Parents need to know that this book is filled with graphic descriptions of first intimate experiences and has been compared to Judy Blume's Forever. As a senior in high school, the main female character is obsessed with her first real boyfriend and describes in vivid detail their romantic encounters, from kissing and touching to oral sex and losing her virginity. She is also an overachieving student, has applied to colleges with pre-med ambitions, and has strong, healthy relationships with her parents and best girlfriend. In the context of social gatherings, there is some underage drinking and profanity in dialogue for effect. The protagonist is a likeable character, but parents need to be comfortable with the frank sex-related content, which could double as a how-to manual.
Educational value:Provides an opportunity for parents to share their own opinions and expectations about teen dating and sex. See our Families Can Talk about section for some discussion ideas.
Positive messages:This is a book about first love and sexual experiences.
Positive role models:The main character is smart, articulate, and driven, but her obsession with her boyfriend can border on the extreme. She will do anything to be with her boyfriend, including lying to
her parents, but she also turns to them for advice, comfort, and support.
Readers will appreciate her honest narration and that teens discuss and practice safe sex.
Sex:Graphic descriptions of kissing, touching, fondling, oral sex, and intercourse. Discussion of nudity, using birth control, sneaking away to have sex. Teen friend thinks she may be pregnant. Police officer catches boy and girl fooling around in parked car.
Language:Use of words "assholes," "s--t," "hell," and "damn."
this book is GREAT, i read it when i was 13 and LOVED it. It is informational as well as witty. Dominique is a character that so many teenage girls can relate to. The relationship between Wes and Dominique is one that really can be described as first love; even though it ends in heartache, it shows how teenagers can often mistake love and how to get over it. I'm a big reader and i love reading books like these; I've read Judy Blume's Forever and was not as taken by it as i was with this one. I've read this book front to back about ten times in the last five years and i still laugh and cry at the appropriate parts. Teenage girls should read this book, there are so many important life lessons that you can't get anywhere else. It should be turned into a movie :)))))))))
i read this book not all i had to stop i think this book is not right for the ages 15 and under and the book should not be sold in public schools and it has no positive meassage to it.. and has very bad content to it that i think should be bad for all ages to read.. but i think that the author has a very bright mind and a good heart for storys but the author should right a book that is age approprite for all ages..
I read a review copy of this book several months ago and was very impressed with the quality of the writing. It gives, in almost cringe-worthy detail, a very realistic insight into first love. If anything, this book will deter young adults from engaging in sexual activity too early because it shows all of the devastating emotional, and some physical, consequences of premarital sex. Most books that show young adults having sex sensationalize the subject, and this does just the opposite.
Moreover, it's a fast-paced, entertaining story that all teen girls would enjoy. I highly recommend this fabulous book for high schoolers.
I loved this book. It was humorous yet serious, and had a great style of writing. It is however not very appropriate for younger readers as it does revolve around a teen girl's first experiences with a boyfriend, and what stems from said relationship [ie. sex]. That's not to say this book should be avoided- I thoroughly enjoyed Anatomy of a Boyfriend. Let's get real- our media, from the tv, to movies, to the internet is full of less-than-positive messages, especially concerning teens and sex. It's unfortunate, but it's true. Saying this book might act like a "how-to manual" is pretty far fetched- and it's not fair to ban a book or judge an author just because the material or subject matter is more mature. If anything, it's best to get over this fear that teens will lose all innocence from reading this, or books like it. Like it or not, we're growing and learning, and chances are, we know a lot more about this subject that you know, or would like. That's life. And it's rather refreshing to know that there are authors out there who write books that are real. That are about life. That aren't overly cheesy and unrealistic. The message? Just make sure that it's the appropriate age level and you'll be sure to have a great read.
I loved this book. It was humorous yet serious, and had a great style of writing. It is however not very appropriate for younger readers as it does revolve around a teen girl's first experiences with a boyfriend, and what stems from said relationship [ie. sex]. That's not to say this book should be avoided- I thoroughly enjoyed Anatomy of a Boyfriend. Let's get real- our media, from the tv, to movies, to the internet is full of less-than-positive messages, especially concerning teens and sex. It's unfortunate, but it's true. Saying this book might act like a "how-to manual" is pretty far fetched- and it's not fair to ban a book or judge an author just because the material or subject matter is more mature. If anything, it's best to get over this fear that teens will lose all innocence from reading this, or books like it. Like it or not, we're growing and learning, and chances are, we know a lot more about this subject that you know, or would like. That's life. And it's rather refreshing to know that there are authors out there who write books that are real. That are about life. That aren't overly cheesy and unrealistic. The message? Just make sure that it's the appropriate age level and you'll be sure to have a great read.
I loved this book. It was humorous yet serious, and had a great style of writing. It is however not very appropriate for younger readers as it does revolve around a teen girl's first experiences with a boyfriend, and what stems from said relationship [ie. sex]. That's not to say this book should be avoided- I thoroughly enjoyed Anatomy of a Boyfriend. Let's get real- our media, from the tv, to movies, to the internet is full of less-than-positive messages, especially concerning teens and sex. It's unfortunate, but it's true. Saying this book might act like a "how-to manual" is pretty far fetched- and it's not fair to ban a book or judge an author just because the material or subject matter is more mature. If anything, it's best to get over this fear that teens will lose all innocence from reading this, or books like it. Like it or not, we're growing and learning, and chances are, we know a lot more about this subject that you know, or would like. That's life. And it's rather refreshing to know that there are authors out there who write books that are real. That are about life. That aren't overly cheesy and unrealistic. The message? Just make sure that it's the appropriate age level and you'll be sure to have a great read.
This book was REALLy good. Yes they talk about sex and stuff but it gives you her point of view and it doesn't give a fairy tale ending, but it's a hopeful ending showing that this world isn't perfect.
I thought personally it was a really good book! My daughters loves it too,but they are also in high school. I would recommended it to teenage girls who have sexual knowledge. Yet, respect them selfs and their bodies enough to know that just because a girl in a FICTIONAL BOOK has sexual relations with a guy she thinks she loves and ends up with another guy at the end of a book.
i read this book with all of my boyfriends and it may be fiction but our lives somewat followed hers only being in the 8th grade, gettin a boy friend, serious relationships, kissing, sex, not for everyone but if u like storys of true teen life, not all that rated G crap then read this
I think that your children will do fine with this book. If they are 13 or under they may have questions, but you as a parent should be willing to answer them in a way that doesn't make them uncomfortable. I promise that over half of American children ages 12-13 already know about the content in this book (sex, kissing, ect.) If they don't they will soon, so why not put a positive influence in their minds so they'll do the right thing. Sex is natural and normal and they need to know that. Also, if your child can't handle it then you aren't doing a very good job with them, now are you?
This Review is from a 14 year olds respective. This book is amazing and its really funny. The reason i put Educational is because in some ways it is. I mean, kids my age and mabye even younger are going to have sex (Sometimes it could be pressure or just curiosity) and this book gives them examples, help, and facts about it. I think all kids my age should read this book. Teens/Kids are always curious, this book will tell them all they need to know. This book is real, just like life.
for college freshies looking to get over the highschool "loverboy"
Being a current college freshman, i was able to relate to this book. I feel as though if you've never been in a relationship, or ever had a "first love" this book probobly isnt for you. Throughout the whole book i laughed, but mostly cried. It reminded me of my life completely. My first boyfriend, my first love, my first "time", my first sexual experiance, transitioning from HS to college, and everything inbetween. It's a good book that you can sit down, and knock out in a couple of hours, because you will be hooked. I wish there were more REAL books out there like this one, that young people, especially girls, can relate to. It was so refreshing to read. I felt as if i was reading a memoire of my senior year of high school, and my freshman year of college. The book is definatly an A+ and have already recommended it to many of my friends. Def don't pass it up if you're looking for a smart, witty, and cute read.