Sophie Reads YA: Kristy Boyce

Waiting On Wednesday: Hot British Boyfriend by Kristy Boyce

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2021 New Release challenge

ARC Review: Hot British Boyfriend by Kristy Boyce

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Hot British Boyfriend
Series: None
Author: Kristy Boyce
Published February 9th 2021 by HarperTeen

Goodreads Synopsis
After a horrifying public rejection by her crush, Ellie Nichols does what any girl would do: she flees the country. To be more precise, she joins her high school’s study abroad trip to England. While most of her classmates are there to take honors courses and pad their college applications, Ellie is on a quest to rebuild her reputation and self-confidence. And nothing is more of a confidence booster than getting a hot British boyfriend.

When Ellie meets Will, a gorgeous and charming Brit, she vows to avoid making the same mistakes as she did with the last guy she liked. Which is why she strikes up a bargain with Dev, an overachieving classmate who she’s never clicked with, but who does seem to know a lot about the things Will is interested in—if he helps her win over her crush, then she’ll help him win over his.

But even as Ellie embarks on a whirlwind romance, one that takes her on adventures to some of England’s most beautiful places, she still needs to figure out if this is actually the answer to all her problems…and whether the perfect boyfriend is actually the perfect boy for her.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via Edelweiss. This in no way impacted on my view.

After embarrassing herself in epic proportions at her crush's birthday party, Ellie Nichols will do anything to get away from the whole incident, and forget that the person she thought was her friend, is now dating the guy she fancied. Because Crystal dropped out of the prestigious study abroad trip to England, there's a free space, and she begs her mam to let her join up. Okay, the trip is really for AP students, ready to take college level course to look good on their applications, and she's more of a C/D student, but she can't believe her luck to be accepted. Now in Northampton, she wants to redefine herself as someone different, and, if possible, find herself a hot British boyfriend. Meeting Will is amazing, but they're very different people, with different likes. Luckily though, her classmate, and newfound friend, Dev, knows a lot about things Will is interested in, and they form an agreement to help each other out. But will Ellie be able to reveal her true self to Will, or will she realise that her perfect partner may be right in front of her?

As soon as I heard about this book, I knew I needed to read it, and learning that it would be published in the UK by Harper360, I immediately requested a copy. For Ellie, she's crushed on Andy from the moment she moved schools, and is expecting him to ask her out at his birthday party after overhearing a conversation he had. However, it was about her new friend, Crystal, not her, and she embarrassed herself so much, that she's become a meme and internet sensation. As the school year is due to restart, she can't imagine going back, but heading to England, to live and learn in a historical mansion house, surrounded by British culture, is a dream come true. I fully can understand the appeal - even as a Brit myself, if I had had the chance to do something just like this, I would've jumped at it. When she arrives in England, she finds herself a bit out of her depth, later than all of her school mates, and not as academically gifted either, but with her roommate Sage, and new friends, Dev and Huan, she quickly finds her feet.

When they are all allowed out to Northampton, she meets Will, who's 19 and wondering what to do with himself after not doing well on his A Levels, and he is perfect. However, he's more into cricket and not doing what his wealthy father wants, whereas Ellie loves Austen, and creating fairy gardens, etc. If I'm being completely honest, I never really liked Will. He has such a good family, and prospects, but just wastes it all. I didn't like how Ellie changed with him either. She would drop Sage, Dev, and Huan to spend time with him, even when she knew it was important to them, and was willing to give up a trip to Venice over Thanksgiving to stay in England with him.

If we ignore Will, then the rest of the book is perfect. I adored how close the four of them got at the school, and seeing Ellie improve her grades, and become more comfortable in herself was wonderful. Sage was a bit much at times, with how focused she was, but she was so endearing and lovable, it didn't really mind. Huan was a good friend, but Ellie didn't spend too much time with him, as he was busy with his new boyfriend, Frank, or his own school work. Dev, though, was amazing. He and Ellie clicked from the get go, when he helped her carry her bags up to her room, and their newfound friendship soon blossomed into something more. Ellie was blind to it all, but it was clear as day that he wasn't crushing on Sage, but on Ellie instead. He was always pleasant, and kind to others, except for Will, so it was obvious to everyone that he was jealous, even if Ellie still was oblivious.

As a Brit, I was a bit apprehensive there would be loads of stereotypes and inaccuracies, as I've been burned by books by non-British authors before, but other than a few references to HP sauce, and things like that, it wasn't full of cliches at all. I really fell in love with this book, and as soon as I started it, I was hooked. I can't wait to read what's next from this debut author!

Dates Read:
January 15-16, 2021

Rating
4 Stars