Kill All Happies by Rachel Cohn Pages: 288
Published by Disney-Hyperion on May 2, 2017
Genres: Young Adult, contemporary
Source: Paperback ARC from Publisher
Last Call at Happies! Tonight, 8 P.M. Senior Class Only! Please with the Shhhh….This is it. Graduation. And Vic Navarro is throwing the most epic party Rancho Soldado has ever seen. She’s going to pull off the most memorable good-bye ever for her best friends, give Happies—the kitschy restaurant that is her desert town’s claim to fame—a proper send-off into bankruptcy, and oh yes, hook up with her delicious crush, Jake Zavala-Kim. She only needs to keep the whole thing a secret so that her archnemesis, Miss Ann Thrope, Rancho Soldado’s nightmare Town Councilwoman and high school Economics teacher, doesn’t get Vic tossed in jail.
With the music thumping, alcohol flowing, bodies mashing, and Thrope nowhere to be seen, Vic’s party is a raging success. That is, until Happies fans start arriving in droves to say good-bye, and storm the deserted theme park behind the restaurant. Suddenly what was a small graduation bash is more like Coachella on steroids with a side of RASmatazz pie. The night is so not going as planned. And maybe that’s the best plan of all.
Kill all Happies is a standalone young adult contemporary novel by Rachel Cohn. I know this is going to sound crazy, but this is the first book I have read by Rachel. Kill All Happies is a story of a senior class’ last hurrah. And boy oh boy is it one heck of a night for them. I really enjoyed this crazy over the top story. It was a lot of fun to read. It was certainly not like any graduation party I have seen in real life, but I am sure graduation parties like this have taken place many times. Rachel Cohn has a very snappy and funny writing style. It was one of the things I enjoyed most about the story. The first page of the book had me laughing out loud, which I knew was going to a sign of great things to come.
Happies is a local restaurant, that also has an amusement park?! What? How could something that sounds that cool, close down? Victoria, or Vic, was the favorite worst server at Happies, and she wants to throw the party to end all parties for her graduating class. At first, I wasn’t a huge fan of Vic, but I tell you what…she totally grew on me. I thought this book was going to be all about superficial fun. And I think mostly it was. And that part was a blast. But there was this unexpected element of nostalgia, that I really appreciated from Vic and from Kill all Happies. It helped me relate to her on a deeper level. Because I totally get the sadness that comes with saying goodbye to your high school friends and the stress that comes with the uncertainty of college or other future plans. It was this aspect of Kill all Happies that I really loved.
The romance was ok and and the secondary characters were all ok as well. The plot was hilarious. It kind of reminded me of the hangover movies, or those other movies that take place in one 24 hour period where everything goes wrong. And each time it one ups the last time. I mean some of the things were epically ridiculous, which I loved. It makes me laugh just thinking about some of the things that happened in this book. But you know what? The crazier the story got, the more I liked Vic. (she certainly does curse a lot though. I have nothing against cursing, but it felt a little heavy handed at times.)
Kill all Happies is a really fun ride. I loved all the zany antics, and I really loved Rachel Cohn’s writing style. If you are looking for a really funny young adult read that has a little romance, lots of bad decisions (and some good ones) and lots of fun, Kill all Happies is one heck of a fun read. I really enjoyed this one.
About Rachel Cohn
Rachel grew up in the D.C. area and graduated from Barnard College with a B.A. in Political Science. She has written many YA novels, including three that she cowrote with her friend and colleague David Levithan. She lives and writes (when she’s not reading other people’s books, organizing her music library or looking for the best cappuccino) in New York City.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Laura Thomas
I’ve been thinking about reading this one. I could go for some laughs. Thanks for your review!
Sam
I have only read Cohn’s co-write (I love Levithan!), and was curious about this one. Concept sounds fun, and I can embrace OTT if it’s done right and makes me laugh. Great review.
Sam @ WLABB
Michelle @ Pink Polka Dot Books
It’s been a WHILE since I’ve read a book that takes place in one day or night. And I kind of love those!! I also liked that you said it made you laugh out loud!! Those are so rare for me and SO needed sometimes!! I’m going to read this for sure 🙂
Victoria
This sounds fun, I don’t read much non-paranormal YA anymore but this sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing 🙂