A Field Guide For Heartbreakers
Getting dumped by a bird-obsessed guy named Hamilton not only sucks, it’s humiliating. Dessy, the dumpee and main character of A Field Guide For Heartbreakers by Kristen Tracy, is a quintessential good girl, about to embark on a summer writing trip to Prague with her screwball bestie, Veronica. The girls decide to throw caution to the wind and meet all sorts of cute boys in Europe.
After Italy, Prague is the number one European destination that I want to visit! I liked this as a backdrop as I do get bored with books set in America. My inner history junkie came out as the book mentions cool tidbits about Prague’s past.
Hijinks ensue as Dessy tries to land a cutie who reminds her of her ex and Veronica tries to hook up with every good looking boy she meets. Veronica actually makes this thing she calls a man wall, comprised of silhouettes to represent each boy.
Overall, I quite enjoyed A Field Guide For Heartbreakers by Kristen Tracy, with one caveat. I found Veronica to be incredibly annoying. She put herself in stupid, unsafe situations. I mean, she would go off with strangers on dates. I’m not sure I would do something like that. Call me boring, but I don’t take my life into my hands while visiting another country. Also, I felt she was very pushy towards Dessy. I’m not really certain that’s how friends should treat each other. Granted, yes I have done many a stupid things with my friends, but of my own free will, not because they push me into it.
Dessy though, I liked. I felt she was very level headed. She kept a calm demeanor during most of Veronica’s craziness. What sucks though, is that she was so hung up on her ex, but I get that. Breaking up is hard to do, especially if it’s your first one. I think Tracy really portrayed this facet of teen life well.
If you like reading about non-American places and teens travelling, then I suggest you check A Field Guide For Heartbreakers by Kristen Tracy out for a fun romp through Prague.
Disclosure: Received for review.
Other Reviews of A Field Guide For Heartbreakers by Kristen Tracy:
The Book Owl
Dreaming In Books
Chick Loves Lit
Purchase A Field Guide For Heartbreakers Here.
This post was written by...
April (Books&Wine) – who has written 1074 posts on Good Books And Good Wine.
April is 24 years old. She is an educator. In her free time she can be found reading, working out, or eating junk food. She often wears her sunglasses at night.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
+JMJ+
I'm starting to think there's a mandatory irresponsible, annoying friend in travel novels/movies for teens, just so the reader gets some small vicarious thrills (however ill-advised) without the hero/heroine being the one to look bad. =P
Thanks for the review, April. =)
This one sounds like fun! Thanks for the review!
this books sounds cute.I'll definitely check this one out.
This one sounds fun and cute. Sometimes I find a certain character annoying too.
I love the cover for this one. Nice review!
I loved the cultural aspect of this novel too. Prague sounds like such a beautiful city. I was also not a fan of Veronica at times but I enjoyed reading about Dessy and Prague. Great review!
Have you read Pretty Face by Mary Hogan? It involves a teen girl spending a summer in Italy. I was so jealous of her vacation opportunity.
I kind of wonder if we're looking at a scape goat friend here – one who is so over the top boy crazy that her friends actions all seem very sensible and tame in comparison?
Love that it's set in Prague. I don't read many teen contemporary roamnces, but I think I like them best when they feature summers abroad (The Juliet Club). Prague is wonderful by the way, although a bit more expensive than when I went I think – save your pennies.
I really want to read this book! I love the cover!