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A review by kitvaria_sarene
Love Is for Losers by Wibke Brueggemann
5.0
I loved this, but it is a bit of a hard one to recommend.
On the one hand, it is is funny and entertaining, and very close to actual teen life these days.
On the other side, it also covers a lot of harder topics as well, which might be problematic for some readers.
I loved the main character, who isn't very good at dealing with emaotions, and struggles when her best friend has a boyfriend, and she isn't the most important person for her anymore. Her mum is away with "doctors without boarders" which isn't always easy.
The book is very open and direct about sex - and I had a good giggle and the teen reaction to an adult talking to her about sex. It felt very realistic, and the "ewww, don't say that!" had me snort at times.
There's also other topics included. Falling in love for the first time, stress about exams, arguing with the BFF, being overwhelmed by emotions, family troubles, and death do all play a topic.
I will put some of the main themes in a spoler tag at the end, if you want to know what exactly is covered, to see if it is a fit.
Despite a lot of hard stuff being covered, it is overall still a quick and entertaining read. I loved the tone, and breezed through the book in no time at all. I loved the strong female characters, and the mixed cast. From young to old, from nice to grumpy, from outgoing to shy. I love the inclusiion of a character with down syndrom, and it just not being a big deal.
So even if it isn't all roses and sunshine (because life just isn't, is it?) it is a fun book, and not a depressing one. It is about finding your way in life and growing up.
Topics that might be problematic for some:
+ Best friend asks for advice, as the sex with new boyfriend isn't good
+ Side characters brother died of cancer
+ Main character grew up wothout a dad, learns he died from a bomb
+ Mum goes missing for a while, and Phoebe thinks she might be dead (she is not!)
+ Co-worker has lost her husband and gets drunk and needs help cleaning out a very messy flat
+ Other go worker dies of a stroke, including funeral later on
+ Falling in love with another girl, dealing with love overall
On the one hand, it is is funny and entertaining, and very close to actual teen life these days.
On the other side, it also covers a lot of harder topics as well, which might be problematic for some readers.
I loved the main character, who isn't very good at dealing with emaotions, and struggles when her best friend has a boyfriend, and she isn't the most important person for her anymore. Her mum is away with "doctors without boarders" which isn't always easy.
The book is very open and direct about sex - and I had a good giggle and the teen reaction to an adult talking to her about sex. It felt very realistic, and the "ewww, don't say that!" had me snort at times.
There's also other topics included. Falling in love for the first time, stress about exams, arguing with the BFF, being overwhelmed by emotions, family troubles, and death do all play a topic.
I will put some of the main themes in a spoler tag at the end, if you want to know what exactly is covered, to see if it is a fit.
Despite a lot of hard stuff being covered, it is overall still a quick and entertaining read. I loved the tone, and breezed through the book in no time at all. I loved the strong female characters, and the mixed cast. From young to old, from nice to grumpy, from outgoing to shy. I love the inclusiion of a character with down syndrom, and it just not being a big deal.
So even if it isn't all roses and sunshine (because life just isn't, is it?) it is a fun book, and not a depressing one. It is about finding your way in life and growing up.
Topics that might be problematic for some:
Spoiler
+ Best friend asks for advice, as the sex with new boyfriend isn't good
+ Side characters brother died of cancer
+ Main character grew up wothout a dad, learns he died from a bomb
+ Mum goes missing for a while, and Phoebe thinks she might be dead (she is not!)
+ Co-worker has lost her husband and gets drunk and needs help cleaning out a very messy flat
+ Other go worker dies of a stroke, including funeral later on
+ Falling in love with another girl, dealing with love overall