Do you ever get days when you remember your high school or teenage days and you think to yourself, thank God it's over? I do.
Devon Delaney has a bad habit of lying. Does that make her a bad person. No, not really. She lies her way to the A-list table, makes up a fake boyfriend (first book) and a fake ex-boyfriend (second book, which is funny because now she's had more fake boyfriends than real ones) just so she can fit in the popular crowd. I am not trying to justify her actions but I do understand her enough to care for her.
By the second book, I felt like smacking Devon (or Devi, as her cool friends call her) in the head and asking her, haven't you had enough of the lies? But Devon had the support of her two BFFs in the sequel, something she kinda screwed up with in the first book.
I loved the first book. I have fond memories of watching it around 7 years ago (which is why it looks battered -- see below) and enjoying it so much. It was one of the few books that my non-reader sisters also read so that's a plus. Devon was a really funny protagonist, albeit frustrating because I'm pretty sure she could've gotten out of her predicament faster if she just tried to be more honest. But she was funny and kind. The book also has a tear-jerking moment that involved Devon and her even funnier sister, Katie. Luke, on the other hand, provided the sweet moments in the book. I liked him a lot; I even listed him down as one of the best book boyfriends out there.
How did the sequel fare? I was annoyed that Devon still hasn't learned her lesson but to be fare, the story took place only two weeks after the first book so her relationship with Luke was still pretty new and thus, not yet strong. Devon now has two BFFs who are really nothing like her (one's dorky, one's A-list cool) but they're a solid trio. Devon has a good boyfriend (although really, note-passing with your ex is not the way to go, Luke) and parents that are slowly being more open to changes in Devon's life (a.k.a growing up). The problem really lies in Devon's insecurity and paranoia. If she just asked, then she wouldn't assume. If she didn't assume, then she wouldn't be paranoid. If she weren't paranoid, none of the problems she faced wouldn't have happened and she wouldn't stressed over nothing. But she did learn her lesson this time, and I don't see a third book in the horizon.
It makes up for a good story but when I think about it, man, I'm so glad I'm older. There's this freedom that comes along with adulthood. For one, you don't spend a lot of time fitting in and you're more comfortable with who you are and who you've become.
I'm getting side-tracked here... But hey, should you be in need of something light and quick, the two-part Devon Delaney series is a good choice. It's funny and cute and you can leave your brains at the door. Perfect for a weekend afternoon.
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Oh yes, I'm so glad I'm out of high school. Also so glad not to be a teenager anymore - and most of all, SO GLAD to be old enough to not let people step all over me anymore. Puuh, being a teenager was HARD! I mean, life is still hard and will always be, because that's life, but really, I'm so happy to be an adult!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that I'm older too. Dear goodness, the things I did when I was in high school. It's so embarrassing just thinking about it :P
ReplyDeleteThis book reminds me of Diary of a Wimpy Kid but that one has s boy for main character. I think I wanna know Devon too. Thanks for the review :D
I have a lot of questions but it's embarrassing to put here so I'll just wait for the others :))
Gosh, reading your great review, I am extremely glad that I am no longer in school or a teenager. I did and said the most ridiculous things which at the time seemed like a really good idea, but looking back on it, I am very embarrassed. When I was 14, I spent every day writing letters to our headboy who was 18. Yes, he was hot and cool... but what the hell was I thinking! The worst is he actually read those letters; although, I never got a response. He must have thought I was a complete idiot, which of course I now realise I was! :D
ReplyDeletehow cute...but i don't think i have patience reading about a character who is that "juvenile" maybe because i was never like this back when i was a teenager. i was content to be a wallflower hehehe. i am not into wanting to be popular. i was really shy! i just wanna read historical romance whenever i can and Archies comic book and Sweet Dreams! ahahaha!
ReplyDeleteSo this is like your throwback review Joy ;)
if there's one i wanna review from my teenage years it's probably PS I Love You from Sweet Dreams! hehehe! man i was tearing up like crazy over that book.
Same here! I didn't have that desire to be part of the cool crowd (truth be told, I thought being part of the A-list crowd in school meant you're pretty and popular but lacking in brain cells -- and I'd rather be smart than popular!) but I had lots of friends so I was generally a happy high-schooler.
ReplyDeleteI love Archie comics, too! <3
Your comment had me laughing. First off, you're brave for having the guts to do that! And at 14! Sure, you feel like a complete idiot now, but not everyone's gutsy enough to pull a move like that. Hahaha! I never wrote love letters to my crushes back then but I remember having a notebook where I write down names of the guys I like and how I plan to make them fall for me. I'm shaking my head just thinking about how crazy that was.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I actually want to read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid (or at least watch the movie) but I don't know where to find the time.
ReplyDeleteJust email or DM me your questions. I'd really love to get an entry for you. :D
I know, right? Being a teenager was fun but the problems I faced then made me feel like it was the end of the world. Of course, adult problems are so much worse but having more-developed decision-making and problem-solving skills that you can only achieve when you're a grown-up makes life a little bit easier.
ReplyDeleteHaha! You had a notebook, with plans! That is really funny. Did your plans include: Walking passed him everyday and saying hi. Making excuses to leave your school bag at the desk you knew he'd be sitting at, then going to fetch it just after class started. Getting a friend of yours to talk to him and tell him how cool you were. Those were some of my aweful plans. :)
ReplyDeleteAmen to your ideas! :D My plans were pretty similar. I had a lot of "accidents" back then -- "accidentally" sitting beside him in class, "accidentally" hanging out where he hangs out, "accidentally" loving the same band he loves, things like that. God, it's so terrible and funny at the same time!
ReplyDelete