mrs_mander_reads
Written on Sep 10, 2019
When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she decides to do the unthinkable...convince the cute guy waiting to pick up his sister to pretend to be her boyfriend for the night. The task is simple: two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. The problem is that days after prom, she can't stop thinking about her fill-in boyfriend. But can Gia turn her fake boyfriend into a real one without exposing her lie and possibly destroying her friendships and her newfound relationship? Smartly observed and wonderfully romantic, Kasie West's talent shines in this tale of one girl's unexpected quest to find love...and possibly herself.
- ISBN10 006233638X
- ISBN13 9780062336385
- Publish Date 3 December 2015 (first published 5 May 2015)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Publisher HarperCollins Publishers Inc
- Imprint HarperTeen
- Format Paperback
- Pages 352
- Language English
Reviews
kymmiejournals
Written on Feb 23, 2018
Ashley
Written on Feb 2, 2017
I started out having doubts about the MC because... she was kind of annoying. But it was part of her development and it turned into complete perfection. ♥ Love love love!
Sam@WLABB
Written on Jan 8, 2016
Her books are always filled with the right amount of happiness, tears, angst, and swoon.
This book is about Gia, who gets dumped in the parking lot on her way to prom. She cannot show up with our her boyfriend, so she finds a fill-in boyfriend, Hayden. This is the beginning of Gia's metamorphosis.
"So the whole lying thing? That was part of being a better person?"
"No, that's what started the journey."
It was a journey of self discovery, self awareness, and an awareness of others. Sometimes Gia's journey was hard to watch, but in the end, I was so happy with what she had become.
Gia and Hayden were adorable together, and I could not help but fall in love with Hayden and his family. They were quirky, interesting, loving, and fabulous.
Another great KWest rom-com.
girlinthepages
Written on Dec 22, 2015
The best and worst thing about this novel was the character development. There were some characters that were entertaining and provided much needed real talk at times, such as Bec, and characters who really felt like they only existed to help propel the plot (such as Gia's parents and brother). Fill-In Bradley was very sweet and sincere, and it was refreshing to see a male love interest who had more varied interests and traits than the standard athlete or class president type. While Gia was not a memorable protagonist, I thought her character growth was fairly realistic and found her tolerable throughout the novel. However, I also have to question why nearly everyone had toxic friendships in this novel, and why they were so willing to forego decades long friendships for a love interest or new classmate.
The aspect about this book that most irked me was Jules. She is the antagonist of the novel who constantly antagonizes Gia, trying to turn her friends against her so she can have them for herself. It's constantly referenced that she has a "hard home life" as an explanation for her cruel and catty attitude, but it's never explained in depth and is a pretty shallow excuse. I really wanted to see Jules face some karma at the end of the novel for how badly she bullied Gia and manipulated everyone around her, but *minor spoiler* Gia ends up taking ownership, thinking had she been friendlier to Jules she wouldn't have had tried so hard to socially cripple Gia. While I appreciate Gia being the bigger person, Jules is clearly a character who is a bully and I don't think it's a great message that Gia essentially excused her behavior at the end, as behavior like that in high school is really toxic and can have lasting consequences. */rant*
Overall: The Fill-In Boyfriend was a quick, light read that had some sweet moments but lacked depth and is easily forgettable among the many, many choices in YA contemporary literature. I am still hoping to read West's other works in the hopes that they will provide more a little more substance and originality.This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages
Rowena
Written on Jul 7, 2015
Gia can’t believe that she just got dumped by her college boyfriend in the parking lot at prom. He doesn’t even have the decency to walk her in and then break up with her in front of her friends (that don’t believe he exists) and to save face, Gia begs some random guy sitting in his car to be her date for prom and pretend to be her boyfriend Bradley. Sounds kind of dumb, right? Well, Kasie West makes this story line work.
When we first meet Gia and she’s more worried about her friends thinking she’s a liar than about being dumped on prom and then becoming the liar she doesn’t want her friends to think she is by bringing a fake Bradley to prom with her, I thought I wasn’t going to like her but I did. I liked her and wanted her to get her crap together…with Fill-In Bradley.
This book took me back to my high school days because who didn’t obsess over a boy? Seeing Gia’s crush on Fill-In Bradley grow with each passing page had me grinning like a school girl because Fill In Bradley was a great boy to crush on. I loved seeing them become friends and I really enjoyed seeing her friendship with Bec grow. I thought Bec was a far better friend than any of her regular group of friends and she was a great sister to Hayden too.
This was such a fun read and it took me no time at all to read it because I couldn’t put it down. It’s not a book that takes itself too seriously or is bogged down with angst, it’s the perfect summer read with characters that will make you laugh a sweet romance that will make you happy sigh. I definitely recommend.
Grade: 4 out of 5
Nany
Written on Jun 2, 2015
Bianca
Written on May 31, 2015
We rarely find depth by looking inside of ourselves for it. Depth is found in what we can learn from the people and things around us. Everyone, everything has a story. When you learn those stories, you learn experiences that fill you up, that expand your understanding. You add layers to your soul.
Angie
Written on May 18, 2015
I quite enjoyed The Fill-In Boyfriend. The fake boyfriend thing was just a way for the characters to meet. From there is mostly about Gia not letting anyone see the real her, even her supposed best friends. She honestly believes that they'd dump her because of Jules' accusations, so she never gives them a chance to prove otherwise. It all winds up being one huge mess, since there's two Bradley's running around, plus Gia admits to meeting a new guy, even though that's Hayden. Gia does learn that lying is not the way to go and that she needs to have more faith in people and stop worrying about being perfect. However, there's no closure at the end when it comes to her BFF. It was this big thing, but then it's like she and Jules never existed.
My favorite part of The Fill-In Boyfriend was actually Hayden's sister, Bec. She and Gia do not get along at first, because they run in completely different social circles. Gia realizes that she hasn't been the nicest and puts an effort into standing up for Bec when her friends are taunting her. Of course, they bond and become friends, and Bec becomes an amazing ally for Gia in this big 'ol mess that she creates for herself. I believed their reluctant friendship much more than the shallow relationship between Gia and the other girls.
In the end, I liked The Fill-In Boyfriend. It wasn't quite what I was anticipating, but it was still enjoyable. I do wish there had been more fake dating, rather than the complicated web of lies and mistrust that followed. I did like the strong focus on friendships and sharing your feelings, but fake dating is my favorite! Give me more!
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
ladygrey
Written on May 14, 2015
For me, Gia is pretty unlikable for at least half the book. When she's talking to people she's actually pretty decent. But as soon as it's just her internal monologue, she's awfully annoying.
The thing is, she also has a good arc. And I think she would be more relatable than annoying to a younger audience. I actually think this is a *great* book for a YA reader. It's funny. It's sweet. And if they can't see themselves in Gia they can probably see someone they know. Since she's got a good arc, that's s really good thing.
And the book is very witty and fun. It would be super sweet from anyone else but Kasie West does sweet so well it's only sweet.
So, not my favorite Kasie West. But totally something I'd buy for a friend's daughter.