| Title | : | Forever Geek (Geek Girl, #6) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 000757469X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780007574698 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 400 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2017 |
Harriet Manners knows almost every fact there is.
Modelling isn’t a sure-fire route to popularity. Neither is making endless lists. The people you love don’t expect you to transform into someone else. Statistically, you are more likely to not meet your Australian ex-boyfriend in Australia than bump into him there.
So on the trip of a lifetime Down Under Harriet’s to-do lists are gone and it’s Nat’s time to shine! Yet with nearly-not-quite-boyfriend Jasper back home, Harriet’s completely unprepared to see supermodel ex Nick. Is the fashion world about to turn ugly for GEEK GIRL?
It’s time for Harriet to face the future. Time to work out where her heart lies. To learn how to let go…
Forever Geek (Geek Girl, #6) Reviews
-
I read this on a train and was crying in public for the last 40 pages of this book.
This was the perfect end to the series, I could not have asked for anything more. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Harriet has come such a long way since the first book, and my re-reading of the series has only illuminated that more.
I loved how every bit of mischief that would have just led to disasters in previous books were delayed from happening and that's all to do with the wonderful Nat, who I couldn't be more pleased to see more of.
I'm Roby's number one fan.
Somehow, Holly Smale managed to bring back literally everyone that's ever appeared in the series, in some way, and give you hope that Harriet is leading the happiest life off the page. -
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
The Geek Girl series is one of my all time favourite UKYA book series, and even though I was sad that the finale was soon to be published, I was overjoyed at the chance to read an early copy, and dove straight right in.
In the final instalment, we see Harriet trying to balance her new boyfriend, Jasper, with her home life, as well as her fledging modelling career, which is neigh on going down the pan. When her final chance to succeed leads to a trip down-under, complete with best friend Nat, and wacky grandma, Bunty, she was sure there'd be no chance she'd run into her ex-boyfriend, Lion Face himself, Nick, because, well, Australia is a really big country. Isn't it? Obviously, that didn't happen, but Harriet has other things to deal with, especially when she believes someone close to them both is sick, and she can't do anything about it.
Let me tell you, I honestly think this was my favourite book out of the entire series. Harriet has stolen a part of my heart, and I don't think I'll ever me able to get it back. We've seen her develop, and grow, into the best person ever, someone who hasn't lost her ow wackiness and originality, and her geekiness. I truly wish I either was her, or knew someone like her when I grew up. Everything about her is so commendable, and I really believe this series is perfect for everyone, no matter gender or age. We should all read this series.
I think most people know who my favourite love interest for Harriet was, though she is a strong independent woman who don't need no man. I was really happy with this series, and how much of the time Harriet realised she was perfect on her own, and needed to understand herself, before she was truly ready for someone else. That being said, there were a lot of cute moments in the book in which I couldn't keep a smile off my face because of how shippy it was.
I honestly could not have asked for a better ending to this series. Small has completed the series, full circle, and Harriet is the best person she can be. Nothing has been left unanswered that needed solving, and I have absolutely no complaints about anything in this series. I'm sad that this is the end of Geek Girl but look forward to more from the author in the future. If you, or someone close to yo hasn't read this series yet, what are you playing at?! Get on it right away! -
What a perfect way to end such an amazing series. I've adored every single minute of the Geek Girl series, and I'm going to miss Harriet and the rest of Team JRNTH so, so much. I can't believe this was the last book, but it was definitely the best one!
-
Originally reviewed on
This Chick Reads
OMG! I'm in my late 30s and I absolutely, thoroughly, completely, immensely enjoyed FOREVER GEEK. Hell, I'm not even that much of a fan of Young Adult and it's been a while since the last time I read one. However, Harriet is irresistible and has a special place in my heart.
I haven't read all of the books in the Geek Girl series and I blame my toppling TBR pile for that. So in case you're wondering if this one can be read as a stand alone, it sure can. If I did it, so can you. But of course, it's always best to follow the books in order, because...hey more Harriet Manners, what better reason than that.
Geek Girl is the series I wish I could read when I was a teenager. When I feared being in love with chemistry and all other sciences was uncool and geeky. Wish I had these books back then and embrace the little geek telling her one day she'll be a super mum, a wife and an employee and will have the best life ever. But there's a bumpy road to travel while we're able to see things more clearly. I am however happy for the new generations which have this book and can easily download/buy/borrow a copy and devour these fun, funny and comforting books.
As it's been a while since I've read a YA and I was a bit skeptical. I didn't doubt Harriet or Holly for that matter, but I wasn't sure if I'm the audience for these type of books anymore. I didn't need to worry though as I totally loved it and read it under 4 hours. Not that I'm a speedy reader, it's just that it's so damn good.
Harriet is off to Australia with Bunty, her fabulous grandmother and her best friend Nat. She's kind of dating Jasper and has promised to talk to him, though she still doesn't know how to define their relationship. Typical Harriet even leaves him a chart all marked with exact times when she will call, though being in such an exotic country, one she's never visited and has so many stuff to see, makes it a bit hard to stay on the schedule. During the trip she gets into a lot of funny situations, as all amazing geeks do, and I laughed out loud at her clumsiness. Yet she's so cute and adorable, always honest and full of random facts she shares with everyone and anyone. These facts and the situations where she would come up with them were too hilarious. It's absolutely amazing and fascinating how her brain could come up with such brilliant things in a second. But that's Harriet Manners, so special and lovable.
While there are many characters in the book (at least in my opinion) and some of them having their come back from the previous books, you will literally catch yourself turning the pages with the speed of light. You know what else is so special about this book and the whole series? There are just so many lovable characters, it's really hard to pick just one. This is usually not a problem for me when I read other books, but this time I simply can not make my mind. But if I had to pick only one, besides Harriet, it would definitely be Bunty. She's the woman I wish I have in my life, so full of life, pink hair, universe loving, spiritual, funny, caring, memorable. In my opinion, she and Harriet are the real stars of the book. I also loved Harriet's dad and step mum, Annabel and loved the relationship they have not only with each other but with Harriet too.
While most of the book is funny and light hearted, I have to say I was teary by the end. Unfortunately, I can't tell you why because it would be a big fat spoiler..but OMG! I could feel eyes filling with tears and remember asking myself..how do I go from laughing out loud to being a huge mess? It's all down to this book, wonderful, funny, light hearted yet with such an emotional ending. I applaud to you, Holly for doing this and I thank you for giving us Harriet. I haven't read many YA books but out of all those I've read, the Geek Girl series will stay my fave. Harriet is the ultimate YA heroine, a girl you wish you knew, a girl you wish was your family. She's the best teenage role model, speaking openly about her insecurities, being oh so awesome in everything she does and doing it her way. She's accepted who she is and we all know what teenagers are like. The raging hormones and society's expectations keep on pushing them, making them want so desperately to fit in. Harriet shows us that she doesn't need to fit anywhere cause she's in a league of her own.
Wonderful finale to an amazing series and I wish Holly decides one day to bring Harriet back. I'd love to see her grown up as well as see more of her friends and family. No matter how old you are, just read this book! If you're a teenager and ever felt left out (and we all did) just pick up this series and show the world your power! -
I LOVE HARRIET MANNERS SO MUCH.
I can't believe that this is the end of the series, and I can finally add Geek Girl to my completed series list. This series is one of my all-time favourites, and I've been with it from the very beginning. I've loved watching Harriet grow into a better person, one who understands herself so much more than she did in the beginning.
Forever Geek was the perfect end to the series. It gave just the right amount of closure, said hello and goodbye to practically ALL the characters ever, and I couldn't be more approving of the actually ending ending. Highlights for me would have tone Nat in general, because she's been there for Harriet this whole time, but now we finally have a book where they're not separated by oceans of different class schedules! Also, Annabelle and Richard, shoutout to them, of course, for being the coolest parents in any YA ever.
I cried because of the ending and I cried because it's ending. -
2 stars.
This was a pretty disappointing end to the series, to be honest. Despite Harriet having accumulated 5 whole books worth of life lessons, she still makes the same mistakes in this last instalment, over and over and over again, with and through her arrogance, her inability to communicate, her bossiness, her compulsive lying , and her whole "Harriet knows best" mentality, despite the fact that she really doesn't, and quite frankly, I was getting tired of it.
I understand that it takes time to grow out of habits ingrained in you, but in the course of 6 books, we've passed by almost two years of her adolescence, a time period in an individual's life where you arguably do the most growing. And the whole premise of each book is about her personal catharsis and coming-of-age. So I have a hard time empathizing when this protagonist had no character development whatsoever throughout an accumulation of around 2400 pages (+ about 600 more pages if you count the novellas). Every single book made me doubt Holly Smale's ability to come up with an innovative plot. It felt like that time in high school where my French teacher asked us to write an essay on "globalization" and my cultural studies teacher asked us to write an argumentative essay on "capitalism and its pros and cons" and so I just ended up recycling the same essays for both classes after tinkering and switching up a few words and sentences.
I also felt like the ending was too cookie-cutter; as in, she added drama for drama's sake in the last book, and then she realized this is the last instalment of the series, so let's patch things up real quick. I'm not okay with that.
I don't know how the last book for what was a consecutive 3-star series could disappoint me so much (because how could you be so devastatingly disappointed by something so mediocre to being with?), but it did. The only thing I enjoyed about this book is how much we've seen of Nat (and how much of a great friend she is to Harriet). Also the return of Nick. Nick is lovely. -
I've sat in front of the screen for an hours, trying to put down in words what I thought of Forever Geek, and I'm really struggling. How do I put all of my thoughts and feelings about this book into a few words and share how much I loved it.
It's no secret I'm a HUGE fan of these books, I've snagged copies as soon as they hit the shelves, both paperback and hardback, even the novellas for special events. But I was reluctant to make a start on Forever Geek, and it sat in my app for a few days before I began. I wanted to make this series last forever, and not have to read the final words and admit it was all over. Forever Geek takes us to Australia on the trip of a lifetime. Harriet gets to model but have her best friend with her, as well as Bunty. She is excited for this new adventure, but also knows it isn't all about her and has a secret plan.
Forever Geek was so much more than I expected. I love seeing how far Harriet has come throughout this series, and we see all this in the ways she helps Nat with her fashion designs, how she makes plans to help another person, and even more so towards the end of the book.
We also see how much Harriet has rubbed off on Nat, and how perfect this friendship is. I loved that Nat knew everything about Harriet, and that Harriet also knows Nat.
"Owls can rotate their heads by two hundred and seventy degrees," I say sharply. "Natalie, do I look like an owl to you?"
"Well, you do have unnaturally large, round eyes. And that bird documentary you made me watch last year said they eat whole mice and then barf up the skeleton. I've definitely seen you do that with a chocolate wrapper."
Forever Geek is a book filled with adventure, laughs, mishaps, and because its Harriet, facts. I savoured every page of this book, taking my time and prolonging the ending. But we warned, it's also an emotional book. There are a lot of touching moments where we see Harriet looking back at her time spent modeling, reminiscing over the places and events. There is also a sad moment where a box of tissues simply will not be enough, and that bar of chocolate you were saving for later is suddenly in your hands. This was something I did not expect, and I sobbed my heart out.
Forever Geek is a book you just have to buy, and treasure, and instead of leaving you with my final thoughts ( buy this book), I'm going to leave you with a quote instead.
.
.
.
.
But then, with a rush, I can suddenly hear them all: every single unkind word I've ever been called.
Circling in the air above my head like angry flies: buzzing and buzzing, as if they're desperate to find somewhere to land. Ugly. Freckles. Nobody. Boring. Loser. Spotty. Carrots. GEEK.
But for the first time, they can't seem to settle or stick on me. There's nowhere for them to go.
Still smiling, I reach a hand up and start batting at them: hitting the words, one by one, until they're dead on the floor. Empty ghost words that have no meaning, no use, no purpose, no truth in them.
Definitions that aren't in my dictionary any more.
Because from this point onwards, nobody gets to choose the vocabulary I use for myself but me. -
... that's it. Its over. *sobs* I've been silently crying for the past 150 pages. I just cannot believe it's over. This was the perfect ending to one of my favourite series. Harriet is still one of the most relatable characters I have ever read about, even if her antics were beyond a little ridiculous at times. She just makes me smile, and oh my, how she has grown since the first book. Her development across this series is beyond incredible. Smale did make me cry again. I should have known she would. This time it was not just the realistic friendship feels - which were sadly a little bit lacking this time around - but some really poignant lines about growing and making tough decisions, the gorgeous family themes and, of course, the ending. My God, the ending. I didn’t ugly cry, you did.
Only two small things niggled at me: one, the Australian slang was a little off; and two, I predicted the reveal from the very beginning. It still made me emotional but yeah, it was a tad obvious. Or I thought so.
Most importantly, though? Lion Boy came back and it was literally everything. The entire romance was just perfect. Literally. Just Jasper and Harriet… I can’t. The maturity. The feels. The everything. I loved it.
I'm going to miss Team JRNTH and my beautiful, beautiful Lion Boy so much. I hope this will not be the last we hear of Holly Smale. -
mooi einde van een toch stiekem een hele leuke serie
-
Why did this series have to end? I loved the final instalment, demolishing it in one sitting, dreading the ending. Harriet didn't disappoint. I'll miss her random facts and the vibrant characters dotted throughout the books but most of all I'll miss Harriett. This book finds Harriet on an adventure to Australia with Nat and Bunty. I'm not ashamed to say that this book made me cry both tears of laughter and sadness. The ending is fitting though I can only imagine Harriet's future exploits I'm sure they will be epic!
-
A very fitting end to Harriet's story. She'll always be an awkward self-centered hilarious geeky girl. But she matured and Forever Geek felt like it came full circled.
-
Wow. Woowowowowowowoow.
This series is an absolute gift.
More thoughts to come, maybe? For now I need to be a little sad about finishing this series. -
Awwww Harriet wat ben je toch een heerlijke meid en wat ben ik toch blij dat je niet mijn dochter bent.
Tweederde van het boek was oké, en het laatste deel was waanzinnig goed. Holly Smale heeft op zo'n fijne manier de rust genomen om deze serie af te sluiten, veel schrijvers kunnen hier een voorbeeld aan nemen.
En Margot, wat kan die vrouw vertalen zeg, door mensen zoals zij hoeft eigenlijk niemand meer Engelstalig te lezen. -
What a perfect ending.
-
The perfect ending to a perfect series!
I honestly can’t recommend these books highly enough. If you haven’t read them yet, I URGE you to! You won’t regret it, I promise! -
This series has been with me for over three years
And the reason why it took me so long to finish it was because I didn't want the story to be over because this is one of my ALL TIME FAVOURITE BOOKS SERIES
I remember last year just before Head Over Heels came out and I had just won £50 in book vouchers so I went to this local shop and pre-ordered it. It came out a week or two later and I remember being really excited to get collect it but also really sad because I was moving house that day. I also remember reading most of it in the four hour car journey it took to get to my new house
The point is that this series has been with me for so long that it's hard to let go because I have so many memories attached to these books
So I'm going to quote the last few words because I don't know how to end this
"Then I put my pen away
Because these are my words, and this is my story
Now you get to choose yours" -
Overall I think this book was a good conclusion to the series. I really thought that ending was beautiful and I even almost teared up. In this book there again was some growth in Harriet as a character, but I think in the span of six books, it could've been much more without the growth being unrealistic.
-
I am so sad to say goodbye to Harriet, I am not a contemporain books reader but I really like this serie. It was fun, human and true sometimes. Harriet is not always the best friend/daugter/teen but I really enjoy her story. And fun fact I learnt a ton of stuff ins this book.
-
I cannot believe this is the end of the story. I cannot believe that this is the last book of the series. I am not ready to say GOODBYE. I want more geeky adventures. That's not fair. Why are authors always so cruel?
-
3 stars. There were goods and bads. I will definitely miss this series though, Harriet might be frustrating to the max, but the modelling (whenever that happened) was good and fun, Harriet's friends were a delight (though I had to get used to Toby), Harriet's parents and sister were hilarious, Bunty was fantastic.
Instead of the normal review I will make a good/bad review as I am quite tired, but I still want to tell everyone what I thought about the book.
First up the good:
-Australia! I just loved that Harriet, Nat, and Bunty went to Australia for a vacation trip! It is just a shame that they didn't really go anywhere (yes Sydney, and then when Harriet went to find Nick), but it is the thought that counts. Next time though it would be fun to see them explore a bit more.
-There is some modelling. I was already worried there would be none, but in the end there were 2 modelling jobs for Harriet. And they were oh so fun. Especially the first one. I laughed so hard at what she had to do, if only she had asked. :P
-Nick and Harriet.
-The seriousness in the book. It was still mostly lighthearted but there were some parts that had me in tears. :(
-Nat. I am so glad to see Nat she is a fun character, and I loved that she was able to travel with Harriet to Australia. Not only that but that she is also working hard to make a name for herself in the world of fashion. It was such a delight to see her light up like a Christmas tree when Harriet told her of the plan.
-The ending was perfection. Definitely a perfect closing to a good series.
Now for the bad:
-Harriet. Sorry, on the one hand I just love this girl, but mostly I just want to throw something at her head and hope she gets some common sense. Because she is clearly still missing that. There were lots of moments in this book that just had me frustrated. If only she would just stop, think, and think some more. But oh no, this little girl just goes into a frenzy immediately. *rolls eyes*
-What was going on with Yuka.
-The whole: You must be British. I just was slightly annoyed with that after a while. Yes, we get it.
-The fact that Harriet didn't know that Australia also used Celcius..... I was just rolling my eyes at this part, I would think Harriet would know only the US and its territories use Fahrenheit..
-Nick and Harriet and Jasper.
But all in all I enjoyed this final book, I will miss the series. I have been following it since the first book came out, looking forward to each new book, pre-ordering them as they popped up on Amazon. Hopefully one day Holly Smale will write a new series. Also plus points go to the cover!
Review first posted at
https://twirlingbookprincess.com -
How did this book manage to make me cry? How? I don't cry in books.
Okay, but in all seriousness: I love this series. Love it. Even though it's not the genre I normally lean to, I read all 6 books in the blink of an eye and adored every single one of them. And I'm really sad it's over. And who could have expected that this lighthearted series could make me cry? Nobody. But it did. -
What?? This will be the last book?! NOOO!
-
Önceki iki kitaba göre daha güzeldi. Sevdiğim tarzda bir finaldi. Seriye de karaktere epey uygun bir son olmuş.
-
ah the best one
-
so sad there is no more books left to read in this series!! these books are the best!
-
It was a great ending to an inspiring series that everyone should read as it teaches you amazing life lessons that every teenagers needs to know.
-
It's actually a really interesting book series, and I'm kinda sad that I finished it.
-
I received an ARC from Netgalley in return for an honest review. (actual rating 3.5 stars)
In the final instalment of the Geek Girl series, Harriet and Nat travel to Australia with Harriet’s grandmother – Harriet to (inevitably) model, and Nat to hopefully raise her social media profile in the fashion world. But, of course, Harriet’s romance woes inevitably complicate the situation – can her and Jasper’s incipient relationship survive the long distance? And what will happen in she perhaps, maybe, runs into ex-boyfriend Nick?
It’s hard to review a book when you’re six deep into a series. The Geek Girl books all follow pretty much the same formula – a series of misunderstandings and mistakes result in Harriet getting into more and more ridiculous situations, until things come to a head, misunderstandings are resolved, and a happy(ish) ending ensues, normally with some unexpected triumph in either the modelling or romance department. If you enjoyed the previous books, you’ll enjoy this.
One thing I liked about this final instalment is that this repetition and inevitable snowballing of events in Harriet’s life is flagged at every turn. Even Harriet is, at this point, both unsurprised and frustrated at the absurd situations she finds herself in. She realises she makes mistakes. She realises that she is, perhaps, not the easiest person to be around. And if that’s not character development, I don’t know what is – both for Harriet as a protagonist, but also Smale as an author. It was fun to watch Smale say ‘this is exactly what every single book has been like, isn’t Harriet’s life ridiculous?’
The story also had a larger emotional impact than some of the other books, due to the events of the story. Rather than struggling against mean girls and fashion mishaps, Harriet undergoes some really painful experiences in this book. I thought this was well written, and it was good to see Harriet’s more absurd problems transition into real emotional pain and the growth that results from that.
The main focus of the story (apart from spoilers that I can’t divulge) is of course Harriet’s love life. Will she and Jasper endure, and what will being on the same continent as Nick result in?
SPOILERS ENSUE:
Overall, I think this book was a good close to a series that I’ve always enjoyed. It’s not my favourite book series by any means – I have some issues with the character of Harriet, as I always have, as I think she plays into some inaccurate stereotypes of ‘geeks’. But if you want a nice middle grade romance read, I would say that this is a good go-to book.
