I had to try really, really hard to not be a hater. Kody Keplinger author of The Duff is only 18 years old and she already has another book coming out next year.(don't be a hater, don't be a hater) So as I sit here with no inkling of a publishing contract coming my way, writing this review stings just a bit. What takes most of the sting away is that The Duff is a fantastic book. Smart and sassy Bianca Piper has been labeled the "Duff" by the school playboy Wesley. Duff stands for designated, ugly, fat, friend. Bianca can't stand this kid but we all know how those teenage hormones can get us into trouble. They quickly fall into  an enemies-with-benefits relationship. Bianca's home life is falling apart and Wesley has some issues going on as well. Can they become friends-with-benefits? Can they become a couple?

What I like most about this book is that because the author is so young she was able to write the story from current experiences. She wasn't trying to remember what it felt like to be in high school, she was living it. Everything about the characters feels very real and authentic. I love Bianca. She has an awareness that I didn't realize teenagers had. She realizes that she is using this boy to distract herself from real life. She's not trying to convince herself that it is love or trying to get him to take her on dates and be romantic (which is also kind of sad). There is a good bit of hot and steamy sex in the book so will it make the banned list? Seems like many parents and librarians frown on sex in books. I frown on it too if it's in an inappropriate medium. This book is YA so it will fall into the hands of teenagers who are already having sex or thinking about having sex.
I would be very interested in having a discussion about the book with a group of high schoolers to see if the story resonates with them. That would be cool, but I'm pretty sure I'm allergic to teenagers so that will never happen. Excellent debut Ms. Keplinger. I look forward to hating on you some more. Until next time.

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