Tuesday 24 September 2013

Review ~ That Boy (That Boy 1) by Jillian Dodd

Reviewed by Donna ~ 5 Stars

"In all seriousness, I know there are large, really important issues in the world. World peace, terrorism, nuclear arms and global warming. But honestly, finding the perfect swimsuit has got to be at the very tip top of most women’s lists, regardless of race, political or sexual orientation. So in finding this perfect bikini, I really feel I’ve done my part to help conquer this great world issue."

I LOVED That Boy!! As I always say I life my life vicariously through Jillian Dodd, her books always transport me back to my days at school and whereas I was the nerdy kid that had no friends, I can pretend that I was once a popular girl, lived the life and got the boy at the end. Why did I wait so longggg to read this series?? I keep asking myself that question..I have had them downloaded for ages but got so immersed in Jillian’s other series the Keatyn Chronicles I just forgot. Then on holiday, stuck for something to read and I thought I know, I’ll read these and what I treat I had.

That Boy tells the story of JJ Reynolds (Jadyn), Phillip Mackenzie and Danny Diamond. JJ and Phillip were born around the same time, their parents were best friends and they grew up together, they were best friends, they were soul mates. Their friendship was put to the test early on when a new boy (Danny) moved in and tried to muscle his way in between them. JJ soon put him right that girls could be BFF’s with boys and after Danny got a punch in the mouth from JJ, the formidable trio was born. JJ, Phillip and Danny did everything together, JJ was one of the lads, she preferred sports, was good at it and loved it. The boys treated her as one of them and she truly was a lads girl.

JJ - "I’m gonna show That Boy that anything boys can do, girls can do better."

…JJ - "I want to play football with you guys, okay?"

…Danny – "No way. She’ll just end up getting hurt and go bawling home."..."Girls aren’t tough enough to play football."

I look that devil boy in the eye… I cock my arm back and punch That Boy right in the stomach. Then I move in closer and give him a jab to the face…he falls onto his butt in the grass…the corner of his lip is bleeding a bit…Finally he says "You know what? You just might be tough enough to play football."

I have to say that I think we both learned a lesson today. He learned that all girls aren’t prissy wimps and I learned he just might not be the Devil after all. The THREE of us have been best friends ever since.

The chemistry between all three of them is amazing, you could feel their friendship, you lived their friendship, you actually became their friend. The conversations between JJ and Danny had me in hysterics, these two together are dynamite. I do believe that Jillian made the right choice with who JJ ended up with as the other scenario would have been fireworks and not in a good way.

So, That Boy, what can I say?? I laughed, I loved, I cried and I loved a whole lot more. This book covers JJ’s whole life from the time she was born to when she gets engaged, it explores the trials and tribulations of being a girl at school, learning to kiss, dating, friendships, soul mates, love, eureka moments and most of all That Boy! And boy is That Boy good!!

Having two boys as best friends does have its plus side, JJ was well protected, she was the envy of most of the school but most of all they grounded her. She could share her wild and wacky side with Danny but Phillip was always there to reign her in when things went a bit OTT. Whenever she was sad or mad, one or both would be there, whenever she was in trouble invariably Phillip would always be there. All three of them were as tight as they came and there was nothing coming between them, especially no girls or boys for that matter!! If a boyfriend or girlfriend had a problem with their friendship they were history, it really was bro’s before hoes!

The blurb, sums this book up beautifully:-

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.

As always Jillian’s writing style is extremely fun, it is witty, a little bit quirky, but it is infectious, you will get drawn into That Boy’s little bubble and you won’t want it to finish, thank god I had the next book in the series lined up ready to read.

A few quick notes on the characters:_

JJ aka Princess aka Jadyn – she is funny, she is protective of her boys, she is headstrong, she knows what she wants and she gets it, she has the boys wrapped round her little finger and knows it and her sense of humour is off the charts!

Danny Diamond – smoking hot, loveable rogue, he was soooo not the devil, or maybe just the devil in disguise? But seriously, he is adorable, he is charming, he is romantic and he is a football player and a really good one to boot, what is there not to like!! Candle lighting ceremony (sigh!!)

Phillip Mackenzie – Awww he is just perfect (sigh!!!) He truly was JJ’s soul mate, he would do anything for her, he was her knight in shining armour, their nightly phone calls, their cuddles on sleep overs, their somewhat telepathic connection, he too was smoking hot, he was protective, he was never afraid of letting his feelings show, he was just awesomesauce!! Scavenger hunt (sigh!!!)

I just totally LOVED this book and I cannot wait to get stuck into That Wedding!!

Brilliant once again Jillian Dodd!!

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