Sloppy Firsts (Jessica Darling #1)

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 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 lainie

tells the story that follows a year of Jessica Darlinglife.She is easily one of the most likable main characters ever written. Megan McCafferty creates a story which flows beautifully from start to finish with a few chuckles along the way.
in this book jessica has to deal with the anxieties of every day teen life with out her best frien who reasently moved a away.
i loved this book because of the characters. one character in particular and you'll know who i mean if you read the book. trust me you'll LOVE IT!!!!

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.

Reader reviewed by lookwhaticando

I loved this book because of the fact how cool Jessica Darling was. I also love Marcus Flutie. You will love this book and never want to put it down. I felt like crying because of the book ended(then I found out there was a sequal..) GO AND GET THIS BOOK FAST!

Reader reviewed by Erin

5 stars is not enough for this book. I loved it! Honest! It was amazing. You're pulled into Jessica's life. You laugh with her, cry with her, and share her life, while reading this book. It was a great book that all teen girls can relate to.