Review Detail

I really enjoyed this book. Dare I even say that I loved it? Described by the publisher as "Gilmore Girls" meets "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," I found Principles of Love to be a great coming of age story told in an authentic voice. Love Bukowski is, in some ways, every girl. But she's also unique.

I especially like how she makes mistakes, sometimes even wondering what she's doing as she makes them, and then owns up to them later. And it's easy to make mistakes when you're the daughter of the new principal at a prestigous boarding school. And there's a bunch of cute guys around...

Like most of us, Love isn't sure what her feelings are. On her first day, she falls in lust with Hadley hottie Robinson. But then she becomes friends with him and his girlfriend (that strange combination of very athletic, beautiful girl with a nice personality that you'd like to hate, but you just can't). Then there's music-minded Jacob with the lovely eyes and curly hair that really gets her.

I'd love to be able to hang out in her aunt's cafe: Slave to the Grind (a brief aside: how come all the cool coffee shop names are only in books?) and take a peek at open mike night, where Love even tries out her own musical and songwriting skills.

At the end of the book, the love stuff is (mostly) worked out and Love is faced with a big decision about what to do that summer. And you'll just have to darn well wait for the next book to find out what she's going to do.

I recommend this book for ages 12 and up. Sexual activity is discussed, but not in any particular depth (and not gratuitously, this is boarding school after all), but if parents are uncomfortable with it, check it out first or reserve it for 14 and up.