Monday, August 11, 2014

Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway: One Smart Cookie by Kym Brunner


Young Adult Contemporary
Published by Omnific Publishing
Released July 15, 2014

Sixteen year old Sophie Dumbrowski, is an adorably inept teen living above her family-owned Polish bakery with her man-hungry mother and her spirit-conjuring grandmother, who together, are determined to find Sophie the perfect boyfriend.
But when Sophie meets two hot guys on the same day, she wonders if  this a blessing or a curse. And is Sophie’s inability to choose part of the reason the bakery business is failing miserably? The three generations of women need to use their heads, along with their hearts, to figure things out…before it’s too late.

About the Author
As the saying goes, I'm pretty much an open book. What do you want to know?

HOMELAND: I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois (Woo-hoo! Best city in the world!), but currently live in a northwest suburb that's still close enough to get to the city in 40 minutes. Almost all of my stories take place in and around Chicago since it's the only region where I've lived. I wish I could write a story that takes place in Greece, but I'd need to go there first. (Hint, hint, Husband)

SPARE TIME: I love to read and write obviously, but I also LOVE movies and reality TV. There, I said it. Point fingers all you want, laugh at me, but my brain wants what it wants and I've never been a good disciplinarian. Just ask my students or my lovely daughters, who laughed all the way out of the house after they did a few loads of laundry as "punishment."

FAMILY: I've been blessed with three beautiful daughters, a very tall, intelligent, and debonair husband (who might read this so I have to be really nice so I can get that trip to Greece), and two adorable dogs. Life's pretty damn good, for which I am super thankful.

WORK: Starting at the tender age of 14, I've been employed. First, as a hot dog wrangler (Sammie's in the Portage Park area of Chicago), then an old-fashioned sign maker and cashier for PG Berland's Paints, then in high school as an A-Accurate Answering Service operator (loved the job - hated the perverts who used to call and breathe heavy) and finally, for most of my life. . . a teacher. I'm teach 7th grade reading and writing all day long! And they pay me! What could be better than that?

My Review

Sophie is your typical teenage girl, focused on boys and having fun-not understanding how things really work in the "real" world.  She comes across as impulsive and a bit selfish with no clue how hard you need to work in life to get the things you want.  The good thing though?  This story will show you how she changes from that self-centered, boy-crazy kid into a young lady who finally comprehends how important hard work and family is...while still getting her HEA (well, at least for now-after all, she's not even out of high school yet).

I admit, Sophie's attitude for the first two-thirds of the story just annoyed the heck out of me.  But a lot of that is her age.  After all, most high school girls think their mothers don't understand them at some point, right?  Unfortunately for Sophie, this attitude does get her into a bit of trouble, along with her idea of what her duties should be wherever she works.

I loved the character of Busia.  She felt like the heart of the family.  And as for Nick and Giovanni, Sophie's two romantic interests, well my choice was pretty easy (but I'm not going to give anything away-though I think you all will probably choose the way I did!).  Sophie's mom...hmmm...let's just say I'm glad she's not mine LOL.  But she does have a good work ethic which just unfortunately takes a while to rub off onto her daughter.

The story is cute, though I'd rate it more a mature YA then just YA due to language, some minor drug use and a few other things.  But overall, a good story of a young girl learning the value of family and how hard work can pay off...and help you end up with the right guy ;-)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to check out the rest of the stops on the tour schedule: - http://wp.me/p20ttU-3bV  

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for reading, hosting, and posting a review! Glad you enjoyed it. :)

    ReplyDelete