Review: The Duff

The Duff by Kodi Keplinger

Publisher: Little Brown/Poppy
Publication Date: September 10th 2010
Pages: 280
Source: Won ARC at Library
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
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 “the Duff,” 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.

One of the things I remember hearing about this book before I read it was that it was really funny. I was a bit disappointed by the end of the book after realizing that no- it wasn't very funny at all, but much more of an emotional roller-coaster that the main character, Bianca has to work though. I'm not sure where I heard that it was funny, though it was a very well written and beautifully put together story about a girl struggling to figure out how to handle all of the very difficult situations that are thrown at her in her very messed up life.

Bianca, the main character, has a very snarky, outright attitude and she isn't really afraid to show it. Bianca was a very unique character, though not a very desirable person to hang out with, she was very interesting to read about. Wesley Rush, Bianca's worst enemy was the best developed character in the book. In the beginning Bianca hates Wesley, but over time Bianca slowly begins to understand Wesley and everything that he is dealing with and they are both able to advise each other about how to deal with their family troubles. This is a much more grown up version of YA that I do not suggest for anyone who is not mature enough to handle a more grown up book- I suggest being at least high school aged.

The Duff is a more mature YA with some very well written characters and resolutions, a very interesting story!