Product Description

Disgusted by melodramatic romance novels, teenager Kate Bjorkman experiences a personal romance with her boyfriend, Richard, and is prompted to write her own novel with the assistance of The Romance Writer's Phrase Book.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #880153 in Books
• Published on: 1995-09-01
• Released on: 1995-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 183 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 7-10-Charismatic, lighthearted, and irresistible, Kate Bjorkman narrates her tale of teen romance in the language and conventions of The Romance Writer's Handbook. Spoofing the searing descriptions and pat plots of torrid bodice rippers, this six-foot tall heroine with glasses thick as Coke bottles and an I.Q. off the charts proves that true love awaits even the gawkiest, most socially inept teen. With a surprise Christmas visit from her older brother, his wife, and college friends, one of whom is a former neighbor and Kate's dream hunk, the freezing Minnesota winter takes on summer's glow. Fleur, whom Kate believes to be Richard's girlfriend, combines perfect California good looks with a rapier wit. Ashley, Kate's nubile, popular best friend, lets raging hormones stampede loyalty and horns in on Richard, even though Kate has identified him as the man of her dreams; thus a perfect romance-fiction villain is born. After much humorous travail, everything sorts itself out, and Kate lives happily ever after, at least for the six weeks that her romance has lasted. Witty, keen writing; likable characters, and an interesting format form a fast-paced, refreshing book with lots of appeal. Written in chapters that alternate novel segments with Kate's revision notes, the plot advances and characters develop with hilarity of detail. Kate is a uniquely strong female protagonist whose reflections on life, love, and people shine through. With a forgivably pat ending (this is a bodice ripper, after all!) that isn't quite as successful as its build-up, the book appeals to the starry-eyed romantic that lurks in us all.
Alice Casey Smith, Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Manalapan, NJ
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher
Hi, I'm Kate Bjorkman. If you're reading this, I must have gotten published. If you're turned off by romance novels, don't be. I don't like them myself. They're full of three-paragraph kisses describing people's tongues and spittle. But what do you do if you've lived a real romance with a great guy (Richard) and he loves you as much as you love him? Simple. I wrote a romance novel. I used The Romance Writer's Phrase Book since I'm not a natural in the romance department. My English teacher said there must be conflict in a story. No problem. My life was one big conflict last Christmas. Nothing is made up. I want truth even in romance. I'm betting you'll want the same.

From the Inside Flap
Hi, I'm Kate Bjorkman. If you're reading this, I must have gotten published. If you're turned off by romance novels, don't be. I don't like them myself. They're full of three-paragraph kisses describing people's tongues and spittle. But what do you do if you've lived a real romance with a great guy (Richard) and he loves you as much as you love him? Simple. I wrote a romance novel. I used The Romance Writer's Phrase Book since I'm not a natural in the romance department. My English teacher said there must be conflict in a story. No problem. My life was one big conflict last Christmas. Nothing is made up. I want truth even in romance. I'm betting you'll want the same.

Customer Reviews

A great Christmas YA novel--witty and well written.
Louise Plummer has taken the romance novel to a new level, and YA readers will get a kick out of how she has fun with the conventions of romance novels while at the same time spinning an enjoyable, and funny, story about a girl who falls in love. For teachers, this book presents many opportunities to discuss writing and the writing process; Kate, the narrator, includes revision notes that reflect on what she has written and how she might revise her romance novel.

Funny, funny book
I picked this up today and just finished it. I don't remember laughing that hard in a book for a long time. Wonderfully cheesy in just the right way, Kate's unlikely romance is, in my opinion, one of the best romance books out there. Kate is a great protagonist that is (thank goodness) nothing like a real romance novel heroine. Her honesty as a story teller and character is what makes the book great. Its an easy, enjoyable read. Louise Plummer has done a fantastic job!

Metafiction for young adults!
Wow, I wish that experimental writing existed in YA books when I was a pre-teen. Well, I suppose it actually sorta did, but not in the thorough and engaging way that Plummer does it in this book. _Unlikely Romance_ is a great read -- the characters are well-shaded and vibrant, the setting is wonderfully evoked, and then, of course, there is the humor and the voice of Kate herself, which make this novel a sheer joy. Forget about this being a good "YA book" -- it's a terrific book, period.