Book review : How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True by Sarah Strohmeyer

Goodreads Description:

From Sarah Strohmeyer, author of Smart Girls Get What They Want, comes this romantic comedy about one girl's summer job from hell. Think The Devil Wears Prada set in Disney World.

When cousins Zoe and Jess land summer internships at the Fairyland Kingdom theme park, they are sure they've hit the jackpot. With perks like hot Abercrombie-like Prince Charmings and a chance to win the coveted $25,000 Dream & Do grant, what more could a girl want?

Once Zoe arrives, however, she's assigned to serve "The Queen"-Fairyland's boss from hell. From spoon-feeding her evil lapdog caviar, to fetching midnight sleeping tonics, Zoe fears she might not have what it takes to survive the summer, much less win the money.

Soon backstabbing interns, a runaway Cinderella, and cutthroat competition make Zoe's job more like a nightmare than a fairy tale. What will happen when Zoe is forced to choose between serving The Queen and saving the prince of her dreams?

Title: How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True
Author: Sarah Strohmeyer
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance, Chick Lit,
Format: Paperback

Pages: 320 pages
Source: Purchased from Popular Bookstore (Malaysia)

 

I am gonna say this from the start... this is one of those books you want to go into with knowing as little as possible...

  

And working in Fairy Tale land is not a bed of roses...

 

This takes place in a fairy tale themed theme park (a rival to 'The Mouse') where the summer interns have a chance to win a grant for college so competition is kinda (more like very) gruesome so do expect back stabbing, fist (and sword) fighting and a lot of drama!

Our main character Zoe who is still recovering from her mothers death is selfless and caring but at times a bit clueless and does have some flaws, gets the job of being the Queen's 'lady in waiting' aka personal assistance. Basically she the job of serving the Queen of hell where she has to do ridiculous chores and orders to please her boss. I enjoyed reading her POV and some of her inner dialog were hilarious and adorable! I want to be friends with her! 

 

 I also enjoy her relationship with her shy but free spirit cousin/BFF Jess where having that they both had an emotional and tough background are both loyal, looking out and support one another trough tough times. Both cousins though opposite as day and night, came out as strong and likeable characters who share a close sisterly bond.

 
Most of the side characters I was kinda meh about them as since they were in a competition for the Dream & Do grant hence the cast members turn on each other with backstabbing, manipulating and a lot of drama.

 

The Queen aka Zoe's boss and the theme park  manager... is it weird that I actually enjoyed reading every bit of the crazy woman? She's crazy but hilarious and long story short a ridiculously tough boss that the only right answer to her crazy orders is 'Yes Madam'. Reading this I pictured The Queen as Helena Bonham Carter (aka Bellatrix in Harry Potter and The Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland) who is 'The Queen' of crazy and funny!

 

I do like RJ and Ian and both guys are full of surprises. RJ who is the RA (Residential Adviser aka the 'nanny' of dorms) and kind of a mentor for Zoe. 

 

Ian... gosh was he swoon worthy and hilarious and as a bonus is super good looking (*wink *wink *nudge *nudge not gonna say much as it will spoil the book but xD). Most of  his dialog made me smile and laugh and his interaction with Zoe were the best though I wish we got to see 'a bit' more of him as he felt a bit vague...

 
Overall this is like Devil wear Prada/Ugly Betty set in Disney Land and was a freaking enjoyable reads!

 

I considered this as 'another Cinderella' story as its like a modern Cinderella with its own twist!

Super fun summer contemporary that I literally flew by! Addictive and unique plot, interesting cast of characters, cute romance, sisterly love and realistic situations as well as the ending and plot was freaking mind blowing! This is one of those books that is best to go into without knowing much about.

 

So keep your hands, feet and heads in the vehicle as this is gonna be a very mind blowing ride!

 

  

Also anyone like watching YouTube VIDS??? One of my favorite Youtubers Swoozie used to work in Disney Orlando theme park and he has a couple of Disney Employee diaries/confessions that are freaking hilarious but also really fun to watch the BTS of working in a theme park.

Do you dare work at a theme park after reading this?!?! What character will you want to be cast as?

A part of me want to but not as a princess as I'm kinda tomboyish am the opposite of gracefulness and never was the kid who make believe myself as a princess (lol no joke!) :P Maybe as Alice in Wonderland or Little Red Riding hood I will!