Review: The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
June 7th, 20121 ∙ Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Source: Swapped
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 280

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

Review:

Oh my lovely. This book is good!

Not only is this a debut, but Kody Keplinger wrote this when she was only 16. SIXTEEN! Age doesn’t always matter, but that is just incredible. I’ll be 16 in a year and I cannot imagine writing a book. But Kody didn’t just write a book, she wrote a successful and brilliant one that has even won an award! And it completely deserves it.

Oh and the kissing scenes. Wow, pure bliss. More please! *melts*

Bianca is snarky, sarcastic, sassy and stubborn, and I completely related to her. Not only is she a fantastic protagonist but she is, in a word, real. Although Wesley Rush is a womaniser this didn’t stop me from swooning my head off. You know the type - arrogant, pigheaded, slap worthy - yet utterly attractive and charming. Yet as were introduced to his life and the real Wesley we find out there’s more to him than meets the eye.

I previously read Shut Out and although I loved and enjoyed it, The DUFF completely blew me off my feet.

Before this book I had never heard the term 'The Duff' (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) used, but apparently it is out there and has been for a while now. Though this was the first time I'd come across this term, the concept is certainly familiar and I applaud Kody for the way she tackled the issue of labels - something people so easily brand us with - and the effects they can have.

I wholeheartedly recommend The DUFF. It’s contemporary at its best!

5/5