ARC BOOK REVIEW: Looking to Score by Alley Ciz

I can admit when I am wrong.  People who know me well would probably tell you this truth, but only after I have researched that being right is not a possibility.  And when it comes to books, I feel like I have a pretty good handle on my likes and dislikes.  But I totally pre-judged Looking to Score, and (here it comes) I was wrong.  Everything I thought this book was about (typical college football player and cheerleader get together and lives happily ever after) it was not.   It was better, so much better. I’m happy to say it’s getting five big beautiful stars from me.  

What I loved: 

The heroine.  Kayla, who yes, is a cheerleader but not your typical cheerleader.  She’s funny with a quick wit and snarky in an adorable you can’t help but love her way.  

The humor. I was smiling and laughing the entire book.  I wouldn’t call it a full out Rom-Com, but it’s hard to keep me laughing, and Looking to Score did that. 

The underlying story.  There is a bully aspect to this story, and I have to say that I love it’s not the usual person who is getting bullied.  I thought it brought a different perspective, and happy to see the author didn’t go with the norm on this one.  

What I didn’t love: (side note if you haven’t read my reviews before, this is not a hate section.  It’s more a thing I struggled with or wasn’t a particular fan of)

There are a lot of sub-characters to get to know. Not only do you have a lot of sub-characters, but they all have nicknames, sometimes several.  By the end of the book, I had everyone straight, and I loved the crew aspect that the author brings to her readers.  But fair warning it takes a couple of chapters to get things straight.  

Hashtags and handles.  If you are not familiar with Instagram or hashtags and how that world works, then you may find yourself confused.  There are chapters, though not long, that is just back and forth IG chatter. 

Overall: 

I loved it, adored it, was pleasantly surprised that my pre-judgment was utterly wrong.  I flew through the chapters and was highly disappointed when it was over.  Alley did great work with this one.  I’m more than ready for what’s to come next!