Review: What A Boy Wants by Nyrae Dawn

Courtesy of watching his mom’s relationships, Sebastian Hawkins knows what girls need to do to get a guy. He has what he considers a PHD in hooking up. When he needs extra cash for a car, Sebastian starts up an online venture as The Hook-up Doctor, to anonymously help girls land the guy of their dreams. Of course, his services don’t offer a happily-ever-after guarantee. He’s seen firsthand getting together never means staying together.

And then he falls in love…

With the last girl he would expect…

Totally not in his game plan.

Suddenly, Sebastian finds himself muddled in the game he’s always prided himself on. He can’t even pick up girls at parties anymore! Why would anyone want to be in love when it turns you into a stuttering, screwed-up, mess with really lame stalker tendencies? Stalking? Totally not his gig.

But the Hook-up Doctor won’t let himself go down easily. He’s always known how to give a girl what she wants and now it’s time to figure out what a boy wants… and he definitely plans on getting it.

It seems that What A Boy Wants has been the talk of Twitter very recently, and to my delight, the book lived up to my every expectation.

Sebastian "Bastian" Hawkins is a seventeen-year-old know-it-all (or so he thinks) about the female gender. His supposed knowledge has gotten him the title of "Hook-up Doctor", also the name of the blog he runs to help girls score their dream guy. Everything is going perfectly well for Bastian until he does something he never thought possible--he falls in love.

It took me all of five minutes to fall head over heels for Bastian. Despite the ego and occasional narcissistic remark, it was easy to see that he had a sensitive side. He looks out for his mother, who has relationship troubles of her own, and also for his best friends, Aspen, Pris, and Jaden. As always, I enjoyed the sole male perspective, especially considering the clear contemporary nature of the novel. Bastian's character, though written by a female author, was perfectly believable throughout the story.

Perhaps I'm just crazy, but I've always found that there is something incredibly special about romantic relationships between best friends. Both individuals involved know exactly who the other is, which makes for an effortlessly natural bond. Bastian and Aspen have been close since childhood. They've spent countless hours together and trust each other completely. I was not at all surprised to see the pair of them fall in love; it was only a matter of time. Despite the predictability of the plotline, my inner girly girl was thoroughly satisfied.

Recommended for anyone looking for a solid, sweet contemp read. I can't wait to see what's next from Ms. Dawn!

Rating: 4.5/5 stars