Cat Johnson Braves Doll Lil’s Word Association Challenge!

Author: Tellulah Darling
Title: Sam Cruz’s Infallible Guide to Getting Girls
Release: October 17, 2012
Reviewer: Mona Leigh
Source: Publisher/Netgalley
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Why the hell can’t chicks be more like guys?

That question plagues high school senior Sam Cruz. Sam is perfectly happy being a player. He just wishes girls wouldn’t change the game from sex to relationships. It makes him look like an asshole. But when Sam’s best friend, Ally Klinger, gets dumped, she begs him to transform her into someone who can screw around then screw off. No risk of heartbreak that way. It’s Sam’s chance to create the perfect female AND cheer up his best friend. Armed with Sam’s Three Step Guide to Backseat Success, Ally gets the game better than Sam thought she would and before long, Sam has his wish: the female version of himself. Too bad it’s driving him nuts. Told from Sam’s and Ally’s alternating POVs, Sam Cruz’s Infallible Guide to Getting Girls is a fast-paced romantic comedy that follows these teens as they navigate the minefield of sex, love, and friendship.

This book contains strong language, drinking, euphemisms, and lots of “bow chicka wow wow.”

I’m going to preface my comments by saying: I laughed my ass off while reading this. That being said, how many times have you heard guys complain about girls getting too serious? Most of us have heard that comment from brothers, cousins, and friends, but have any of us actually taken it to heart? In Tellulah Darling’s story, she gives us an opportunity to observe what might possibly happen if we did.

Sam Cruz is a ladies’ man. He prefers older women – college age – rather than the girls from his high school. He also avoids relationships at all costs. His best friend is nerdy Ally Klinger, who does her part to save the world by wearing hemp clothes, looking like a hippie throwback.

When Ally’s boyfriend of two years dumps her for someone less frumpy, she vows never to let her heart be broken again. In order to make good on that promise, she persuades Sam to teach her how to be more like him – love ‘em and leave ‘em. At first, he fights it, but gives in when he realizes she’s determined to learn the ropes with or without him.

Sam transforms Ally from a fashion disaster into a sleek, sexy bombshell, exposes her to different social situations, and coaches her on the rules of one night stands. Ally’s a quick study and before Sam realizes it, she’s well on her way to breaking hearts and walking away. He should be proud of his handiwork, but for some reason, it just doesn’t sit well. It’s eating him up to see his best friend becoming just like him. It also bugs him that he wants her all to himself. Screw the ‘no relationship’ stuff.

Told from both perspectives, we watch as Ally blossoms and Sam matures in ways neither thought possible. I laughed out loud as Sam got a good dose of his own medicine when Ally discovered her sexuality. It’s a bitter pill for him to swallow as he realizes what a jerk he’s been, but it’s even worse to admit he really cares about her … and not as a best friend.

This is a wonderfully funny book filled with crazy relationships, awkward situations, and hilarious dialogue. If you have fond memories of your teen years, this should definitely be on your TBR list.

Mona's first grade teacher, Mrs. Stanford, gifted her with the love of reading. For that, she'll always live in her heart. But reading took over Mona's life, eclipsing everything but playing sports, and has continued to be a huge part of her life. Although she has always written poetry and stories for her self, last year she decided to try her hand at writing fiction. She is currently editing her first urban fantasy and hopes to have it ready for the agent by summer's end. Besides reading, Mona loves speed in the form of fast cars. The faster, the better! In her next life, she plans to drive race cars (or whatever happens to be their replacement in the future) all while reading and writing. She has also taken up rune reading, and find it to be disturbingly accurate and exciting.

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