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pepe_pepe's review against another edition
4.0
A humorous high school story that follows cynical, sarcastic, seventeen year old teenager Bianca Piper, who, after being called the Duff (designated, ugly, fat friend) of her group, begins to obsess over her social position at school. This story was light-hearted and fun. Bianca is sarcastic and funny, who, for me at least, became quite a likeable character. Though she could be over dramatic at times, this just added to the fun of the book. I didn't really relate to her however, though her cynicism actually reflects me sometimes. She sees everything in a kinda pessimistic way, but not overly so, which is a bit like me, because sometimes I look at things that way. I enjoyed reading through her perspective and getting to know her character and personality as well as Wesley's, who turns out to be a decent guy. Her friends are really supportive which was a surprise but nice to read about. Both Bianca and Wesley have family issues but those are wrapped up nicely by the end of the novel. Previously to this, I had never heard the term duff, so it was interesting to read about the concept, though no one ever really uses these kind of words where I go to. Although at first hesitant to read this book, overall, I found it a fun, quick read for anyone looking for something fluffy and not too serious.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
mizzlroy's review against another edition
4.0
Total fluff with the underlying issue of confidence. I couldn't put it down and would recommend it. Great beach read.
keturah27's review against another edition
5.0
More reviews on my blog!
THE DUFF was definitely a unique tale to read. Bianca was unlike any other person I've ever met, in fiction or reality. She was just so sarcastic, forward and kick-ass. Wesley was also wonderful. I like that, in the beginning, Bianca really does dislike Wesley and want to stab him. Bianca doesn't mince words in her narrations and the feelings honestly sneak up on her. Neither of these characters were predictable. Bianca didn't get all gushy and girly about Wesley and Wesley is smart and tries to explain logically his reasons for being the player that he is.
Another awesome trait for THE DUFF was the supporting characters. Jessica and Casey were the best friends a person could ever ask for and they each had a special relationship with Bianca. Toby was a contrasting person for Bianca to like. He was caring and understanding, but ultimately not the one for Bianca. These characters made for depth to the great book and kept me entertained along the way. The ending to THE DUFF presents the message of the book: that everybody, at one point in life, feels like the DUFF, but the word only has the power that you allow it.
THE DUFF was definitely a unique tale to read. Bianca was unlike any other person I've ever met, in fiction or reality. She was just so sarcastic, forward and kick-ass. Wesley was also wonderful. I like that, in the beginning, Bianca really does dislike Wesley and want to stab him. Bianca doesn't mince words in her narrations and the feelings honestly sneak up on her. Neither of these characters were predictable. Bianca didn't get all gushy and girly about Wesley and Wesley is smart and tries to explain logically his reasons for being the player that he is.
Another awesome trait for THE DUFF was the supporting characters. Jessica and Casey were the best friends a person could ever ask for and they each had a special relationship with Bianca. Toby was a contrasting person for Bianca to like. He was caring and understanding, but ultimately not the one for Bianca. These characters made for depth to the great book and kept me entertained along the way. The ending to THE DUFF presents the message of the book: that everybody, at one point in life, feels like the DUFF, but the word only has the power that you allow it.
mxharriet's review against another edition
2.0
*Received from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review*
I had previously seen this novel around, with a review popping up every once in a while. Then all-of-a-sudden my Goodreads page exploded, and I knew I had to read it! Overall, it was okay. I cannot think of another word to describe it except it was, 'okay'. I have admitted before, fluffy contemporary romances are not my favourite genre, but I do keep trying because of novels like Anna and the French Kiss, Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys, and Babe in Boyland. However moving onto the cover, I do really like the film covers for this novel; definitely prefer them to the originals.
Bianca has not had it easy, she never sees her mum meaning home life is tough. But to top it off, Wesley Rush names her the DUFF, the designated ugly fat friend. Ouch. And good for Bianca, because she throws her drink in his face. But with everything getting worse at home, when paired with Wesley for a school project, Bianca begins to confide in Wesley, and starts to understand that they may not be that different after all.
I struggled to understand whether I liked Bianca. I cannot pretend to understand why she does what she does, because I do not. Which is where I struggled to connect with her, yes she could be funny and entertaining, and she went through some struggles, but I just did not get it. All I could think about was how irritating and frustrating she was. Then we have Wesley, for some strange reason I sort-of liked him. He did protect Bianca and look out for her, but also had a lovely soft side when it came to his family, or more specifically his sister; making me even more interested to read Lying Out Loud. Although I cannot deny that he definitely was incredibly frustrating and disgusting at times.
The plot was predictable, specifically with one event adding raw emotion to the novel. However the rest you just sort of float through, it is a coming of age novel, one that yes, needs to be told but there was just that spark missing for me. It was just like any other contemporary, and I felt I could have easily skipped to the end, meaning there was nothing to make it stand-out from the crowd.
Sadly this novel was just not for me, and though our protagonist Bianca could be humorous at times, I constantly found myself becoming frustrated with her.
I had previously seen this novel around, with a review popping up every once in a while. Then all-of-a-sudden my Goodreads page exploded, and I knew I had to read it! Overall, it was okay. I cannot think of another word to describe it except it was, 'okay'. I have admitted before, fluffy contemporary romances are not my favourite genre, but I do keep trying because of novels like Anna and the French Kiss, Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys, and Babe in Boyland. However moving onto the cover, I do really like the film covers for this novel; definitely prefer them to the originals.
Bianca has not had it easy, she never sees her mum meaning home life is tough. But to top it off, Wesley Rush names her the DUFF, the designated ugly fat friend. Ouch. And good for Bianca, because she throws her drink in his face. But with everything getting worse at home, when paired with Wesley for a school project, Bianca begins to confide in Wesley, and starts to understand that they may not be that different after all.
I struggled to understand whether I liked Bianca. I cannot pretend to understand why she does what she does, because I do not. Which is where I struggled to connect with her, yes she could be funny and entertaining, and she went through some struggles, but I just did not get it. All I could think about was how irritating and frustrating she was. Then we have Wesley, for some strange reason I sort-of liked him. He did protect Bianca and look out for her, but also had a lovely soft side when it came to his family, or more specifically his sister; making me even more interested to read Lying Out Loud. Although I cannot deny that he definitely was incredibly frustrating and disgusting at times.
"No matter where you go or what you do to distract yourself, reality catches up with you eventually."
The Duff by Kody Keplinger, Paperback
The plot was predictable, specifically with one event adding raw emotion to the novel. However the rest you just sort of float through, it is a coming of age novel, one that yes, needs to be told but there was just that spark missing for me. It was just like any other contemporary, and I felt I could have easily skipped to the end, meaning there was nothing to make it stand-out from the crowd.
Sadly this novel was just not for me, and though our protagonist Bianca could be humorous at times, I constantly found myself becoming frustrated with her.
laurenbookishtwins's review against another edition
DNF at page 127.
I think I'll just watch the movie.
I did not like Bianca AT ALL. And Wesley wasn't all that interesting either.
Robbie Amell, on the other hand...
I think I'll just watch the movie.
I did not like Bianca AT ALL. And Wesley wasn't all that interesting either.
Robbie Amell, on the other hand...
angevba's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
Esperaba mucho de este libro y la verdad es que consiguió enamorarme como a prácticamente todos.
La historia se desenvuelve tan rápidamente que al comienzo pensé que todo estaba pasando con demasiadas prisas para mi gusto, pero después me di cuenta de que eso hacía que la historia encajara muy bien.
Creo que esperaba una historia de amor como la de cualquier libro juvenil contemporáneo, pero me encontré con mucho mas que eso y la verdad es que me alegra. No es solo que haya amor, es que hay situaciones reales que te penetran fácilmente en el corazón.
No doy las 5 estrellas porque lo sentí un poco apresurado al comienzo, y además siento que le faltaron detalles a ese final, pero en general me gustó demasiado.
Esperaba mucho de este libro y la verdad es que consiguió enamorarme como a prácticamente todos.
La historia se desenvuelve tan rápidamente que al comienzo pensé que todo estaba pasando con demasiadas prisas para mi gusto, pero después me di cuenta de que eso hacía que la historia encajara muy bien.
Creo que esperaba una historia de amor como la de cualquier libro juvenil contemporáneo, pero me encontré con mucho mas que eso y la verdad es que me alegra. No es solo que haya amor, es que hay situaciones reales que te penetran fácilmente en el corazón.
No doy las 5 estrellas porque lo sentí un poco apresurado al comienzo, y además siento que le faltaron detalles a ese final, pero en general me gustó demasiado.
elsh's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
VERY 2010s. full of racist microagressions and casual homophobia while pretending to be liberal etc. horribly slut shamey in a way that i assumed is meant to be highlighting a character flaw but the 'realisation' that slut shaming is bad comes because 'we're all whores' and not out of any actual realisation or feminism - she then goes on to say that hopefully the girl who's just had a pregnancy scare will 'learn from her mistakes' so! not really realising that shut shaming is bad. also horribly pick me