How to Date a Nerd by Cassie Mae

Zoe has a great pair of legs, perky boobs, and wears exactly what she needs to show it all off. She works hard for the easy sleazy 'you only wish you were me' reputation, burying who she really is-- an all-out nerd. The only time Zoe gets to be herself is when she hides under her comforter to read X-Men comics, sending jealousy stabs at everyone who attends Comic-Con. Keeping up her popular rep is too important, and she's so damn insecure to care about the consequences. But when Zoe's sister takes her car for a 'crash and burn into a tree' joyride, her parents get her a replacement. A manual. Something she doesn't know how to operate, but her next door neighbor Zak sure as heck does. Zak's a geek to the core, shunned by everyone in school for playing Dungeons and Dragons at lunch and wearing "Use the Force" t-shirts. And Zoe's got it bad for the boy. Only Zak doesn't want Popular Zoe. He wants Geek Zoe. She has to shove her insecurities and the fear of dropping a few rungs on the social ladder aside to prove to Zak who she really is and who she wants to be ... if she can figure it out herself.

Since I have been on the geek-nerd-dork spectrum pretty much all my life, this story absolutely hit the spot.
Zoe's yearning to “just fit in” felt all too real, as did her struggle to overcome her fears. Zak was the perfect counterpart for her (and now I wish there had been someone like him around when I grew up... Ah, well...).

I loved the less-than-perfect, but all the more realistic and (in some cases) more loveable characters - both Zoe and Zak, as well as their families and (some of their) friends.

This was the first book by this author that I've read, but it won't be my last. I am looking forward to reading more in the series, especially since book #2 is Sierra and Levi's story.

Let's clear something up, before we get to this review. There's a difference between a nerd and a geek. Few people can agree on what the difference is, but the words are not interchangeable. This, in my opinion, should have been called How To Date A Geek. But, whatevs, doesn't matter to me because they are both totally awesome.

You know how sometimes you need a fluffy book? Well, after the emotional rollercoaster that my last read took me on, that's exactly what I needed. I tried reading a couple of fantasy books but couldn't keep my attention on them. Then I remembered someone mentioning this book and went a grabbed it for my kindle.

Exactly what I needed.

This is a cute, fluffy little story about teen love and being true to who you are.

I will admit, Zoe is a character that I really cannot sympathize or relate to. She's one of those ‘I have to be fake because no one will like who I really am' people. Those people...I can't understand. It's impossible for me to be anything other than who I am and the people that can are like a whole other race. Or, if you'd prefer a geek simile, it's like they're speaking Elvish - because, while I got most of the geek references in this book, I cannot speak Elvish.

(Yes, I am inordinately pleased with myself for getting those references.)

Zak on the other hand is simply great. He's a total sweetheart, loves spending time playing WoW and wears Gambit shirts to school. (Seriously, where can I buy one? Because I want.) Definitely the kind of guy I want to see more in romances - whether they be school romances or adult romances.

Fluffy, fun, sweet, cute, loved the geekiness - would have be better if Zoe was herself right from the start.