Pretty in Punxsutawney

by Laurie Boyle Crompton

[phyllish]

My rating is 4.5 stars

Groundhog Day meets Pretty in Pink. In high school! Does that thought make you shudder?

Andie has been raised on a steady diet of movies. The fact that she was familiar with movies from most eras and genres probably allowed her to quickly figure out what happened when she woke up on the pink couch her mom had purchased at the thrift store, wearing the same pink dress with white polka dots that her mom had her try on the night before school began, to the soundtrack of Pretty in Pink the second day in a row.

While there were hints of what was to come, they were not so overt as to make the story boring or predictable. The author wisely chose to share only Andie’s perspective so while I had a hunch about who her romantic interest would be (and I will say that I was right), it wasn’t confirmed until it happened.

Ironically, on her first day of school, her English teacher started teaching about Greek mythology and specifically about King Sisyphus, who as punishment from Zeus ended up with a never-ending task. Andie couldn’t be sure whether this loop she was stuck in was a punishment or an opportunity.

Despite Andie believing that she needed to be kissed by her true love to be able to break out of this nightmare, the story was less about romance and more about her finding her voice and learning what is truly important. Her many failed attempts to keep the attention of the football co-captain led her to improve herself in ways that she would have never imagined. Learning to walk on heels without falling over, how to apply makeup – specifically eyeliner, and so many other things occupied her déjà vu days. Some of her attempts were humorous and some had her make the mistake of being too good and therefore suspicious.

What I loved about the book is that Andie learned to see people differently – to see value in those society would have ignored and even to love the unlovable.

One thought that went through my mind when Andie did some especially ridiculous and even stupid thing was “what if tomorrow actually comes after this disaster?” And actually, the things that do happen on her last first day of school will be rather interesting for her to live down or to try to explain.

The movie quotes and references in the book were a lot of fun. It was a satisfying read overall and is completely appropriate for high-schoolers and even fun enough for this way past high-schooler to enjoy as well.

I’m looking forward to reading more by this new-to-me-author.


Read my full review with a Preview at Among the Reads


I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.