A review by kellyhager
The Complete Jessica Darling Series: Sloppy Firsts, Second Helpings, Charmed Thirds, Fourth Comings, Perfect Fifths by Megan McCafferty
5.0
I first read this book when I was in college. I immediately fell in love with Jessica Darling (so much so that I bought each sequel on their respective release dates and read them immediately and I've even read the MG prequel and am excited to read that book's sequel as soon as I can).
But let's start discussing Sloppy Firsts, shall we? This is the book that introduces us to Jessica Darling, her parents and sister (wedding obsessed like the family in Sixteen Candles, one of Jessica's beloved "new classics"), her best friend Hope, her current "friends," who she has dubbed the "Clueless Crew" and possibly best of all Marcus Flutie.
This book is technically marketed as adult fiction, probably because when it was released, there really wasn't a thriving YA market like there is today. (Which is just as well; when it was released, I wouldn't have read it if it were marketed as YA.)
I feel like there are two things people discuss with this book. The first, of course, is Jessica and Marcus Flutie. (Oh God, it's highly possible that this is my literal favorite fictional relationship ever---more than Anna and Etienne, more than anything from Sarah Dessen, more than anything).
But the second---and this is even better than Jess and Marcus---is Jessica herself. She's got this very unique, very funny, VERY sarcastic voice. (Probably her closest comparison is to Olive from the movie Easy A and maybe a dash of Veronica from Heathers, but with a healthier love life.)
Bottom line, though---this book is perfect. If you've ever felt like you're in the wrong place or the wrong era, this book is for you. If you've ever felt even remotely like an outsider or misunderstood, this book is for you. (So basically if you've ever been a teenage girl---or are one now---this book is for you.)
Highly, highly, highly recommended.
But let's start discussing Sloppy Firsts, shall we? This is the book that introduces us to Jessica Darling, her parents and sister (wedding obsessed like the family in Sixteen Candles, one of Jessica's beloved "new classics"), her best friend Hope, her current "friends," who she has dubbed the "Clueless Crew" and possibly best of all Marcus Flutie.
This book is technically marketed as adult fiction, probably because when it was released, there really wasn't a thriving YA market like there is today. (Which is just as well; when it was released, I wouldn't have read it if it were marketed as YA.)
I feel like there are two things people discuss with this book. The first, of course, is Jessica and Marcus Flutie. (Oh God, it's highly possible that this is my literal favorite fictional relationship ever---more than Anna and Etienne, more than anything from Sarah Dessen, more than anything).
But the second---and this is even better than Jess and Marcus---is Jessica herself. She's got this very unique, very funny, VERY sarcastic voice. (Probably her closest comparison is to Olive from the movie Easy A and maybe a dash of Veronica from Heathers, but with a healthier love life.)
Bottom line, though---this book is perfect. If you've ever felt like you're in the wrong place or the wrong era, this book is for you. If you've ever felt even remotely like an outsider or misunderstood, this book is for you. (So basically if you've ever been a teenage girl---or are one now---this book is for you.)
Highly, highly, highly recommended.