Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com

There are two main things that everyone has to know about Kate DelVecchio, specifically what she is and what she isn't going to be.

Businesswoman: YES College student: NO

Kate is basically all business when it comes to her future, literally. Her parents really want her to go to college, but since they know that Kate has no intentions to do so, they strike up a deal with her: if she is able to raise five grand by graduation, along with having straight As on her report card, then they will hand over every single penny in Kate's college savings account. Kate is almost there, earning most of the money by driving around a bratty rich girl to her ice skating practices. But that job is definitely not going to help her earn all of the $5,000.

Then something weird happens. Brandon Callister, the school's hottie, baseball hero, and Kate's lab partner, asks her go with him to a sports awards ceremony. Everyone, of course, is surprised that someone like Kate could snag someone like Brandon.

Fortunately for Kate, Brandon asking her out gave her the perfect opportunity to earn the rest of her money. Her fellow classmates are paying Kate to give them advice on how to hook their own hottie, even though Kate doesn't know too much on the subject -- but no one has to know that. Soon enough, Kate has a hexagonal plan and a partner in crime, Dal.

Aside from her new business, Kate has to deal with a mother who went off to college once again; Brandon, who she never should have said yes to, and Dal, her best friend who she is beginning to see in a whole new light, but who unfortunately already has a girlfriend. Yet, Kate will soon find out that helping others get the ones that they want isn't so easy and that maybe the future she planned out for herself isn't the best one.

HOW TO HOOK A HOTTIE definitely surprised since it was not just some ordinary teen novel. Sure, Kate may seem like one tough cookie, but, in the end, she learns and goes through some important things that not only her but the readers will find useful later on. Another great read from Tina Ferraro, following TOP TEN USES FOR AN UNWORN PROM DRESS. ( )

It was a quick fun read that really reflects aspects of high school. How Kate tries and sometimes fails to hook people up and the love interest between Kate and her best friend Dal, of which she’s oblivious. No, it was very good – short and sweet…but I did like Top 10 uses for an Unworn Prom Dress better. I liked it; it was good finished with no untied strings, held my attention, made me laugh – but it’s really not very memorable – something I’ll enjoy during – but forget soon after. AHS/HK

The book is funny and really makes you feel her point of view. The reason she doesn’t like boys and is not very interested in them [was compelling]. It was very cute and a little different than I expected. The relationship between the girl and her friend was very compelling. You kind of expected it but not as much as you expected her to give her money to the little girl she drives to ice skating. You could see it coming. Maybe the author should not hint on so much. AHS/HT

This girl gets through most of her problems by referring to her mom who had left her. Don’t put so much detail into everything. AHS/RK

This is my first exposure to the writings of Tina Ferraro, but I can assure you that it will not be my last!Kate isn’t exactly your normal high school senior. While it seems like the norm these days is college after high school, Kate has different plans. Kate is all business, her one and only ambition is to be a millionaire by the age of twenty. She has an ongoing deal with her parents. If Kate can raise five thousand dollars by her graduation and maintain her straight A report card, they will hand over everything they have invested in Kate’s college savings account. But, graduation is looming nearer and unfortunately Kate still doesn’t have all of her five grand.Then to Kate’s surprise, as well as the whole student population, baseball superstar and bonafide hottie, Brandon Callister asks Kate to be his date for the sports banquet. Fortunately for Kate everyone wants her strategy for hooking their own hotties and are willing to pay! Too bad Kate has no idea what she is doing.Tina Ferraro managed to "reel" me right into this story! Kate is one of those characters that is so much more than she seems. She totally surprised me in the end! I’m looking forward to reading more of Ferraro’s books. Hopefully I’ll soon be getting my hands on her previous novel Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress, and of course the up coming 2009 release ABC’s of Kissing Boys! ( )

Kate is determined to make her first million by the time she turns 20. She's made a deal with her parents: if she keeps her straight A's and saves $5,000 by graduation, her parents will turn over her college fund and let her invest it. When baseball hottie Brandon Callister invites her to a banquet, Kate is suddenly on the map at her high school. And she uses this opportunity to her full advantage. For the low, low price of one hundred dollars, Kate will hook you a hottie of your own. But things snowball (as they do) and eventually Kate realizes that in order to hook the hottie of your dreams, all you have to do is be yourself.

Perfectly serviceable chick lit. ( )

How to Hook a Hottie – Tina Ferraro, Delacorte Press, New York, 2008.

Let’s just start with the title. Bad. Can you imagine having to ask for this book in a store or at the library? How embarrassing! This book was unrealistic from beginning to end - the mom moving to Germany to work on her degree, Kate earning money so she doesn’t have to go to college, the nerd dating the most popular guy in school, and then everyone wanting to know her secret. It was totally predictable and the ending could be determined within the first two chapters. Nothing was explored in depth. We all want to believe that you can cross the lines of popularity. This was not the book to help us.
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