Lovestruck Summer by Melissa Walker

Quinn Parker is spending the summer in Austin, Texas as an intern for Amalgram Records, her favorite indie label, home of the Walters, her favorite band. She expected to spend all her time catching as many shows as possible and having a fling with the ultimate hipster guy (black glasses, choppy haircut, obscure taste in music -the whole package). What she didn't expect was condo life with Cousin Penny, the sorority queen, and Penny's cross dressing cat or the idea that she could maybe, kinda sorta, possibly be interested in Russ, the frat boy cowboy who listens to *gasp* country music and is so not her type. Does Quinn really know herself as well as she thinks she does or does she need to re-evaluate her opinions of those around her, including herself?

First, I'm not feeling the cover at all. I've read the cover story that Melissa did about it, so I understand why it had to be this way. I just don't think it went with the actual story at all. Some people, who would really like Lovestruck Summer (like the friend I'm loaning this to after I finish writing the review because it's basically her life story) are going to be turned off by the cotton candyness. Convincing people that it's more than just sparkles and glitter will be a tough one.

All crabbiness about the cover aside, this book was just what I needed right now. It's fun, funny, mushy (but not bubblegum), and still managed to make me reconsider my own occasional musical snobbishness. Quinn is so judgmental about her surroundings: the music, people, and clothes that it's fun to see her attitude and tastes start to broaden a bit. She's so adamant that she hates country music that she never even considers actually listening to it. Her cousin Penny and neighbor Chrissy are in a sorority, so she automatically comes to the conclusion that they're airhead stereotypes. Sebastian, the hipster DJ, is everything she's always wanted in a guy, so why is it that it's Russ, the cowboy next door, whose play lists she keeps finding herself humming?

I'm already a big Melissa Walker fan, but the excitement I had about reading Lovestruck Summer is nothing in comparison to how much I enjoyed reading it. It's the perfect summer read, with lots of laughs, surprises, and even a reference to the Violet series thrown in for good measure. Plus, for six dollars, you really can't beat the price.

http://thechickmanifesto.blogspot.com/2009/05/lovestruck-summer-by-melissa-walker.html