Review: The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise

Title: The Boyfriend App
Author: Katie Sise
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Age Group: Young Adult
Category: Contemporary Romance
Release date: April 30th, 2013
Pages: 320 (ARC)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Source: Publisher
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In The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise, super-smart, somewhat geeky Audrey McCarthy can’t wait to get out of high school. Her father’s death and the transformation of her one-time BFF, Blake Dawkins, into her worst nightmare have her longing for the new start college will bring. 

But college takes money. So Audrey decides she has to win the competition for the best app designed by a high schooler—and the $200,000 that comes with it. She develops something she calls the Boyfriend App, and suddenly she’s the talk of the school and getting kissed by the hottest boys around. But can the Boyfriend App bring Audrey true love?

A few years back, Audrey lost everything.  Now, when the contest to create the most popular app is announced, Audrey realizes that she has nothing to lose.  She doesn't come from a family with money, so going to her dream school won't be easy, but she's willing to do whatever it takes to win the $200,000 grand prize.  What is something that every teenager wants universally?  Love.  With this realization, Audrey McCarthy becomes one of the newest hot topics.

The Boyfriend App is genius and incredibly unique.  I didn't want to put it down because everything in the book was entertaining, from the characters to the seemingly impossible app that was designed.  What I loved most about this book was that the author definitely seemed to know what she was talking about and made me believe it was possible to find love with the press of a button.  It reminds me that knowledge is always expanding and who knows what could unfold in the future.

You will not grow to love each and every character, but you will grow fond of the most important ones.  Audrey was perfect for this type of story. She wasn't so nerdy that I felt as though I couldn't relate to, but she did hold a lot of knowledge of things that I didn't, such as computer programming.  Aside from our main character, there were also supporting characters, such as the confident Lindsay and the shy Aidan.  Audrey's ex-best friend became her worst enemy after the death of her father, but I have to say that I was surprised at Audrey's decision to leave her behind.  Even if it meant that she had no one, she'd rather be alone than with someone whose attitude hurts other people, which is something I really admired about Audrey.

Overall, The Boyfriend App is a great addition to any contemporary-lover's collection.  I loved reading about the rise and fall of Audrey's invention and watching her work her way back to the top with a few tweaks.  The app doesn't only change Audrey's life, it changes the lives of people around her and all those who use it.  I felt that the author did an incredible job with this story and really knows how to make her readers think.  We know that the app helps others find love, but will it help Audrey?  The Boyfriend App is a fun, innovative, and humorous--the perfect ingredients to create a great and easy-to-read contemporary.