Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

When Love Bukowski moves with her principal dad onto the campus of Hadley Hall at the beginning of her sophomore year, shes determined to have no illusions about her decidedly un-movie-like life. She knows she will have New Student status. There is no way she can do anything with her love of music and singing. And her love life will probably be nonexistent, particularly as the guy shes singled out as the object of her interest is an extremely hot senior with a serious girlfriend.

But then things dont turn out the way Love imagines them. The hot guy Robinson Halls girlfriend, Lila, turns out to be a genuine, beautiful, and atypical blonde who becomes Loves good friend. Love lands several commercials on a local radio station. And, most surprisingly to her, it appears that Robinson just might like her as well.

Then again, there are many things that Love doesnt see. Shes not sure how she feels about her fathers and her aunts respective new romances, as they will both affect the two main adults in her life. There are also two guys for her to worry about: one is DrakeFan, an anonymous musician she exchanges email with. The other is Jacob, a sensitive, talented musician whom she enjoys spending time with. And most of all, what if everything shes thought about Robinson doesnt turn out the way she thought it would be?

For a book belonging to the rapidly expanding genre of boarding school stories, THE PRINCIPLES OF LOVE is still an enjoyable read. Love is a witty narrator whose well-expressed struggles makes up for the lack of shine some of the other supporting characters. Emily Franklin attempts to be poignant with Loves questioning her past and the mystery that is her mother, and she succeeds&sort of. Obviously the focus of the book is to be teen angsty and dramatic. Still, it makes for a slightly more intellectual read than, say, Gossip Girl, with its plethora of obscure music knowledge.