The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller

e-ARC, 201 pages
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Published by: Entangled Teen
Stand alone
Source: NetGalley (This galley was given to me in exchange for a just and honest review.)
For fans of: Contemporary, Humor, Hot Literary Guys,Romance, Summer Love, YA

     On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader—perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she’s a nerd hiding in a popular girl’s body isn’t just unknown, it’s anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way.
     Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever.


*MY THOUGHTS*
     I honestly had a lot of mixed emotions with this book. In some ways I loved it, but in other ways I didn’t. In some ways I could absolutely connect with the main character while in other ways I wanted to shake her a couple of times. 
     To me, the best thing about the story was Logan. I LOVED him. He brought out (in my opinion) Maddie’s best side. He was always himself and taught Maddie to be ok and comfortable in her own skin. Anyone that can bring out the best in someone is always worth it. 
     I liked Maddie because she was in some ways like me. When I first started blogging, I was embarrassed for anyone to know that not only was I blogging about books, I was blogging about YA books. I even kept it from my boyfriend, so I know all about the hiding from people you love. But just like Maddie I learned that not everyone will always accept you, you have to do what makes you happy. I can also relate to all her fandoms, love of reading, and the smelling of fresh book pages. This part was portrayed almost perfectly. 
     Which bring me to my next point. This was a very quick read, but I fear that it was too quick for me. I admit I don’t like a lot of fluff (too many details) when I read, but not having enough is a problem for me too. I found myself flying through the book, but not really having an emotional connect to it. But I did like it enough to finish the story. 
    This was a great coming of age novel. Maddie learns not only who she is, but who her friends, family, and new boyfriend are as well.