A romantic comedy that's "a good choice for fans of John Green" (Booklist) about high school, heartbreak, and having all the answers.
What if the secrets of dating and love were revealed in one simple formula? That's the tantalizing proposition high school senior Shane Chambliss offers the hopeless and hapless guys who come to him for relationship advice.
After the girl of his dreams breaks his heart, Shane devises a mysterious formula called the Galgorithm and establishes himself as the resident dating guru at Kingsview High School. But his attempts to master the art of romance go outrageously awry.
As Shane tries to navigate the ensuing drama, he must follow his heart, abandon all the rules, and ignore his own advice in a quest for true love. What he discovers, no formula could ever predict...
Aaron Karo is an author, comedian, and TV writer. His books include “Me You Us,” “Lexapros and Cons,” “I’m Having More Fun Than You,” “Ruminations on Twentysomething Life,” and “Ruminations on College Life.” He was born and raised in New York, currently lives in Los Angeles, and always pays on the first date.
BOOK REVIEW: 5 STARS If you ever want to read something different, funny, almost drama free and from the perspective of a man, read Galgorithm. This is the story about Shane. After having his heart broken at the age of 15, he decided to study girls and find the PERFECT FORMULA for boys to date the girls of their dreams. For years it worked perfectly for others, but when he finally decided to use it himself, things went crazy.
There are so many things to love about this book: Jak, Shane’s friendship with Jak, all the couples Shane helped, the little drama, the funny moments, OMG VOLDEMORT!!! I mean I didn't like her (I won’t tell, don't worry, no spoilers), and the double explanation of why she’s voldemort, that was hillarious… And the last but not the least SHANE #BookBoyfriendAlert G.I.M.M.E! He’s smart, funny, loyal, an excellent friend, he cares for people but OMG he’s so clueless sometimes! I just love him!
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: 5 STARS This is one of the few audios I don't get to read and listen at the same time, so the perfect pronunciation and pace of Jacques Roy was very helpful. I loved his tone of voice and inflections for all the characters, I liked how different his voice was from one character to another. Also, Jacques transmitted Shane’s sense of humor, charming personality and his sexyness. He definitely has a super sexy voice. 100% recommended. NOTE: S&S please use him for all the YA audiobooks please, his voice is perfect for young guys. Thank you very much.
After a terrible heartbreaking love affair ended at the very tender age of 14 (or was it 15? Whatever..) Shane Chambliss chose to protect his heart by concentrating on helping the other woeful geeks at school get the girl of their dreams. He’s developed a “formula” which he has chosen to call the Galgorithm. A little tongue in cheek homage to his dad’s sexist insistence on referring to women, gals. Shane is basically a teenage Hitch, helping guys up their game so they can get the girl. A great service that is also a perfect recipe for disaster.
Between maneuvering a new relationship with a slightly obsessive mostly crazy girl, working with his newest client, saving a former client’s failed relationship and trying to escape an over-zealous teacher that wants to secure his services, something is BOUND to go wrong. And to top off the chaos, all this nonsense is keeping him from spending time with his best friend, Jak. Of course he can’t tell Jak why he can’t spend as much time with her because he’s never told her about the secret services he’s offering to guys at school. That one secret might end up ruining a friendship that was forged years ago over naked bath time at the very young age of two.
I love it when a book that I think I will enjoy turns out to be a book that I absolutely love. I haven’t read very many books this year that made me want to tell the world to buy and read it. But Galgorithm IS that book. How can it not? Not because it’s a romantic comedy. Although we all know that I love those. Not because the hero is adorable. Although he absolutely is. And not because the reluctant heroine is kick ass. Oh, yeah, she’s totally kick ass. All those things were great. But what put this book above so many others was the dialogue and Shane’s inner monologue. At certain points I thought that maybe Aaron Karo was spying on Bel, Shel and Me and listening to our ridiculous conversations. But I’m 110% certain that isn’t even a possibility. Still, it was like getting an outside view of the three of us sitting around eating pie and devolving into utter ridiculousness conversation and laughter.
There isn’t much more I can say about Galgorithm without ruining it for you. The plot isn’t a new one but the delivery is so fresh and funny that all I can say about this book is “Amor y Cacahuetes”. Love and Peanuts my friends. Love and Peanuts.
At first, I have doubts with this book. Usually, I find books that are written by a man and with a guy's POV quite boring, especially on light stories like this. But when my co-worker read it and I could hear her laughing from time to time, I was intrigued and I was proved wrong. "Galgorithm" doesn't have a dull moment at all. There were a lot of time that I laughed really loud out of the blue because the humor's just hard to contain. Everything that came from the author through his main character, Shane, kept me hooked up to the very end. This is a light-hearted pure YA romance without the frustrating aspects that most YA romance has.
I had the distinct pleasure of reading an advance copy of this book. It was entertaining from start to finish, always believable and truly funny. I rarely read comedy but always make an exception for Aaron Karo's books!
Whoa. This book was phenomenal. I absolutely loved it, and I don't think there's ever been such a plot twist like this in any book I've read. It made the story seem more intense while you were trying to figure out what the algorithm was, but... You'll have to read to know what I'm talking about. :) Galgorithm was a wild ride from start to finish and I enjoyed every minute of reading it. There's nothing I enjoy more than reading books by authors I've never heard of, because then I get to see how other authors write and create such wonderful stories. What's even more interesting was that Galgorithm was in a male's POV, since I'm used to reading books in a girl's POV. That makes the book seem more interesting considering I got to peek in the mind of a teenager going about being a dating mastermind. Jak and Shane have the best friendship out of all the books I've read. They really are soul mates, and I'm glad that they could stick it out even in the worst of times throughout the story. The steps competition was pretty funny between them. Overall, this is one of the best books that I've read this year. Trust me, I've read a lot of books. This is just one I'll have to add to my favorites. :) I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good YA book to read. I hope you enjoy Galgorithm by Aaron Karo!
In the end this book just didn't excite me. The storyline seemed predictable and lack-luster. While the idea behind the plot had promise, the execution lacked greatness. Overall 2/5 stars; I loved the cover though!
I loved this book!! It was hilarious from start to finish, the characters were relate-able, and the pacing was magnificent.
I could not put it down, from "compliment her on her eyelashes" to the very last "make her notice you", this book was a roller coaster of laughs. Like a Hitch for teenagers, Shane helps the nerdy boys at his high school get the girls of their dreams. He has tips and tricks for everything from how to stand out so she knows you exist to how long to wait between text messages.
Jak is the best character ever with her hatred of perfect moments and her grammatically correct ways. I totally want her for my own best friend.
If you like witty, funny, bubblegum YA reads, then you NEED to pick this book up. I can't wait to read this author's other book, I really hope it's much of the same!!!!
This was quick and fun read. Shane was a likable guy even though he ran a business in high school where he helped guys pick up girls. I liked his friend Jak. She made me laugh a lot. The ending was kind of predictable like most people said but lets be honest there isn't enough ideas for each book to be 100% different.
Galgorithm was different from most other books I read but not so different I could not relate to it, even with it being told from a boys point of a view. A nerd that helps other nerds try to find love while figure out what love is himself. A nice read for the busy teen.
This book reminded me of my favorite '80s teen rom-com movie, Can't Buy Me Love (the Ronald Millers of the world getting brought together with their Cindy Mancinis), and I would love to see this book made into a movie.
This book read like a John Hughes film. It was wonderful. I felt like I was 15, at home in pajamas and watching a mix of pretty in pink/some kind of wonderful/can't buy me love. I know, I know Can't buy me love is Rash and Swerdlick not Hughes but you get my drift. I loved this book!
Jak will forevermore be everything I want to aspire to. She will be my spirit animal—for now and forever. I never actually realised how fulfilling it is to say "whom".
Loved this book! I don't think I'd ever read a book that had me constantly laughing out loud! And it was so great to read a romantic comedy from a guy's perspective! Such a fun and sweet read, and I really enjoyed all the little subplots too!
Me You Us by Aaron Karo is a perfect book for any John Green fan, since the novel gives you the same feelings as any of Green’s books, and is a tame book with no twists or turns. Along with there not being a heavy plot, it is an easy read and was recently written and published. The plot is very pleasant, with it just being about a high school senior who gets his heart broke, but decides to start helping out the misfortunate boys at his school get girlfriends. The main character, Shane, was likeable since he was written as just the nice guy who wants to help out. However, he did have to go through his own drama involving romance, friendship, and rumors. Besides the main character Shane, there were plenty of other likeable characters such as his best friend Jak and his former math teacher Mr. Kimbrough. Overall, I really like this book and I have read it multiple times now because I enjoy the story and I appreciate how easy of a read it is.
I really love this book! It was really an engaging story to the point i could not put it down cause it keeps me wondering what happen next and next. The friendship between Shane and Jak a bit related to me where they share their love-life problems with each other, seeking approval as buddies. I love the moment Shane realized that he felf for Jak in the bathtub scene. The situation felt so natural and might happen on real life. The ending also was good even though you need to imagine what happens next. Overall, the drama completes the novel, love it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Contemporary romance novels written by male authors aren't an extremely common thing in young adult literature. There are definitely some notable ones, but it still isn’t that common. I think it’s great when we see a male author taking a chance in a genre that is heavily dominated by female authors. Galgorithm is one of those books that really surprised me. It has a very unique feel to it, which I feel is partially aided by having an author that is also a comedian. The book has it’s own unique sense of humor that really resonates with you as you read it.
I’ve not read any of Aaron’s previous books, so this was my first glimpse at his writing style. You can definitely see his passion for comedy come alive in this book, as there are so many moments throughout Galgorithm that will leave you laughing, and wishing it would continue that way. I did notice a few points where the story felt as though it would break rhythm, and slow down a bit, but those moments really didn’t come along very often.
The characters were fairly well written. I had some minor issues with them, but nothing that made me dislike any of them. I feel like the main problem for me, was that there was a little bit of disconnect between the levels of development between the characters. You’d see one character get focused on a lot, and the development of the other would slightly fall behind. It was nothing major though, and I feel that Aaron did a great job with them overall.
The romance in Galgorithm was actually pretty great too. I wouldn’t say it was anything groundbreaking, but I loved how Aaron really added in that comedic personality of his writing style to the romance. It makes for a really great story seeing Shane try to traverse the plans he has crafted, and see all of the crazy moments, along with the great moments. It really helped to shape this book into the hilarious gem that it is.
Overall, I would say Aaron did a really great job with Galgorithm. It had its minor issues, but it bounced back with a strong plot and great comedy. This is a perfect summer read, because it is a fairly easy book to read, and it goes by quick, since a lot of the times you will be laughing at a lot of the situations that take place throughout the book. It was nice to read a light and funny contemporary book for a change, and I really feel as though many of you will enjoy this book.
I went into it expecting a math-y rom-com, but I’m not entirely sure that’s what I got. A rom-com? Sure, but math-y? Not really.
I’m not sure if that was disappointing or relieving since I hate/am terrible at advanced arithmetic. There were some cute moments scattered throughout, but I feel like the gem in this book, isn’t its humor. It’s its sincerity.
The way he cares for his best friend Jak is really endearing. The way he knows her, her anxieties (socially and otherwise) is tender and dare I say, intimate. It was gush worthy for sure.
Our main character Shane is a bit of a geek, but he’s fallen into this magnificent roll that can be somewhat tied up in the term ‘Professor Pick Up Artist.’ He teaches the nerdy, dorky underdogs how to get the girls of their dreams.
So even though honesty and sincerity is the true gem, there were some laugh-worthy moments. He calls his ex-girlfriend Voldemort. Hilarious.
It also had a expertly moderated amount of slang, which I found refreshing. So many authors either skip it altogether, or go overboard.
I didn’t quite see the secret behind the Galgorithm coming, but I thought it was a great twist, though somewhat clichéd.
Watching him fall in lust, then in love (and then realize he was in love) was adorable.
Overall, it was just a sweet read. I’ll admit, it was nothing earth shattering, or barrier breaking, but it was enjoyable. If you want to read a cute easy-read, this is definitely a book for you.
I’m definitely keeping my copy, which I got at ALAAC15. I barely made it to Aaron’s signing. I thought I had a picture of us, but I don’t. So I guess I ran so hard I just forgot. Or, my phone didn’t click. I missed a photo of a few authors that way.
*FTC Disclaimer, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. It has in no way effected my opinion or review.
Galgorithm, by Aaron Karo, was such a cute read.There is nothing earth shatteringly original to the plot—a guy who’s had his heart broken formulates a plan to use his observations about women to help nerdy guys get the girl, in part to avoid his own love life—but the story was filled with loveable characters that you want to see succeed. I really liked Shane. He was selfless with a really a good heart and managed to avoid coming off like a martyr or goody goody. His best friend Jak was completely adorable. I especially loved how she ruined sentimental moments with hilariously awkward comments. There was a strong sincerity and a completely realistic feel to the story and characters that I really appreciated, and Karo did a tremendous job giving the book an age appropriate feel. Even more, I loved that it wasn't super angsty or heart wrenching, no overly dramatic additions for the sake of drama. The story just flowed as these characters grew and figured out what they wanted. The writing was solid save for a few vocabulary choices that I don't think seventeen year old boys would ever use. If I had a complaint, it would be the immediate aftermath of the shit hitting the fan.
Overall this was a really enjoyable, fast read. If you're looking for a cute contemporary story, this one is a great choice.
Shane has fashioned himself into a modern day Cyrano de Bergerac, after having his own heart broken. He wants to spare other guys from the humiliation of failure. All they need is confidence and a plan. Shane has the plan, and he’s willing to share. Shane is a very likable guy who just wants to help other guys. He’s not seeking payment and he’d rather not advertise his services or have others spread the information either. “Deny ‘til you die.” is his motto. Shane’s best friend Jak, a girl, knows nothing of Shane’s “community service.” All is well until the girls find out the secret, and that they have been “targeted.” Then nobody's happy.
Shane made me laugh out loud several times. (loc 852) “Did I mention she’s wearing really short jean shorts? The front pockets are sticking out below the shorts and onto her thighs. Occasionally I forget my own name.” (loc 1564) “A half-naked white guy and a half-naked black girl embracing in a bathtub. We look like a Benetton ad.” (loc 1728) “Jak, you are really bad at getting blackout drunk. You remember everything.” (loc 1775) “Sigh, I feel like I joined an adopt-a-teacher program. I just can’t abandon him now.” (loc 1864) “Adam looks like he robbed a big and tall store under the cover of darkness. But together they pass for the cliche version of an illicit office romance, sleeves rolled up, hands accidentally touching over a stack of paperwork.”
This is the second Cyrano referenced book I've read this year and a funny book that both genders will enjoy. Read alikes: Abundance of Katherines by John Green and Sway by Kat Spears.
This book was cool, I believe that in my other reviews I'd never called a book cool, but this one for me meets the criteria.. If you are a girl, and the "Galgorithm" was applied to you, how would feel? I would feel actually honored. For a guy to go trough all that process for me is just simply unbelievable, and the fact that he asked someone to help him is really impressive. At first it will be a bit weird, but then shuck it, we do like each other after all. I believe that when the school started judging Shane for his ability to get people together, they were wrong. Jak hadd a reason to be mad, of course, he didn't tell her, but after that I like everything Shane did and say. It was actually very smart. Me as a girl, would never thought of that. And in the end, he never helped the guys get the girls, he helped the guys be more confident about themselves, and that's what got them to get the girl.
This book was so much fun! While I was reading, if I wasn’t literally laughing out loud, I was smiling. It’s got a Sway-Hitch-When Harry Meets Sally vibe. It’s pretty clean and it’s absolutely adorable. Shane knows how to help a guy get a girl. In fact, he’s developed this know-how into an algorithm (get it? A gal-gorithm?). The only problem is it’s not working for him, personally. What’s a guy to do? Filled with lovable characters, hilarious circumstances, and witty banter, I highly recommend this one. Save it to read when you need a little lift. I’d love to see this one make the Gateway list.
This isn’t my favorite funny line of the book, but it’s one that stands out:
Jak is asking Shane about a party they’re getting ready to go to . . .
“Is someone gonna spike the punch Does everyone put their keys in a fishbowl and go home with a stranger?”
“If you’re going to a party in an eighties movie, then yes.”
So okay. This book had a lot of great points to it. It was funny, it was relatable, and it had that one thing that made it stand out to me. Though it was good it wasn't amazing. It had to do a lot with the writing and how it was too simple at times. The writer felt like he was trying to get the reader to like the book because it was appealing to nowadays age. It felt forced at times which never felt right with me. I was more intrigued with the actual Galgorithm this guy made up then his storyline. I found myself liking the first half way better than the second of the book pretty much for the reasons I've already explained. So, a good book but not the best by any means. And the ending annoyed me so much it actually makes me sad.
I would recommend if you are feeling slumps and need a light hearted pick me up type of book that is super fast paced. I did pick this book up on a whim which I might not do anymore because of how I was kind of disappointed with it. :/
I took an immediate and strong dislike to the narrative voice in Galgorithm. It's basically a YA version of the film Hitch, which could be awesome. Something about the voice just really grates on me though.
The first sentence is "The key to a girl's heart is through her eyelashes." Some of his best advice is complimenting a girl's eyelashes because it's unusual and I don't know about that. There's also just something about the way the narrator describes stuff to the audience like he's running a talk show or something that I find off-putting. It's distancing and highlights the artificiality. There are also a lot of really short sentences, which isn't a writing style I much care for unless it's backed up with a really strong voice.
I've been dying to read this book and I wasn't disappointed once I got it. Shane has created a Galgorithm (Gal+Algorithm) to get girls and he shares it with the 'uncool' kids. Shane's best friend since birth, Jak, has no clue about Shane's secret life. Her mom and Shane's mom were best friends in college and being around each other so often has caused Shane and Jak to have a very unique relationship. Soon everyone's asking for Shane's help, even his math teacher. While Shane know a lot about girls there's plenty more to learn. This book's plot will make you want to read it and the characters will keep you reading it.
Ugh it's so bad I don't know how these reviews even go past 3 stars
I was in physical pain trying to get past half of the book. It honestly felt like I was trying to read the bible, it felt so long and not a single emotion was provoked except exhaustion.