missprint_'s review
2.0
After a whole summer away from her friends, Heidi is thrilled for the start of the term and the chance to be one of the gang again.
But before she can say "frog girl" Fili has found the only other Goth at the Finch, Ludo is snogging a guy with piercings and peroxide blonde hair. Big Dai isn't even big anymore. After a summer of intensive training he's downright svelte. And dating Henry Kim.
Heidi is exactly the same except for her awesome, slightly dodgy looking, new trench coat. It's kind of quirky and it looks exactly like something Mycroft Christie* would wear on Mycroft Christie Investigates while running about with the dashing Jori Song.
Heidi is fifteen. She isn't very dashing. She didn't have an exciting, transformative summer. She spent the summer working at The Little Leaf with her crazy boss while admiring her boss' beautiful son Teddy from afar. Heidi is very single.
When Ludo assumes Heidi's coat is from a boyfriend instead of the rubbish bin things start spinning out of control. Before Heidi can say OHM EYE GOD the assumption has become a rumor which has run off and become fact.**
Which leaves Heidi two options: Fess up and admit she's the same, boring Heidi and say goodbye to her friends. Or she can make a boyfriend who is conveniently far away and solve all her problems.
Well, honestly, what would you do?
It's not like a whole imaginary person can create that many problems. That is, until he does in My Invisible Boyfriend (2010) by Susie Day.
My Invisible Boyfriend is a comedy of errors in the truest sense of the phrase, which is actually appropriate since one of the big plot elements is Heidi's involvement in a school production of Twelfth Night: The Musical (set in the 1980s). Over the course of the story Heidi's made up boyfriend learns secrets, solves problems, and starts talking back to Heidi.
This is a funny book that moves really fast. Heidi is almost as adorable as the dashing Mycroft Christie she talks with in her head throughout the story. The other characters, sadly, are less compelling as they verge into one dimension with their EMPHATIC (and capitalized) talking or seemingly random jealousies.
Day blends a lot of fun elements together in a recipe for humor if not for the most well-developed plot. The fun premise suffers in the last quarter of the novel as Heidi almost literally flails trying to find out who knows her secret (and has started emailing her as "a real boy") in all the wrong places. The plot is very true to traditional Shakespearean comedies but sadly lacking the voice of a wise fool to balance all the crazy and add a touch more depth to the characters.
My Invisible Boyfriend has a lot going for it but ultimately not much to set it apart. I loved Heidi except for painful denseness with the "real boy" in question, the writing is snappy (until the last quarter), and the peripheral characters are diverse and well chosen but not especially well developed. And ultimately that's a whole lot of caveats for one short book.
*Mycroft is a made up character on a made up show (that I sooooooooo wish was real, even with the Horrible Beard and awful dead wife). As far as I can tell he is a cross between The Doctor, Captain Jack Harkness, and Sherlock from the new 21st Century remake. (Am I showing my geek cards by mentioning this?) Mycroft might have been my favorite character in this whole zany story.
**This sounds totally improbable as a premise except . . . it actually happened to me once. I have this boxy jacket that used to be fitted. But then I lost some weight and it was too big. And one day a woman at work saw me with it on and asked if it was my boyfriend's. Being an idiot, I said yes before I understood the question. Of course I didn't even have a boyfriend at the time. Not even a made up one.
Possible Pairings: Will by Maria Boyd, Bad Kitty by Michele Jaffe, Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson, Alice McLeod, Realist at Last by Susan Juby, Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan, The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart, The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson, The Teashop Girls by Laura Schaefer, Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford, Dr. Who (television series), Sherlock (television series), Torchwood (television series)
But before she can say "frog girl" Fili has found the only other Goth at the Finch, Ludo is snogging a guy with piercings and peroxide blonde hair. Big Dai isn't even big anymore. After a summer of intensive training he's downright svelte. And dating Henry Kim.
Heidi is exactly the same except for her awesome, slightly dodgy looking, new trench coat. It's kind of quirky and it looks exactly like something Mycroft Christie* would wear on Mycroft Christie Investigates while running about with the dashing Jori Song.
Heidi is fifteen. She isn't very dashing. She didn't have an exciting, transformative summer. She spent the summer working at The Little Leaf with her crazy boss while admiring her boss' beautiful son Teddy from afar. Heidi is very single.
When Ludo assumes Heidi's coat is from a boyfriend instead of the rubbish bin things start spinning out of control. Before Heidi can say OHM EYE GOD the assumption has become a rumor which has run off and become fact.**
Which leaves Heidi two options: Fess up and admit she's the same, boring Heidi and say goodbye to her friends. Or she can make a boyfriend who is conveniently far away and solve all her problems.
Well, honestly, what would you do?
It's not like a whole imaginary person can create that many problems. That is, until he does in My Invisible Boyfriend (2010) by Susie Day.
My Invisible Boyfriend is a comedy of errors in the truest sense of the phrase, which is actually appropriate since one of the big plot elements is Heidi's involvement in a school production of Twelfth Night: The Musical (set in the 1980s). Over the course of the story Heidi's made up boyfriend learns secrets, solves problems, and starts talking back to Heidi.
This is a funny book that moves really fast. Heidi is almost as adorable as the dashing Mycroft Christie she talks with in her head throughout the story. The other characters, sadly, are less compelling as they verge into one dimension with their EMPHATIC (and capitalized) talking or seemingly random jealousies.
Day blends a lot of fun elements together in a recipe for humor if not for the most well-developed plot. The fun premise suffers in the last quarter of the novel as Heidi almost literally flails trying to find out who knows her secret (and has started emailing her as "a real boy") in all the wrong places. The plot is very true to traditional Shakespearean comedies but sadly lacking the voice of a wise fool to balance all the crazy and add a touch more depth to the characters.
My Invisible Boyfriend has a lot going for it but ultimately not much to set it apart. I loved Heidi except for painful denseness with the "real boy" in question, the writing is snappy (until the last quarter), and the peripheral characters are diverse and well chosen but not especially well developed. And ultimately that's a whole lot of caveats for one short book.
*Mycroft is a made up character on a made up show (that I sooooooooo wish was real, even with the Horrible Beard and awful dead wife). As far as I can tell he is a cross between The Doctor, Captain Jack Harkness, and Sherlock from the new 21st Century remake. (Am I showing my geek cards by mentioning this?) Mycroft might have been my favorite character in this whole zany story.
**This sounds totally improbable as a premise except . . . it actually happened to me once. I have this boxy jacket that used to be fitted. But then I lost some weight and it was too big. And one day a woman at work saw me with it on and asked if it was my boyfriend's. Being an idiot, I said yes before I understood the question. Of course I didn't even have a boyfriend at the time. Not even a made up one.
Possible Pairings: Will by Maria Boyd, Bad Kitty by Michele Jaffe, Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson, Alice McLeod, Realist at Last by Susan Juby, Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan, The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart, The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson, The Teashop Girls by Laura Schaefer, Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford, Dr. Who (television series), Sherlock (television series), Torchwood (television series)
jlpxoxo's review
3.0
I think I don’t like modern Brit fiction.
It’s hard to get passed the lingo in the first place. It is even harder if the story isn’t all that interesting.
The premise was promising and seemed to be something I’d like, but then it just fell a little too flat. I didn’t care all that much for Heidi’s annoying, gossipy, back stabbing friends and sometimes the writing structure confused me to the point that I no longer cared.
Meh.
It’s hard to get passed the lingo in the first place. It is even harder if the story isn’t all that interesting.
The premise was promising and seemed to be something I’d like, but then it just fell a little too flat. I didn’t care all that much for Heidi’s annoying, gossipy, back stabbing friends and sometimes the writing structure confused me to the point that I no longer cared.
Meh.
rray_'s review
2.0
My Invisible Boyfriend is the second book by Susie Day, an author I have honestly never heard of until this book popped up on my Goodreads rec'd list. She has written a handful of YA/young children's novels so far.
Plot: Heidi feels a little jealous and left-out of the snogging scene so she invents a new boyfriend based off of/inspired by a fictional detective TV show (with some healthy homages to Sherlock Holmes and the Agatha Christie books) and fakes him through convincing online interaction. As her friends go through their own relationship drama, she tries her best to use her fake boyfriend persona to solve them. Cue typical finding YA true love tropes.
I'm struggling to find much to say about this book because frankly I gave up about halfway through. I simply found it too boring to maintain my interest enough to not move on to something else. Perhaps later when I feel I have more time that absolutely needs to be killed. I understand Day's intent on trying to keep the syntax authentic to the characters and age, but in more than a few parts it feels like an annoying distraction. Beyond that, the plotting and writing feels too boring, mundane and pat to justify finishing the book for now. One of the major issues that prevented me from finishing this book was because I kept falling asleep in the middle of it - yes, I'm being completely serious. David Levithan, John Green, Lauren Myracle, Rainbow Rowell, really you name it - a very large number of "big name" YA authors have tackled the seemingly very mundane, very average and everyday teenage love plot/relationship misunderstanding plot that on the face of it seems too boring to justify being retold to hundreds of thousands if not millions (if not in long form, then at least in short story) and each and every one of them have turned it into a very entertaining and unique literary experience where the reader feels as if they've grown with the characters (I guess that's why they get paid the "big bucks.") David Levithan in particular, I feel, would've turned the plot and characters into another NYT Best Seller listee or at least would've made the gay characters in this book much more memorable.
Primarily for teen girls, also suitable for 7th or 8th graders. Male readers may more than likely be very put off by the genre, pacing and plot. Girls who love the British "snogging genre" may give this book consideration, though it reads more like the million American books out there about very basic and light middle school relationships. Parents who find such subject matter objectionable should know that there are references to "sex," although I personally didn't find anything objectionable or inappropriate for children as young as the 6th grade.
Positives:
-
Negatives:
- Unless light juvenile romances really do hold your attention, there is very little in here that will keep you reading.
Other similar works by the author:
- From what I've been able to tell, this is the sole genre the author has written in so far, so pretty much anything (including the awkwardly titled "serafina67 *urgently requires life*"[sic] since retitled "Big Whoo").
Similar works by other authors:
- Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan (if you found the gay character Big Dai the most interesting one of all)
- Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green (has elements of this book's plot with frankly more entertaining elements and twists)
- Geektastic, a short story anthology by various (includes works by David Levithan, John Green, Lauren Myracle and other YA science fiction/fantasy/ "nerdy" authors, many of which deal with similar plots and relationship hang-ups in shorter, more tolerable doses)
- Solving Zoe by Barbara Dee (includes actual mystery/cryptocipher elements, better plotting and romance, characters closer to the age of the actual expected readership)
- Never Mind! A Twin Novel by Rachel Vail and Avi (similar misunderstanding-based plot, faster pace and writing, suitable for even younger readers)
Totally Joe by James Howe (homosexual relationships and anti-gay bullying, targeted at and suitable for younger readers, for parents who wish to expose their young children to homosexual and bullying issues in a positive and relatable manner)
UPDATE: Yeah I finally read it all and...still the same.
Plot: Heidi feels a little jealous and left-out of the snogging scene so she invents a new boyfriend based off of/inspired by a fictional detective TV show (with some healthy homages to Sherlock Holmes and the Agatha Christie books) and fakes him through convincing online interaction. As her friends go through their own relationship drama, she tries her best to use her fake boyfriend persona to solve them. Cue typical finding YA true love tropes.
I'm struggling to find much to say about this book because frankly I gave up about halfway through. I simply found it too boring to maintain my interest enough to not move on to something else. Perhaps later when I feel I have more time that absolutely needs to be killed. I understand Day's intent on trying to keep the syntax authentic to the characters and age, but in more than a few parts it feels like an annoying distraction. Beyond that, the plotting and writing feels too boring, mundane and pat to justify finishing the book for now. One of the major issues that prevented me from finishing this book was because I kept falling asleep in the middle of it - yes, I'm being completely serious. David Levithan, John Green, Lauren Myracle, Rainbow Rowell, really you name it - a very large number of "big name" YA authors have tackled the seemingly very mundane, very average and everyday teenage love plot/relationship misunderstanding plot that on the face of it seems too boring to justify being retold to hundreds of thousands if not millions (if not in long form, then at least in short story) and each and every one of them have turned it into a very entertaining and unique literary experience where the reader feels as if they've grown with the characters (I guess that's why they get paid the "big bucks.") David Levithan in particular, I feel, would've turned the plot and characters into another NYT Best Seller listee or at least would've made the gay characters in this book much more memorable.
Primarily for teen girls, also suitable for 7th or 8th graders. Male readers may more than likely be very put off by the genre, pacing and plot. Girls who love the British "snogging genre" may give this book consideration, though it reads more like the million American books out there about very basic and light middle school relationships. Parents who find such subject matter objectionable should know that there are references to "sex," although I personally didn't find anything objectionable or inappropriate for children as young as the 6th grade.
Positives:
-
Negatives:
- Unless light juvenile romances really do hold your attention, there is very little in here that will keep you reading.
Other similar works by the author:
- From what I've been able to tell, this is the sole genre the author has written in so far, so pretty much anything (including the awkwardly titled "serafina67 *urgently requires life*"[sic] since retitled "Big Whoo").
Similar works by other authors:
- Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan (if you found the gay character Big Dai the most interesting one of all)
- Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green (has elements of this book's plot with frankly more entertaining elements and twists)
- Geektastic, a short story anthology by various (includes works by David Levithan, John Green, Lauren Myracle and other YA science fiction/fantasy/ "nerdy" authors, many of which deal with similar plots and relationship hang-ups in shorter, more tolerable doses)
- Solving Zoe by Barbara Dee (includes actual mystery/cryptocipher elements, better plotting and romance, characters closer to the age of the actual expected readership)
- Never Mind! A Twin Novel by Rachel Vail and Avi (similar misunderstanding-based plot, faster pace and writing, suitable for even younger readers)
Totally Joe by James Howe (homosexual relationships and anti-gay bullying, targeted at and suitable for younger readers, for parents who wish to expose their young children to homosexual and bullying issues in a positive and relatable manner)
UPDATE: Yeah I finally read it all and...still the same.
bookbrig's review
4.0
This is a quick read with an extra likeable cast of characters. I loved Heidi's friends and her excellent fannish obsessions. And a happy ending that's a tiny bit too pat and sweet only added to the book's charm for me. Fun fun fun!
daphne2000's review
4.0
"Who knew that a fake boyfriend could cause so many real problems?"
Heidi has a problem. All of her friends have gotten significant others except for her. She's not very popular, and with her friends busy with their boyfriends, Heidi spends more time alone than not. Being smart and resourceful, Heidi thinks up the perfect solution: A Fake Boyfriend. A funny, witty, bad-boy boyfriend named Ed. She creates a fake online account for him and even starts IMing her friends pretending to be Ed. But what happens when her friends start talking to Ed about their problems...including their problems with Heidi?
I thought that the author created "Ed" in a pretty realistic manner, and I can almost see this working out in real life.
The synopsis makes it seem like "A Real Boy" who knows that Ed is fake is a big part of the story, but it really isn't. Not to underplay his importance, but he doesn't really show up till the middle of the book, and it's painfully obvious who he is. Their banter over email was still pretty cute though <3
Really, the only problem I had with this book was that Heidi had a bit of a problem talking in capitals and in lines. For example, if she wanted to say "outstanding" she would say:
OUT
STAND
DING
Not all the time, but still. It was slightly annoying, but I also think it really brought out Heidi's nerdy and slightly dorky personality.
"My Invisible Boyfriend" is a quick, fluffy read, but if you can't stand teenage romance or teenage drama, I wouldn't recommend picking it up.
Also, can I just mention that this book had an openly gay character and it wasn't a big deal at all? That's pretty great :)
Heidi has a problem. All of her friends have gotten significant others except for her. She's not very popular, and with her friends busy with their boyfriends, Heidi spends more time alone than not. Being smart and resourceful, Heidi thinks up the perfect solution: A Fake Boyfriend. A funny, witty, bad-boy boyfriend named Ed. She creates a fake online account for him and even starts IMing her friends pretending to be Ed. But what happens when her friends start talking to Ed about their problems...including their problems with Heidi?
I thought that the author created "Ed" in a pretty realistic manner, and I can almost see this working out in real life.
The synopsis makes it seem like "A Real Boy" who knows that Ed is fake is a big part of the story, but it really isn't. Not to underplay his importance, but he doesn't really show up till the middle of the book, and it's painfully obvious who he is. Their banter over email was still pretty cute though <3
Really, the only problem I had with this book was that Heidi had a bit of a problem talking in capitals and in lines. For example, if she wanted to say "outstanding" she would say:
OUT
STAND
DING
Not all the time, but still. It was slightly annoying, but I also think it really brought out Heidi's nerdy and slightly dorky personality.
"My Invisible Boyfriend" is a quick, fluffy read, but if you can't stand teenage romance or teenage drama, I wouldn't recommend picking it up.
Also, can I just mention that this book had an openly gay character and it wasn't a big deal at all? That's pretty great :)
duanur's review
4.0
It was better than I expected! This was my 100th book on goodreads! I took a risk to read this book as my 100th. But it didn't dissapoint me. It was light and fun. But it was not shallow. Heidi is trying to find her place in the world. And I think it is the usual problem with fifteen-year-old-teens. I am, too 15 year old and I am glad I don't have "belonging" problems.
She wants to be like her friends and when a misunderstanding happens she continues lying. She pretends like she has a boyfriend. But it goes out of control when she signs in as her boyfriend on the internet. She talks with her friends as him and i think it is a really hard thing to do. I mean she sends herself e-mails and stuff.
Then she recieves an e-mail from "arealboy". He knows about her "imaginary boyfriend" and he says that he likes her. More-than-like.
Will she find "arealboy"? Will she find where she belongs?
I think the ending was satisfying. I liked it and I'm sure you'll like it too.
She wants to be like her friends and when a misunderstanding happens she continues lying. She pretends like she has a boyfriend. But it goes out of control when she signs in as her boyfriend on the internet. She talks with her friends as him and i think it is a really hard thing to do. I mean she sends herself e-mails and stuff.
Then she recieves an e-mail from "arealboy". He knows about her "imaginary boyfriend" and he says that he likes her. More-than-like.
Will she find "arealboy"? Will she find where she belongs?
I think the ending was satisfying. I liked it and I'm sure you'll like it too.
pussreboots's review
4.0
http://pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2013/comments_06/my_invisible_boyfriend.html