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xkapuax's review against another edition
3.0
i actually read the unreleased version of the book, i'm not sure if it's still the same as the finished version but i enjoyed it.
outoftheblue14's review against another edition
4.0
I was lucky enough to find the Italian translation of this book in the kids section at the library. I'm quite perplexed as to why a book aimed at older teens, which openly discusses sex and pot smoking, would be published in an Italian book series for tweens and younger teens (11+), complete with cartoonish covers in fluo colours. Maybe because it's a funny book. I wouldn't give this to an eleven-year-old, though - I think it's a 14+ book.
Mara Valentine is a model student. She's a senior in high school, will be going to Yale in the fall (early acceptance), works at a coffee place, and is running against her ex-boyfriend for valedictorian. She's going to high school in the morning and taking university courses in the afternoon, and will be attending a special summer program, so that she can start university as a second-year student. She's a vegan, and a virgin.
Things start to change when her niece V (Mara has an older sister who is a single mother in her mid thirties) moves to her house. V is only a year younger than Mara, dates a string of guys, smokes pot, and runs a bit wild. The relationship between the two girls is strained at first, because Mara is hurt when V fooled around with her ex boyfriend. Later, they start to get on better with each other.
The whole book follows Mara as she questions who she is and what she wants to become. First of all, her veganism isn't deeply rooted. She went vegan so that she could focus on something other than her broken heart, and it's hard for her to give up cheese and dairy products. I know people have criticized the book for this. I don't really care about veganism (I could never give up meat, much less milk, cheese and yoghurt) and find it hard to understand why anyone would want to make their life so complicated. So I'm not concerned with Mara's not-so-heartfelt veganism and I cheered her when she started eating cheese again.
Mara's academic drive is fueled by her well-meaning parents. When she falls in love, though, she is not so interested in schoolwork anymore. She drops a college course, and ultimately decides she won't do the summer program, so that she can spend two more months with her boyfriend. I don't think it's bad that she changes her life for a guy. I have a feeling she did it mainly for herself. Also, was it really necessary for her to start college at second year instead of first? Why the rush?
I liked this book very much. It was fun, but also dealt with serious topics. I'd recommend to lovers of YA contemporary romance. I know there's a second book in the series, Guyaholic, which focuses on V's last year of high school. I think I'll be looking for it soon.
Cover attraction: is this V's infamous tank top with the "I'm a girl who can never say no" writing? Cute.
Mara Valentine is a model student. She's a senior in high school, will be going to Yale in the fall (early acceptance), works at a coffee place, and is running against her ex-boyfriend for valedictorian. She's going to high school in the morning and taking university courses in the afternoon, and will be attending a special summer program, so that she can start university as a second-year student. She's a vegan, and a virgin.
Things start to change when her niece V (Mara has an older sister who is a single mother in her mid thirties) moves to her house. V is only a year younger than Mara, dates a string of guys, smokes pot, and runs a bit wild. The relationship between the two girls is strained at first, because Mara is hurt when V fooled around with her ex boyfriend. Later, they start to get on better with each other.
The whole book follows Mara as she questions who she is and what she wants to become. First of all, her veganism isn't deeply rooted. She went vegan so that she could focus on something other than her broken heart, and it's hard for her to give up cheese and dairy products. I know people have criticized the book for this. I don't really care about veganism (I could never give up meat, much less milk, cheese and yoghurt) and find it hard to understand why anyone would want to make their life so complicated. So I'm not concerned with Mara's not-so-heartfelt veganism and I cheered her when she started eating cheese again.
Mara's academic drive is fueled by her well-meaning parents. When she falls in love, though, she is not so interested in schoolwork anymore. She drops a college course, and ultimately decides she won't do the summer program, so that she can spend two more months with her boyfriend. I don't think it's bad that she changes her life for a guy. I have a feeling she did it mainly for herself. Also, was it really necessary for her to start college at second year instead of first? Why the rush?
I liked this book very much. It was fun, but also dealt with serious topics. I'd recommend to lovers of YA contemporary romance. I know there's a second book in the series, Guyaholic, which focuses on V's last year of high school. I think I'll be looking for it soon.
Cover attraction: is this V's infamous tank top with the "I'm a girl who can never say no" writing? Cute.
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
Will be a short review because I am sick, but I really want to atleast write a bit what I thought of it.
Let me say this, I expected many things from the book, and I got more. :)
Mara is a wonderful character, she is smart, fun and cute. She grows to much more than that later on, eventually becoming a good balanced character who finds out there is more to life than studying and getting great grades.
V.. however.. was a character that made me drop the book almost. In the beginning of the book, I really disliked her, sure she had a crappy past and her mom isn't really great, but to do all those things? Sex randomly? Smoke? Just don't give a damn about life? No.. Luckily in the end she turns in a more likeable character, I even bought book 2 in this series which is about her.
In overall, this was a great book, all set in a few months of time, but those few months are chock-full with amazing things, sad things and life changing things.
I would really recommend this book to everyone. :)
Let me say this, I expected many things from the book, and I got more. :)
Mara is a wonderful character, she is smart, fun and cute. She grows to much more than that later on, eventually becoming a good balanced character who finds out there is more to life than studying and getting great grades.
V.. however.. was a character that made me drop the book almost. In the beginning of the book, I really disliked her, sure she had a crappy past and her mom isn't really great, but to do all those things? Sex randomly? Smoke? Just don't give a damn about life? No.. Luckily in the end she turns in a more likeable character, I even bought book 2 in this series which is about her.
In overall, this was a great book, all set in a few months of time, but those few months are chock-full with amazing things, sad things and life changing things.
I would really recommend this book to everyone. :)
shhchar's review against another edition
3.0
This book was mainly about Mara and V Valentine. They are aunt and niece respectively, but only about 2 years apart in age. They are also total opposites. Mara is rigid, does everything her parents expect, and is top of her class. While V grew up with her flaky mother, and is extremely loose and crazy. This novel follows their discovery of who they really are.
I read this book quickly. It was fun to read and easy to get into. V was probably the most interesting part. Mara on the other hand, I disliked. She went from being very rigid to very irresponsible. And I felt like the transformation was out of character for her, but it still happened.
The end of the book also left me unsettled. Mara completely changed over the course of the book, and the end didn't solve anything for me. That is the main reason I gave it 3 stars. I plan on reading the companion novel soon. I recommend it to fans of love, opposites, and high school drama.
I read this book quickly. It was fun to read and easy to get into. V was probably the most interesting part. Mara on the other hand, I disliked. She went from being very rigid to very irresponsible. And I felt like the transformation was out of character for her, but it still happened.
The end of the book also left me unsettled. Mara completely changed over the course of the book, and the end didn't solve anything for me. That is the main reason I gave it 3 stars. I plan on reading the companion novel soon. I recommend it to fans of love, opposites, and high school drama.
stephxsu's review against another edition
3.0
Senior Mara Valentine has got the most well-put-together life. She got in early decision to Yale, is chairperson of numerous committees, holds down a steady job at a locally owned coffee shop, and is determined to beat her ex, Travis, in the valedictory race. In short, she's all set on breaking out of Brockport, New York.
However, in the second half of her senior year, Mara's niece (yes, niece), who calls herself V, comes to the school. V is a self-proclaimed slut and stoner. Mara hates her, mostly on principle, but also because she hooks up with Travis on the very first day of school.
But things are changing for Mara and V. V lands a leading role in the school musical, and Mara finds herself falling in love with the coffee shop's owner, James. With both girls shedding their previous masks and carefully carved facades, aunt and niece inevitably grow closer.
While not as impressive as her first two books, VEGAN VIRGIN VALENTINE is nevertheless an entertaining read. The characters lack depth, but Carolyn Mackler has got the teenage language down right.
However, in the second half of her senior year, Mara's niece (yes, niece), who calls herself V, comes to the school. V is a self-proclaimed slut and stoner. Mara hates her, mostly on principle, but also because she hooks up with Travis on the very first day of school.
But things are changing for Mara and V. V lands a leading role in the school musical, and Mara finds herself falling in love with the coffee shop's owner, James. With both girls shedding their previous masks and carefully carved facades, aunt and niece inevitably grow closer.
While not as impressive as her first two books, VEGAN VIRGIN VALENTINE is nevertheless an entertaining read. The characters lack depth, but Carolyn Mackler has got the teenage language down right.
4saradouglas's review against another edition
3.0
Not a bad book. It's pretty typical YA stuff... girl stressed out with school work, having to deal with a new relative moving in and shaking up life at school, asserting her independence with the parents, and falling in love with an older guy. I liked the characters though and was fairly entertained throughout.
jeslyncat's review against another edition
5.0
A great novel about teens and control. An interesting spent on hormone-rampant novels that were out at the same time.
mellabella's review against another edition
3.0
Cute, quick read about anal retentive, honors student Mara Valentine. Her world gets shaken up a little bit when her wild niece V comes to visit.
nwilliams's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0