Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Review: Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

October 11, 2011
HarperTeen

Synopsis:
First I find out that my boyfriend is cheating on me. Then he’s pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And now he’s depending on me to clear his name. Seriously?
As much as I wouldn’t mind watching him squirm, I know that he’s innocent. So I’m brushing off my previously untapped detective skills and getting down to business. But I keep tripping over dead bodies and I’m still no closer to figuring out who did it. And what’s worse: all signs seem to point to me as the killer’s next victim.
I really need to pick a better boyfriend next time.


My Review:
DEADLY COOL is a hilarious contemporary debut that I consumed within hours of opening to the first page. Halliday knows how to craft a story that is light, funny, and so charming that you can't help but enjoy yourself. This is definitely one of those novels that you should read if you want a break from the heavy and emotional YAs. While not the most well-written novel with a few overused phrases here and there, I still enjoyed myself.

Hartley is a sympathetic and comical protagonist that will have readers cheering for her. She gets herself into the most ridiculous situations, but I came to anticipate them because it brought out the best (and most hilarious) in her! I loved her can-do attitude and her determination to clear her boyfriend Josh's name, even though he was a lying and cheating jerk. She obviously must have a heart of gold to do that for her scum of a boyfriend.

The side cast of characters have their own appeal as well. Sam is Hartley's best friend who participates in her Nancy Drew Sleuthing. Sam and Hartley are great together. Their antics together make for one heck of a story and they became one of my favorite pair of best friends. Josh is such a tool but even he had his moments. I hate him for the fact that he cheated on a girl as wonderful as Hartley, but I felt sorry for the guy. And then there is Chase, who is a "bad boy" in the words of Hartley and somehow gets sucked into the murder investigation. Let me tell you, he is one yummy piece of man!

One thing that I really admire DEADLY COOL for is that it was so hard for me to guess who the murderer was. I am usually pretty good at guessing in the beginning, but it took awhile for me to catch on to this one. Maybe it was more obvious to some others, but I had a fun time solving the case right alongside Hartley.

DEADLY COOL is a cute and light-hearted read that will have you giggling the whole way through. The situations are just ridiculous, but I absolutely loved the quirkiness of the whole story. Check this one when it releases!!

My Rating:

12 comments:

  1. Excited to read this one! I love a book that can make me laugh! Thanks for the review!

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  2. I am really curious about this book! It sounds really good. I love a book that makes me laugh, and that will also keep me guessing. :) I can't wait to check this out! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the book!

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  3. Who couldn't use more comical protagonist? I'll admit. I wasn't really interested in this one, but you've completely changed my mind! I never even bothered to read the synopsis before your review. I took on look at the cover and thought ghost story, not for me. Had no idea it was a contemp.

    Thanks for setting me straight once again, B. :)

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  4. Ooh, I love being unable to guess whodunnit! Deadly Cool sounds like so much fun, and I definitely can't resist yummy men, so I'm going to have to grab myself a copy! Great review, Bailey! :)

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  5. Yay! I absolutely adored this one Bailey, Hartley was cracking me up and I just loved Chase. I'm not sure I would have been as willing to help Josh as she was (bastard), she's clearly a better person than me. I can't wait for the next book!

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  6. Sounds like such fun! I love good doses of humor!

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  7. Light hearted and funny is good! I've been craving those books lately. I wouldn't have figured this one to be like that by the cover, so I'm glad I read your review!

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  8. I'm surprised that you say this one was funny. I wasn't expecting that! GOod to hear that the mystery was hard to guess!

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  9. I do love a good book that'll crack me up -- and the heroine sounds AWESOME! I love the ones who get into impossible situations and make me laugh. Definitely going to have to get my hands on this one!

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  10. I thought this was a sci-fi/dystopian when I first saw the cover. Heh, it's a contemp? Very cool. And I have a soft sport for murder mystery-type stories.

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  11. Do I want a light and hilarious contemp? Uh, yes please! This one sounds perfect for exam time and I like that you couldn't guess the murderer right away. Thanks, Bailey!

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  12. Oh, I like that you can't guess the final outcome right from the start! And although I'll definitely hate Josh for cheating on her, but seems like Chase will make it up for it... :)
    Thanks for reviewing it!

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