Vegan, Virgin, Valentine (V Valentine #1)

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

Senior Mara Valentine has got the most well-put-together life. She got in early decision to Yale, is chairperson of numerous committees, holds down a steady job at a locally owned coffee shop, and is determined to beat her ex, Travis, in the valedictory race. In short, she's all set on breaking out of Brockport, New York.

However, in the second half of her senior year, Mara's niece (yes, niece), who calls herself V, comes to the school. V is a self-proclaimed slut and stoner. Mara hates her, mostly on principle, but also because she hooks up with Travis on the very first day of school.

But things are changing for Mara and V. V lands a leading role in the school musical, and Mara finds herself falling in love with the coffee shop's owner, James. With both girls shedding their previous masks and carefully carved facades, aunt and niece inevitably grow closer.

While not as impressive as her first two books, VEGAN VIRGIN VALENTINE is nevertheless an entertaining read. The characters lack depth, but Carolyn Mackler has got the teenage language down right.

Reader reviewed by K.W.

I loved the character Mara at the beginning-she's easy to identify with and very easy to sympathize with. The same can't be said of her "anything for attention" cousin V. V goes out of her way to be difficult and to make others uncomfortable. At first, I thought this was because she had problems forming bonds with people, but the book doesn't flush this part of the story out realistically. V defends Mara at times, but it never rings true. There is never any true motivation for her to do so, so that part seemed flat to me.

While I was initially into the Mara character, she "let me down" at the end by getting involved with the coffee shop owner, who seemd creepy for being into a high school girl, and for forgoing an great opportunity to spend time with her boyfriend. I wasn't sure why Mara had to do a complete 180-going from an academic-minded girl with her head on straight to a lovesick girl who puts "her man" first. Call me cynical, but that part of the story didn't work for me.

Reader reviewed by justesourire

Vegan Virgin Valentine was a GREAT book! I loved it. I could sometimes relate to Mara when she felt so out-of-place around V. I would love to have a job at a place like Common Grounds (where Mara works.) I stayed up til like 1:00am reading that book!! You'll looooove it!