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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Right off the bat I get the feeling that the protagonist is incredibly judgy. She is judging her friends for 'making fools of themselves' for 'shaking their butts like girls in a rap video'. Um, really? Already I was annoyed with her. The comments continue in pages 2 and 4 when she thinks: "Maybe we'll have meaningful discussions about politics and philosophy whiole we bump n' grind? Ugh, yeah right." And "tramp with low self-esteem." She's suggesting that by sitting at the bar and moping she's somehow better than the girls dancing. That somehow dancing, no matter how sexy, lessens your intelligence and your ability to have depth. Again, more annoyed. I was sincerely hoping for a lot of character development because not even a full chapter in and I'm already regretting picking up the book. I was already hesitant going into the book, I mean a book about how every group of friends has a DUFF? As if women already don't put themselves down enough and compete with each other enough. But anyway, I continued reading.
That I noted, the only mention of a person of color in the book is when she talks about supposed 22 year old Latino her mom is screwing while she's away from her family. So that's great, lots of diversity. And another thing, does it bother no one that she starts having sex as a means to escape her issues and that there's always this undertone of her having an addiction to this sex? To this means to escape her issues? I understand, yes, high school kids have sex, but she apparently loses her virginity at 14 to an 18 year old which is ILLEGAL but apparently there are zero repercussions with regards to this. And then at 17 she's obsessed with having sex with someone she barely knows to escape her issues. Thank God she's at least being safe and using condoms. And again, this is not me being anti-sex or anything, it just didn't sit well with me that this is the way the author chose to have her deal with her issues, or that if she was going to have all this sex that maybe it was dealt with better. That she talked to someone, that she realized that she doesn't need to rely on this other person so wholeheartedly to feel better, because as the protagonist herself thinks he 'holds the key to her happiness' and she needs him. So seriously? A guy she proclaims to hate with all of her being but he is the only person who can make her happy? It just doesn't sit well with me how it was all handled, I think it could have been done a bit better by the author especially given that I am sure younger kids will read this.
There is ridiculous amounts of slut shaming in this book. Which is ridiculously ironic since she's acting in the same way the girls she judges acts. But I guess maybe that's the point the author was trying to make. When she gets jealous of some girl flirting with 'her' guy she immediately starts to put down the girl in appearance and personality which is just so....not what young girls need to be seeing. And then she tries to hide it by blaming PMS, let's not perpetuate the idea that having periods somehow makes women incapable of handling situations. Bianca has so much potential as a character, I feel. But it isn't until the very end where she makes a turn around and sees all the shitty mistakes she has been making. I like that she changed and developed, I guess that's all part of her development as a character. Forgive me though for still feeling annoyed by her.
I will say, despite all the issues I had with it I gave it 3 stars because it has great female friendships, which I think is severely lacking in YA. Bianca's friends are loyal and put her in her place when needed, and I enjoyed all of their interactions a lot. I like that she changed, as did the male protagonist towards the end so it wasn't a total loss. But ultimately, I do feel this book could have been a whole lot better.
That I noted, the only mention of a person of color in the book is when she talks about supposed 22 year old Latino her mom is screwing while she's away from her family. So that's great, lots of diversity. And another thing, does it bother no one that she starts having sex as a means to escape her issues and that there's always this undertone of her having an addiction to this sex? To this means to escape her issues? I understand, yes, high school kids have sex, but she apparently loses her virginity at 14 to an 18 year old which is ILLEGAL but apparently there are zero repercussions with regards to this. And then at 17 she's obsessed with having sex with someone she barely knows to escape her issues. Thank God she's at least being safe and using condoms. And again, this is not me being anti-sex or anything, it just didn't sit well with me that this is the way the author chose to have her deal with her issues, or that if she was going to have all this sex that maybe it was dealt with better. That she talked to someone, that she realized that she doesn't need to rely on this other person so wholeheartedly to feel better, because as the protagonist herself thinks he 'holds the key to her happiness' and she needs him. So seriously? A guy she proclaims to hate with all of her being but he is the only person who can make her happy? It just doesn't sit well with me how it was all handled, I think it could have been done a bit better by the author especially given that I am sure younger kids will read this.
There is ridiculous amounts of slut shaming in this book. Which is ridiculously ironic since she's acting in the same way the girls she judges acts. But I guess maybe that's the point the author was trying to make. When she gets jealous of some girl flirting with 'her' guy she immediately starts to put down the girl in appearance and personality which is just so....not what young girls need to be seeing. And then she tries to hide it by blaming PMS, let's not perpetuate the idea that having periods somehow makes women incapable of handling situations. Bianca has so much potential as a character, I feel. But it isn't until the very end where she makes a turn around and sees all the shitty mistakes she has been making. I like that she changed and developed, I guess that's all part of her development as a character. Forgive me though for still feeling annoyed by her.
I will say, despite all the issues I had with it I gave it 3 stars because it has great female friendships, which I think is severely lacking in YA. Bianca's friends are loyal and put her in her place when needed, and I enjoyed all of their interactions a lot. I like that she changed, as did the male protagonist towards the end so it wasn't a total loss. But ultimately, I do feel this book could have been a whole lot better.
I don’t know what possessed me to pick up this book, except that I’ve been reading a lot of dystopian and fantasy lately, so I think I was in the mood for a contemporary book. However, I walk away from this one with mixed feelings. I mean, the things I liked about the book were the background things. I liked Bianca’s friends because they seemed to genuinely care about her. I also liked the family drama that emerged, though I did not like Bianca’s way of handling it.
I feel like the things I had problems with were the bigger issues. For example, I love a slow-burning romance that starts with abject and open hatred but, over time, becomes something more. But Wesley’s an asshole. So, I felt like I didn’t want to root for him. The “bad boy” thing is nice in theory, but that’s not what you hope for for anyone in the long-run. Also, Bianca herself was a bit trying at times for me. The Wuthering Heights comparisons that emerge later in the book make complete sense to me. She does remind me of Cathy, and I couldn’t stand Cathy. Like, who sees their father in pain and is just like, nope; the situation will handle itself? Who blows their best friend off, then gets angry when confronted with their shitty behavior? I found it hard to find any redeeming qualities in this girl, so much so that, at the end, I was resigned to the fact that she and Wesley deserved each other, much like Heathcliff and Cathy would’ve saved a lot of people a world of hurt if they’d kept their horrible natures confined to a mutually-destructive relationship.
But I was still able to finish this book in one sitting, so while my stomach was churning, and my blood boiling all the way through, there was enough good to keep me going.
I feel like the things I had problems with were the bigger issues. For example, I love a slow-burning romance that starts with abject and open hatred but, over time, becomes something more. But Wesley’s an asshole. So, I felt like I didn’t want to root for him. The “bad boy” thing is nice in theory, but that’s not what you hope for for anyone in the long-run. Also, Bianca herself was a bit trying at times for me. The Wuthering Heights comparisons that emerge later in the book make complete sense to me. She does remind me of Cathy, and I couldn’t stand Cathy. Like, who sees their father in pain and is just like, nope; the situation will handle itself? Who blows their best friend off, then gets angry when confronted with their shitty behavior? I found it hard to find any redeeming qualities in this girl, so much so that, at the end, I was resigned to the fact that she and Wesley deserved each other, much like Heathcliff and Cathy would’ve saved a lot of people a world of hurt if they’d kept their horrible natures confined to a mutually-destructive relationship.
But I was still able to finish this book in one sitting, so while my stomach was churning, and my blood boiling all the way through, there was enough good to keep me going.
Ok so I've seen this movie a few times and I'm now finally reading the book. Wow they are very different like two completely different stories but the same character names and title. So while the characters in the book are less likeable the story felt more real. Bianca's home life was definitely more compelling in this one she had more of a back story to why she is the way she is as did Wesley. He's definitely more of an asshole in this but the confrontation with his grandmother, while it doesn't excuse it, it explains why the way he is the way he is. Even though he's a major asshole I liked his character better in the book than the movie. The movie made him into just this dumb jock type when he definitely has way more layers. I enjoyed both which I find surprising because usually when the movie is that much different from the book I usually end up hating one or the other.
emotional
funny
Reading this book in a public setting simply leads to conversation. I have learned that every chick has at one point or another thought of themselves as the D.U.F.F. (Designated Ugly Fat Friend). I was talking with one friend who said in high school she called herself the Funny, Fat Friend. So this might be one of the most realistic high school based books I have ever read.
I enjoyed it, laughed out loud a ton, and felt a real connection with the main character. A must read for any female who has ever felt like the ugly friend. I already have a list of friends that have requested to checkout the book from MY personal library :)
I enjoyed it, laughed out loud a ton, and felt a real connection with the main character. A must read for any female who has ever felt like the ugly friend. I already have a list of friends that have requested to checkout the book from MY personal library :)
had to finish that book tn or it wasn’t going to get done
I really enjoyed this one. Who doesn't love cliché romances?
okay, I'm not exactly a fan but after reading all action packed books I needed a break.
Anyway my rating is ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
okay, I'm not exactly a fan but after reading all action packed books I needed a break.
Anyway my rating is ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
In a weird way this book reminded me a lot of my high school experience. Unfortunately ... I have no desire to relive it. Three stars.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
This was a fun light hearted pallet cleanser. It knows exactly what it is and takes advantage of it. It’s so interesting to read about high school in your twenties because ofc they are all so dramatic and so in their heads but you can also remember how you were exactly the same at 17.