Duff by Kody Keplinger

Duff by Kody Keplinger

Release Date: September 7, 2010
Publisher: Poppy
Pages: 288

Bianca Piper may come off as an extremely cynical person, but she's also confident and loyal. Her two best friends, Jessica and Casey are equally as loyal and despite not being blond and gorgeous like her two best friends, Bianca has never felt self conscious--that is, until Wesley Rush, the most arrogant womanizer in Hamilton High, calls her a Duff. The nickname Duff, or "designated ugly fat friend," makes Bianca's confidence slip a bit but she's determined not to let Wesley get to her.

Looking down on Wesley and his constant outrageous flirtations with every female that walks by, Bianca is quick to take a few verbal swipes at Wesley when he gets over-confident. Disliking Wesley with every fiber of her being, Bianca doesn't want Wes near her or her two best friends.

...Which doesn't explain why Bianca kisses Wesley at the local dance club one night. Before she knows it, Bianca's having a secret fling with Wesley. Justifying her sudden impulsiveness with the troubles that are going on at home, Bianca uses Wes as a distraction from the messed-up state her family is in. With her mother constantly away and her father looking like he might fall to his former alcohol addiction, Bianca needs an escape. She's is not looking for much more than something physical from her relationship with Wes, but when she starts to get to know Wes, she might just find that they have a lot more in common than she had originally thought!

I definitely enjoyed reading Duff! Bianca's had an amazing voice that really made the book enjoyable--though sometimes she seemed a bit too sarcastic and sometimes rather rude. Bianca curses a little too much for my tastes but then again, she's a teenager. Although I did not entirely agree with some of Bianca's choices (she rushed too quickly into some things), she is still a teen who is struggling with issues at home and struggling to stay confident. Overall, Duff is a very enjoyable read and although it may not be the most well-written book you've ever read, Bianca's strong character stands out, and her sardonic comments will give readers a few good laughs.