by Daria Snadowsky
Published: January 8, 2013
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
After everything that happened—my first boyfriend, my first time, my first breakup—jumping back into the dating game seemed like the least healthy thing I could do. It’s not that I didn’t want to fall in love again, since that’s about the best feeling ever. But as a busy college premed still raw from heartbreak, which is the worst feeling ever, I figured I’d lie low for a while. Of course, as soon as I stopped looking for someone, an impossibly amazing—and devastatingly cute—guy came along, and I learned that having a new boyfriend is the quickest way to recover from losing your old one.
The moment we got together, all my preconceptions about romance and sex were turned upside down. I discovered physical and emotional firsts I never knew existed. I learned to let go of my past by living in the present. It was thrilling. It was hot. It was just what the doctor ordered.
But I couldn’t avoid my future forever.
In Daria Snadowsky’s daring follow-up to Anatomy of a Boyfriend, eighteen-year-old Dominique explores the relationship between love and lust, and the friendships that see us through.
Review:
I had a really hard time deciding how I felt about this book. I hadn't read the first, and though storyline-wise it didn't impact my understanding of the story, I do think it altered my connection to Dominique.
Anatomy of a Single Girl sounds like it's going to be a fun ride with some really great romance thrown in, along with a message that you don't need to have a boyfriend to have a life. Maybe my expectations didn't line up with the marketing. "Judy Blume-like honesty" doesn't mean much to someone who hasn't read any Judy Blume, though I am aware of her as an author. Snadowsky does present Anatomy with honesty and maybe that's why I couldn't connect with Dominique.
Dominique is a chronic complainer, and can be down right bitchy. I thought when she started her relationship with Guy it would get better, but it doesn't because despite her constantly saying she doesn't want a boyfriend, it is exactly what she wants and doesn't think she can have an interesting life without one.
She complains about her friend ignoring her for a boyfriend, yet does exactly the same thing to her friend once she and Guy become involved. She knows exactly what Guy wants from her and life, yet she has the complete gall to be angry with him for not changing him mind. I was absolutely annoyed with her almost the entire book and not in a way that kept me reading. I finished the book because I really hoped that by the end she'd have some kind of epiphany - she doesn't have to have a boyfriend.
Okay, I'm done ranting. So if I had such big problems with the main character how did I decide to rate this 3 stars? Well, because it was well written and there were some really amazing moments addressing the differences between sex and intimacy, STDs, and the need to be safe no matter how intoxicating the rush of lust can be.
You've reminded me that I have this book and the first book to read also. I appreciate your review. I am sorry it didn't work for you.
ReplyDelete