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andiabcs's review
3.0
I guess for me 17 First Kisses was a slight disappointment. I didn’t hate it, but I also didn’t love it. What started out as a fun story with a good friendship and interesting back story and a creative way to tell the story of the first kisses, quickly became kind of muddled and in the end turned out to be just okay. Instead of being blown away when I was done I was just left thinking what my next book was going to be.
17 First Kisses is about Clair, a high school senior, that is a tomboy at heart but also a little boy crazy. She’s got her best friend Meghan and her other two close girl friends, but she is still looking for the boy of her dreams. But with family problems and the same group of boys always around Clair has basically given up. That’s until Luke shows up. As Clair gets to know Luke a crush begins but with this crush is a problem, Meghan likes him too. And for as long as Clair and Meghan have been friends Meghan always gets what she wants.
The book really started off great. I liked how the story was being told. I liked the first kiss stories and how one kiss lead to Meghan and Clair’s friendship. I liked getting background information that way. It made it seem new and different as it wasn’t a flashback, but a natural part of the story. But I guess my problem was Meghan and Clair. It was hard to understand why they were friends when they seemed more like frienemies. I mean for me this could be because I never understood the concept of the frienemy. The Serena and Blair’s of the world never really made sense to me. But I found the competition between the two of them to be kind of cumbersome and a tad too much. There were moments when I liked their friendship and it seemed genuine, but I think what made this book just okay was that there weren’t enough of those moments to fill a whole book and that bugged me. I did really like the friendship that Clair had with Sam. That was a true friendship and I wish there was more focus on that. And I also really liked the stuff happening with Clair’s family. I almost feel like that would have been a better focus than the friendship as it had a deeper feeling to it.
All in all 17 First Kisses was a quick read that kept me interested enough but I felt just missed the mark. It wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t amazing either. It had some great parts and some not so great parts that made me roll my eyes. The characters are interesting enough to keep you engaged so I wouldn’t shy away from telling you to pick it up and give it a go yourself.
17 First Kisses is about Clair, a high school senior, that is a tomboy at heart but also a little boy crazy. She’s got her best friend Meghan and her other two close girl friends, but she is still looking for the boy of her dreams. But with family problems and the same group of boys always around Clair has basically given up. That’s until Luke shows up. As Clair gets to know Luke a crush begins but with this crush is a problem, Meghan likes him too. And for as long as Clair and Meghan have been friends Meghan always gets what she wants.
The book really started off great. I liked how the story was being told. I liked the first kiss stories and how one kiss lead to Meghan and Clair’s friendship. I liked getting background information that way. It made it seem new and different as it wasn’t a flashback, but a natural part of the story. But I guess my problem was Meghan and Clair. It was hard to understand why they were friends when they seemed more like frienemies. I mean for me this could be because I never understood the concept of the frienemy. The Serena and Blair’s of the world never really made sense to me. But I found the competition between the two of them to be kind of cumbersome and a tad too much. There were moments when I liked their friendship and it seemed genuine, but I think what made this book just okay was that there weren’t enough of those moments to fill a whole book and that bugged me. I did really like the friendship that Clair had with Sam. That was a true friendship and I wish there was more focus on that. And I also really liked the stuff happening with Clair’s family. I almost feel like that would have been a better focus than the friendship as it had a deeper feeling to it.
All in all 17 First Kisses was a quick read that kept me interested enough but I felt just missed the mark. It wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t amazing either. It had some great parts and some not so great parts that made me roll my eyes. The characters are interesting enough to keep you engaged so I wouldn’t shy away from telling you to pick it up and give it a go yourself.
theartolater's review against another edition
2.0
I really don't know how to describe this book in any coherent way. A number of years ago, I read and reviewed a book called The International Kissing Club, a book that seemingly existed without any real redeeming qualities. 17 First Kisses was reminiscent of that one in many ways, although it's not completely irredeemable.
The story is basically about Claire, who comes from a home that's been troubled as of late, but really just has a goal regarding boys in high school while also navigating the perils of her home life and of the social craziness that goes along with high school.
Unfortunately, the message I got from the bulk of this is that most teenage girls are really just preoccupied with kissing boys, and most boys are pretty much eager to get those kisses and perhaps more than that, and not much else. Caricatures upon caricatures with no end in sight, really unfortunate.
That Claire and company do show some growth and that there are some messages of friendship and redemption that are worthy of note here do not balance out the really significant negatives that the teen romance genre has clearly shown itself able to minimize. There's room for candy, but this isn't really it. Skip it.
The story is basically about Claire, who comes from a home that's been troubled as of late, but really just has a goal regarding boys in high school while also navigating the perils of her home life and of the social craziness that goes along with high school.
Unfortunately, the message I got from the bulk of this is that most teenage girls are really just preoccupied with kissing boys, and most boys are pretty much eager to get those kisses and perhaps more than that, and not much else. Caricatures upon caricatures with no end in sight, really unfortunate.
That Claire and company do show some growth and that there are some messages of friendship and redemption that are worthy of note here do not balance out the really significant negatives that the teen romance genre has clearly shown itself able to minimize. There's room for candy, but this isn't really it. Skip it.
katrinamarie's review
4.0
I went into this expecting something light and fun. I got so much more, and I loved it!
I love Claire/CJ’s character. Even though things are a mess at home she has a confidence that I don’t think I could muster. She manages to keep her grades up, be there for her family, and be there for her friends when they allow her to. She struggles with moral, and friendship, problems throughout the book. I think that is something all teens can relate to. I know I did when I was that age.
I love all the topics covered in this book. Some of the issues aren’t direct to CJ’s story, but they are highlighted on, and I think the way things were handled was great. I also love the friendship aspect. I know when I was in school there was always some kind of jealousy among friends. It could range from being friends with other people, boys, and even academics. CJ learns a lot about all these facets throughout the book. There were some situations that had my in tears. Not just because I could connect, but because as a mom, some of these things were similar to things that I’ve experienced.
I highly recommend this to all readers. 17 First Kisses shows the importance of family, friends, and figuring out who you are. Loved every minute of it.
I love Claire/CJ’s character. Even though things are a mess at home she has a confidence that I don’t think I could muster. She manages to keep her grades up, be there for her family, and be there for her friends when they allow her to. She struggles with moral, and friendship, problems throughout the book. I think that is something all teens can relate to. I know I did when I was that age.
I love all the topics covered in this book. Some of the issues aren’t direct to CJ’s story, but they are highlighted on, and I think the way things were handled was great. I also love the friendship aspect. I know when I was in school there was always some kind of jealousy among friends. It could range from being friends with other people, boys, and even academics. CJ learns a lot about all these facets throughout the book. There were some situations that had my in tears. Not just because I could connect, but because as a mom, some of these things were similar to things that I’ve experienced.
I highly recommend this to all readers. 17 First Kisses shows the importance of family, friends, and figuring out who you are. Loved every minute of it.
wildflowerleahg's review against another edition
4.5
This was such a great book. I loved the transition between the past and present. Totally felt she was going to fall for Sam!! Deep down I hope she keeps the pact.
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
Oh, man, such a cute, wonderful book, of a girl's journey with 16 first kisses, though 2 aren't on the lips, and yeah, just such a sweet and cute book, loved it!
sunflower87's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lenni_loves_literature's review
4.0
I got this book from the library not because it sounded really good (which it did), but because I was on a desperate mission to save the books they were getting rid of. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was a fun read and way better than I was expecting.
The main character, Claire, was strong and interesting to read about. There were some times when I just had to cheer her on. I think my favorite part was reading her past kisses, especially #1. The author really captured 7-year-olds in that chapter. My favorite characters besides Claire were Libby and Sam. Those two just added so much more charm to this book.
I found Megan annoying and I really don’t know why Claire kept her around. ESPECIALLY after kiss #7. Megan was only a good friend when you needed help, but the second a boy was involved, she was AWFUL.
I also didn’t like the sex and drinking that were in this book. The whole book could’ve happened -just as fun- without it. Besides those things, I enjoyed this book.
It was great reading about Claire and learning about her past through kisses of all things. I really wish we got an epilogue, or that I could find out what happened to her in four years. I hope this review was helpful!
The main character, Claire, was strong and interesting to read about. There were some times when I just had to cheer her on. I think my favorite part was reading her past kisses, especially #1. The author really captured 7-year-olds in that chapter. My favorite characters besides Claire were Libby and Sam. Those two just added so much more charm to this book.
I found Megan annoying and I really don’t know why Claire kept her around. ESPECIALLY after kiss #7. Megan was only a good friend when you needed help, but the second a boy was involved, she was AWFUL.
I also didn’t like the sex and drinking that were in this book. The whole book could’ve happened -just as fun- without it. Besides those things, I enjoyed this book.
It was great reading about Claire and learning about her past through kisses of all things. I really wish we got an epilogue, or that I could find out what happened to her in four years. I hope this review was helpful!
janinesmp3's review
4.0
I haven't made a review for this until now. I don't have much to say, since it's been a month since I've finished it. But here's what I do have to say.
I actually sort of liked it. Luke was an a-hole. Megan and Claire were stupid enough to fight over Luke. No, I didn't see it as a Mean Girls sort of novel. Why? Because I've never seen Mean Girls. And no, you can't judge me for that.
That's all.
I actually sort of liked it. Luke was an a-hole. Megan and Claire were stupid enough to fight over Luke. No, I didn't see it as a Mean Girls sort of novel. Why? Because I've never seen Mean Girls. And no, you can't judge me for that.
That's all.
jennerniferner's review
2.0
Does the girl/girl friendships much better than the romance.
Edit: The more I think about this book, the more uncomfortable I get with it. Some spoilers ahead.
The main love interest comes from an abusive home and turns out to have a mean-drunk streak himself, among other bad qualities. He's ultimately treated like a joke between friends whereas at first it seemed like story wanted to take a nuanced look at human behavior and the ways people deal with bad situations. Instead, the girls take a naked picture of him and pass it around to classmates to get back at him. I'm sorry but since when in a YA book was revenge porn an ok tactic for anyone to use?
Furthermore, the ultimate love interest--the best guy friend who was there all along--is given almost no opportunity to establish romantic chemistry with the MC despite being around constantly. It's shoved into the last couple of pages like an afterthought.
Edit: The more I think about this book, the more uncomfortable I get with it. Some spoilers ahead.
The main love interest comes from an abusive home and turns out to have a mean-drunk streak himself, among other bad qualities. He's ultimately treated like a joke between friends whereas at first it seemed like story wanted to take a nuanced look at human behavior and the ways people deal with bad situations. Instead, the girls take a naked picture of him and pass it around to classmates to get back at him. I'm sorry but since when in a YA book was revenge porn an ok tactic for anyone to use?
Furthermore, the ultimate love interest--the best guy friend who was there all along--is given almost no opportunity to establish romantic chemistry with the MC despite being around constantly. It's shoved into the last couple of pages like an afterthought.