Actual rating: 3.5 out of 5
This was a fun and really quick read which had an interesting take on the classic teen issue of virginity. Keely is the final one in her group of friends to remain a virgin and this feels like a milestone that must be corrected before college.
The idea of college is so often this realm of possibility. People can change themselves and not be known as the “quiet” one or the “geek” and can be seen as someone new and interesting. So when Keely meets a hot college guy named Dean, she can finally shed her old self, right? She might be able to with some tips and tricks from her very sexually active best friend Andrew.
I loved the idea of Keely’s friendship with Andrew and wish the story had focused on them a little more. I enjoyed their building chemistry and could see them as a couple, but it took so long for Keely to see their potential it felt like the ending was too rushed. When Keely and Andrew have a discussion about his persona of “Party Andrew” and I actually wanted them to take it a bit further. I liked his view of the pressure he felt and the way it affected him how his friends and peers saw him.
There were some very toxic friendships, particularly between Danielle and Ava. The exploration of friendship was interesting because there were so many types of friendship. The ones who are friends because they have mutual friends, best friends to more than friends, and when best friends lose sight of their friendship. Keely wasn’t always a good friend, to Andrew or her other best friend Hannah, and I was disappointed with her friendship with Hannah at the end. I felt some unresolved issues were left hanging.
This also waffled between being sex positive and showing how other people will use sexuality and sexual activity to hurt or judge them. It felt realistic in many ways and I kind of wanted an adult to step in or a friend to finally put a stop to it, but the lack of action made it more real and painful.
Overall, this was a treat and I sometimes wanted it to delve a little deeper and be more serious. I wanted more Keely, Andrew, and Hannah together and less of all the other drama. This was very reminiscent of high school movies and if those are your jam, grab a copy of Best Laid Plans for sure.
This was a fun and really quick read which had an interesting take on the classic teen issue of virginity. Keely is the final one in her group of friends to remain a virgin and this feels like a milestone that must be corrected before college.
The idea of college is so often this realm of possibility. People can change themselves and not be known as the “quiet” one or the “geek” and can be seen as someone new and interesting. So when Keely meets a hot college guy named Dean, she can finally shed her old self, right? She might be able to with some tips and tricks from her very sexually active best friend Andrew.
I loved the idea of Keely’s friendship with Andrew and wish the story had focused on them a little more. I enjoyed their building chemistry and could see them as a couple, but it took so long for Keely to see their potential it felt like the ending was too rushed. When Keely and Andrew have a discussion about his persona of “Party Andrew” and I actually wanted them to take it a bit further. I liked his view of the pressure he felt and the way it affected him how his friends and peers saw him.
There were some very toxic friendships, particularly between Danielle and Ava. The exploration of friendship was interesting because there were so many types of friendship. The ones who are friends because they have mutual friends, best friends to more than friends, and when best friends lose sight of their friendship. Keely wasn’t always a good friend, to Andrew or her other best friend Hannah, and I was disappointed with her friendship with Hannah at the end. I felt some unresolved issues were left hanging.
This also waffled between being sex positive and showing how other people will use sexuality and sexual activity to hurt or judge them. It felt realistic in many ways and I kind of wanted an adult to step in or a friend to finally put a stop to it, but the lack of action made it more real and painful.
Overall, this was a treat and I sometimes wanted it to delve a little deeper and be more serious. I wanted more Keely, Andrew, and Hannah together and less of all the other drama. This was very reminiscent of high school movies and if those are your jam, grab a copy of Best Laid Plans for sure.