Mia is used to feeling overlooked: her perfect older sister gets all the attention at home, and the popular clique at school are basically experts at ignoring her. So when it’s time for the annual Student Council chocolate rose sale, Mia is prepared to feel even worse. Because even though anyone can buy and send roses to their crushes and friends, the same (popular) people always end up with roses while everyone else gets left out.
Except a twist of fate puts Mia in charge of selling the roses this year—and that means things are going to change. With a little creativity, Mia makes sure the kids who usually leave empty-handed suddenly find themselves the object of someone’s affection. But her scheme starts to unravel when she realizes that being a secret matchmaker isn’t easy—and neither is being in the spotlight.
My thoughts:
First, I love this cover. Just adore it. It's the kind of cover that makes you want to open the book, so I was excited to read this. And I wasn't disappointed at all.
Mia gets a really brilliant idea to buy roses for the kids in her class who don't ever get roses. All she wants is to make people feel good because she knows what it's like to feel left out or not quite as good as someone else, including her older sister. I loved Mia immediately for this.
But there's a problem with Mia's plan. Everyone wants to know who sent the roses, and since Mia is the one who sold them, everyone interrogates her. Mia tries to dodge their questions and pretends she doesn't know who sent them. But sending the roses leads to Mia playing Cupid. Kids are asking her for help talking to their crushes and getting made over. Mia's not sure how everyone came to think she knows about matchmaking and she's not exactly happy about it. Especially since Mia can't even admit to herself that she has a crush of her own.
Things begin to get out of control for Mia and she's not sure if she can fix it. What started out as a nice gesture becomes a heap of trouble for Mia.
I really loved Mia. I think she had great intentions, so when things started going wrong for her, I felt awful for her. The poor girl was only trying to be nice. But let's face it. Middle school is tough! There's plenty of drama to go around.
I couldn't put this book down, and as soon as I finished it, my daughter claimed it for herself. This is a great middle grade read that I highly recommend.
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YAY! Thank you for the great review. I'm so honored that you read 25 Roses and it makes me smile that your daughter read it, too!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. :)
DeleteWhat an awesome review, Kelly! And sending a huge congrats out to Stephanie. I will be spreading the word for her=)
ReplyDeleteYou're such a sweetheart. :)
DeleteThank you, Gina!
DeleteA great review indeed
ReplyDeleteIt was a great review. It made my week!
Deletehooray for stephanie! :)
ReplyDeleteStephanie is great.
DeleteAww, thank you guys!
Deletecan't wait to read this one--I adored 30 Days of no Gossip. Go, Stephanie!!!
ReplyDeleteI have 30 Days but didn't read it yet. I'm looking forward to it though.
DeleteThank you, Beth Ellyn!
DeleteCame over from Stephanie's blog; sounds like a great book to read; good review!
ReplyDeletebetty
Thanks, Betty.
DeleteThank you for coming over, Betty!
DeleteVery well done. Very well.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day. ☺
You too!
DeleteThank you, Sandee!
DeleteA book which sounds perfect for any of us who have ever felt 'on the outer'. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely!
DeleteI definitely have felt that way most of my life.
DeleteExcellent review, Kelly! Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteThank you, William!
DeleteI love this cover too! I read this one and agree that readers will like Mia and relate to her struggles. Middle school is tough! A wonderful book and I am so excited to see it spotlighted here today. :)
ReplyDeleteI taught middle school. It definitely is tough.
DeleteThank you, Stephanie. Yes, I think those years are the toughest. Seems so much is changing during those middle school years.
DeleteWonderful review and I plan on reading it. I enjoyed Stephanie's first book.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll enjoy it.
DeleteThank you, Medeia!
DeleteThis sounds so sweet and almost reminds me of the movie with Alicia Silverstone. Duh I can't think of the name of it. I will add it to my TBR list on Goodreads. Thanks, Kelly!
ReplyDeleteClueless? And Clueless was loosely based on Jane Austen's Emma.
DeleteYeah, must be Clueless like Stephanie said.
DeleteIt sounds cute.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Johnell!
DeleteIt is, Johnell. :)
DeleteI also love the cover, first thing that attracts me to a book, will I be able to get the book here in South Africa?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure, Karen. Hopefully Stephanie can answer that for you.
DeleteHi, Karen. 30 Days of No Gossip is available there: http://www.loot.co.za/product/stephanie-faris-30-days-of-no-gossip/ptvx-2630-g660
DeleteI'm assuming 25 Roses will be, as well. Foreign releases always seem to be a few months behind, though, primarily because those rights are negotiated separately. Thank you for asking!
The cover is great and a great review. I can see many girls just love reading this book and relate to it...so can the adults!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Birgit. I hope so!
DeleteYes, kids AND adults.
DeleteSounds like a fun read. And you're right. The cover is awesome. Way to go, Stephanie!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandra!
DeleteIt definitely is.
DeleteKelly, I'm doing a cover reveal for Love, Lattes and Mutants (YA) the week of February 23. If you could feature me that would be awesome.
ReplyDeleteMy addie: sandracox1@gmail.com
Absolutely! I sent you an email. :)
DeleteI'm looking forward to hosting Stephanie and 25 Roses in Jan. Such a cute book, and I can totally relate to not getting a flower. =/ For our school it was carnations.
ReplyDeleteWe had carnations, too. :)
Delete