Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer

Title: Smart Girls Get What They Want
Author: Sarah Strohmeyer
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: June 26, 2012
Pages: 352
Source: eBook

Summary from Goodreads:
Gigi, Bea, and Neerja are best friends and total overachievers. Even if they aren't the most popular girls in school, they aren't too worried. They know their real lives will begin once they get to their Ivy League colleges. There will be ivy, and there will be cute guys in the libraries (hopefully with English accents)! But when an unexpected event shows them they're missing out on the full high school experience, it's time to come out of the honors lounge and into the spotlight. They make a pact: They will each take on their greatest challenge—and they will totally rock it.

Gigi decides to run for student rep, but she'll have to get over her fear of public speaking—and go head-to-head with gorgeous California Will. Bea used to be one of the best skiers around, until she was derailed. It could be time for her to take the plunge again. And Neerja loves the drama club but has always stayed behind the scenes—until now.

These friends are determined to show the world that smart girls really can get what they want—but that could mean getting way more attention than they ever bargained for. . . .

Review

Smart Girls Get What They Want brought me right back to my high school days. I was so much like Gigi/Bea/Neerja and shared their whole mentality – get good grades, follow the rules, sight set on the future. Now, I wouldn’t say no one knew who I was – I think it’s pretty difficult to obtain that level of anonymity – but I could relate to these girls and how they felt like they were missing out on something. So I enjoyed watching the girls start to branch out of their comfort zones and be rewarded for it. I thought they were all great and it was easy to root for them.

I also LOVED the friendship they shared. It was one of those power friendships – like, mess with one and face the wrath of the others - which is the best and most entertaining kind, in my opinion. And because of how much I value friendship, and needed the support of my best friend in High School, it was nice seeing these girls have each other’s backs.

I also think Strohmeyer provided a pretty fair portrayal of High School. I do think some things were exaggerated for the sake of the story (when are they not), but other things were pretty accurate. Like all of the stresses of an overachiever and the smart girl persona. Gigi overthinking her Harvard interview response was SPOT ON. And I would have had a full on melt down if someone wrongfully accused me of cheating and threatened my future prospects. Like, I would have made Gigi look calm. So I appreciated those details. And I don’t think the story read too juvenile or fell victim to any of the typical High School tropes – at least not to the point that it annoyed me.

Oh, and the romance was cute. Although, there was a pseudo love triangle.

Bottom Line

Smart Girls Get What They Want was a fun read. There are some really great characters, a super strong friendship, and even a little romance. I definitely feel like it’s a contemporary that the masses can enjoy. But if you were (are) an overachiever in High School (like I was), then this book is definitely for you. You will relate to it in so many ways, I can guarantee it!