Review Detail

On the one hand, you totally know what you're going to get with this book. The formula's definitely been done; if you don't believe me, go watch She's All That and then imagine it with reversed gender roles (or even Drive Me Crazy, and skip the role reversal). On the other hand, though, I think Bennett has done a really good job of making a pretty trite formula into a really great read.

Unlike the movies I mentioned, Jen has a reason for being the way that she is. Her childhood was completely awful and she has used drugs, alcohol, makeup and acting out as a way of escaping her pain. Watching her grow and overcome her past throughout the novel is exceedingly touching. I couldn't help but root for her as she managed to shed her skin and learned about happiness. Plus, Jen had a really authentic voice; she really seemed to think like a teenager.

Another addition that Bennett made to the story was placing the dramatic reveal at the center of the story. What I mean by that is that the inevitable scene wherein her treachery is revealed and the relationship ends comes much earlier in the plot line than usual. This allows for a more realistic timeline for the relationship to recover or not.

Of course, what I really liked about the book was the nerdiness. There are a ton of sci fi references to just about every nerdy sci fi thing you can imagine. Needless to say, each one gave me my own geeky glee, even if it was something I haven't watched yet. Additionally, I loved Trevor. Where's my fit, wonderful nerd boy? Seriously, he's amazing, and a much better kind of guy for teenage girls to be reading about and wanting than an Edward or a Jacob.

So, if you like that old formula, and want to read about some geeky references and a troubled girl learning how to have a real, happy future, look no further. I definitely recommend this!