Sloppy Firsts (Jessica Darling #1)

Reader reviewed by Kelsey

When her best friend, Hope Weaver, moves away from Pineville, New Jersey, hyper observant sixteen-year-old Jessica Darling is devastated. A fish out of water at school and a stranger at home, Jessica feels more lost than ever now that the only person with whom she could really communicate has gone. How is she supposed to deal with the boy- and shopping-crazy girls at school, her dads obsession with her track meets, her mother salivating over big sister Bethanys lavish wedding, and her nonexistent love life?


This novel was a little crazed at some points. But it was a great novel. The plot was very original and fun. Jessica Darling is a comical and savvy character. There was less dialog then I expected and some of the characters were unreal-ish. There were a lot of different things going on in this story, like two different plots in one.


I read it seven years after it was published so it was pretty fun remembering all the music sensations and styles in that time.


This was really just a fun, quick read. I loved it and I cannot wait to get the rest of the series read!

Reader reviewed by Natalie

Jessica Darling shows us a year in the life of a nightmarish year in high school. Her best friend, Hope, has moved away, leaving Jessica to brave 10th grade with the rest of her friends, with whom she's not really that crazy about to begin with. Her ex-boyfriend, Scotty, still follows her around like a puppy dog, even though they dated three years ago and only for eleven days in the first place. She feels alnoe with no one to talk to. She has to deal with being a track star and class valedictorian along with a quirky family.
Just when she things can't get worse, the dreg of society, Marcus "Krispy Kreme" Flutie, has chosen Jessica to bear the brunt of his mental games. What does Marcus Flutie want? and will he be the first person Jessica can connect with?

Reader reviewed by Rin

Jessica Darling's life sucks.

She's stuck in boring old Pineville, her best friend has moved away and her family doesn't understand her at all. Her friends are all airheads with whom Jessica has nothing in common at all.

And to add it on, the notorious dreg, Marcus Flutie has singled out Jessica for his mind games.

This book is completely relatable, all teens will find something of themselves with Jess. Jessica is wise beyond her years and her deeply set cynicism is endearing.

All teenagers who've ever felt out of place, and those adults who recall their high school days with pain, should pick up this book and read it.

It's a book that you just might want to read over and over again.

Reader reviewed by Brynna

There is nothing sloppy about this novel, the first in a series of four (so far) by Megan McCafferty.

Sloppy Firsts introduces us to Jessica Darling, a 16 year old girl who has just suffered the loss of her best friend (Hope) to another state. Through her diary and a few letters to Hope, we are given a look into the life Jessica. I don't think there's one girl in the world who can't identify with her on some level or another.

Over the course of the year we watch as Jessica traverses a world without her best friend and we see her discover a new friendship with Marcus Flutie, the reformed school druggie turned genius.

I've never come across a character quite so defined as Jessica Darling. I feel like I know her better than any other work of fiction out there. While sometimes I might think she's crazy or deluded, I never lose faith. She's the girl we all want to be. Smart, witty, and talented, to name a few things. Then there's Marcus, the boy we all want to love.

Sloppy Firsts is a fantastic book and I would suggest it to any female, and even some males, over the age of 14.

Reader reviewed by bria

words can't explain how much i love marcus flutie. anyone who reads this book will know what i mean. The story of jessica darling has made me laugh time and time agian. I dont think there is anyway to read just the first book of the series. This book i would recommend to older teens who have a better vocabulary because the author uses a wide veriety of big words, but all together this book has a very meaningful story about love and understanding.

Reader reviewed by Sandra F.

This was a terrific book. Jessica is 16 years old and a cross country and track star. For once this story is not about trying to fit in with the cool crowd. I really liked the fact that Jessica has some real serious issues to deal with - like losing her best friend Hope.

The way the book is written is really great - lots of laughs and some sadness.

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

16-year-old Jessica Darling is in hell. Her best friend and the only person who understands her, Hope, has moved away, leaving her to rot in the pathetic town of Pineville, NJ, with her pseudo-friends, a group of superficial girls whom Jessica christens the Clueless Crew who speak in "omigod"s and "like"s. Her older sister Bethany, who was one of those extremely popular social butterfly types Jessica despises in high school, is getting married to the most boring moneymaker in the world. Marcus Flutie, a mysterious druggie and male slut, is sending Jessica mixed signals, signals that Jessica would rather ignore, but can't help responding to. Top it off with an absent period and A-level insomnia, and you've got a whangdoodle of an angsty teenage life.

It's a good thing Jessica has her unfailing sense of humor to help her get along. Often making up words such as "assplosion" (for a diarrhea attack) and accurately writing down the dialect of a summer beachgoer, Jessica's journal entries are nearly unmatched in wit and humor. Readers will kill themselves laughing, and then kill themselves again as they wait for the sequel.

Reader reviewed by safia

This is a GREAT book. I'm in love with it. As you read Jessica's diary, you laugh, you cringe, you cry along with her. Jessica records memorable high school events that maybe every girl can relate too. Her best friend moves away and Jessica feels alone and that nobody understands her. She feels fake until a certain Marcus Flutie comes along and toys with her feelings...

I was glued to this book and didn't want it to end. But then there's also a sequel. Hurrah!

I love how witty and intelligent Jessica is. You may hate Marcus Flutie at the end of this book like i did, but in the sequel you'll luv him. Almost guaranteed.

Reader reviewed by Mary Beth

This is one of the best books I've ever read. The characters are written so in a very realistic way, and the story is funny without being overbearing. This was a great book. I suggest this book to all girls-pointed towards those in high school.

Reader reviewed by sara

THis book was really good.I didn't like that is was full of bad language and explicit sex references.BUt other than that it was a good story of a typical high school.