Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kevin Spencer (Liar, Liar; Flat Broke) loves Tina Zabinski. In order to get up the courage to ask her out, he decides to try the scientific method and examine love through a number of perspectives, including his parents, sister, friends, and acquaintances. Kevin is still a little boneheaded and a little pompous, but his concerns are everyboy's, pre-adolescents and young teenagers alike. (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Paulsen's latest recurring character, Kevin Spencer, practiced deceit in Liar, Liar and put on his Trump wig in Flat Broke (both 2011). Here he applies his obsessively analytical mind to the conundrum of love. He'd like to learn a little more about how humans go about this whole dating thing before approaching Tina, who he has had his eye on for a couple of books now. In a series of often funny and sometimes revealing escapades, he whips up a romantic dinner for his parents (disaster), asks a coven of his older sister's friends to assess his likability (horror), plays matchmaker for his friend's dumb cousin and an out-of-his-league neighbor (surprising success), and even organizes a speed-dating event at the school's fun fair (where he watches his rival score a handful of girls' numbers). Paulsen's wit and wisdom continue to cruise on all cylinders in this swift, enjoyable read for boys (and girls who'd like to understand boys trying to understand girls). HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Paulsen is among the most widely read writers for middle-schoolers, and readers who enjoyed Liar, Liar and Flat Broke will flock to this one.--Chipman, Ian Copyright 2010 Booklist

School Library Journal
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Gr 5-8-Kevin Spencer, who first appeared in Liar, Liar and Flat Broke (both Random, 2011), has learned not to lie or to take financial advantage of people, so the wiser, more mature 14-year-old is sure that his quest for a girlfriend will prove fruitful. He has his eye on the most beautiful girl in the world, Tina Zabinski, and he knows he is perfect boyfriend material. He just has to let her see his amazing qualities, which proves difficult as he becomes tongue-tied and falls down whenever he sees her. Kevin approaches his quest scientifically, by observing "variations in romantic behavior." He observes his parents' seeming lack of romance and his many-times-married Auntie Buzz while honing his matchmaking skills by attempting to pair up his friends, siblings, and acquaintances. Naturally, his plans don't pan out as Kevin hopes, and his time may be running out when smooth-talking heartthrob Cash arrives at their school with his eyes on Tina. As always, Paulsen's voice is spot-on with likable characters and humorous situations. Both boys and girls will identify with the awkwardness of romantic crushes. This title is even funnier than the first two and stands alone. It will be love at first sight.-Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 5-8-Once again, Kevin Spencer (Liar, Liar and Flat Broke) tackles the problems of his world, this time with careful, scientific logic, and no lies. Kevin still has a crush on Tina Zabinski,. He's sure that he is her perfect match, but he won't approach her until he's 100 percent positive that he can win her heart. This doesn't seem likely, since he becomes more awkward and tongue-tied whenever she's around. When handsome and smooth-talking Cash Devine starts moving in on his target, Kevin has to move quickly. Since love is based on chemistry, Kevin decides to set up a series of scientific experiments to help him discover the meaning of love and the way to a girl's heart. While a candlelit dinner for his parents is a disaster and his version of the Cake Walk at the Carnival doesn't quite work out as planned, some seemingly impossible matches do work. Even his jock of a brother and the hockey team members are paired off with lovely figure skaters. Through it all, Kevin is never discouraged, no matter how badly his romantic setups backfire. Joshua Swanson brings Kevin to life with his witty and animated expression, sounding just like an enthusiastic eighth grader in love. Both boys and girls will enjoy Paulsen's novel "study" of young love (Wendy Lamb Bks., 2012), which is totally hilarious and not the least bit mushy.-MaryAnn Karre, West Middle School, Binghamton, NY (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

After previous misadventures in Liar, Liar and Flat Broke (both 2011), Kevin is back again, this time applying his quirky, inquiring mind to the world of love. Tina, aka the most beautiful girl he's ever seen, has stolen Kevin's heart, although she's blissfully oblivious to the effect she has on him. Every time he sees her, his tongue ties itself in knots. The situation isn't helped by the fact that hunky new student Cash appears to be joined firmly to her side. Rather than reveal his ardor outright, Kevin decides it's safer to first make a scientific study of just how love works by setting up romantic opportunities for his victims (otherwise known as study subjects). He starts by trying to create a candlelit dinner for his parents, although he accidentally causes a fire. He then enthusiastically moves on to trying to ingratiate his brother's hockey team with some female figure skaters and setting up a blind date for a neighbor. Each time he carefully observes the outcome. While Kevin gets in plenty of trouble, he seems ever so slightly more mature in this outing. It's hard not to be amused by his innocent antics; his droll narration as he observes surprising but unhelpful results to his experiments just adds to the fun. Another fast-paced romp with a well-intentioned, if severely misguided eighth grader. (Fiction. 9-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.