THE DUFF by Kody Keplinger
Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "the Duff," she throws her Coke in his face.
But things aren't so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.
Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone. And eventually, through this realization, Bianca begins to see how harmful her unhealthy way of dealing with her problems has been, and finds a way to confront them head on.
But things aren't so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.
Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone. And eventually, through this realization, Bianca begins to see how harmful her unhealthy way of dealing with her problems has been, and finds a way to confront them head on.
MY THOUGHTS:
I have no idea really why this is titled The Duff, or Designated Ugly Fat Friend. I expected the story to revolve around that single term, to both develop and explore it, but it doesn't. It's simply mentioned and then repeated needlessly. That let me down a bit. I didn't want the term to be introduced, then cast aside by Bianca's friends (and a certain important someone) telling her she's truly attractive. My reaction went a little like this: Um.....Did I miss a chapter? Or two? The term is what drew me in, but I didn't get the great concept to match.
Aside from that, every action and word of dialogue is predictable. I knew exactly what was happening in terms of plot; there were no surprises or tension. The story just keeps moving, singing its same old tune. So even though some parts are cute, especially those including Wesley, the overall story falls flat.
I wish the characters were a bit more believable and less cliche. The typical high school plot and stereotypes makes it seem stale, like a story I've read ten thousand times before, just with new names thrown in.
The writing itself is all right - neither beautiful nor horrific. The descriptions are simple and there's a lot of repetition.
It's not a bad read, but it's not a great read. In relation to other similar YA titles, The Duff ends up being the Duff.
