Review Detail

First Impressions: I was hearing all sorts of good things about Crush Control from other reviewers and decided I needed to get my hands on a copy. I had previously read Lipstick Apology, Jennifer Jabaley’s debut novel, and I absolutely loved that book.

First 50 Pages: It cracked me up! The humor in this book is fabulous. Every other page I read, I kept laughing, sometimes until my face hurt. The humor in this book is definitely my favorite aspect. I don’t think the book would have been as good without it. There are some hilarious scenes involving condoms and Willow’s crazy mutt of a dog, Oompa. I would have died of embarrassment if certain things that happened in this book happened to me.

Style of Writing and Plot Points: Jennifer Jabaley’s style of writing is very laid-back and easy to read. There are no big complicated words or plot points in this book. It is very relaxing and easy to handle for just about any age group. The plot is simple and lacks a bit of creativity. It is basically about a girl trying to make her best friend jealous and win his affection. The main character, Willow, has been in love with her best friend, Max, for just about forever. The use of hypnosis on other characters is what sets this book apart from other books with similar plots. I don’t know too much about actual hypnosis so I don’t know if what Willow and her mother were doing during the book is how hypnosis actually works. Regardless, it gave an unoriginal book an interesting twist.

My Final Thoughts: While the book lacks creativity, it makes up for it with humor and a interesting twist to win over the boy crush. It has unique characters, a funny little dog, and multiple scene settings which make the book stand out from others. While I can’t say it is my favorite, I did enjoy it very much. If you are looking for a funny, quick and easy read that is perfect for a day at the beach, this one is for you.