I feel so lucky to have found this book. I first tried out the audio, and completely fell in love with that. I wasn’t even supposed to read the book, but I saw <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/459769773?book_show_action=false&page=1">a short Goodreads review by Kelly @ The Diva Booknerd</a>, where she talks about the little diary doodles in the book. So of course I had to see it. I’m so glad I did because they add a little charm to the book, and it sort of gives you this feeling that you’re reading JJ’s diary. And I certainly loved reading it. Though I must admit that it was easier to spot the flaws in Jillian Dodd’s writing when you’re reading it rather than listening to it. But I didn’t really mind them because I loved this book so much.
ADORABLE. I think that would be the best word to use to describe this book. From the doodles to the characters and to the situations they found themselves in, it was just all so cute. Well, mostly anyway. There are some scenes that left me tearing up. But there was also a positive note to them that lightened up the mood. This is a kind of book that touched my heart with joy, sadness, hope, and love.
I’m not anything like JJ, but I was able to easily connect with her. I think it’s because she tells you her whole story from such a young age until her adolescence, and she was definitely a great narrator. It feels like actually knowing someone so well, and liking her for being herself. That Boy is basically JJ’s story from the moment she met her best friends until the moment that she admits that she has fallen in love with one of them. It was certainly a bumpy ride with a lot of distractions along the way. But through it all, I could see how JJ was right for the one she chose, especially after seeing everything the second time around.
JJ (Jadyn James) is quite the unconventional female protagonist. She plays football with her two best friends, Danny and Phillip, and she plays rough. She’s not afraid to break some bones or get cuts and bruises. She’s very competitive and she doesn’t like losing. I particularly like how JJ earned Danny’s respect after he told her that she couldn’t play with them because she was a girl. I guess she was a little like a tomboy growing up. But she did catch up with her female peers along the way – being a little fashionable and gushing about boys.
<blockquote>“Maybe I’ll just give up on boys. Okay, maybe not. They’re just so cute!”</blockquote>
I like how she has hard and soft sides. She’s smart and strong. But she can also be quite stubborn and always wants to be right. She’s a free spirit. She has all these different layers to her personality that I enjoyed seeing. And she just makes me laugh so much.
There was a little love triangle here, but I didn’t really mind. I loved both Danny and Phillip. Though I’m not sure whether I’d want them more as a best friend or as a boyfriend. Both could probably work. Danny is a lot like JJ. They have so much in common, and they love scheming together which usually gets them into trouble. However, they both butt heads a lot because neither of them likes backing down. And Phillip would have to play peacemaker. He’s the responsible one among the three that keeps the other two grounded. And he’s really sweet and loyal too. Their friendship was so solid that I wish I could have been one of them.
Apart from the romance, I was so delighted to see the beautiful family and friend relationship that they had. JJ, Danny, and Phillip were all best friends and really close, but it was also great to see that their parents were as close as well. And all three families surely looked out for each other. I particularly love JJ’s parents who taught her and me that we should celebrate life every day. Also, they all had such cool parents that I wish I had or I wish to be. They’re open, caring, light-hearted, and funny.
<blockquote>“Sadly, my parents’ social life far surpasses mine. That thought is very pathetic and totally tragic.” – JJ</blockquote>
Overall, That Boy was a perfect fluffy read – HILARIOUS, emotional, romantic, swoon-worthy. I loved getting to know all of the characters, and it isn’t often that I care for all the prominent main and side characters so this one’s special. This book was just so cute. I would recommend this to anyone who loves contemporary romances and to anyone looking for a fun, light read.
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Magically written
So this is the second time reading this book! And will continue until i finish the series! Even knowing what was going to happen, i still got every emotion Jillian wanted you to feel when writing this! It was an emotional Rollercoaster, sad, happy, angry, annoyed, excited... i still felt it all.I absolutely loved that boy the first time through and love it just as much if not more the second time. The characters, emotions, friendships, relationships, just everything was very well out together. Jillian you did a wonderful job at creating something beautiful.I love Jadyn, Danny & Phillip. Their story makes you laugh, then cry, only to laugh again.
