morganbrabender's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars! I was planning on giving this one 4 stars up until I finished the book, and then the ending pushed up my rating a little bit. I LOVE Ryan Dean West and his honesty. It was definitely strange being in the mind of a 14-year-old boy, but it was also hilarious and entertaining. This book is (mostly) light-hearted and comical, but definitely has enough of a story-line to leave an impact. I enjoyed it :)
cccarinacc's review against another edition
4.0
So I’m not usually one for series or books that just aren’t generally a stand alone, but this one makes me want to keep going. It is such a sweet story that is humorous and entertaining. Annie and Ryan Dean have such a cute and lovely relationship that develops so well, but what is more beautiful than that is his friendship with Joey. The overall relationships are so wonderfully woven together, just like a lot of typical high school friendships are, and really showcases some “normal” struggles of teens in a funny way. However, there is that one massive turn toward the end with Joeys death, one that had me literally in tears. I was not expecting it at all, and if someone told me when I started reading this that that’s what would happen I wouldn’t believe them. It just doesn’t seem to make sense, until it happens and you finish the book. Joeys horrible, painful death brought together all the aspects of life and growing up that the book was trying to portray all along - it just took that last straw to make it painfully clear. Ryan Dean has realized that there is so much more to relationships than sex, that sometimes you may not be best friends with someone to care about that, that love is shown in many different ways, and that growing up means more heartbreak and pain than it does anything else. I’m also just sad about Joey, I loved him a lot.
lisxjayne's review against another edition
5.0
This is my second time reading Winger, and it is definitely one of my favourites.
Ryan Dean is your typical high school boy; sex obsessed, a bit of a loser, and a bit of an asshole. However he has a certain charm and is so funny and charismatic that you cant help but root for him. And don't even get me started on Joey - aka the sweetest character to ever exist.
Ryan Dean is very self conscious as he begins his third year at Pine Mountain, and sees himself as a total 'permavirgin loser'. But as the year drags on, he grows into himself, and his testicles, and actually starts to stand up for himself. He also begins to see that there may just be more to life than hot girls and sex... Winger is a brilliant coming of age story about stepping out of your comfort zone, making mistakes, and learning how to better yourself.
Winger is one of the only books to genuinely make me laugh out loud, but despite this it is also one of the saddest I have read. I cried just as much the second time I read it, even though I knew what was coming.
Overall, this is an incredibly well put together story and I cannot wait to dive into the sequel: Stand Off.
Ryan Dean is your typical high school boy; sex obsessed, a bit of a loser, and a bit of an asshole. However he has a certain charm and is so funny and charismatic that you cant help but root for him. And don't even get me started on Joey - aka the sweetest character to ever exist.
Ryan Dean is very self conscious as he begins his third year at Pine Mountain, and sees himself as a total 'permavirgin loser'. But as the year drags on, he grows into himself, and his testicles, and actually starts to stand up for himself. He also begins to see that there may just be more to life than hot girls and sex... Winger is a brilliant coming of age story about stepping out of your comfort zone, making mistakes, and learning how to better yourself.
Winger is one of the only books to genuinely make me laugh out loud, but despite this it is also one of the saddest I have read. I cried just as much the second time I read it, even though I knew what was coming.
Overall, this is an incredibly well put together story and I cannot wait to dive into the sequel: Stand Off.
kudstuen's review against another edition
4.0
Four stars all along but then wow the ending makes you almost hit five stars.
nicnackerz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kellymc03's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book tremendously . Reading a book from a teenage boys perspective was enlightening and entertaining.
irrelahvant's review against another edition
5.0
Whenever I visit the library, I would always see this book in plain sight. I'd ignored it twice. The third time I saw it, I didn't want to lose it again and borrowed it.
I can safely say never judge a book by the size of it. I was disinterested (I hope that's a word) because of how thick the book was. One day, I had the motivation to start reading the book and I never put it down eversince. Figuratively I mean.
Whenever I do put it down, I just wanted to find out more and more of the plot. I have laughed, been annoyed and upset, following the journey of Ryan Dean West.
Ryan Dean. Even the name is something. I am so used to imperfectly perfect character you usually read in those typical YA novels. This one, however, was heavily flawed and I found it adorable (If I said that, would RD come after me?) It was utterly refreshing to see how he has developed from the very first page till the end.
It really is different from any other books I have read. A good different I might add. I still think I'll still be heartbroken by the tragic event.
I can safely say never judge a book by the size of it. I was disinterested (I hope that's a word) because of how thick the book was. One day, I had the motivation to start reading the book and I never put it down eversince. Figuratively I mean.
Whenever I do put it down, I just wanted to find out more and more of the plot. I have laughed, been annoyed and upset, following the journey of Ryan Dean West.
Ryan Dean. Even the name is something. I am so used to imperfectly perfect character you usually read in those typical YA novels. This one, however, was heavily flawed and I found it adorable (If I said that, would RD come after me?) It was utterly refreshing to see how he has developed from the very first page till the end.
It really is different from any other books I have read. A good different I might add. I still think I'll still be heartbroken by the tragic event.
janier's review against another edition
5.0
Things happened that I really did not expect. In fact I don't think it could have been anymore unexpected. I laughed and I cried, didn't expect it too be too great in all honestly, but I could not have been more wrong! Ryan Dean West somewhat reminding you of how difficult friendships and love can be.
Fun and easy read!
Fun and easy read!
hereistheend's review against another edition
2.0
Admittedly, I very much skimmed this one, but I feel like Smith missed a lot of opportunities.