How to Ruin Your
Boyfriend's Reputation
by Simone Elkeles

    HOW TO RUIN YOUR BOYFRIEND'S REPUTATION by Simone Elkeles
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  11/1/09
    Publisher:  Flux
    Reviewed by:  Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Camo is back in fashion for the summer, and Amy Nelson-Barak is ready to show off her style. Not in the states,
    however, but all the way in Israel.

    After learning that her boyfriend, Avi, has to stay back for more training, Amy, along with her friends Miranda,
    Jessica, and the infamous Nathan, have all signed up for military boot camp that just so happens to be at the same
    base where Avi is currently training. SURPRISE!

    Amy’s plan is simple: go to boot camp, have the fun which the brochure advertises, and spend time with her Avi.
    But Amy should know that summers never turn out the way she expects.

    Once there, Amy notices the lack of indoor plumbing, gourmet food, or ideal mattresses. It gets worse. They
    actually want her to train like how the real soldiers would! Even though the whole ordeal may not be Amy’s cup of
    tea, she not only wants to make Avi proud, but she wants to prove her dad wrong.  She vows to show him that she
    can survive without all of her necessities from back home - well, with the exception of make-up, hair straighteners,
    and designer sunglasses.

    Already hating the environment, Amy is glad to finally see Avi, who just so happens to be the leader of her group.
    Little does she know that Avi has to keep their relationship professional, meaning they still won’t have time to be
    alone together.

    When things get bad, it has to get better… right? So what if Amy has to deal with bad meals and cold showers. The
    pretty girls there do not bother her either; she’s the one that has Avi. Seems like the only thing that can bother Amy
    is a little secret that Avi has been keeping from her, that could just possibly tear them apart. Whoever said karma
    wasn’t a big meanie?

    Simone Elkeles makes each installment of this series better than the previous one. HOW TO RUIN YOUR
    BOYFRIEND’S REPUTATION is laugh-out-loud hilarious, all while Amy Nelson-Barak stays true to her
    character and true to her culture.

    What I like best about this installment is that Simone Elkeles lets us into the minds and thoughts of soldiers and how
    they are proud to fight for their country and freedom. She delves into the misconceptions and beauty of Israel and
    lets us all see what a wonderful country it is. Amy Nelson-Barak is back, and this time she’s a “warrior woman!”