Daisy knows a thing or two about love and romance. She's surrounded by it - in fact, there's no escape! Not only are her parents childhood sweethearts turned soulmates, they also run a very successful wedding agency called 'Something Borrowed', helping couples to tie the knot in whatever frilly, quirky, tasteful, outrageous way they choose. So it's no surprise that Daisy has a pretty clear vision of how her life with her boyfriend Matt is going to pan out. There's one major flaw in this plan - Matt and Daisy have split up! Determined not to brood, Daisy sets out to re-invent her life and her dreams. And that's when Toby enters the scene, who appears to be perfect, but is turning all the Rules upside down.This book was provided to me via netgalley in exchanged for an honest review.
Review:
I was so excited once I got the word that I was accepted to read this book, it sounded like it would be right up my alley but instead just left me disappointed. It's not that I absolutely abhor this book, in fact, it has it's own little charm, there were just a few things that left me feeling completely meh.
The books main focus is on the abuse and manipulation that Daisy experiences at the hands of Toby and while I am so happy that there is a book in the YA genre talking about abuse in teen relationships it all felt a little rushed to me. The language in the book irritated me to no end, I'll admit that it's probably supposed to be a reflection of the way that teenagers talk to each other but I have never, ever, in my years as a teenager, met anyone who speaks this way.
The whole book felt very juvenile to me, the characters, the situations they found themselves in, the language that was used, felt like it was trying too hard to fit in with the kids and for kids to relate to it. I loved the scenes with the three friends and I wish that there was more focus on their friendship with each other, the bare bones were there and the bones were beautiful but I wish that it had just been fleshed out a little more.
This review is making The Number One Rule for Girls sound like I hated it but I didn't! The book was so easy to read and I flew through it, taking every opportunity that I could to get into the pages. Like I said, it has it's own little charm, despite it's flaws. Daisy was a kick-ass feminist and her commentary when she witnessed sexism at college was absolutely hilarious and completely spot-on. Badger was such a sweet character, as were Matt and Beth and Ayesha so each scene with them was an absolute delight.
So, yes, I'd say that you should read this book, but only if you're prepared to look past a little roughness and glimpse the diamond inside.
The Number One Rule for Girls is out on the 25th February 2016.
It's a shame that while this book focuses on an important subject that is definitely swept under the rug in YA, it rushed it.
ReplyDeleteI feel like instead of trying to channel current teenage 'lingo', it would be better to not include it at all. I mean, except for random phrases and words, when I was a teenager, I didn't speak any differently to the way I speak now. And how I will probably speak in five years. I've never really witnessed specific 'teen speak', so I always find it weird when it's included in a book.
It's great that you ended up liking this one, even though it had its flaws. I haven't heard anything about it at all, but I am definitely interested after reading your great review <3
Definitely! I'd rather a book be genuine than try too hard to force the way that teens supposedly speak because then it makes it harder for me to actually believe the characters.
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