Review: Double Date (Fear Street #23) by R.L. Stine

Title: Double Date

Series: Fear Street #23

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: April 1994

Published by: Archway Paperback

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis:

No girl in her right mind would say no to a date with Bobby Newkirk. Not with those great looks, that easy charm, and the awesome way he plays the guitar. Of course, some people think he's just a bit conceited. But when it comes to breaking hearts, that hasn't slowed Bobby down one bit.

At least, not until the beautiful Wade twins move to Shadyside. And Bobby brags to his friends that they'll both fall for him.

And they do. Too bad for Bobby the twins never learned to share. One of them is jealous, murderously jealous. Is it quiet, shy Bree? Or bold, sexy Samantha? Bobby had better figure it out... or his double fun will turn to double terror.

My rating: ★★★☆☆

Two’s company, but three can be murder.

Twins Samantha and Bree are fairly new in Shadyside. Bobby Newkirk has already made his way through the cheerleaders, so now he’s got his sights set on the twins. Things, however, don’t go too well for him when he decides to date them at the same time without one knowing of the other. Which is fine with me because I hated him! He was the absolute worst I hated him from page one!

I've gone out with all six cheerleaders. Bobby grinned to himself. Who says I don't have school spirit?

Ugh! So when I said the he dated the cheerleaders, I mean the girls from the Fear Street Cheerleaders. He went out with Ronnie and Kimmy—he actually treated Kimmy really bad. It was just awful!

Not bad, Bobby told himself. If she'd lose a few pounds I might even ask her out again. I mean, when Arnie's finished with her.

Ugh! There was so much fat shaming and it wasn’t just Kimmy. He also did it to Melanie who was friends with the twins. He was absolutely disgusting! Bobby was the main character in this book and it was torture following him around and being inside his head. It was the absolute worst! However, I do understand why we had to follow him around instead of like one of the girls or something because otherwise the surprise twist wouldn't have worked as well. But still, I hated his conceited ass. And I’m not even joking when I say that he prances around his room calling himself Bobby The Man. He really does this. The cringe was real 😬 Lol.

At around the halfway mark, things finally start to happen. I mean, besides Bobby hitting on anything that’s female with a pulse. His tires get slashed and he's mad and a little freaked out. He doesn't know who did it but...

Girls aren't strong enough to cut tires that deeply, Bobby told himself. Girls don't know how to handle knives. No way.

First of all, go fuck yourself. Second, I just wish you could meet Gin Blanco and get up close and personal with her knives. 😈

There was a fake plot twist of a third twin which I absolutely loved. An evil third twin, no less. I was a little disappointed when it turned out that there was no third twin and they were just messing with him. Also, instead of being worried about this evil third twin, Bobby was excited at the chance to go out with triplets... all at the same time. UGH!

This is a Fear Street book so I was really hoping he would die because he was just the worst. But I guess the things he did wouldn't warrant for his death? Although this is Fear Street and others have died for less. Lol. Anyway, his death would’ve been majorly satisfying.

I hated Bobby with a passion, but in the end, I think he got what he deserved. I loved seeing him lose his cool when he was with Samantha, the more outgoing twin, and things got a little... extreme. Lol. I did hate following him around, but I kinda think that was the point. You’re not supposed to like this asshole! And as far as Fear Street books go, I wouldn't say this one was very scary, all things considered. They were almost just a bunch of pranks. But, I mean, it was an okay book overall.

Easter Eggs: The Fear Street Cheerleaders! Suki Thomas from The Overnight and David Metcalf from The New Girl were also mentioned. And apparently, Bobby also went out with Cari Taylor from Party Summer. He said that she spilled Coke in his car so he dumped her and then made her walk home. I was like, “Yeah, okay Reva. 🙄” Except Reva Dalby is a fun kind of mean. This guy is just an absolute dick!

The Fear Street connection: The twins live on Fear Street 😬

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? If not, what do you think? Does it sound like something you might want to read? Leave me a link to your review or comment below! 😊