How to Hook a Hottie by Tina Ferraro

Do not be deceived, this novel is not a how-to manual on snagging the hottest boy in school. While it might provide some tips, it is not a step-by-step guide and is purely fiction. It is, in fact, just a sweet novel about setting priorities and realizing what you really want in life.

Kate DelVecchio has a dream of becoming a millionaire by the age of twenty. She has a deal with her parents that if she can raise $5,000 by graduation they'll give her the college fund and she can start her own business. During her senior year, the hottest boy in school, who just happens to be her chem lab partner, asks her out and she suddenly has a new found popularity that she doesn't want since she has no feelings for the guy. Soon, though, people start coming to her for tips on how to snag a hottie and she sees an "Ideal Opportunity" to make the rest of her money. With the help of her best friend Dal, Kate pretends to play matchmaker while racking up the money. That, though, is not the only drama in her life. For one, her mother is off in Germany pursuing for higher education dreams while Kate is left with the responsibility of taking care of things at home while bitterly resenting her mother. Also, in efforts to raising money for her own dream, Kate drives around the young Lexie, an aspiring ice skater whose mother couldn't care less about her daughter's dreams. While trying to deal with those problems and the love needs of her schoolmates, Kate begins to see her best friend in a completely different light, but he already has a girlfriend, so she's out of luck. Will everything work out, or will it all blow up in Kate's face?

This is a nice and light read. What's good about the novel is that there's some good advice in it, and I'm not just talking in terms of hooking a hottie. Kate sees her mother as selfish and through that, she explores what it means to have dreams and aspirations and what to do when those take over your life. This novel was enjoyable.
MMK