The DUFF was a good read, not a great one, but good. It was nice to see a main character in a YA novel that wasn't perfect and had some flaws like everyone does. Having Bianca not perfect, made her more relatable and most liking more relatable for teen readers. I would be more like to recommend this book for students if there was no intercourse in the book, but its not appropriate to recommend.

The DUFF is very entertaining, and I read it quickly. However, it is definitely problematic. A Designated Ugly Fat Friend? That in no way promotes body positivity and is possibly harmful to the self-esteem of young girls, boys, and non-binary individuals. Maybe, at this point, an update could be published?

Didn’t have a chance to read this before it expired. Will read when I get another chance to do so and reforge a physical copy of it. For now I am clearing out my inbox and submitting feedback..

I must be reading a different book than everyone else. I don't see the humor. I don't see a keen mirror held up to contemporary YA. I don't see a main character that is celebrated for being herself. What are you all reading? This book made me so mad I wanted to throw it across the room. There's nothing wrong with being fat or with the word fat but there is something wrong with having friends like THESE. Toxic and not worth reccing.

A free copy of this book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have to confess that I watched the film of this before I read the book, as I enjoyed the film and that's what made me request a review copy.
Bianca is a high schooler who finds out from childhood friend Wesley that she is considered to be the DUFF amongst her friends (the designated ugly fat friend). The DUFF is the person is a friendship group who is not the most talented or attractive and therefore is seen as being more accessible as a way to get the attention of the most attractive friends. When she finds this out, Bianca is horrified and ends up creating a pact to get Wesley to help her stop being the DUFF.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a little bit different from the film, but I liked the relationship that gradually developed between Bianca and Wesley, even if at times they could act their age which didn't always make them likeable. However, I really enjoyed this story and the characters in it. I fairly sped through it and of course, who doesn't love a happy ending.
An enjoyable, fast-paced read. 3.5 stars.

n és a könyv

Ekkor olvastam: 2017. november 20-22.

Ismét egy agyonhype-olt könyv, csak engem nem érintett meg. Várólistára felkerült, amolyan majd-egyszer-elolvasom alapon, de magamtól nem kezdtem volna el. Most is csak kihívásra kellett.

Véleményem

Bianca, Jessica és Casey legjobb barátnők. Jess és Casey szőkék és csinosak, Biancát pedig inkább az eszéért szeretik, ahogy mondani szokás. Biancát ez nem is zavarta addig, amíg a gimi nőcsábásza, Wesley DUFF-nak nem nevezte őt (Designated Ugly Fat Friend=Ügyeletes Ronda Dagi Barátnő). Duffnak lenni annyit jelent, mint a legcsúnyábbiknak lenni a szépek között; a csajoknak bejön, ha kedves vagy a ronda barátnőjükkel.
"Csak vannak előnyei annak, ha valaki Duff, nem igaz? Nem vonzónak lenni nem is akkora szívás.
Átkozott Wesley Rush! Hihetetlen, hogy miatta elkezdtem ilyen idióta, lényegtelen, felszínes baromságok miatt aggódni."
Ez a szó Bianca lényének legmélyére hatol, és innentől nem tudja nem-Duffnak látni magát. Ráadásul a szülei válófélben vannak, az apja alkoholista, egyszóval összecsapnak a feje felett a hullámok. Valamilyen hirtelen késztetés hatására megcsókolja az általa annyira utált Wesley-t, és rájön, hogy ilyenkor semmit nem érez, kiürül az agya. Wesley egyfajta menekülőút lesz Biancának, amíg vele van, elfelejtkezik a problémákról. Csakhogy ettől a problémák nagyon is megmaradnak, és most már Jess és Casey elvesztését is hozzá lehet írni a listához.

Még ha a történet rendben is lenne, a főszereplő, "Duffy" Bianca nagyon lehúzza a könyvet. Eleinte szimpatikus volt: intelligensnek és vagánynak tűnt, akit nem az határoz meg, hogy mit gondolnak róla mások. Egy-két fejezet után viszont rájöttem, hogy pontosan az határozza meg őt, amit róla gondolnak; ráadásul nem is olyan intelligens és érett, mint ahogy azt szeretné elhitetni másokkal, ellenben gyerekes, tudálékos, álszent, és csapnivaló barátnő. Engem nem az zavar, hogy elmenekül a gondjai elől, és nem is az, ahogyan elmenekül, de az a helyzet, hogy a bajok egy részéről ő maga tehet, a másik felére meg nincs is ráhatása.

A filmet láttam hamarabb, az amolyan egyszer nézhető; a könyv meg egyszer olvasható. A kettő annyira eltér egymástól, mintha nem is ez a könyv lett volna a film alapja. A legnagyobb eltérés az, hogy a filmben Bianca csak smárolni jár Wesley-hez, a könyvben pedig pornópajtik lesznek. Érthető, hogy ezt így, ebben a formában nem ültették át a mozivászonra.
"Wesley nem tökéletes, sőt, ami azt illeti, még csak a közelében sem jár, de hát én sem dicsekedhetek ezzel. Mindketten eléggé elcseszettek vagyunk. De ettől valahogy még izgalmasabb lett az egész. Igen, beteges és kitekert ez a dolog, de hát ilyen az élet, nem igaz? Nem menekülhetek el, úgyhogy miért ne vessem bele magamat?"
A karakterek közül egyedül Bianca barátnőit, Jessicát és Casey-t kedveltem, ami azért is szívás, mert kevés szerepet kaptak. Annál több szereplőt utáltam: Biancát, az anyját, eleinte Wesley-t (őt később áthelyeztem a semleges kategóriába, ahol B. apja is van), és ezzel a fontosabb szereplők végére is értünk.

Egyetlen dolog tetszett, de ez lehet, hogy spoilernek minősül, szóval ha el akarod olvasni, jelöld ki: >>a könyv végére Bianca legyőzi a DUFF-szót, és a lányok ezután felváltva vállalják ezt a nem túl nemes szerepet.<<
"Szóval lehet, hogy végül is minden lány úgy érzi, hogy ő a Duff?"
Sajnos nekem ez a könyv egyáltalán nem jött be, pedig sokan szerették. Biancát nehezen toleráltam, nem a nimfomániája miatt, hanem azért, mert pont azzal a személlyel fekszik össze rendszeresen, akit amúgy ki nem állhat. A srác pedig meghúzza, annak ellenére, hogy rondának tartja. Nesze neked, modern kori udvarlás; ha azt mondja neked a srác, hogy csúnya vagy, tedd szét neki a lábad, úgysem találsz jobbat. Hűha. (Tudom-tudom, nem ez a könyv fő üzenete, hanem, hogy az érzelem nélküli szex minden problémát megold,na jó, csak elfelejtet, de nem old meg!) Felejthető történet.

I'm not sure how I feel about this one. Maybe because I was never the fat friend, but I always questioned whether or not I was the ugly friend.
It's a weird feeling.
So this book touched a few nerves, but at the same time--GO GIRL. You do you.

I wish I had had the confidence this so called DUFF has. Because to go after the things you want takes confidence.

Hey guys!

So...I started this around 2PM and finished it around 5:30PM...I read it in one sitting and I absolutely loved it! Well, I don't agree with some of the character's life choices but over all this was a very entertaining read. What first sucked me in was Biana and her personality. Her whole demeanor is so sarcastic, snarky, and completely hilarious! The reason I kept reading was Wesley. He was hilarious, rude, stuck up, and intriguing.

“I actually need your help. You see, your friends are hot. And you, darling, are the Duff.”

“Is that even a word?”
“Designated. Ugly. Fat. Friend,” he clarified. “No offense, but that would be you.”


Bianca and Wesley have broken familys. Bianca's mom is never home and her father is an alcoholic. Wesley's parents just don't care and are never home. What surprised me about this book is that it wasn't only about the sex that Bianca and Wesley have. They've come up with a justified reason that they think it is okay to just randomly do it when they "need" to. They use intercourse as a way to distract themselves from the awful things that are occurring in their daily lives. I could understand their "logical" way of thinking, but my personal beliefs kind of influenced my rating. I also could relate with the characters quite a bit with the broken family aspect, as my parents just went through a divorce. It's a very rough process for a family, and Bianca being an only child it was even rougher for her I should think. I have sisters that helped me get through it and I can't imagine going through it alone. On that note, Bianca didn't talk about what she was going through with her closest friends or even Wesley, she just kept it inside and just tried to distract herself with meaningless sex. That made me sad. Overall I really enjoyed this book. It made me think and it gave me all the feels that an excellent contemporary should give you.

I really enjoyed this book.

At first I was really frustrated by all the slut shaming that went on the novel but as the book went on this was addressed and it was acknowledged that you shouldn't judge someone else without knowing their story and their situation and I really liked that. I also had a real problem with Wesley constantly referring to Bianca as 'the DUFF' but again this was addressed directly with Wesley's character later in the book.

I love a book with a 'friends with benefits' or 'enemies with benefits' relationship as was the case here. I also totally enjoy secret relationships in books. So I enjoyed all those aspects to the story.

Overall I just thought this was a really enjoyable YA contemporary.

I wanted to read this book right after watching the movie as I enjoyed the movie and felt the same way about this book and the way the characters were explored. I would probably try this again.

The main blessing is that this was a quick and easy read, but I didn't enjoy it much. The main character was just so down on everything that it became tough to stay inside her mind. It was frighteningly cliched and predictable. And the writing, although quick to read, was not particularly special.

I adored this book so much! It was just the right amount fun and serious. I was worried going into this that due to having already seen the film I wouldn't like this as much, but wow was I wrong. Personally, I feel the book and movie are completely different stories with the film being a hell of a lighter. I really enjoyed how the book took on such serious issues and related to quite a few of them, especially family issues and self-image and confidence. I'm really excited to keep reading Keplinger's work, especially if it educates young women as such issues as this one did but still features sassy, confident characters like Bianca which are equal parts hilarious and endearing making them super realistic.

Perfect amount of teenage ancex to get you to relive your childhood.
Seeing flaws in yourself but also other people. There is a duff in every group.

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "the Duff," she throws her Coke in his face.
Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.
The Duff is a book that pleasantly surprised me. The Duff is out for a few years now as a book, and is now made into a movie, and I got a copy of the new movie tie-in to review. Altough it was a little fluffy and predictable, and the story doesn't stay long in your head afterwards, it is a very entertaining book to read. e author creates a main character who is relatable and easy to sympathize with. The friend characters are likable and true to their characters throughout the book.
The issues in the book are the same that many have faced and well-dealt with. Beside her love life, Bianca has quite a few issues at home, which where the parts I liked the most of this book. Her father is an alcoholic, which grows worse after Bianca's always absents mom files for a divorce.
I didn't know what to think of Bianca and Wesley together at some parts. She was kind of dating him as an escape from her problems at home and that seemed a little off.Wesley may be sleeping around for the same reasons that Bianca is sleeping with him. And what starts out as Enemies With Benefits, begins to into something more as they get to know each other. And it quite confused me she didn't like Wesley to begin with, so it seems kind of crazy to start dating him..
This is a book aimed at young teens, but I have to do a little warning that for the age it is aimed at, it contains quite a few mature scenes. (so if you can't handle teens sleeping with each other and all the details laid out, then The Duff might not be your kind of book)
But if you can handle a few more eehm..specific scenes, then the Duff is quite a funny, quirky and fast paced teen romance with a sweet ending.

SO DIFFERENT TO THE MOVIE
Having seen the movie first, of course I’m going to be comparing the book to it a lot. While the start was quite similar, and the overall message that everyone has problems and insecurities is the same, the rest of the story was remarkably different. And that’s a good thing! I get into it a bit more in the other points, but the book was much more than a simple make-over-for-crush-then-realise-the-guy-you-want-has-been-helping-all-along-and-accepts-you-for-who-you-are cliche story.

I DIDN'T EXPECT TO BE SO ADDICTED
Mid slump mood, I really didn’t expect any book to grab me. Next thing I know I read THE DUFF in almost one sitting (if I didn’t have to sleep it would be a different story). It was so easy to read and keep the pages turning

MORE COMPLEX CHARACTERS AND STORYLINES THAN I EXPECTED
As you can probably tell from my movie comparison bit, I was expecting your usual make over cliche that results in the character realising she was okay just the way she is. What I got was much more interesting. Escapism/ avoidance behaviour, serious family problems that need processing, and more. It’s a lot more real and interesting than the usual cliches.

BIANCA'S CYNICAL, SARCASTIC PERSONALITY IS JUST LIKE MINE
I may not have the family and past boyfriend problems that Bianca is running away from (thankfully my life is much more boring), but her personality is very similar to mine. I hate all those romantic holidays, PDAs, going out, and dances. Sarcastic comments and high cynicism are common from me too. This all made Bianca easy to relate too and also enjoyable to read thanks to our similar sense of humour.

NO EXCESSIVE FRIENDSHIP DRAMA, THANK GOD
I’ve had my share of high school friendship issues in my own high school experience, and I really don’t enjoy reading them. They get on my nerves and also bring back some not so great memories. I was so happy that the friendship issues only make up a small component of THE DUFF. For most of the book Bianca’s friends are super supportive and there for her whenever she needs. They’re keepers for sure.

IN SUMMARY
After enjoying the movie, I was ready to experience a simple, light typical high school contemporary. The DUFF couldn’t have been more different. With more complex characters and plot points, it was so much better than that. I’m adding Kody Keplinger to my list of YA contemporary authors I need to read more of.

I have to say that this book wasn't that great in my opinion, it wasn't bad but it's not one i would recommend as being a great book to read. Maybe i'm not the target demographic so that's why it didn't work for me, i just found it a little annoying in places and the final message was really hammered home, not at all subtle! I did like the main character and her relationship with her two best friends, but i felt that Bianca took on far too much responsibility that she really didn't have to and then blamed everyone else for making her the responsible one. The background story with Bianca's parents was interesting if a little over dramatic, maybe that's because we're looking at things through the eyes of a teen?
Overall, it wasn't a bad book, but there are better ones out there in my opinion.

I watched the movie before I read this book, and I have to say, as always, the book was SO much better! This is a classic for me in the same way Perks of Being a Wallflower is. Such a good read!

I decided to see the movie first and I liked it but then I read this one and I feel in love with DUFF.
It is a well needed YA book that every teen should read.

When I first heard about this book, I was intrigued. I knew the basic premise but it didn't catch me enough to read it right away. And then the movie came out and I still hadn't read it. I'm still not sure what made me pick it up today, but I'm glad I did.

This story follows 17-year-old Bianca who is navigating life in high school. She's having some family troubles and one night, while she's out with her friends, she decides she's had enough. When the school's biggest playboy, Wesley, comes over to talk to her claiming she is the DUFF, designated, ugly, fat friend and that in order to get in good with her friends, Wesley has to be nice to her, Bianca is hurt and mad. In a fury, she kisses him and their relationship develops into an enemy with benefits situation.

I am really torn with this book. On the one hand, I loved that sassy comments, the relationship between Bianca and Wesley and just the general setup of the story. But on the other, I struggled with the slut-shaming and just meanness of some of the characters comments. Part of me wants to hate this book for including these negative elements but I am quick to recognize that they are, unfortunately, a part of today's society. The judgement and name calling continue whether or not Keplinger addresses them in this book.

I'm not sure that Keplinger handled Bianca's home life issues well, there were times when I wasn't sure what was happening. One second Bianca hated her mother and then the next she was back to liking her. I understand her confusion of emotions with all that was happening, but I just got the sense that those issues weren't really as big of a part of her life as we are led to believe.

I enjoyed Keplinger's portrayal of Wesley. He was a womanizing playboy but he was honest. He never led anyone on, and even though some might not agree with his lifestyle, as he calls it, Keplinger is able to show who he really is underneath it all.

I just really appreciated the dynamic between Bianca and Wesley. So often we get books with a Wesley-type character who finds the shy, innocent, sweet girl and shows her there's more to life while she reforms him. In this book, while Bianca has an effect on Wesley, she initiates. She is the one who, against everything she stands for, goes after him. I found that really refreshing. And Bianca as a character is sarcastic and sassy, she doesn't like to let anyone push her around - Wesley was no exception.

I definitely don't think this book is perfect but for a quick little romance read, it is exactly what I was looking for.

Overall, recommend if you are in the mood for something a little different.

Since receiving this book, my interests have changed therefore I will not be reading or reviewing this title. Thank you.