The DUFF

Review Time! The DUFF by Kody Keplinger is a 2010 YA Debut, it was one of the debuts that I didn't discover until the start of this year :) I'm kicking myself for not reading this earlier because I loved, LOVED it! Thanks so much to Amelia @ Imagination in Focus and Lillie @ Alise on Life for sending me copies ( yes, I got two on the same day! Kind of a funny story...)

(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


The Short Story? – I don’t know how anyone can give The DUFF anything less than a 5/5! This is probably the best contemporary I have read this year! I loved everything, EVERYTHING about it! The plot, the characters, the writing, Kody Keplinger has written a remarkable debut that stands out from the rest. Cute and funny, The DUFF explores everything teen, from dysfunctional families to sexuality! A Must-Read!


The Long Story? - I consider myself more of a paranormal girl but lately I have been reading sooooo many contemporaries! I just finished Lola and the Boy Next Door (review to come this week-ish) and I wonder why am I not a contemporary girl? The DUFF is one of the best contemporaries I’ve ever read, it’s on my favorites shelf yet I’ve seen mixed review about it?

The first thing that caught my eye about The DUFF was the concept of ‘Enemies with Benefits’ I mean we always, ALWAYS hear about Friends with Benefits (in fact isn’t there a movie out now?) but enemies? Colour me intrigued. So then I picked up the book and I couldn’t put it down! It made me laugh, it made me angry, it made me “want” to cry (apparently I’m heartless – no tears) and it made me want sad, one thing for sure – Keplinger has a way with words to bring out raw emotion in readers! Lots of romance, lot’s of laughter – for fans of Anna and the French Kiss! I loved the concept of The DUFF ( Designated Ugly Fat Friend), I have no idea how Keplinger came up with The DUFF but it’s a rom-com with an excellent message, nobody’s perfect and everyone feels like The DUFF sometimes ( god, I feel like The DUFF right now…) It’s a keeper!

The characterization was fantastic! Bianca is one of my favorite characters of the year! She’s not perfect (I don’t know why protagonists have to be flawless, the ugly truth is you are never going to find someone who’s flawless) but she’s strong and she doesn’t let other people push her around! Wesley is a hunk, a very sexy hunk. Bianca how did you land yourself with a guy like Wesley, should I dye my hair red? Wesley is more than a pretty face though, he’s sweet, a little cocky (but we love them like that right?) and he’s just another lost little sheep. Bianca and Wesley both come from dysfunctional families and I guess that’s where they connection begins but it’s an epic romance!

What can I do to get you to read the book? A trade maybe? If you read this book, leave a comment telling me to read a book of your choice that WILL make me cry? How about that? The DUFF is one not to be misses (I’m actually serious…) I loved it, my friends loved it (yes, I had to share *shudders*) and you will love it! One of the best rom-com, contemporary, teen novels out there!

Rating – 5/5


Badass Bookie xx