Review - The Duff by Kody Keplinger

 The DUFF: (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)

TITLE:    The Duff
AUTHOR/EDITOR:    Kody Keplinger
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 277 pages
PUBLISHED:   Poppy, 2010
ISBN#:   978-0-316-08423-9
HOW'D I GET IT:   Won ARC from La Femme Readers

FROM GOODREADS:  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. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.


Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that 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.
 
MY TAKE:   I had a hard time keeping my hands off this book when I first received it.  I had several in line ahead of it that I needed to get done so I forced myself to wait... I am happy to report the book was very much worth the waiting!
 
As an adult woman, I don't know too many of my friends ~including myself, that didn't think they were the DUFF at some point growing up and may still feel that way now.  I think it's a big part of being a teenage girl with girlfriends.  The obsession with getting the boys to notice you, be accepted, being cool..it all comes with the territory and the age.  No matter how beautiful and popular these girls are (were), it seems there is always those moments where they felt that everyone else was prettier, thinner, and "happier" than them.  Of course, we didn't have the absolutely perfect title of DUFF to describe it back then.  Bravo Kody! 
 
The protagonist, Bianca, is pretty darn enlightened for a 17 year old.  She's rather cynical and a bit caustic at times, but I really liked her character.  The author really fleshed out these players, making you really care about them and relate to their story.  Wesley is the typical man-whore that we all remember and maybe love.  I was really pleased that he was written in a way that we thought he was a real jerk and grow to really like and care about him as the story progressed. 
 
Supported by their friends and a very well thought-out plot, Bianca and Wes's story is one that I think most everyone will relate to at some point in the book. (While I loved it, I think some who are easily offended or not quite mature yet, may find the cussing and sex scenes ~ very nicely done, in my opinion ~ a little too adult at times.)
 
It is very impressive that someone of Ms. Keplinger's young age can produce such a thought-provoking and readable novel.  I'm looking forward to what comes next from this talented young author and recommend you do too. 
  
MY RATING:    4.5/5

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon,  The Book Depository

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.