This was the first book of the New Year that I read.While it was very cute and sassy and definitely a nice clean cut read, it was more of a read for the 10-14 age group. I do have to say that is was very well written. I have previously read YA books and they were stronger than this, although as I've stated it will definitely be a hit for the 10-14 age group.This is a story of Cisco and Bean (Isabelle and Annie) and their lack of knowledge of how to be cool and how to refine flirt techniques.They have a very strong friendship and it appears that nothing, can tear that apart. They form a secret "Flirt Club" to figure out how to flirt with boys. They eventually let other people into their Flirt Club. As always, when a boy enters the picture things change. While not true happily ever after ending, it was sufficient.This book got 3 of 5 stars and had I been a younger reader, I'm sure I would have rated it a bit higher. ( )

Full review on Reader's Dialogue: http://readersdialogue.blogspot.com/2011/03/flirt-club.html

I love this book! It's so much fun, and such a real glimpse into the workings of middle-school minds. Told entirely through journal entries and notes passed back and forth between Cisco (Izzy) and Bean (Annie) with an occasional note from the other girls in the group, the story captures the way girls in middle school think and talk, and what they think and talk about. Especially the way girls feel the need to rehash every little thing that happens - why do we do that?

I like that the girls are not the popular girls, but they're not on the bottom rung, and they're not trying to become popular either. They don't like how they can't talk to boys, but they're comfortable with who they are, they're fine with being drama geeks - and they can laugh at themselves for acting like drama geeks! They're self-aware, and I love that. And they're always there for each other, so the ups and downs of their friendship are great to watch.

What I really love is how real the relationships are. The crushes each girl has on the various boys at the beginning of the novel do sound like crushes of girls who think they have no hope of going out with any of those boys at any time, and the way they completely miss when boys take interest in them is also so typical. Then when they start "flirting," the disasters and silliness sound so natural to beginners. When they start really talking to boys, going out and even kissing, again it sounds so real. Each boy is unique, too, which I like - they're not stock characters, even told through the girls' own words to each other.

And then there's the way this book really empowers girls. In every relationship, even when the guys are acting in not-so-likable ways, even when a guy ends up putting pressure on one of them, the way they deal with it shows the girls as strong, self-assured characters. Though they start out shy and unable to look at boys, they show that they're not doormats to be walked all over - they stand up for themselves, and for each other.

This is a fun but thoughtful book, an honest look at how middle-school girls deal with real issues, with boys, friends, social groups, and popularity - or lack thereof! ( )

These girls were so funny. I really did like them. However, to be perfectly honest, this book was not terribly realistic for me. The girls passed notes all the time. Just about every teen I know texts these days. Rarely do they write notes, even if cells aren't allowed at school.

There was other things too like mentioning The Monkees. I don't know that many teens today would know who The Monkees were. Talking about ABBA and the song "You Sexy Thing" by Hot Chocolate. I'm sure teens today would be going "WHO?"

Cisco and The Bean very funny and I loved the exploits of the Flirt Club. I just think the references fell flat for me and became a sort of distraction. I kept having to remind myself that it wasn't set in the seventies but in present time. I'm giving this one 3 flirty kisses! ( )

Flirt Club by Cathleen Daly.
Reviewed by Moirae the fates book reviews

When two self-professed middle school drama geeks––Isabelle and Annie (a.k.a. Cisco and The Bean)––fail at their attemps in romance, they start Flirt Club, an after school support group for similarly afflicted friends who decide to take decisive and strategic action with hilarious and touching results.
(Synopsis provided by good reads)

This book is very fanciful and full of the sweet pie in the sky attitude that a lot of young girls have towards love. The premise of this book was really cute and fun.

I enjoyed myself when I read this book and even though I am in my 20's I think women of any age can enjoy this book. I like how it was told through journal entries and notes the girls wrote to one another, I think that gave it a little something extra!

I found all of the girls to be fun and likeable, I do wish I could have seen a little more development in some of the situations and one of the girls. But aside from that, I still found the book thoroughly enjoyable. This book may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you want to remember what it was like to be in middle school and wanting to find your HEA, then I think you would enjoy this book.

Over all rating:
**** 4 out of 5 stars

Cover art:
The cover art on my copy is different then on the copy shown on most sites, but I think they are both cute.

Obtained:
I won a copy from goodreads early reviewers thank you. ( )