The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Description from Goodreads

Soon to be a major motion picture!

 Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper may not be the prettiest girl in her high school, but she has a loyal group of friends, a biting wit, and a spot-on BS detector. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. But things aren't so great at home and Bianca, desperate for a distraction, ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

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Some of my friends had really liked The DUFF, and as I knew that a movie had been made out of the novel, of course I had to read it. In the end, it was a funny, sarcastic, and quick read which managed to entertain me from the very first sentence to the last page. In fact, I wasn't expecting to like The DUFF as much I first I thought I would. However, the thing is that I didn't start the book with expectations of the novel exploring the deep questions of life in a meticulous manner. Which is okay sometimes, not all books need to be life-changing.

One the things that made me enjoy myself while reading the book was the fact that Bianca isn't the prettiest or the most confident person in her school (or at least in her own opinion). Instead her fiery personality gets all the attention which is so great - not everything is about looks. And even if it was, big thighs and small boobs can be fabulous! Sorry, not just can be, but THEY ARE. Because in the end (and I know this is going to sound so cliche, but sorry this is the truth), what is inside your head conquers what's underneath your shirt in the short as well as in the long run. And that's my humble opinion, and Keplinger's too if she is trying to make a statement with The DUFF. 

Even though The DUFF is a bit predictable, you can't really blame it on the book. This type of plot is typical of the contemporary genre, and I'm pretty sure that the majority of people who go about reading these types of novels know exactly what they are getting. And I suppose that's part of the charm. Many times (at least for me) contemporary books are all about the journey, not the destination. Contemporary novels help me to  get my mind off from dire and stressing things, and reads like The DUFF are my way to escape those problems for a while. 

The DUFF wasn't all fluff and kisses, either. The book also took a darker turns as things such as slut-shaming and familial problems were discussed. Without these elements in the book, I probably wouldn't have liked the story as much. The problems gave Bianca and all the other characters the required substance, even though this didn't happen with all the characters. For example with Amy, Wesley's little sister. We literally meet Amy two times. Two times! And Bianca's mom maybe three or four times. I think we would have gotten a lot more out of Wesley through Amy, but unfortunately this possibility was left unused.

Nevertheless, The DUFF was fun yet an authentic look at one girl's life and problems, and I have to say I enjoyed the book as I read it in one sit (well, the book was pretty short too). Even though it didn't change my life or anything, I think I could recommend the novel with ease to anyone who wants a quick break from own problems, needs some high school drama, and steamy scenes.

☆☆☆

Branded (Sinners #1) by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Description from Goodreads:

Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best. Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home. 

Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain. 

Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.

The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me. 

I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter. 

My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

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It had been a really long time since I had read a dystopian novel, so when I came across with Branded on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. I can't say that I had heard before about a novel in which there was a society which had created a new law system which dictates by branding the law breakers with neck tattoos so everyone could see what you had done (even though the dictator element is rather unoriginal). However, as intriguing as the description is, sadly I have to say that the book wasn't 100% to my tasting.

The concept in the book is just really intriguing, even if a bit used. A young woman is wrongly accused and convicted of adultery and receives a blue brand of it on her neck while shipped to the Hole where all the other Sinners live and work - not really an ideal place for physically and mentally vulnerable girl, especially when everyone thinks that she has committed a lust crime. The story in itself kept me captivated the whole time and I think that the twists and relationship buildings were intriguing, even though the authors could have worked more on the world building which was rather superficial. 

I was pleasantly surprised with the relationship establishment between Lexi and Cole. I was expecting insta-love, but there was none! And there even weren't that many typical smouldering looks exchanged in the beginning which made their relationship so much more believable and interesting to follow. After all, they were meant to be on the opposite sides. Cole was pretty dreamy from time to time with all his protectiveness and lopsided grins, but I didn't find him to be that original to be honest. Lexi on the other hand got all my respect for showing that even though she had feelings for Cole, he didn't end up being her whole world (even if Cole wanted so).

However, my main problem with the book was the writing. I mean, I consider myself as a pretty forgiving when I read debut novels, but I do have to set the line somewhere. The storytelling in itself wasn't really that bad, but the dialogues between the characters, especially towards the end, were just unsatisfactory. The conversing between Lexi and Cole was filled with cliches and was awkward at times - it was just too pretentious, but ironically it hadn't any impact on me. The conversations just made me cringe as they were so over the top and epic. Is it too much to ask if the chats were a bit more down to earth from time to time?

I'm actually a pretty bummed out that I didn't like Branded more. I read the first 50% in one sit as the story was really captivating, but eventually the less-than-mediocre writing caught up and made my progression with the book so much more difficult. I enjoyed the story, but I didn't appreciate the pro. I think quite many probably will enjoy the book though as the romance was pretty intense and a lot happens in this first book of Sinner's series. I, however, just couldn't get over the pretentious language which really made me like the book less. Actual rating 2.5.

☆☆☆

Wait For You (Wait For You, #1) by J. Lynn

Description from Goodreads:

Some things are worth waiting for…

Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago—an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe—please God—make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn’t need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she’s building for herself.

Some things are worth experiencing…

Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that’s just so… so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.

Some things should never be kept quiet…

But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she’s has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?

And some things are worth fighting for…

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Wait For You was my very first book read from the New Adult genre, and when I started reading I wasn't sure what to expect. I really like Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout (J. Lynn is her second pen name), so I though I might give a try to her contemporary series. But I have to admit that I was rather sceptical: is it going be just like something from Fifty Shades of Grey? I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised that when I realised it wasn't all about kinky sex, but maybe just more daring and sensual than Young Adult books. 

The book gave rather interesting portrayal to what sort of consequences a trauma can cause to a person. I'm not an expert on the intrapersonal coping of emotional trauma, but I think Lynn gave a very emotional and a raw image of what it can be. The readers are gradually let known that even though Avery might naturally be a bit introvert, there is something in her past that makes her unable to overcome her fears and let it all go. I appreciated the fact that the author didn't make all this easy for Avery - it's not that easy to get over a trauma in the real life either. 

I was a bit slow to warm up for Cameron, but I think his sweet and attentive personality eventually made me to accept him being good enough for Avery. They were really good together and had undeniable chemistry between them (Lynn can really write some steamy scenes, let me tell you). Their relationship wasn't really hurried, but it was well-pace and interesting to follow. I remember thinking at times "just get together already" but of course the anticipation just makes everything sweeter, doesn't it? Nevertheless, their relationship was rather adorable, even though it didn't really provide anything extraordinary or new. 

Wait For You was inarguably a bit cliché story with the insecure girl and the popular guy, and well, you know how that story ends. Nevertheless, I already expected those things to come so I was able to react to them accordingly. I can't say that the book is a literary master piece, but I did enjoy it and it made giggle from time to time. It was romantic and steamy, and those who enjoy that types of books with a mystery twist will most likely enjoy Wait For You. Sometimes  it's just nice to read something a little bit more, well not trivial, but just something less profound and deep. 

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