Review: That Boy
That Boy by Jillian Dodd
In writing 'That Boy', Jillian Dodd wrote one of the most unique books I've ever read. It reads sort of like a diary, later a journal, and then a book. The book is told from JJ's point of view, and starts off at very young age. She's got the best friend a girl could ever ask for, who happens to be a boy and he's the only example she's ever known of what a best friend is supposed to be like. Of course, she later meets girls and is friends with them as well, but Phillip is her rock. Always. Everything's great. She has everything a girl could ever want!
Enter Danny. Bull headed, adorable, totally irresistible. He's the star quarterback later, in high school and every girl's dream come true. He's light and funny and full of adventure. You're thinking "so they hook up right?" well yeah.. but no. Danny is a friend. Just like Phillip and for years JJ acknowledges zero feelings towards either one of them past friendship. (Even though she totally should.)
They go to college together (Danny getting there a year earlier than them). They party together. They go on dates together. They LIVE together. Still, nothing out of the ordinary really happens. I mean, there's drunken hookups and post game hook ups but nothing serious. Until one day that JJ realizes one of them isn't just that boy next door. He's not just that boy who's always been around. He's not that boy she grew up with. He's so, so much more. I was so conflicted up until the very last page about who I thought it should be. I have a feeling you will be too.
Read the book to find out who it is! You'll love the journey. It's hilarious and so fun! I felt like I was there for all of the events she writes about and a little like I was just reading my journal entries about it. Jillian has a way with writing her characters so that they get under your skin and stay there (in a totally good way)
Book Synopsis:
That Boy is a contemporary romance about falling in love with the boys next door.You know, being friends with two cute boys does have its benefits.
There's Danny. Danny is a golden boy in every way. He has dreamy blue eyes and blonde hair that always looks perfect, even when it’s windblown or been stuck under a football helmet. He’s the boy every girl crushes on. The boy I get into trouble with, the boy I fight with, the hot quarterback no girl can resist, not even me. Being with Danny is like being on an adventure. He has a bright, contagious smile and abs to die for. He’s pretty much irresistible.
Equally crush worthy is Phillip. Adorable, sweet Phillip, who I have known since birth. Phillip has dark hair, a perfect smile, brown eyes, and the sexiest voice I have ever heard. He’s the boy I talk to every night before I go to sleep. The boy who rescues me, the boy who can read my mind, the boy who is always there for me, the boy who tries to keep me out of trouble, the boy who irritatingly keeps getting hotter, and whose strong arms always seem to find their way around me. And when he gives me that grin, I can never say no.
One boy will give me my very first kiss.
One boy will teach me to make out.
One boy will take me to prom.
And finally, one boy will ask me to marry him.
They will both be my best friends.
But only one of them will be the boy I fall in love with.
Only one of them is That Boy.
Don't forget! You can come meet 3/4 of the grownupfangirl/ohthebookfeels staff plus (and let's be honest, this is the part that matters) ALL of these amazing authors, including Jillian Dodd, herself in Nashville on June 7!
You can also check out THIS POST for even more fanfare about this Nashville event!
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