WHAT’S HER NAME is unexpectedly funny and sweet contemporary young adult romance.
Emily Stein is crushing on Wes Rosenthal, and what better way to be close to him than to be the understudy of Juliet to his Romeo? However, she didn’t think she’d have the chance to actually play Juliet, plus she was kept busy by Amanda–who was playing Juliet–doing errands, and so she didn’t have a chance to really learn her lines. On the fateful day, Amanda wasn’t able to go on stage, so guess who had to take her place?
What ensued was a hilarious comedy of errors. Comedy is very subjective, and while some authors had been able to draw a laugh or two from me, I surprised myself by my reaction to the Romeo & Juliet balcony scene as played by Wes and Emily. I snorted, I laughed out loud, I couldn’t stop laughing! If I had been reading in public, people surely would’ve been looking askance at me and wondering if I was crazy. But this scene didn’t just drop out of the blue. It was consistent with the character’s personality, which made it all the more enjoyable to read because I could totally envision this scene happening.
Love Em’s BFFs, Katie and Jill. They were awesome, making me wish I have such friends, too! Their full-out support of Em–totally priceless.
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
I just had a minor quibble about Wes, something he said toward the end, about his declaration that all along, it’s been her. I thought it wasn’t that believable. I’d have liked it better if he hadn’t said it. That would’ve been more realistic, in light of the fact that he had other girlfriends, or that he’s really passive here. Or, maybe if we’d seen some things from his point of view, heard his thoughts, such a declaration would’ve been more believable.
*** END OF SPOILER ALERT ***
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Rating:5 stars
Get it now from Amazon
Summary:
Understudies never get to perform…which is why being Juliet’s understudy in the school’s yearly Shakespeare production is the perfect role for Emily. She can earn some much-needed extra credit while pursuing her main goal of spending time with Wes, aka Romeo, aka the hottest, nicest guy in school (in her completely unbiased opinion). And she meant to learn her lines, really, it’s just:
a) Shakespeare is HARD,
b) Amanda (the “real” Juliet) makes her run errands instead of lines, and
c) there’s no point, since Amanda would never miss her chance to be the star of the show.
Then Amanda ends up in the hospital and Emily, as the (completely unprepared!) understudy, has to star in the most famous scene from Romeo and Juliet opposite the guy of her dreams. Oops?
Book Review: My New Crush Gave to Me by Shani Petroff
My New Crush Gave to Me by Shani Petroff
My New Crush Gave to Me by Shani Petroff
My New Crush Gave to Me
by Shani Petroff
Goodreads | Amazon | Audible
Series: no
Published: October 31st 2017
Rating: Meh but Christmassy
Times read: 1
Recommended by:
My New Crush Gave to Me is the story of seventeen-year-old Charlie Donovan, a go-getter of the highest order. The biggest party of the year is coming up, and she needs a date pronto. But of course, she cannot just take any old guy. She must have the perfect guy. Who doesn't really care that she is alive... Cue farcical Christmas themed plot having to do with biggest Secret Santas and the new crushes annoying cousin. Surely the perfect gift will make him love her.
I found Charlie's controlling and obsessive nature unbearable. I should have related to it. I am a teacher, and like almost all teachers I am a control freak. Alas, I could not. It just felt as if her rigidity was more about controlling others rather than maintaining the order of all the minutia in her life as a coping mechanism.
I love that her best friend is Jewish and that her love interest is Latinx, but I do wish that the diversity felt more than skin deep. His name could change to Smith, and no one would notice. And Her friend Morgan: I'm not asking for her to jump around yelling, "Look at me I am Jewish!" or that everything about her has to lead back to her Jewishness, but I do demand that she be more than a bland character. Morgan seems to be in the book as a yesman and for Charlie to have the ultimate teen couple to look up to and envy. Come on; you can do better.
“Okay. Hey, J.D., peppermint extract?” Teo called out to him before turning his attention back to me. “You have to try it. With or without alcohol, it makes eggnog like Christmas in a cup.” I already thought of it as a Christmas milkshake. This made it sound even better.”
I like that the title makes sense because one of the major plot points of the story involves Secret Santas. In fact, the most significant theme of the book revolves around love revealing itself when someone knows what to get the other as a gift. That and certain people *cough Charlie *cough
All that being said there is a whole lot of cuteness in this book. It is Christmas activity packed from the first page until the las and I loved that about it. It reminds me of that scene in Elf, "I planned out our whole day: First, we'll make snow angels for two hours, and then we'll go ice skating, and then we'll eat a whole roll of Toll-House cookie dough as fast as we can, and then to finish, we'll snuggle." I think that My New Crush Gave to Me is what would happen if you turned that plan into a YA novel. Peppermint extract in hot chocolate, tree decorating, cooking baking, and every other Christmasy thing that you could think of. I am here for it.
I have asked this question before, but since I called it again, I have to ask. Was this book REALLY predictable or have I just read so many books that I notice even the smallest of clues? In this case? Pretty sure it was the book's predictability and not me. Maybe I am being too hard on this book. I mean it is a cute and fluffy Christmas themed teen romance. Should I expect it to be more than that? I guess I will just have to bask in its Christmassyness and ignore the actual plot and characters.
From Goodreads:
Charlotte Charlie Donovan knows exactly what she wants for Christmas: Teo Ortiz. He s the school s star athlete, in the National Honor Society, invited to every party, contributes to the school paper (where Charlie is co-editor), and is about to be featured as One to Watch in a teen magazine basically, he's exactly the type of guy Charlie s meant to be with. The only problem he barely knows she exists.
But Charlie is determined to be Teo's date to the Christmas ball. And she has a plan: To rig the paper s Secret Santa so that she can win his heart with five perfect gifts. But to do that she needs help. Enter J.D. Ortiz Teo s cousin, and possibly the most annoying person on the planet. He s easy going, laid back, unorganized, spontaneous, and makes a joke out of everything the exact opposite of Charlie (and Teo). But he s willing to provide insight into what Teo wants, so she s stuck with him.
Yet, the more time Charlie spends with J.D., the more she starts to wonder: Does she really know what, or rather who, she wants for Christmas?
Ash
Shani Petroff and Darci Manley. Polis (PGW, dist.), $18.95 (368p) ISBN 978-1-940610-32-0
MORE BY AND ABOUT THIS AUTHOR
In a future world where people's lives are dictated by the destinies projected for them at birth, Madden Sumner is at the top: a member of the Purple ring and slated to become one of the ruling Minister of the Seven. Dax Harris is at the bottom, one of the Ash ring and a "Blank,” with no recorded destiny. Events conspire to bring these two heroines into conflict with the system that keeps their society running: Dax's brother is executed for failing to achieve his destiny, while Madden seeks long-hidden information about the past. Soon, these rivals-turned-allies join the renegade Revenants, an organization dedicated to opposing the destiny system. Petroff (the Bedeviled series) and first-time author Manley offer an entertaining story, but the dystopian elements are overfamiliar, and the system governing this society feels arbitrary, especially once it's revealed how easy it is to thwart destiny. First in a planned series, the novel alternates between Dax and Madden's perspectives; however, the voices blend together, making it hard to differentiate between them. A dystopian tale that doesn't find its own identity. Ages 13–up. (Mar.)
DETAILS
Reviewed on: 03/02/2015
Release date: 03/01/2015
REVIEW: My New Crush Gave to Me by Shani Petroff
Nov
30
My New Crush Gave to Me Book Cover Title: My New Crush Gave to Me
Author: Shani Petroff
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Macmillian / Swoon Reads
Release Date: October 31, 2017
Format: E-ARC
Pages: 224
Source: NetGalley
Reading Challenges: 12 Books of Christmas
Date Read: August 25 - 27, 2017
Charlotte Charlie Donovan knows exactly what she wants for Christmas: Teo Ortiz. He s the school s star athlete, in the National Honor Society, invited to every party, contributes to the school paper (where Charlie is co-editor), and is about to be featured as One to Watch in a teen magazine basically, he's exactly the type of guy Charlie s meant to be with. The only problem he barely knows she exists.
But Charlie is determined to be Teo's date to the Christmas ball. And she has a plan: To rig the paper s Secret Santa so that she can win his heart with five perfect gifts. But to do that she needs help. Enter J.D. Ortiz Teo s cousin, and possibly the most annoying person on the planet. He s easy going, laid back, unorganized, spontaneous, and makes a joke out of everything the exact opposite of Charlie (and Teo). But he s willing to provide insight into what Teo wants, so she s stuck with him.
Yet, the more time Charlie spends with J.D., the more she starts to wonder: Does she really know what, or rather who, she wants for Christmas?
Goodreads Barnes & Noble AmazoniBooks
The 12 Books of Christmas Reading Challenge
Welcome to the 12 Books of Christmas! This is my first contribution and I’m excited to share reviews for twelve holiday books over the next coming weeks.
For more information about this reading challenge and to join go here: The 12 Books of Christmas Challenge
My Review
I was in the mood for a light and fluffy YA romance and this one from NetGalley really did the trick. It was a quick, fun, and sweet read. To top it off, it’s the end of August and I’m suddenly ready to set up my tree and string garlands and lights around my house!
The characters were all unique and fun to get to know. Charlie is a very type-A girl, she likes lists and keeping to a schedule. She’s very orderly and a little uptight. JD is pretty much her opposite, he’s more of the “creative type” and really wants Charlie to just chill a little. When she bribes him to help her win over his cousin via a rigged Secret Santa gift exchange, Charlie ends up learning a little about herself. And realizing that maybe she was judging JD too harshly.
The romance in this story very much had a Pride & Prejudice feel to it. With a little bit of Cyrano. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a retelling, but it certainly had a bit of those elements at least as far as Charlie goes (P&P) and JD (Cyrano).
The first half of the book I liked it, but I really wasn’t smitten. Something was just falling flat for me. But the more JD and Charlie interacted, the more I fell in love with the story and their chemistry. JD was the perfect yin to Charlie’s yang. There was a point when I thought they wouldn’t end up together and I was angry and crushed! That was the moment when I realized this 3 star book had hit 4 star status for me.
So, should you read it? If you’re in the mood for something light, sweet, and festive, I don’t think My True Love Gave To Me will disappoint!
Quotes
* All quotes taken from an advanced digital galley and subject to change prior to release.
I had my whole day planned out on my phone, which I synced to the calendar on my iPad and computer and then printed out as a hard copy every day. I even allocated time for “unplanned holdups.” It may have been a smidge obsessive, but it kept me focused and made me much more productive.
“You don’t get to choose your Secret Santa,” Ira reminded me. That’s what he thought. I was already formulating a plan.
“So,” J.D. said, with one eyebrow raised, “did you just come to spin around at my doorway or did you want something?”
Well, if Morgan had stellar parking karma, J.D. had the opposite.
The idea of kissing J.D. Ortiz was about as appealing as taking a nap on the bathroom floor.
I watched as she and Ira walked ahead, arm in arm, talking and laughing. I wanted a guy like that, one who was there for me, who made me laugh until it hurt, who came out to dinner even though he’d already eaten just so he could spend time with me, who ordered onion rings just because I liked them, who bought a cupcake he didn’t need because I made it.
“We’re glad you could come. J.D. has told us a lot about you.”
His cheeks turned a light shade of pink.
“All bad, I assure you,” he said.
“I was just giving you a hard time. It’s kind of fun pushing your buttons.”
“Getting a gift like this— does it mean you’ve been naughty or nice?”
“It’s marshmallows, not coal,” J.D. answered for me, despite my glare in his direction, “so I’d say nice.”
“Well, it’s always the nice ones you have to watch out for, don’t you?” Teo said, while J.D. groaned.
“Is it maybe . . .” He lifted the present above my head. “Mistletoe?” It wasn’t, but now I kind of wished it was.
And sometimes it’s the smaller, not as in the center of it all, less obvious choice that’s the better one. The one that will surprise you.
My (Writing) Life
My writing life has been…. interesting lately. I started strong with NaNo, but missed a few days and basically quit tracking. Even with “failing” NaNoWriMo this year, I still wrote over 30k, which is pretty awesome for me. I also explored some little side projects that were very new to me and expanded my horizons a bit.
Christmas is drawing near, hence this 12 Books of Christmas post today. This challenge, which I came up with, and Katie over at Just Another Girl and Her Books actual set up, is going to force me to post a pile of my reviews! I’ve got 10 of my Christmas books already read, most of the reviews written as well. I’m a little side tracked right now reading another book for a blog hop and re-reading Twilight just for the hell of it.
So yeah, that’s what’s going on. I meant to post this first review on Black Friday, but…. shopping happened. Then my sister informed me that her kids probably gave us lice. So then lice eradication happened. And is still happening. I’m almost done Christmas shopping and aside from wrapping, I think things are calming down.