Sloppy Firsts
Megan McCafferty
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Synopsis from Goodreads-
“My parents suck ass. Banning me from the phone and restricting my computer privileges are the most tyrannical parental gestures I can think of. Don’t they realize that Hope’s the only one who keeps me sane? . . . I don’t see how things could get any worse.”
When her best friend, Hope Weaver, moves away from Pineville, New Jersey, hyperobservant sixteen-year-old Jessica Darling is devastated. A fish out of water at school and a stranger at home, Jessica feels more lost than ever now that the only person with whom she could really communicate has gone. How is she supposed to deal with the boy- and shopping-crazy girls at school, her dad’s obsession with her track meets, her mother salivating over big sister Bethany’s lavish wedding, and her nonexistent love life?
A fresh, funny, utterly compelling fiction debut by first-time novelist Megan McCafferty, Sloppy Firsts is an insightful, true-to-life look at Jessica’s predicament as she embarks on another year of teenage torment--from the dark days of Hope’s departure through her months as a type-A personality turned insomniac to her completely mixed-up feelings about Marcus Flutie, the intelligent and mysterious “Dreg” who works his way into her heart. Like a John Hughes for the twenty-first century, Megan McCafferty taps into the inherent humor and drama of the teen experience. This poignant, hilarious novel is sure to appeal to readers who are still going through it, as well as those who are grateful that they don’t have to go back and grow up all over again.
Sloppy Firsts has a fun feel to it, and it's easy to read- while being filled with TONS of stereotypes.
Seriously, though, I mean it. You have the druggie bad boy, gossipy, boy-crazy friend, the horny athlete, the school "slut" and Jessica- the relatable, awkward teen girl who just wants to belong. Sorry, that is becoming a stereotype now. Jessica Darling isn't so darling- she is extremely judgemental. She reacted to her friends "betrayal" quite harshly. She doesn't give people time to explain themselves. (From what I remember the betrayal was her new friend Hy using her and her classmates for journalism. I think.)
Sloppy Firsts is relatable- but tries a bit to hard to be relatable. There were hilarious moments, such as when Jessica got drunk and admitted her love to her crush- who turned out to be gay- and her constant worry about her absent period- absent for A WHOLE YEAR.
Is that not one of the most terrifying things for a girl?
Jessica and Hope's friendship was really sweet- they were obviously very close- almost like sisters, and it was good to read about a healthy (usually) friendship. I mean, Gossip Girl is fun, but friendships like Blair and Serena's in every book? It gets a little tiring.
The book was a bit slow and too long- with some unnecessary additions like Jessica's annoying friends Sara, Bridget and Manda, and the slightly creepy jerk Scotty.
Overall, Sloppy Firsts is a pretty fun- if not generic- read that will entertain readers both old and new to Jessica Darling.
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