By Kody Keplinger
For Fun
Source I own it
First sentence This was getting old.
Synopsis
Life isn't so great for Bianca. Her mom is always traveling, her friends brother her who broke her heart three years before is coming back into town and to make matters worse, Wesley Rush, the school's biggest womanizer, just deemed her as the DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend). Throwing herself into a sexual relationship with Wesley for distraction might not be the best of plans but things get even more complicated when Bianca finds herself actually having feelings for him.
General thoughts
Holy crap! I was in the mood for a contemporary YA, sick of all the paranormal, so maybe that explains it, but I picked up this book off my shelf and started reading at 10:30 at night and stayed up till 1:30 to finish it! I couldn't put it down! I don't you think you fully comprehend how rare it is for me to let a book, even and amazing one, keep me from precious sleep! Keplinger wrote this book at 19, (or at least she was 19 when it was published) and I had no complaints about the writing. This is rare too. Not to say young people don't know how to write, but with the onslaught of YA books beings published I'm often less than impressed with the writing, so I was already wary going in and knowing this author was young, I'll admit, I was very skeptical but I needn't have bothered.
Maybe if I'd been in a different mood I would have been bothered with the negative, cynical MC or unimpressed with the neat ending, or even annoyed at the "preachyness" of the story but I wasn't...at all. I really liked this book! Bianca's negativity certainly stemmed from some legitimate problems, and I can certainly understand her escapism tendencies. I can even believe Wesley's transformation from womanizer to the sweet guy. I loved the lesson to be learned from this one as well, but mostly I just love a book that grabs you, sucks you in with emotion evoking writing, and MAKES you believe its story!
Word of warning...there is A LOT of swearing and sensuality in this book but I don't think it was unnecessary. Well, maybe a few of the f-words could have been omitted
Characters
Bianca: I know her pessimism bothered some people but I'm a bit negative and pessimistic myself so I could relate.
Wesley: He was a realistically portrayed teenage guy. Loved him!
Casey: Some friends in YA books fall flat or seem too cliche. Not Casey she was another realistically portrayed character.
Jessica: Sweet to a fault. ;)
Toby: Not sure any guy is THAT perfect but that's OK.
Bianca's parents: If any characters weren't very realistic, it was these two but I liked the story too much to care.
Would I recommend it?
Maybe not to the "prude of heart" but, yeah, I would.
Wow, you liked this one a WHOLE lot more than I did. I'm definitely a bit prudish, but what really bugged me about THE DUFF was the MC. Hated her. And the neat ending. And so much else. Ah well, different strokes for different folks, right?
ReplyDeleteWow, 19? That's impressive. I've seen this one around and meant to read it. I think I'd have to be in the right mood to really enjoy it, but I'll keep it in mind for the next time I want such a book. Glad it worked so well for you!
ReplyDeleteOh I will have to go get this one now! Thanks:)
ReplyDeleteSusan, Yeah I've heard both good and bad about this one and I'm nearly positive had I been in another mood I wouldn't have liked it, or at least been a little more bothered by things. As it turned out, I was in just the right mood for it.
ReplyDeleteErin, I definitely think this one is a mood book. So when you're in the right mood I say go for it.
Rebecca, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. ;)