The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller

The Summer I Became a Nerd

by Leah Rae Miller

On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader--perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she's a nerd hiding in a popular girl's body isn't just unknown, it's anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way. Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop's counter uncovers her secret, she's busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie's whisked into Logan's world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become...and the more she risks losing Logan forever.

Reviewed by Angie on

5 of 5 stars

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I received an ARC through NetGalley.

The Summer I Became a Nerd could not have come at a better time for me. I won’t bore you with my life’s woes, but this book pulled me out of a serious funk for a few hours. It is the most adorable, or should I say adorkable, book I have ever read. The smile did not leave my face from page one and I could not put it down! I love all things nerdy and Maddie’s story just left me with a serious case of the fuzzies!

Maddie is a cheerleader leading a double life. When she’s not in uniform, she’s curled up with a comic or having Sci-Fi marathons with her dad. She tries really hard to keep her two lives separate, but when some unforeseen circumstance has her entering the local comic shop for the first time, her true self just may have to come out. I could totally relate to having a secret geeky side…well, kind of. Everyone knew I played the Sims (2, 3, AND Medieval), but very few knew exactly how deep my obsession runs. No one knows about Maddie though. She can totally geek out with the best of us, but she insists on keeping it hidden after a traumatizing event in the 6th grade. I loved watching her let her inner geek shine!

LARPing! There is LARPing! You can’t get nerdier than that and I absolutely adored getting to see into this world which I have never witnessed before. It was so much fun and took The Summer I Became a Nerd that extra step into awesomeness. I also appreciated how it played a pretty large role in main romantic conflict. There is really no crazy romance drama, but there is some misunderstandings, of course. It also contains the greatest break up scene ever! It’s super hilarious, and I loved how the author made it funny rather than angsty and dramatic.

I don’t really know how to express the extent my love for The Summer I Became a Nerd. It’s like near perfection! It’s so fun and funny, and cute, and adorable, and I just love it! The overly done high school drama is replaced with LARPing drama! You can’t get any better than that! I recommend this one to everyone! Whether you’re looking for a great summer read, a fun Contemporary, or just can’t decide what to read next, you need to read The Summer I Became a Nerd!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 22 May, 2013: Finished reading
  • 22 May, 2013: Reviewed