Review: The Boy Recession by Flynn Meaney

The Boy Recession

Author: Flynn Meaney
Pages:247
Publisher: Poppy
Release Date: August 7th 2012
Author Website | Twitter | Facebook
Available for Order: Amazon|Barnes and Noble

Source: Arc from ALA

Where have all the boys gone?

Down-to-earth Kelly is always the friend and never the girlfriend. But as her junior year of high school starts, Kelly is determined to finally reveal her true feelings for her long-time crush and good friend Hunter - that is, until the Boy Recession hits.

Over the past summer, an overwhelming number of male students have left Kelly and Hunter's small high school class. Some were sent to private school and others moved away. Whatever the case, the sudden population shift has left the already small Julius P. Heil High in desperate shape. The football coach is recruiting chess champs for his team, the principal's importing male exchange students to balance out school dances,and Hunter is about to become an unexpected heartthrob.

Content with his role as the guitar-strumming, class-skipping slacker, Hunter is unprepared to be the center of attention. Desperate coaches are recruiting him for sports teams, and the drama teacher casts him in the lead role of the school musical. Even the Spandexers, powerful popular girls in tight pants, are noticing Hunter in a new light - with a little work, he could have potential. He might even be boyfriend material...

In order to stand out from the crowd and win Hunter's heart, Kelly needs a "stimulus package" in the form of cougar lessons from a senior girl who dates hot freshman boys and advice on the male mind from her Cosmo-addicted best friend, Aviva. As if dating wasn't hard enough without a four-to-one ratio!

My Take:

Living in a small town has its advantages, for starters more knowing everyone you come across the downside is when a school so small loses most of the males. So think for a second a whole high school with barely enough boys to go around, let the recession begin. For Kelly its hard to even like a guy and when most leave unexpectedly its tough to even think about dates for home coming or even prom. But with the boy recession, dates are running out and it either pay for an escort or go alone. Since most of school population of guys left at the beginning of school, all the girls seem to look at Hunter in a different light. Not used to the spot light Hunter and his friends try and brace themselves for the attention, celebrity status is just the beginning. Coaches approaching him for tryouts, school lead being pushed in his direction, Hunter seems to need a much needed break if only the girls would give him five minutes.

The moment Kelly hears Hunter perform she can't help but fall for him. It's just one thing in her way the dang recession is pulling Hunter away from her. He maybe their helping her out with teaching kids to play, but when he gets the lead his life changes from being in the back to center stage. Hunter may have his hands full, but even with the work talking to Kelly is a highlight he never takes for granted. With the opening approaching Hunter has but one thing to do, get free from a girl who takes liking someone on another level, and go ask Kelly out for real.

I couldn't help but smile every time Hunter would notice Kelly and vise versa, the two had something that eventually tuned on the same channel. I had to laugh at them getting sick at the same time, and of course thought the link was so strong to get them both sent home. Even though Hunter didn't see himself worthy of the attention, I did like how he came out of his shell and was still able to put a brave face in front of a crowd. I was glad that Kelly was also able to even approach Hunter, because rejection can stink but sometimes timing is important. The Boy Recession will have laughing, and leaving you thinking a recession of boys, who would be the first pick. So ladies and gents watch out you may never know a recession could happen in any city at any time, are you ready.


5/5 stars Charmingly Delicious