Parents' Guide to

The Girlfriend Project

By Kate Pavao, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Dating ups and downs of a slightly creepy guy.

Book Robin Friedman Coming of Age 2007
The Girlfriend Project Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

Nice-guy Reed needs a date, so his popular twin friends begin a project, giving him tips for asking out girls and how to act on a date.

\ But even as Reed begins to succeed with girls, he gets confused about why girls are suddenly so interested in him. Is it all just superficial? And how can he convince beautiful Ronnie that she's actually the girl for him?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

THE GIRLFRIEND PROJECT isn't a complete failure: The premise is fun, with twins trying to help their friend score a date, and there's some good food for thought. Girls might appreciate this look into the boy brain, and guys might connect with Reed and his best friend, Lonnie, who are vulnerable on the inside no matter what the outside world thinks.

Readers won't be surprised when Reed ultimately hooks up with his dream girl, Ronnie, but they may be a little put off with the intensity of his affection, as is Ronnie. In general, his intensity could have been dialed down a bit. He rages inside against a girl who turned him down years ago, and practically stalks another girl he's interested in. This makes Reed a little creepy and harder to sympathize with.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about some of the questions posted on Reed's Web site: Should girls ask out guys? Should guys pay? It could be fun for parents to see how much dating expectations have changed since they were young (if they have), and it also may open up some more serious topics about attraction, dating, love, and sex.

Book Details

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