A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

Title: A Match Made in High School
Author: Kristin Walker
Release Date: February 4th, 2010
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 278
Format: Paperback
Acquired: Bought
Age Group: Young Adult

When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can't get any worse. Then she marries her "husband": jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona's long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer.

Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes

Honestly, why couldn't my high school be as fun as this? I would have loved to have participated in such an event, because the fun these kids had left me laughing until my sides hurt. I wish high school had been as fun as this, or else I would never have been in such a hurry to leave.

When Fiona and the entire senior class have to participate in a marriage ed program that pairs off the boys and girls, and forces them to live a pseudo-marriage life some interesting things start to take place. Pranks are everywhere and hurtful truths and lies are revealed. And the most unexpected people turn out to be some of the best.

At first I was sympathetic with Fiona, but as the novel started to develop I realized just how annoyed I was with her and her friend Marcie. I just wanted to hit them. I mean, I understand they are young but their behavior made me feel like I'm reading a book about middle schoolers instead of high school. The only thing that reminded me they were in high school was the idea of graduation. I don't think any of them talked about college or what they wanted to do later on. And just the way they acted, it was like, your really in high school? Really?

But I did like the character development. I liked how Walker showed a different side to Todd and Amanda near the end. And, of course, the cute guys always have a darker side to them, so I liked how Walker presented that.

Walker did a good job in showing how self-centered Fiona is, but she also should some growth, which I'm happy about.

Granted, I personally can't talk about the 'good ol' days when I was a kid' because honestly, I'm barely out of high school myself, so I can still remember the crazy feelings and just how...unstable life can feel. The madness was expressed well throughout the book.

I could not stop laughing and, when I should have been studying, I was finish reading this book in one sitting and I wish it hadn't ended. Walker is one of my new favorite authors now. She is hilarious and I can't wait to read more of her work!