Review Detail

Reader reviewed by LJK

There was a point while I was reading this novel that my jaw actually dropped to the floor in surprise. This doesn't happen often, since I usually see the plot twists coming, but this one really got me. I'll leave it to readers to figure out what it is, but believe me, it's worth it.

Sloppy Firsts was a much better book than I thought it would be. I was expected the usual well-written, entertaining, easily forgotten take on teen life. This book was actually a lot better than that. Jessica Darling is a high school sophomore, #1 in her class and a star athlete. Her best friend, Hope, has moved away following her brother's drug overdose, and Jessica is left with the Clueless Crew, the rest of her so-called friends, who are constantly complaining about the size of their butts and what boys think of them. There's Scotty, the uber-jock with a longtime torch for Jessica, and Marcus Flutie, the stoned loser who might turn out to be much more. Jessica is a virgin who hasn't gotten her period in months, and insomnia causes her to take midnight runs around her neighborhood. And that's only the beginning. . .

All of these details might make this book seem more WB teen drama than quality reading, but Sloppy Firsts is really a very good book. Jessica is both strong and sensitive, wise and naive, and her story is never less than totally compelling.

Jessica is also completely honest, so this book might have more sexual content or profanity than the average young adult novel, but that never interferes with the quality. Older teens, and adults, should not miss this first-rate novel.