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My Life with the Walter Boys #1
My Life with the Walter Boys
From a fresh new voice on the contemporary YA scene, My Life with the Walter Boys centers on the prim, proper, and always perfect Jackie Howard. When her world is turned upside down by tragedy, Jackie must learn to cut loose and be part of a family again.
Jackie does not like surprises. Chaos is the enemy! The best way to get her successful, busy parents to notice her is to be perfect. The perfect look, the perfect grades-the perfect daughter. And then...
Surprise #1: Jackie's family dies in a freak car accident.
Surprise #2: Jackie has to move cross-country to live with the Walters-her new guardians.
Surprise #3: The Walters have twelve sons. (Well, eleven, but Parker acts like a boy anyway)
Now Jackie must trade in her Type A personality and New York City apartment for a Colorado ranch and all the wild Walter boys who come with it. Jackie is surrounded by the enemy-loud, dirty, annoying boys who have no concept of personal space. Okay, several of the oldest guys are flat-out gorgeous. But still annoying. She's not stuck-up or boring-no matter what they say. But proving it is another matter. How can she fit in and move on when she needs to keep her parents' memory alive by living up to the promise of perfect?
Ali Novak wrote My Life with the Walter Boys when she was just 15 years old. First a hit on the online community Wattpad, this debut novel has already been read over 33 million times and is loved by readers around the world.
Jackie does not like surprises. Chaos is the enemy! The best way to get her successful, busy parents to notice her is to be perfect. The perfect look, the perfect grades-the perfect daughter. And then...
Surprise #1: Jackie's family dies in a freak car accident.
Surprise #2: Jackie has to move cross-country to live with the Walters-her new guardians.
Surprise #3: The Walters have twelve sons. (Well, eleven, but Parker acts like a boy anyway)
Now Jackie must trade in her Type A personality and New York City apartment for a Colorado ranch and all the wild Walter boys who come with it. Jackie is surrounded by the enemy-loud, dirty, annoying boys who have no concept of personal space. Okay, several of the oldest guys are flat-out gorgeous. But still annoying. She's not stuck-up or boring-no matter what they say. But proving it is another matter. How can she fit in and move on when she needs to keep her parents' memory alive by living up to the promise of perfect?
Ali Novak wrote My Life with the Walter Boys when she was just 15 years old. First a hit on the online community Wattpad, this debut novel has already been read over 33 million times and is loved by readers around the world.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2012
9091 people are currently reading
60444 people want to read
About the author
Ali Novak
12 books2,944 followersAli Novak is a Wisconsin native and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s creative writing program. She started writing her debut novel My Life with the Walter Boys when she was only fifteen. Her work has received more than 150 million reads online.
When she isn’t writing, Ali enjoys Netflix marathons, traveling with her husband Jared, and reading any type of fantasy novel she can get her hands on. You can follow her on Wattpad, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat @fallzswimmer.
Please note that I don't answer messages on Goodreads. Please feel free to contact me on Twitter or Instagram.
When she isn’t writing, Ali enjoys Netflix marathons, traveling with her husband Jared, and reading any type of fantasy novel she can get her hands on. You can follow her on Wattpad, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat @fallzswimmer.
Please note that I don't answer messages on Goodreads. Please feel free to contact me on Twitter or Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 7,484 reviews
March 7, 2015
I’d rather read the iTunes User Agreement.
Want to read
December 19, 2023❥12/19/23
THEY FUCKING RENEWED FOR A SEASON TWO!!!HELP I CANNOT BREATHE😮💨
we get more cole🫦pls grab my neck and kiss me like you did with jackie🧎🏻♀️
❥ 12/08/23
the cole effect is real🫦
i have not read the book yet, but the SHOW!? can we please talk about it😩✋🏼girlies if you haven’t seen the show, please watch it, it’s on netflix and i binged the 10 episodes in a day😮💨it’s way better than the summer i turned pretty, i promise🤭
cole. the man that he is. the way he looks at jackie and the things he does for her!?🦋i’ll always fall for the broken man🧎🏻♀️
alex. you give me the biggest ick.
THEY FUCKING RENEWED FOR A SEASON TWO!!!HELP I CANNOT BREATHE😮💨
we get more cole🫦
❥ 12/08/23
the cole effect is real🫦
i have not read the book yet, but the SHOW!? can we please talk about it😩✋🏼girlies if you haven’t seen the show, please watch it, it’s on netflix and i binged the 10 episodes in a day😮💨it’s way better than the summer i turned pretty, i promise🤭
cole. the man that he is. the way he looks at jackie and the things he does for her!?🦋i’ll always fall for the broken man🧎🏻♀️
alex. you give me the biggest ick.
April 26, 2025
This was alright, but i kinda preferred the tv adaptation. That often happens if i see the show/movie first. It’s still super cute and fun for summer. I just thought the characters were more immature in this version than the show version.
****
Woke up to book two being dropped into my inbox, might be a good idea to get this one read today 😅
Anyone watch the series on Netflix? Thought it was so cute- hoping the book is too 🤞🏻💖
****
Woke up to book two being dropped into my inbox, might be a good idea to get this one read today 😅
Anyone watch the series on Netflix? Thought it was so cute- hoping the book is too 🤞🏻💖
December 13, 2023
Well, I made it guys! We all knew what I was getting myself into with this lol: cringey YA romance. 🤷🏻♀️ Boy did it deliver! And go figure–this cringealicious (yes I am hereby creating this adjective for MLWTWB specifically) book got its start on the good ol’ Wattpad.
↠And just a note that there are minor spoilers below but I truly do not recommend anyone read this book hahahaha.
I fully admit that as an adult with a good 12+ years on these high school characters, I cannot get enough of their drama. Both TSITP and MLWTWB (tv shows only) slapped so hard for me I truly don’t understand. MLWTWB felt like Walmart TSITP, but set in Colorado (Walmart Connie baby, aka Cole, really didn’t do it for me in the end).
Idk why I expected more, but the characters and the story itself had ZERO depth. Jackie: poor girl’s entire family all die in a car crash, forcing her to leave her entire privileged New York life, and move to the middle of nowhere Colorado. But for a leading female narrating role, she had about the personality of a single, soggy McD’s french fry in a sea of crispy ones–slightly annoying but I’m still gonna eat it. LOL idk with my analogy just go with it. 🍟
THIS GIRL. The whole situation grosses me out a bit since the Walters are supposedly her adoptive “family”. While they’re not related in the slightest, she still lives in a house with them. Idk, maybe the parents should have had a clue and told all their horny teenage kids to keep it in their pants?? But even so, Jackie, this prim, proper goody-two-shoes kind of girl, proceeds to toy with two of these brothers. GIRL stop complaining about getting in the middle if you’re not going to explicitly tell one of them to get lost! Any time Cole is on the scene, all logic goes right out the window. 👋
☆Case in point:
Wacky Jackie refuses to go to a party with Alex (the younger brother she decides to date), bc the host of said party is Alex’s bitchy ex-girlfriend who threw Jackie’s family’s death in her face. Understandable! Jackie proceeds to over-tell everyone she’s not going to the party.
Two seconds later, Cole barges into her room, going all caveman “we’re going to the party and you’re coming with me.”
Jackie: And that’s all it took.
SHAKING MY FREAKING HEAD.
Cole is a piece of WORK. Toxic pretty boy, and Jackie falls for it every time. From making her wear his football jersey in front of Alex, to purposely sabotaging her future, you’d think Jackie would eventually learn her lesson with Cole.
And Alex. Poor Alex. Jackie calls him a “puppy dog” at one point and you really can’t come back from that.💔
☆Book vs. Show:
Usually for me, whichever format I experience first is the one I end up liking more. As the show has come out over 10 years after the book, some things were updated for the times and it rightfully modernized the story. Jackie’s relationship with each of the 10 kids in the family is developed better in the book, but the love triangle is played up even more in the show. I think I saw the brother love triangle theme was inspired by The Vampire Diaries, and that honestly feels like an insult here lol. Can’t even call these Walter boys Walmart Stefan and Damon, more like Dollar Store Stefan and Damon!!!
It’s absolutely obvious this started on Wattpad, there’s a specific quality to the writing you can’t miss. Really overall nothing truly happens in this book. There aren’t huge character developments or shocking twists or turns. Just your average cringealicious, yet still entertaining YA drama! And yes, I needed to use that word twice in my review, thank you! 💁🏻♀️
↠And just a note that there are minor spoilers below but I truly do not recommend anyone read this book hahahaha.
I fully admit that as an adult with a good 12+ years on these high school characters, I cannot get enough of their drama. Both TSITP and MLWTWB (tv shows only) slapped so hard for me I truly don’t understand. MLWTWB felt like Walmart TSITP, but set in Colorado (Walmart Connie baby, aka Cole, really didn’t do it for me in the end).
Idk why I expected more, but the characters and the story itself had ZERO depth. Jackie: poor girl’s entire family all die in a car crash, forcing her to leave her entire privileged New York life, and move to the middle of nowhere Colorado. But for a leading female narrating role, she had about the personality of a single, soggy McD’s french fry in a sea of crispy ones–slightly annoying but I’m still gonna eat it. LOL idk with my analogy just go with it. 🍟
THIS GIRL. The whole situation grosses me out a bit since the Walters are supposedly her adoptive “family”. While they’re not related in the slightest, she still lives in a house with them. Idk, maybe the parents should have had a clue and told all their horny teenage kids to keep it in their pants?? But even so, Jackie, this prim, proper goody-two-shoes kind of girl, proceeds to toy with two of these brothers. GIRL stop complaining about getting in the middle if you’re not going to explicitly tell one of them to get lost! Any time Cole is on the scene, all logic goes right out the window. 👋
☆Case in point:
Wacky Jackie refuses to go to a party with Alex (the younger brother she decides to date), bc the host of said party is Alex’s bitchy ex-girlfriend who threw Jackie’s family’s death in her face. Understandable! Jackie proceeds to over-tell everyone she’s not going to the party.
Two seconds later, Cole barges into her room, going all caveman “we’re going to the party and you’re coming with me.”
Jackie: And that’s all it took.
SHAKING MY FREAKING HEAD.
Cole is a piece of WORK. Toxic pretty boy, and Jackie falls for it every time. From making her wear his football jersey in front of Alex, to purposely sabotaging her future, you’d think Jackie would eventually learn her lesson with Cole.
And Alex. Poor Alex. Jackie calls him a “puppy dog” at one point and you really can’t come back from that.💔
☆Book vs. Show:
Usually for me, whichever format I experience first is the one I end up liking more. As the show has come out over 10 years after the book, some things were updated for the times and it rightfully modernized the story. Jackie’s relationship with each of the 10 kids in the family is developed better in the book, but the love triangle is played up even more in the show. I think I saw the brother love triangle theme was inspired by The Vampire Diaries, and that honestly feels like an insult here lol. Can’t even call these Walter boys Walmart Stefan and Damon, more like Dollar Store Stefan and Damon!!!
It’s absolutely obvious this started on Wattpad, there’s a specific quality to the writing you can’t miss. Really overall nothing truly happens in this book. There aren’t huge character developments or shocking twists or turns. Just your average cringealicious, yet still entertaining YA drama! And yes, I needed to use that word twice in my review, thank you! 💁🏻♀️
May 25, 2019
I’ve been rereading some of the stories I read on wattpad when I was younger, and this one brought me waaay back lol. Super cute, fun, cheesy story if you’re looking for a light, easy to read book!
March 7, 2014
More reviews at Mrs. ReaderPants.
IF THIS BOOK WERE FOOD, IT WOULD BE: Lays potato chips--the regular flavor--total junkfood, but you can't read just one page.
WHAT I LIKED: On one hand, Walter Boys is a quick, fun read that I completed in about a day. I enjoyed it the same way I enjoy potato chips or cookies--it's junkfood not meant for a steady diet. Somehow, despite its many flaws, I still enjoyed reading it, and I think many teens will like it, too.
I liked the family. Even though Katherine and George make some questionable parenting decisions (such as leaving two teen boys and an unrelated teen girl alone for the weekend), I really liked them for being the involved parents they are. The brothers' constant pranks are hilarious, and I like how they are not perfect. They argue, disobey, talk back, and fight, but despite all that, readers know they love each other as a family should.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: I rolled my eyes. A. Lot. Jackie--an appropriately boring name for this boring character--is a total Mary Sue. She is a "good girl" who strives for perfection and wears boring clothes and studies constantly. She freaks out if she is late and does selfless good deeds all day long. I never understood why this house full of hotties has not one but TWO boys who thinks boring Jackie is the cat's meow.
Details are contrived and inconsistent with human behavior. Jackie mentions the difficulty she has climbing a hayloft ladder in a pencil skirt. Agreed. Pencil skirts are confining and climbing a ladder while wearing one would be tough. But a few minutes later, she's off riding a horse (wearing the SAME pencil skirt) but never mentions that being impossible without having to hike up the skirt to her hips.
Other contrived details for the sake of plot (just a few examples):
And those two boys who fall in like with her?
THE BOTTOM LINE: It's fun as long as you don't take it too seriously or look for inconsistencies. Three stars because it was entertaining.
STATUS IN MY LIBRARY: We don't have it; it's more high school than middle.
READALIKES: Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys (Brian)
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 3/5--despite my criticisms, it was entertaining!
Creativity: 2/5--a lot like Megan Meade
Characters: 2/5--didn't like any of them
Engrossing: 4/5
Writing: 3/5
Appeal to teens: 4/5--a lot of teens will like this
Appropriate length to tell the story: 3/5
CONTENT:
Language: mild-medium; a few sh**, no F-bombs
Sexuality: mild; some kissing and chest/ab lust
Violence: very mild; brothers get into fight
Drugs/Alcohol: medium; teen party with drinking; MC gets drunk
November 3, 2016
This book was exactly like: Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys, despite some minor details and the ending.
It was as if Megan got an alternate ending. One that I actually wanted. So, there's that. But otherwise, another story about a girl living w/ a group of A&F model-look-alike boys. She gets involved w/ two hot brothers and ultimately ends up choosing one.
It was as if Megan got an alternate ending. One that I actually wanted. So, there's that. But otherwise, another story about a girl living w/ a group of A&F model-look-alike boys. She gets involved w/ two hot brothers and ultimately ends up choosing one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2024
COLE, COLE, COLE!!!
🌷preview🌷
the show. so good. cole. even better. which team am i on? idk. watched the show when it first came out on netflix and really really enjoyed. i want to know so badly who she ends up with so reading, but i don't know if they tell us in this book. any way wish me luck
🌷preview🌷
the show. so good. cole. even better. which team am i on? idk. watched the show when it first came out on netflix and really really enjoyed. i want to know so badly who she ends up with so reading, but i don't know if they tell us in this book. any way wish me luck
Read
June 30, 2023living with 12 boys would be my worst nightmare and my greatest fantasy
October 30, 2024
the cole effect is real
(i don’t know what i was on to rate this five stars but it ate at the time? i think….)
(i don’t know what i was on to rate this five stars but it ate at the time? i think….)
November 8, 2024
finished oct 16 -> the way I already wanna reread this--
3.75 stars, it started off bad, like BAD, but the end lowkey compensated 🤭 like it was so bad to a point it was good???
this is nothing like the show, so I’m very curious to see how season 2 is gonna play out, seeing as there isnt even a book 2 and the endings were different
#ColeEffectIsReal #CancelAlex #ColeIsTheBetterOptionOpenYourEyesJackie
pre-read
The way its so obvious this was a wattpad book 😭
please, PLEASE dont judge 😔
theyre filming S2 ok? I need to read the book first yall OK?!
3.75 stars, it started off bad, like BAD, but the end lowkey compensated 🤭 like it was so bad to a point it was good???
this is nothing like the show, so I’m very curious to see how season 2 is gonna play out, seeing as there isnt even a book 2 and the endings were different
#ColeEffectIsReal #CancelAlex #ColeIsTheBetterOptionOpenYourEyesJackie
pre-read
The way its so obvious this was a wattpad book 😭
please, PLEASE dont judge 😔
theyre filming S2 ok? I need to read the book first yall OK?!
July 11, 2016
So bad, so good but so bad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJWgS...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJWgS...
September 10, 2017
2.5/5 stars
Well this book would have been so much better if not for probably THE most disappointing end to a book I've ever read. U KEEDIN ME WITH THIS CRAP? I honestly was annoyed the whole day I finished it because of that. I am still annoyed tbh.
ANYWAY this is a majorly trope-y book but it's done super well. The main and biggest trope being the love triangle, but I liked this version of it because it was more of an "I made my choice but I'm still having conflicting feelings" than a "WHICH BOY DO I CHOOSE B/C EVERYONE LIKES ME." The premise was really interesting and I was worried that it was just gonna be a bunch of boy talk all the time (like a book I read recently AHEM the heartbreakers) but it ended up being much better than that.
I was also worried about one of the main characters falling into the "bad boy with a heart of gold" which he kind of was, but it wasn't enough to annoy me. He was a player but he was always kind to Jackie instead of just shrugging her off at every moment, and the other main character was a SWEETHEART so it balanced it out.
Again, a light, fun, entertaining read but with one of my least favorite contemporary endings ever so read at your own risk.
Well this book would have been so much better if not for probably THE most disappointing end to a book I've ever read. U KEEDIN ME WITH THIS CRAP? I honestly was annoyed the whole day I finished it because of that. I am still annoyed tbh.
ANYWAY this is a majorly trope-y book but it's done super well. The main and biggest trope being the love triangle, but I liked this version of it because it was more of an "I made my choice but I'm still having conflicting feelings" than a "WHICH BOY DO I CHOOSE B/C EVERYONE LIKES ME." The premise was really interesting and I was worried that it was just gonna be a bunch of boy talk all the time (like a book I read recently AHEM the heartbreakers) but it ended up being much better than that.
I was also worried about one of the main characters falling into the "bad boy with a heart of gold" which he kind of was, but it wasn't enough to annoy me. He was a player but he was always kind to Jackie instead of just shrugging her off at every moment, and the other main character was a SWEETHEART so it balanced it out.
Again, a light, fun, entertaining read but with one of my least favorite contemporary endings ever so read at your own risk.
March 2, 2014
4.5/5 stars
This book was exactly what I needed. A girl who ends up moving in a house of 12 boys? (11 boys and a tomboy to be exact). Does this remind anyone of Cheaper by the Dozen or Yours, Mine, and Ours? I at least was reminded of those two movies whenever the boys would pull pranks on each other and also Jackie.. which is most of the time. I really loved everything about this book, from how light hearted it was to managing to have some very emotional and tear inducing scenes that transitioned very well throughout the book.
Jackie's family dies in a car accident. Jackie's dad is a billionaire, i.e.: the whole world heard of the news. What ends up happening is shipping Jackie across the country to live with her mother's college best friend's family, the Walters. Initially the book seriously hurt my heart. I was so sad for Jackie and her family. I felt the scenes were written wonderfully and seemed authentic. The worst thing a writer can do is writing a sad scene but coming off emotionless and fake, but Novak wrote all the heart wrenching scenes in a way that actually made my heart ache for the loss of her family and for Jackie. However this book isn't sad. Jackie's encounter with the 11 Walter boys (and sister) just had me cracking up. I loved how intimidating they all were to her and I especially love the younger boys, the twins in particular and their need to document everything using a camcorder. I have to admit that it took me a while to figure out who was who and the initial intro that was listed was very helpful. I flipped back to it multiple times until I got the hang of it.
Two brothers in particular were the contenders for Jackie's empty boyfriend slot. It didn't really feel like a love triangle though. I think Novak did it in a way that haters of love triangles would still enjoy it. I liked both guys and didn't really know who to pick.. ok that's a lie, I liked one guy better than the other but I was still happy with the ending. I think what really made the book though was the individuality and uniqueness of every Walter boy. Novak didn't gloss over them, mention them once, and that's it. I really got to know each one of them and some I even became invested in. I also loved seeing the brotherly love between them all. It was very heartwarming. I recommend it to all contemporary fans, especially ones in need of a book that will hook them from the start. I can't wait for the sequel to be released. I'll definitely be stalking the author and publisher for any info on it!
This book was exactly what I needed. A girl who ends up moving in a house of 12 boys? (11 boys and a tomboy to be exact). Does this remind anyone of Cheaper by the Dozen or Yours, Mine, and Ours? I at least was reminded of those two movies whenever the boys would pull pranks on each other and also Jackie.. which is most of the time. I really loved everything about this book, from how light hearted it was to managing to have some very emotional and tear inducing scenes that transitioned very well throughout the book.
Jackie's family dies in a car accident. Jackie's dad is a billionaire, i.e.: the whole world heard of the news. What ends up happening is shipping Jackie across the country to live with her mother's college best friend's family, the Walters. Initially the book seriously hurt my heart. I was so sad for Jackie and her family. I felt the scenes were written wonderfully and seemed authentic. The worst thing a writer can do is writing a sad scene but coming off emotionless and fake, but Novak wrote all the heart wrenching scenes in a way that actually made my heart ache for the loss of her family and for Jackie. However this book isn't sad. Jackie's encounter with the 11 Walter boys (and sister) just had me cracking up. I loved how intimidating they all were to her and I especially love the younger boys, the twins in particular and their need to document everything using a camcorder. I have to admit that it took me a while to figure out who was who and the initial intro that was listed was very helpful. I flipped back to it multiple times until I got the hang of it.
Two brothers in particular were the contenders for Jackie's empty boyfriend slot. It didn't really feel like a love triangle though. I think Novak did it in a way that haters of love triangles would still enjoy it. I liked both guys and didn't really know who to pick.. ok that's a lie, I liked one guy better than the other but I was still happy with the ending. I think what really made the book though was the individuality and uniqueness of every Walter boy. Novak didn't gloss over them, mention them once, and that's it. I really got to know each one of them and some I even became invested in. I also loved seeing the brotherly love between them all. It was very heartwarming. I recommend it to all contemporary fans, especially ones in need of a book that will hook them from the start. I can't wait for the sequel to be released. I'll definitely be stalking the author and publisher for any info on it!
January 22, 2025
➳ 3.9 ☆!🌼
welll excuse me, i read wonderful fantasy thank you very much. 😌
‧꒰my thoughts꒱ ‧
what a sweet book! i had a good time reading and all the quirky things that came along with it. the reason i wanted to pick this up was because of the show! it intrigued me because 12 boys 1 girl ratio?? (not including parker) anyway! id day my only complaint with this was the plot?? as this is a romance book, the plot is basically just their day-to-day life, some funny moments, and then ultimately falling in love. and dont get me wrong, i LOVE character driven books, i just wanted more action, yk? also the writing was alright! and i liked how each brother had their own unique hobby/thing that made them THEM. also the found family at the end 🥹🥹 i cant wait for book 2 in april!! (btw, i was team cole by the end)
˚₊‧꒰ character study ꒱ ‧₊˚
jackie she was actually such a sweet fmc and i feel so much for her after she went through 😔 but im impressed how she was able to adapt pretty easily, and i also loved seeing her moments with nathan + danny they were so kind to her 💗 shout out to them! very curious to see how life is going in NY for her tehe
cole & alex hmm it took me a while to figure out which team i was on but TEAM COLE!! yall, hes just so misunderstood. and i (unfortunately) misunderstood him, but by the end i liked him! as for alex, he was a sweetie. the only thing i didnt l-o-v-e was his GoG obsession but hes just a teenage boy so wtv 😭 but yeah team cole thank you very much! shoutout danny + nathan, you were amazing.
overall, i do recommend this! and i cant wait to finish the show to get all caught up, i heard there was a big cliffhanger?? (no spoilers!!) and i am STILL not a fan of love triangles (especially with brothers like WHY) but tbh this one was bearable. see you in book 2 🤭🤭
-------
🌼|| ‧꒰ა preview! ໒꒱ ‧
ahhh cant wait to start this!! this is on my priority tbr and my cousin who has watched the show has been wanting to yapp about this, so ITS TIIMEE 🤭🤭 i wonder which team ill be on hehe
⤷ "why dont girls ever read good fantasy?"
welll excuse me, i read wonderful fantasy thank you very much. 😌
‧꒰my thoughts꒱ ‧
what a sweet book! i had a good time reading and all the quirky things that came along with it. the reason i wanted to pick this up was because of the show! it intrigued me because 12 boys 1 girl ratio?? (not including parker) anyway! id day my only complaint with this was the plot?? as this is a romance book, the plot is basically just their day-to-day life, some funny moments, and then ultimately falling in love. and dont get me wrong, i LOVE character driven books, i just wanted more action, yk? also the writing was alright! and i liked how each brother had their own unique hobby/thing that made them THEM. also the found family at the end 🥹🥹 i cant wait for book 2 in april!! (btw, i was team cole by the end)
˚₊‧꒰ character study ꒱ ‧₊˚
jackie she was actually such a sweet fmc and i feel so much for her after she went through 😔 but im impressed how she was able to adapt pretty easily, and i also loved seeing her moments with nathan + danny they were so kind to her 💗 shout out to them! very curious to see how life is going in NY for her tehe
cole & alex hmm it took me a while to figure out which team i was on but TEAM COLE!! yall, hes just so misunderstood. and i (unfortunately) misunderstood him, but by the end i liked him! as for alex, he was a sweetie. the only thing i didnt l-o-v-e was his GoG obsession but hes just a teenage boy so wtv 😭 but yeah team cole thank you very much! shoutout danny + nathan, you were amazing.
overall, i do recommend this! and i cant wait to finish the show to get all caught up, i heard there was a big cliffhanger?? (no spoilers!!) and i am STILL not a fan of love triangles (especially with brothers like WHY) but tbh this one was bearable. see you in book 2 🤭🤭
-------
🌼|| ‧꒰ა preview! ໒꒱ ‧
ahhh cant wait to start this!! this is on my priority tbr and my cousin who has watched the show has been wanting to yapp about this, so ITS TIIMEE 🤭🤭 i wonder which team ill be on hehe
May 29, 2016
3 stars
This book started out strong, I loved the concept of a girl having to move into a home with twelve boys. But what I didn't expect was a love triangle where everyone was using each other for their own means. I honestly would have enjoyed this book much more if the triangle hadn't been in it, because Jackie's personal journey of discovery would have made more sense.
Anyways, it's a fun fast read and if you want something cute and quick this is the book for you.
This book started out strong, I loved the concept of a girl having to move into a home with twelve boys. But what I didn't expect was a love triangle where everyone was using each other for their own means. I honestly would have enjoyed this book much more if the triangle hadn't been in it, because Jackie's personal journey of discovery would have made more sense.
Anyways, it's a fun fast read and if you want something cute and quick this is the book for you.
April 11, 2025
✩ 2.5 stars ✩
What to Expect:
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Love Triangle
➼ Grief & Loss
➼ Big City Girl in a Small Town
➼ They Live Together
➼ High School Setting
➼ YA Romance
➼ Series Adaptation on Netflix
➼ First Person POV
I’m actually amazed by how similar this was to the show. That being said, if you love the show, you may love this too. 🤷🏼♀️ For me, the story unfortunately felt flatter and even more juvenile on the page. I’ve gotta say, I really don’t like to see two siblings fighting over the same girl. I didn’t like it in The Summer I Turned Pretty and I don’t like it here. Jackie very clearly prefers Cole, and it’s hard to really root for someone that would toy with two brother’s hearts in this way.
I did notice that some tweaks were made to the romantic storyline for the show. They were subtle changes, but they do shift the storyline somewhat significantly. I honestly think I prefer the sequence of events in the book over the show. Both the book and the show left things up in the air, but I have no doubt Jackie will eventually end up with Cole. The question is, how much heartache will they cause and endure along the way?
I think I’m maybe just too old for this one. 😅 I received the ALC for book two, so I will likely still give it a listen. At the very least, I’m invested enough to want to know what happens next!
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: I’ve been watching this cheesy show and for some reason thought it would be a good idea to start this 10 year old book I’ve never even heard of.
Wish me luck… 😅
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
Connect with me on Instagram
What to Expect:
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Love Triangle
➼ Grief & Loss
➼ Big City Girl in a Small Town
➼ They Live Together
➼ High School Setting
➼ YA Romance
➼ Series Adaptation on Netflix
➼ First Person POV
I’m actually amazed by how similar this was to the show. That being said, if you love the show, you may love this too. 🤷🏼♀️ For me, the story unfortunately felt flatter and even more juvenile on the page. I’ve gotta say, I really don’t like to see two siblings fighting over the same girl. I didn’t like it in The Summer I Turned Pretty and I don’t like it here. Jackie very clearly prefers Cole, and it’s hard to really root for someone that would toy with two brother’s hearts in this way.
I did notice that some tweaks were made to the romantic storyline for the show. They were subtle changes, but they do shift the storyline somewhat significantly. I honestly think I prefer the sequence of events in the book over the show. Both the book and the show left things up in the air, but I have no doubt Jackie will eventually end up with Cole. The question is, how much heartache will they cause and endure along the way?
I think I’m maybe just too old for this one. 😅 I received the ALC for book two, so I will likely still give it a listen. At the very least, I’m invested enough to want to know what happens next!
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: I’ve been watching this cheesy show and for some reason thought it would be a good idea to start this 10 year old book I’ve never even heard of.
Wish me luck… 😅
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
Connect with me on Instagram
July 22, 2014
If she hadn't gone for the cliché trope of dating the nice guy so you can avoid the bad boy, this book might have been bearable. But then again, it was full of stereotypes and crappy writing. I should have known what I was getting myself into. One of the worst books I've read this year.
December 30, 2023
“team cole or team alex?” neither i'm team nathan or danny 💯
April 21, 2024
In this book Novak weaves a captivating tale of love, loss, and self-discovery as we follow the journey of Jackie Howard, who finds herself thrust into the chaotic world of the Walter family after a tragic accident leaves her orphaned. From navigating the dynamics of a large and boisterous family to wrestling with her own grief and guilt, Jackie's story is as heartwarming as it is heart-wrenching. MY best experience with this book is AudioBook Edition: My Life with the Walter Boys
Novak's writing is both heartfelt and engaging, drawing me in from the very first chapter and refusing to let go until the very end.
What I loved most about this book is its authenticity. Novak's characters are incredibly relatable, each with their own quirks, flaws, and hidden depths. I found myself rooting for Jackie as she navigated the ups and downs of teenage life, from navigating high school drama to grappling with her growing feelings for one of the Walter boys.
Novak's writing is both heartfelt and engaging, drawing me in from the very first chapter and refusing to let go until the very end.
What I loved most about this book is its authenticity. Novak's characters are incredibly relatable, each with their own quirks, flaws, and hidden depths. I found myself rooting for Jackie as she navigated the ups and downs of teenage life, from navigating high school drama to grappling with her growing feelings for one of the Walter boys.
March 31, 2016
The premise of this was interesting, but it felt so forced. Like she had to pick one of the Walter Boys. I didn't have a favourite at all. I didn't see what was so special with any of the boys. Some of the kids were adorable and the things they said made me laugh out loud. The family dynamics was my favourite part of the book.
The only character that had any development was Jackie and she went from being a goody-goody to one who started taking stupid risks..all for a boy. Clearly she lost some brain cells when she moved. I wanted it to be more about how much she missed her family, and how hard it was for her to move on. And it was, but at the same time, the way she tackles it? It was like she was only obsessed with the boys and their drama. Geez so much drama..It was super entertaining at points, but I couldn't stop comparing it to a soap opera TV show where everything and anything just goes wrong.
There was no running story line at all, so I pretty much only finished this just to see who she would pick. I'm just a little disappointed by this. It had its cute moments, but I think it's best to pass on this one.
The only character that had any development was Jackie and she went from being a goody-goody to one who started taking stupid risks..all for a boy. Clearly she lost some brain cells when she moved. I wanted it to be more about how much she missed her family, and how hard it was for her to move on. And it was, but at the same time, the way she tackles it? It was like she was only obsessed with the boys and their drama. Geez so much drama..It was super entertaining at points, but I couldn't stop comparing it to a soap opera TV show where everything and anything just goes wrong.
There was no running story line at all, so I pretty much only finished this just to see who she would pick. I'm just a little disappointed by this. It had its cute moments, but I think it's best to pass on this one.
October 7, 2015
I was enjoying this one, but then it was getting closer and closer to the end and things weren't really getting any closure. That ending did not work for me. I feel like I have read half a book. Ali Novak better have a sequel coming out ASAP.
August 29, 2015
So this chick's family dies in some freak accident, is forced to move from Upper East Side NYC to Colorado into a house full of testosterone and is expected to leave her upper-class city life behind to become a full on country gal. How about no.
I've read this book on Wattpad so many times, hoping to enjoy it more than previously but it wasn't getting any better. In fact, it seemed to be getting worse and I didn't think that was possible. This book had so much potential and I actually found the story line quite good but these positives were being drowned out by all the flaws surrounding it. I really wanted to enjoy this book because I'd read some of the author's other works on the app and they were actually pretty good and Ali Novak herself is so amazing and really humble, things I picked up on the few occasions where I engaged in conversation with her. I hate to say that I wasn't even close to loving My Life With The Walter Boys. I have a few peeves.
#1 Why does it seem as if she is completely chill with her family being dead? She doesn't exactly make the reader want curl to into a ball crying for her loss as they eat ice-cream and watch sappy romance flicks together. Shouldn't she be making the reader empathize with the pain she should be going through? I didn't get any of that. Also, why is she completely chill with the fact that she doesn't have a single pair of jeans and she lives in Upper East Side NYC? I agree with the reviewer who mentioned Gossip Girl. Holla at ya, girl.
#2 Her friends are most definitely not using her. Oh no of course not. I mean, why else would they start acting like they've known her her whole life after they find out that she sleeps under the same roof as the (in)famous Walter boys? And there couldn't possibly be a bad motive to why they were hell bent on convincing Jackie to invite them for a sleep over at the house that she hasn't even inhabited for a week. Sure, why would anyone want to question why her new 'friends' only make like, three appearances in the whole book and most of the time they are used to remind the reader just how amazingly attractive the Walter boys are.
#3 The lack of cultural diversity in this book is actually hurtful. Everyone in this novel, and I mean EVERYONE, is one race and one race only. Hellooo! Asians, Hispanics and colored people exist too! What happened to them? Fell into a ditch on the way to writing a good novel?
#4 Cole Walter. COLE FREAKING WALTER. A complete douche bag who pressures Jackie into bizarre situations and pulls pranks on her even though he's only known her for what? five minutes? Awesome start. But that's alright because he confesses her love for her while he's dating this other chick and Jackie kind of has this thing for his brother Alex who is the sweetest thing ever even though he has falling outs with Cole but noooo Cole is way better for Jackie because he's such a badass and he's super attractive and her friends say she loves him so that means she loves him and it turns out that he's been doing all those mean things to her because he loves her. POPPYCOCK, I SAY! (I have waited so long to say that)
#5 She has no idea who Tolkien is. SHE HAS NO IDEA WHO TOLKIEN IS. LIKE, SHE HAS NEVER HEARD OF HIM. \(*-*)/ ASDFGHJKL. What is life?
Sooo here are my thoughts on MLWTWB (way easier than writing out the whole title for the tenth time). If you really feel the need to, go and check it out. These are just my viewpoints on the novel, you may or may not share opinions, that's up to y'all.
I've read this book on Wattpad so many times, hoping to enjoy it more than previously but it wasn't getting any better. In fact, it seemed to be getting worse and I didn't think that was possible. This book had so much potential and I actually found the story line quite good but these positives were being drowned out by all the flaws surrounding it. I really wanted to enjoy this book because I'd read some of the author's other works on the app and they were actually pretty good and Ali Novak herself is so amazing and really humble, things I picked up on the few occasions where I engaged in conversation with her. I hate to say that I wasn't even close to loving My Life With The Walter Boys. I have a few peeves.
#1 Why does it seem as if she is completely chill with her family being dead? She doesn't exactly make the reader want curl to into a ball crying for her loss as they eat ice-cream and watch sappy romance flicks together. Shouldn't she be making the reader empathize with the pain she should be going through? I didn't get any of that. Also, why is she completely chill with the fact that she doesn't have a single pair of jeans and she lives in Upper East Side NYC? I agree with the reviewer who mentioned Gossip Girl. Holla at ya, girl.
#2 Her friends are most definitely not using her. Oh no of course not. I mean, why else would they start acting like they've known her her whole life after they find out that she sleeps under the same roof as the (in)famous Walter boys? And there couldn't possibly be a bad motive to why they were hell bent on convincing Jackie to invite them for a sleep over at the house that she hasn't even inhabited for a week. Sure, why would anyone want to question why her new 'friends' only make like, three appearances in the whole book and most of the time they are used to remind the reader just how amazingly attractive the Walter boys are.
#3 The lack of cultural diversity in this book is actually hurtful. Everyone in this novel, and I mean EVERYONE, is one race and one race only. Hellooo! Asians, Hispanics and colored people exist too! What happened to them? Fell into a ditch on the way to writing a good novel?
#4 Cole Walter. COLE FREAKING WALTER. A complete douche bag who pressures Jackie into bizarre situations and pulls pranks on her even though he's only known her for what? five minutes? Awesome start. But that's alright because he confesses her love for her while he's dating this other chick and Jackie kind of has this thing for his brother Alex who is the sweetest thing ever even though he has falling outs with Cole but noooo Cole is way better for Jackie because he's such a badass and he's super attractive and her friends say she loves him so that means she loves him and it turns out that he's been doing all those mean things to her because he loves her. POPPYCOCK, I SAY! (I have waited so long to say that)
#5 She has no idea who Tolkien is. SHE HAS NO IDEA WHO TOLKIEN IS. LIKE, SHE HAS NEVER HEARD OF HIM. \(*-*)/ ASDFGHJKL. What is life?
Sooo here are my thoughts on MLWTWB (way easier than writing out the whole title for the tenth time). If you really feel the need to, go and check it out. These are just my viewpoints on the novel, you may or may not share opinions, that's up to y'all.
December 25, 2023
I really wish I didn’t read this
December 13, 2012
One of my favorite wattpad books of all time. Really enjoyable, with a pleasant writing style, a really cool author herself, and cute twists here and then. It's one of my favorite Megan Meade fanfictions, but with a totally different plot and style.
Well done, Fallzswimmer! I look forward to the second book and re-reading this one again!
Well done, Fallzswimmer! I look forward to the second book and re-reading this one again!
September 22, 2024
Li este livro por causa da série. E este livro transmitiu-me uma mistura de sentimentos enquanto o lia. Podia ser um livro bem melhor em muitos sentidos, mas não é de todo um livro mau . Quanto ao desenvolvimento das personagens e até aos problemas (que para eles parecem enormes) eu, particularmente, achei que esses adolescentes foram bem fiéis a isso mesmo, ao serem adolescentes no sentido da palavra e atitudes. Parecia mesmo que o mundo ia acabar ou que um problema o seu problema era o PIOR do mundo, eles estavam bem naquela transição entre ter responsabilidades e ser impulsivos e até irresponsáveis (como todo o adolescente costuma ser), nesse sentido achei os personagens bem desenvolvidos e não me lembro de ter visto algo tão característico em outros livros que já li com foco em personagens adolescentes. A crítica que faço aqui é o fato de a Jackie passar por conflitos e ela simplesmente não reagir aos mesmos, não questionar, não se impor, às vezes ela parecia um saco de pancada (e isso incomodou-me bastante porque ela é a protagonista) só que em partes , eu até relevo esse fato porque às vezes nem na vida real nós enfrentamos as coisas. Agora os pontos que me fizeram só considerar o livro como bom é o fato de que em partes ela fazia-me perder a vontade de ler porque simplesmente eu não suportava o que eu estava ali a ler 🤦🏻♀️. Fora isso, um aviso (para a pessoa corajosa que leu até aqui) o livro em si é um romance bem adolescente, não tem nada de profundo, nada que te vá fazer questionar a vida, o mundo ou a sociedade, o que em parte é bom para te distraires um pouco dos problemas da vida, porém se procuras algo profundo para refletir sobre as coisas, esta obra definitivamente não vai atender as tuas expectativas. É isso. Mas recomendo, é um livro de leitura leve.
March 11, 2022
I loved the chaos with the large family in the book but hated the ending like come on why the open ending
September 11, 2023
this book omfg… ive had it for 5+ years and I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to read it! it was so, so cute😭🤍
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