The DUFF

The DUFF tells the story of Bianca. Bianca is in high school with her two best friends, Casey and Jessica. Until Wesley Rush tells her she’s the DUFF, she never thought about being less than her friends. She’s the fatter, uglier and less cooler friend of them, according to Wesley. Bianca starts believing him, which is understandable. Wesley Rush is the most popular boy in school, but rumor has that he is sleeping with half the school. As a teenager, Bianca is insecure. She admits that her friends are prettier, but doesn't like the fact that Wesley reminds her of it. Still, Wesley is super attractive. And before she even realizes it, she’s kissing him. And more…

As a person, Bianca can be a bit grumpy, yet funny. She looks at the world in her own way. She’s pretty much that awkward person who trips over her own feet in crowded hallways, but also knows how to ‘not care’ about it. At least, that’s what she thinks. She’s running away from her troubles at home, right into the wide open arms of Wesley. At first, one might ask why she’d do that. But the book elaborates her struggles and inner demons perfectly. Wesley makes her feel admired yet he keeps calling her the DUFF. The book really knows how to depict the life of a real high school student.

Wesley is a character who at first looks like a not so nice person. He’s making Bianca feel like crap but at the same time keeps hanging on to her, even though he knows he could get any girl he wants. However, he doesn't want to let Bianca go. His life unfolds slowly through the eyes of Bianca. Once you get to know him, you’ll feel sorry for him and love him. He's more complex than you'd expect of him. Of course, he’s acting like a heartless monster at first, but he’s been through some tough stuff. It’s heartbreaking to read about his family not approving of him and his decisions.

The world Keplinger creates is perfect for the story. The settings of the high school and the homes (and bedrooms) they spend time in make it all feel very real. This story doesn’t need a fairy tale ambiance. It needs reality; teenage reality.

I do think the book could use some subtlety at the end. There’s a couple of pages that could be in a ‘how to be a good girl’ manual. It’s a bit of a morality speech. It fits in the book, honestly, but it could be toned down. It sends a brilliant message which every girl should read, understand and believe, but like I said, subtlety does it.

The DUFF is a hilarious, real, lovable story about a teenager trying to fit in, figuring out what to do with her fighting parents while falling in love with the wrong boy. I think every teenager who loves romantic comedies with a twist will fall in love with The DUFF like I did. It has everything and more. You will laugh and cry at the same time. At the end I found myself hoping that everybody’s body image will, maybe, someday, get better. Because the issue that’s depicted in The DUFF is real and should be talked about more. You will adore this story.

So I have no idea how I waited so long to read The Duff by Kody Keplinger. It was basically the most adorable book I have ever read in my life, and another fabulous book from the wonderful Kody Keplinger.

For the first few chapters of the book, I was like this is cute, but I don’t get why everyone just completely raves about it. I guess that should be a rule – Never underestimate Kody Keplinger. Soon, I was not able to put down The Duff for a moment. I just had to know what was going to happen next and how everything would fall into place.

I loved the focus on friendship in The Duff. Bianca, Jess, and Casey are such great friends, and so much of the book was solely focusing on that, which was awesome. I loved Casey - she was so funny. The plot of The Duff is seriously so much fun. There were so many moments where I sat her aw-ing, because I am pretty certain nothing could get more adorable.

Bianca was a character that I think every girl can relate to in some way. Over the course of the book Kody Keplinger sends a really positive message to girls. Wesley, oh Wesley. When I started reading, I sat there thinking to myself “He is not on my favorite boy list. What a jerk!” That shortly changed, and Wesley is definitely on my top list of book boys. I just loved him. He was such a complex character with such an interesting story.

The Duff is one awesome book from Kody Keplinger. I did not want to put it down – I was so caught up in the story. With this book, Kody Keplinger has added herself to the list of authors I will read anything they write. The Duff was just an amazing book, and if you haven’t read it yet, don’t delay. You’ll regret it :) Basically, I just loved this book so so much, and cannot wait to see what Kody Keplinger whips up next.

I picked this book up and expected to read just a few pages but ended up reading the entire thing in a few hours! I was surprised to find out that this was the author's first novel and that she was so young but I think her age lends credibility to the topic.

Ironically, I was just saying to a friend of mine that I enjoy reading YA books because they usually lack the sex and foul language of some Adult books but this one made me retract that comment within the first few pages. I realize they're main stream teens though.

I thought the main characters, Bianca and Wesley, even Casey were strong, well written and believable. In fact, I was surprised at how well I related to Bianca and her "Duff" feelings even though I've been out of high school for a few years. (I often felt like I was always the "BFF of the pretty girl") I thought that the author did a great job of showing that nothing and no one is exactly what they seem, from the outside anyway and that often times, we don't see ourselves as we really are. I liked that despite their differences, Bianca and Casey's friendship stood the test of time. Casey is the kind of lifelong BFF anyone would wish to have!

Bianca and Wesley's "relationship" if you can call it that is messed up right from the start and while it's obvious they are only using each other to fill a void, they do have redeeming qualities. They both are loyal to and protective of their family and friends, they keep each others secrets when it would seem they could easily wound one another by spreading them around school and they make amends for their mistakes.

The old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." is so not true, especially when those words come from boys in regards to a girl's appearance. Girls need to be nice as well.