#5 That Wedding

 

 

Title: That Wedding

Author: Jillian Dodd

 Page: 381

      This is a sequel for “That Boy”. Since I’ve read the first book so what the heck, I read this one as well. This story revolved around Phillip, JJ and Danny. The three best friends are still holding it strong even when they are all out of college and started working.

      Phillip loves JJ. JJ loves him as well. The problem is after they started dating, they talk less and less. They were like rabbits busy doing ‘that’. Phillip wanted to marry her as soon as possible she doesn’t. Both of them wanted different things so she always doubted whether this ‘us’ thing is going to work. What she doesn’t realise is their difference is what make them perfect for each other.

      What I can say is, Phillip is very patient when it comes to her. He is her best friend, her pillar of support and like an older brother. What he doesn’t know is, she loves him just as much. In the end, after she ruined everything else, she confessed. She had loved him for a long time, just as much as he did. She finally let herself grieve for the death of her parents, and resume treat Phillip like her best friend again. They’re married but their relationship was just like before only add the fact that they sleep together.

#4 That Boy

 

Title: That Boy

Author: Jillian Dodd

Publisher: self-publish (2011)

Page: 359

                The cover of this book is so simple; I fell in love with it even before I even read the synopsis. To be honest, I always choose a book by its cover. I mean, if the cover is pretty enough, it looks like the publisher likes the book enough to put in effort so people would actually buy it.

                When reading it, the book is mostly like any other boy-girl story on Wattpad. She’s a tomboy, her neighbours are her best friend and they are like Greek Gods. They played football and are always there for her. They all have known each other since little. This kind of setting tends to bore and make me giggle at the same time.

                What makes it interesting about this book is that she is a flirt. Her name is JJ. She never chased after the boys nor did the boys chased after her. The drama continues but the real story only start when I was halfway through the book. It started when her parents died. That was when everything in her perfect life crumbles and she has to grow up a bit. Then, she realized her own feelings, her best friend’s feeling but was too afraid to ruin the friendship. I told you that there was two best friend. She hooked up with both and none of them seems to mind.

                In the end, one of her best friend got married and his wife and him set up JJ and the other best friend. On her first date, she was proposed to and well, she said yes. This is actually a very simplified version of the story. There’s a lot of drama and a few tear-jerking moments. It is better if you reader just grab this book and plop in a comfy chair somewhere.

#3 The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

 

Title: The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

Author: Kody Koplinger

Publisher: Little Brown (2010)

Pages: 280

      I think I have a thing for sob stories. I can’t believe I had finished yet another book that made me cry. This book talks about dysfunctional families.

      Do you want to know what make it better? Definitely not make up sex or booze if that’s what you’re thinking about. The characters in this story tried to run away from reality so much that when it finally catch up to the, they still won’t admit that they have issues. In the end, it is better if you talk about it. The problem may not go away like ‘poof’ as the magician make the rabbit disappear. It’s more to easing the burden you’re having and in the mean time getting second opinion from the person you trust, In your point of view it might be the end of the world but sometimes others who have more experienced might differ.

      Besides, if you’re having fallout with somebody, please just confront that person. If it can’t work, at least you would get a decent closer and won’t regret your decision.

      Another thing, DUFF (which means Designated, Ugly, Fat, Friend) showed that every girl feels that they’re unattractive. It doesn’t matter what type of body they have or the hair colour they have, they would find faults in everything. It doesn’t exactly show that girls are vain creature. From what I can see, it is because we have our own insecurity and all it take is our own confidence and the boost from our family and friends,

      Last but not least, what I learn from this book is you can’t chose who you love. Even if he’s obnoxious as hell, you got to accept him as he is and he should like you just the way you are. I know it’s a bit cliché but it’s true. You don’t get to pick somebody because it’s safer. Reality apparently doesn’t work that way.

Koplinger, K. (2010). The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend. United States: Little Brown/Poppy

#2 13 To Life

Title: 13 To Life

Author: Shannon Delany

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (2010)

Pages: 308

          I never actually know what is required in a review. Is it your opinion on the storyline, language or something entirely different? I’d settle for something easier, my thoughts on the book.

I did not realize this was a book about werewolves until I was halfway through. I actually blamed Twilight for me to be skeptical to any books that have vampires or werewolves in it. About this book, to be honest, it was quite confusing. I didn’t really understand the author’s intention. Did she planned on telling the story about a poor lad who lost his parents being lied to all the time? Or the story is about a lass that is too good of a Samaritan that is willing to sacrifice her love for a boy to her dearest enemy?

            I also hated her heroine in the story. She is too gullible, too kind and naïve. When I read that she had saved the queen bee of the school who not just killed her mum but was mean to her before. She even took care of that particular enemy when she was recovering from the accident. Apart from that, she let the girl, wait, I was using the term ‘let’ so loosely. She actually pushed the girl and the guy together, breaking her own heart in the process. Unfortunately, her good deeds only ever managed to work when she’s with her friends. Behind their back she wasn’t that bothered fooling around. The author managed to show her selfish desire for love but it doesn’t really justify on what she did.

            I said the story was confusing. I didn’t mean by not understanding the book. It is merely because as the story unfolds, it barely tell me the background of the heroine nor it tells me how could her relationship develop when she was so torn about her best friend’s (a.k.a the enemy) happiness and her own. Besides, the evil in her best friend is actually surfacing.

            I do like the mysteriousness in the characters but I wish the plot could be elaborated for further understanding. I know that this is going to be a series of this book so she might not want to reveal everything yet but as a reader, if everything is covered up, maybe I might not be too eager on finding out about the details.

Delany, S. (2010). 13 To Life. New York, NY: St. Martin Griffin.