That Boy

Beware! I loved this book so much, I have many many quotes :) :):) I wish I could give it 50 stars!!!This book was super fun. I knew from the very first page that I was goi...ng to love it. Sometimes I just need a really easy book to immerse myself in, one that doesn't need much thinking. This was it. I was grinning nearly the whole way through. I adored reading her thoughts as a young girl. Here are a few of my favorite bits that I related to;'Important Things I have learned in my life so far;4. When you have the choice, play with a boy. Boys are easy to get along with. They don't care if your clothes match, or if your hair is a mess. Boys don't talk behind your back or make up stories about you to try to hurt your feelings. They are too busy playing sports or video games.'_____________________________________'He thinks HE is SO COOL!The first day he moved here, he told me how he's a great quarterback.I told him to stop bragging. It's not nice.But he went I'm not bragging, I'm just confident in my skills.Whatever.I figured the kids at school would hate him because no one likes a bragger, right? Right?Wrong!'_____________________________________'Well his advice on boys might be good, but evidently he's forgotten the Laws of Fifth Grade. You CAN only have one best friend. That's okay though; his memory is probably going bad because he's getting so old. He is thirty-eight after all.'We follow JJ through life reading parts she felt were so mementos she recorded them in journal fashion. We watch her grow up from a fiery little Princess from 4th grade into a confident and stubborn woman who knows her mind. As she grows so does her relationship with her 2 best friends. Phillip and Danny - this friendship made the book. They have been friends forever. The kind of friends that are there for each other through thick and thin. Unconditional. With Phillip, he keeps her grounded and safe. While Danny seemed to be the fun, adventurous friend. (To all my mummy friends, I know you are just thinking - Danny sounds like the fun one. The dad!) Both were beautiful friendships with so many wonderful, funny moments. She had me laughing out loud remembering when I used to act and speak this way;'I mean, this date is of EPIC proportions.He's a senior for God's sake!My high school reputation could be ruined or made in one single night.I don't want to be known as a terrible kisser!Or Worse! Totally Inexperienced!I've got to do something.Get me somebody, anybody!I need someone who has experience and, most importantly, who will help me.I glance out my window and see Danny's bedroom light it on.Ch-Ching.Danny has experience, and I'm too desperate to be embarrassed.'____________________________________'Hello?Naked parents.Pot.Alcohol.I may very well me traumatized by all of this.Somebody wanna call a shrink?'___________________________________'Hot guy. Hot bod. Hot car. Trifecta, baby.'___________________________________'And I swear, each bean row must be, at a minimum, several hundred miles long.At least that's what it felt like.After about four hours of walking beans, I have to admit, I was ready to use the scythe on myself, just to make the misery stop. But then I figured I'd forever be remembered as the girl who killed herself in a bean field.Not exactly the legacy I am hoping for!'___________________________________'I know there are large, really important issues in the world. World peace, terrorism, nuclear arms and global warming. But honestly, finding the perfect swimsuit has got to be top of most women's list, regardless of race, religion, political, or sexual orientation. So in finding this perfect bikini, I really feel I've done my part to help conquer this great world issue.'JJ struggled at times just like any of us. If she wasn't trying to figure out how to survive being a teenager, she was surviving a tragedy, then she was learning how to grow into herself and her body or learning about human nature and trying to live in every moment. To me she was not just a character from a story, it was like growing up with her. Her honesty us refreshing.'So I ask for more clarification, "Like just being around them or actual physical contact?"He stops reading my chart, looks at me like I'm blonde and says, "Physical contact. Like kissing.""We may need for paper for that, Doc," Phillip, the comedian in the corner says."Shut up, Phillip," I glare at him.But he continues, "Just bring in the student directory. We can use a highlighter, might go faster."'There was a lot of emphasis on JJ looking for love all throughout, but I thought she was wonderful and I knew she would find THAT boy in the end.'Somewhere, my prince is waiting.Ha!Actually, I don't think he's waiting. I think he's hiding from me.'I was so happy she found him!I am so looking forward to reading "That Wedding" next. I can't wait to hear what's happening with Danny, Phillip and JJ...

I feel so lucky to have found this book. I first tried out the audio, and completely fell in love with that. I wasn’t even supposed to read the book, but I saw <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/459769773?book_show_action=false&page=1">a short Goodreads review by Kelly @ The Diva Booknerd</a>, where she talks about the little diary doodles in the book. So of course I had to see it. I’m so glad I did because they add a little charm to the book, and it sort of gives you this feeling that you’re reading JJ’s diary. And I certainly loved reading it. Though I must admit that it was easier to spot the flaws in Jillian Dodd’s writing when you’re reading it rather than listening to it. But I didn’t really mind them because I loved this book so much.ADORABLE. I think that would be the best word to use to describe this book. From the doodles to the characters and to the situations they found themselves in, it was just all so cute. Well, mostly anyway. There are some scenes that left me tearing up. But there was also a positive note to them that lightened up the mood. This is a kind of book that touched my heart with joy, sadness, hope, and love.I’m not anything like JJ, but I was able to easily connect with her. I think it’s because she tells you her whole story from such a young age until her adolescence, and she was definitely a great narrator. It feels like actually knowing someone so well, and liking her for being herself. That Boy is basically JJ’s story from the moment she met her best friends until the moment that she admits that she has fallen in love with one of them. It was certainly a bumpy ride with a lot of distractions along the way. But through it all, I could see how JJ was right for the one she chose, especially after seeing everything the second time around.JJ (Jadyn James) is quite the unconventional female protagonist. She plays football with her two best friends, Danny and Phillip, and she plays rough. She’s not afraid to break some bones or get cuts and bruises. She’s very competitive and she doesn’t like losing. I particularly like how JJ earned Danny’s respect after he told her that she couldn’t play with them because she was a girl. I guess she was a little like a tomboy growing up. But she did catch up with her female peers along the way – being a little fashionable and gushing about boys.<blockquote>“Maybe I’ll just give up on boys. Okay, maybe not. They’re just so cute!”</blockquote>I like how she has hard and soft sides. She’s smart and strong. But she can also be quite stubborn and always wants to be right. She’s a free spirit. She has all these different layers to her personality that I enjoyed seeing. And she just makes me laugh so much.There was a little love triangle here, but I didn’t really mind. I loved both Danny and Phillip. Though I’m not sure whether I’d want them more as a best friend or as a boyfriend. Both could probably work. Danny is a lot like JJ. They have so much in common, and they love scheming together which usually gets them into trouble. However, they both butt heads a lot because neither of them likes backing down. And Phillip would have to play peacemaker. He’s the responsible one among the three that keeps the other two grounded. And he’s really sweet and loyal too. Their friendship was so solid that I wish I could have been one of them.Apart from the romance, I was so delighted to see the beautiful family and friend relationship that they had. JJ, Danny, and Phillip were all best friends and really close, but it was also great to see that their parents were as close as well. And all three families surely looked out for each other. I particularly love JJ’s parents who taught her and me that we should celebrate life every day. Also, they all had such cool parents that I wish I had or I wish to be. They’re open, caring, light-hearted, and funny.<blockquote>“Sadly, my parents’ social life far surpasses mine. That thought is very pathetic and totally tragic.” – JJ</blockquote>Overall, That Boy was a perfect fluffy read – HILARIOUS, emotional, romantic, swoon-worthy. I loved getting to know all of the characters, and it isn’t often that I care for all the prominent main and side characters so this one’s special. This book was just so cute. I would recommend this to anyone who loves contemporary romances and to anyone looking for a fun, light read.

Jillian Dodd you are an amazing author. You made me laugh, you made me cry and keep me totally engaged. Don’t hesitate, this is a great book that will keep you picking it up.

I read this book in 2 days. (Have kids). It's sooo good! I'm about to read book number 2! Hooked is the word for me!

Okay so I figured this would be a nice little contemporary romance to read whenever I get a few mins to myself during that madness that is Christmas......wow I was not expecting that emotional gut punch!.Despite the twist that came in the middle of the book this was a very good and sweet story about friends to lovers. The author did a brilliant job of establishing such a solid base of friendship from a very young age. For me the characters were well developed and the emotions they felt were believable.JJ, Philip and Danny are #friendshipgoals.It wasn't a cliff hanger ending and I look forward to re-visiting these guys in future to see what is in store for them.

Having loved The Keatyn Chronicles and looking for a nice stress free read I had high hopes for "That Boy".This was a story of life from childhood through adolescence to adulthood and follows the three lifelong friends and neighbours, Jadyn/Jay/JJ/Princess, Phillip and Danny.JJ is a tomboy who likes football and playing with her childhood friends Phillip and Danny, despite her initial aversion to Danny when he challenges her wish to play football with him and Phillip."Girls can't play football. Why don't you go home and play with your dolls or something?"This story follows JJ's life from her first kiss with Phillip through to their college years and her attempts at romance along the way. The story is sweet and innocent and affords the reader an opportunity of living an alternative school life through JJ and her exploits with Phillip and Danny. For a Brit, the whole school/college lifestyle in the US is a bit of an enigma so for me at times this was slightly hard to appreciate the fraternity/sorority activities and their importance to those who experience them.This book is written in a way to portray JJ's thoughts and at times because her thought processes deviate on occasion; it can be a little unusual to follow while she pings to and from different scenarios. The story is both sweet and funny at times but tragic at others and despite my wish for an uncomplicated read I did find myself choked up and tearful at one point in the book.I love the way Phillip is so protective of JJ throughout her life and despite being in love with her he lets her live her life in the hope that she will return his feelings for her one day. JJ is sexy without knowing it and unwittingly turns the boys' heads without her knowledge."I kinda have a thing for that bikini, and well, the American flag in general now, as a matter of fact."By the end of the book I was unsure how well I had enjoyed it, for me it was a bit of a young read but that said I can see that book two takes the characters into their 20s and into a more mature storyline. I have bought the next book and I'm looking forward to seeing where the life of Jadyn, Phillip, Danny and Lori heads next.The romance was hot in an innocent way, no sex scenes were described in detail but Jillian Dodd manages to get the romance across without graphic explanations. You feel that you have lived through the characters' romantic exploits without having actually read about them and this was very cleverly written. However, if you are looking for a story with detailed sex scenes then this book won't be for you. It is a young read for a young audience but one which can be thoroughly enjoyed by both young and mature audiences alike.

I read this book quite a while ago now but thought it was worthy of a review so here it is…I’m a BIG fan of Jillian Dodd’s work and originally discovered my love for her book’s after reading ‘Stalk me’ which is part of the Keatyn chronicles series – OMG, AMAZING books, you have to read these!!! Anyway, whilst waiting for my next Keatyn fix I thought I’d give another of Jillian’s books a try and had high hopes for ‘That Boy’ - it didn’t disappoint!Jillian seems to have a special power in conjuring up gorgeous, swoon worthy guys! Danny and Phillip - *dribble dribble* I’m not fussy when it comes to these two boys, I’d happily settle down with either of them :)Although I loved this book, I can’t help but compare it to the Keatyn chronicle series and feel that maybe this didn’t quite hit the spot like Jullian’s other books did? Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘That Boy’, I just haven’t rushed off to buy the next instalment yet which is very unlike me. I know I will eventually read ‘That Wedding’, I just think I’m too hooked on Keatyn at the moment to focus on JJ and Phillip’s story.If you like reading about gorgeous boys, teenage dramas, heartache and love, then I defiantly recommend this book!

I have to admit, I was rather wary of buying it at first because I thought is this too romance for me? But no I genuinely enjoyed. I love the relationship between the three characters and I even found myself cringing at the part when JJ discovers her mum and dad and co smoking pot in the hot tub. I found myself crying (which I never, ever do) when her parents died. I was really rooting for JJ and Danny to get together however by the time Philip admitted his love for her I was really rooting for them. I loved how this book is, it is almost like the characters are you friends, you know so much about them and they are so relate-able. The only thing I didn't really like about this book is the fact that I felt the first maybe five or six chapters where rushed and I thought it be better if they were slowed down a little. Overall I couldn't wait to read the sequel which I am reading now and loving it.

Well, This is a tricky book, it took me a few chapters to get into, however once I started reading I didn't stop I was an emotional wreck, but then the happy tears came, I found it a lovely romance book and to be honest its what you dream that will happen in your life and thats to meet the perfect Man, JJ did but she didn't know it, her best friend was with her through thick and thin, he comforted her when she needed it and he made her smile when she was down, however, phillip needed to tell her how he felt early but then again, you wouldn't scream at your kindle!! lovely romance story and in the end fantastic read, so don't give up and carry on reading