Previously published as OF ALL THE STUPID THINGS, this coming of age novel is a 2011 ALA Rainbow List Book and a 2011 New Mexico Book Award Finalist.
No one messes with Whitney Blaire or her friends, which is why she can’t help but let it slip that someone spotted Tara’s boyfriend making out with one of the guy cheerleaders.
Even after spending hours training for her marathon, down-to-earth Tara can’t outrun the rumors about the boyfriend she thought was perfect.
Pinkie, the rock and “Big Sister” of their inseparable group, just wants things to stay exactly the way they are…
…but that’s not possible when new-girl Riley arrives in school and changes everything.
Suddenly Tara starts to feel things she’s never felt before—for anyone—while Whitney Blaire tries to convince her that this new girl is Trouble. Meanwhile, Pinkie’s world begins to crumble as she begins to suspect that the friends she depends on are not the girls she thought she knew. Can friendship survive when all the rules are broken?
To be honest, this book had a bit of a slow start for me. This was mainly because one of my biggest pet-peeves is changing POV, which this book has. I’m not really sure why, it just makes it hard for me to immediately connect with the characters, whilst the POV is changing. Anyhow! Once I got past that, I ended up really enjoying the book. It really had a unique plot, and dealt with some rather controversial topics quite well. Each of these girls are very confused, but all for very different reasons. Anyone who read this book would relate to at least one character because of this. It gave some great perspectives of growing up, sexuality, friendship in general, etc. Really, a lot of things that confuses teens, that they may not know how to handle. However, I would recommend this to a more mature teen audience, because of that.
Overall, another great read! If you’re picky about POVs, like me, don’t let that turn you off! Keep reading, and you’ll like it. Also, it has a super beautiful cover!
4 out of 5 stars!
Maddie