Book Shelf: The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper may not be the prettiest girl in her high school, but she has a loyal group of friends, a biting wit, and a spot-on BS detector. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush, who calls Bianca the Duff--the designated ugly fat friend--of her crew.

But things aren't so great at home and Bianca, desperate for a distraction, 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.

More info on Goodreads......


Review:

Kody Keplinger draws her readers into a highly addictive and edgy contemporary read with The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend. A sharp, witty and thought provoking story that explores the body issues, fears and insecurities of todays teenagers alongside a sizzling romance featuring a commendable heroine, The Duff is one of the best books I've read this year!

Seventeen year old Bianca Piper is cynical, sarcastic and somewhat jaded. While her two best friends are happy to go to clubs, party and think about boys Bianca prefers to focus on the more important things in life. She's already had her heart broken once and isn't looking to go for round two. Yet when Bianca's home life begins to unravel she finds herself searching for an escape in the arms of the last person she ever expected; Wesley Rush.

Arrogant, egotistical and a man-whore through and through Wesley is someone Bianca can't stand and is the last person she thought she'd want to spend time with. Especially after he nicknamed her "Duffy". But when a spontaneous kiss with Wesley slides into an enemies-with-benefits type relationship, Bianca finds herself discovering Wesley might not be the jerk she thinks he can be and soon her no-stings-attached agreement with Wesley begins to feel all too real.....

My goodness was this book fun to read! Honestly, I literally read it in one day. I could not put it down. Kody Keplinger manages to write a really entertaining story with The Duff; a romance that manages to explore hard hitting issues relevant to today's teens. There's a perfect balance between snark, humor, friendship and romance with real issues faced and dealt with in this story.

The Duff is certainly entertaining, but it is also an authentic take on teenage relationships and the complexity that comes from the physical relationship between two people, especially in today's society. Keplinger explores how the boundary between emotion and physicality can blur in this adorable romance.

The whole idea of the "Duff" focuses around the concept that within every group of friends there is a Duff; one girl who is slightly less attractive and appealing than her friends, whose simplicity make her friends stand out and seem more attractive to those around her. Standing for the designated, ugly, fat friend, the love interest of our main character Bianca explains the terms when he dubs Bianca the Duff of her friends, but Kody Keplinger does a fantastic job taking this concept and shining some light on it over the course of the book. I was very happy with Bianca's understanding and acceptance of this term and it's implications by the end of this story.

Bianca was an easy heroine to follow. She's loyal, sarcastic and to the point. Though she has natural insecurities, Bianca doesn't give a crap about what people think, something that only becomes more evident when she begins a secret relationship with the hottest guy in her school but refuses to loose her head over him. Though her heart is a whole other story......I think Kody Keplinger did a great job writing a character that was relatable and who you honestly wanted the best for.

The Duff focuses heavily around Bianca's relationship with Wesley. Now this book boarders on the YA/NA line with Bianca and Wesley physical with each other. And often. Though it's not as graphic as some books out there, it's still sexual and should be read with caution....because Bianca and Wesley are HOT! Bianca doesn't like Wesley in the beginning, something Keplinger reminds us of often as Bianca and Wesley bicker and insult each other, but when they're together boy are they sexy. There's is a very primal and physical relationship with their attraction a physical one that develops into something even more beautiful over time.

I thought Bianca and Wesley were sweet. Yes, Wesley was a arrogant jerk sometimes, but he wasn't a bad guy; not really. He actually comes to care for Bianca as their attraction deepens and I loved that he stands up for her as he does and tries to make her feel better for herself. They have a great chemistry and are so cute together!

The Duff really is a fantastic read through and through and with a motion picture in the future for this story, Kody Keplinger has won a new fan with me. I'll look for more of her books and urge anyone who loves their couples with plenty of chemistry, sass and growth to pick up The Duff--you won't regret it!

Rating:
Source: Purchased by me from The Book Depository
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: Contemporary fans MUST read this!
Cover: Simple but I like it :)
Will I read sequel/continue with series: This is a stand alone novel but I look forward to reading more books by Kody Keplinger in the future......