David and Charlie are opposites. David has a million friends, online and off. Charlie is a soulful outsider, off the grid completely. But neither feels close to anybody. When David’s parents present him with a hot Companion bot designed to encourage healthy bonds and treat “dissociative disorder,” he can’t get enough of luscious, redheaded Rose—and he can’t get it soon enough. Companions come with strict intimacy protocols, and whenever he tries anything, David gets an electric shock. Severed from the boy she was built to love, Rose turns to Charlie, who finds he can open up to her, knowing that she isn’t real. With Charlie’s help, the ideal “companion” is about to become her own best friend.
In a stunning and hilarious debut, John M. Cusick takes rollicking aim at Internet culture and our craving for meaningful connection in an uber-connected world.
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"A commentary on technology and disconnection housed within a quirky sci-fi shell. I can't wait to ask John some questions about what really happened to robot rebel Rose when he visits my library! "
— Camille (4 out of 5 stars)
" Yep, the title is pretty accurate. This book is mostly about girl parts... "
— Lisa, 2/11/2014" Uneven, but it held my interest. The female characters (Rebecca, May) were a lot more interesting than the boys, though the book doesn't focus on them. "
— Meredith, 2/5/2014" One main character didn't seem to have much of a matter to the story throughout the first half. The book picks up about a fourth of the way through, and since then it's been an awesome book. "
— Alaina, 1/26/2014" Was this book so disjointed because it was ( kind of) a book about disassociation? The idea behind this book is interesting , and the characters were interesting ,too. It just felt like there were too many themes that the author wanted to touch on. And too many stereotypes used to convey the plot. "
— Joant, 1/24/2014" Great concept but the overall flow of the book was rushed and it seemed to run out of steam by the end. "
— Karen, 1/15/2014" This book was ok. I am glad it was short. Let's hope our society doesn't ever become like this book projected. "
— Gretchen, 12/9/2013" Such a cool and creative idea "
— Jessica, 11/18/2013" Cute story about a robot "companion" and how she changes the lives of two boys. It made me laugh. I look forward to reading more about Rose. "
— Sandy, 11/7/2013" Eh. A quick, interesting, and ultimately unsatisfying read. "
— Jennifer, 10/10/2013" Makes you think about how connected you are to people. "
— Amy, 6/19/2013" I actually really enjoyed this book, but i felt like it was so short and underdeveloped. I could eaisly see this book being another 100 pages or a series and it being better for that. It was just all too rushed and i wanted more of almost all the storylines. "
— Alexandria, 3/1/2013" Too focused on sex and sexuality for my tastes. Nicely written and unique take on the subject matter. "
— W., 1/6/2013" Thought this was an interesting idea for a book. I loved all the beginning, but the ending is so abrupt. Also, the first two thirds of the book is pointless with the ending. That was such a stupid ending.Why can't one of them at least get the girl? "
— Cheyenne, 11/26/2012" Fun, probably more enjoyable to young adults than more experienced readers. The metaphors were blatantly obvious, but I think that as a teen I was always thrilled to be able to pick out a metaphor, so that's okay. "
— Saradippity, 7/14/2011" Had some issues... But the idea was cool.. it could be a million times better! "
— Katrina, 6/1/2011" What, exactly, were we supposed to get from this story? The only message I got was that all boys want one thing; not exactly ground-breaking news. "
— CeCe, 5/16/2011" Makes you think about how connected you are to people. "
— Amy, 4/28/2011" Interesting with some real aspects of sentiment. "
— Bettina, 4/25/2011" Uneven, but it held my interest. The female characters (Rebecca, May) were a lot more interesting than the boys, though the book doesn't focus on them. "
— Meredith, 3/8/2011" Disappointing. The concept and themes are quite compelling; the omniscient narration is weak. I wanted to appreciate the book, but I was left simply valuing what the book could have been. "
— Nicholle, 2/9/2011John M. Cusick is an agent with Greenhouse Literary, representing middle-grade and young adult novels. He is the author of Girl Parts and Cherry Money Baby, as well as managing fiction editor at Armchair/Shotgun, a literary magazine. He lives in Brooklyn.
Chris Patton has narrated over seventy-five audiobooks. His voice can be heard narrating such titles as Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, the dystopian juggernaut Yesterday’s Gone, Clive Barker’s Books of Blood series, and two titles by Joyce Carol Oates. Chris began his career in theater at age ten, and his voice-over career at twenty-nine. Since then, he has voiced over two hundred anime titles, numerous commercials and e-learning and industrial projects, and several video games. He’s also fronted a synthpop band called Paul Lynde Is Dead, written a teen urban fantasy about an emo vampire called Scene Immortal, and has appeared as a special guest at more than eighty-five pop-culture conventions.