The DUFF

By Kody Keplinger

PERSONAL REACTION: Bianca is the DUFF, so named by Wesley Rush, a high school hottie/manslut who Bianca despises. But wait. Does she really despise him? Actually, she despises all men except Toby Tucker, her secret crush, and her dad. The DUFF – Designated Ugly Fat Friend – is also smart, sarcastic, cynical, and has a potty mouth and knows for sure that she hates Wesley, but then it turns out she doesn’t and he’s actually into her. Love-hate tension ensues.

I found the book entertaining and I liked the characters, especially Bianca. I liked her friends and liked reading about high school girls who were good to each other, true friends. The dialogue throughout the book sounded authentic and, for the most part, the characters seemed real. The only thing that I found really hard to believe was that the romance between Bianca and Wesley would have happened at all. Bianca was The Duff! Wesley was widely desired by so many girls and he was super cute!   I’ve been there. Seen it. Lived it. Would not have happened.  That plot development really should have launched the book onto the “Fantasy” shelf. 

Aside from that, I would recommend the book to high school students with a warning about profanity and sex.