Customer Reviews

Giving Up the V

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a huge YA fan, but it's getting harder and harder to be impressed. I like real stories with real people. I like like to laugh and cry and feel something for the main character. That's exactly what I got with GIVING UP THE V. I went into this story thinking maybe it'd be a cutesy, fun read, but I had no idea that I would love it so much. It was practically like reading about my own high school years. The characters seemed so real - like I could be friends with them, too. The situation Spencer has gotten herself into is classic - it happens every single day. And that's what's so great about it: it is completely and utterly relatable.

I was truly surprised by this book. It was entertaining, witty, funny, and all-around enjoyable. I've read Robar in the past and I will definitely read her in the future.

Full of lots of teenaged angst, Giving Up the V is a very realistic depiction of the struggles teens have these days regarding sex. Should they? Shouldn't they? It's more than just a yes or no answer involved, and Robar nails it in the funniest, yet sweetest way.

While many of her peers are already having sex (or want to), Spencer isn't sure she's ready. When ensues is a fun comedy about making a decision that will affect you for the rest of your life. Snappy, realistic dialogue, and humor are Robar's strengths, and they shine.

Teens will love this book... and probably see a lot of themselves and their friends in the characters. Very enjoyable!

My Thoughts: What better way to start the book than with Spencer in the gynecologist's office. And he's even a man! How embarrassing! Spencer is turning 16, so her mother insists she be put on the pill even though she is not doing "anything." Spencer starts to feel like since she is on the pill, maybe losing her v-card won't be so bad. She than starts thinking about all her friends and of course a few of them step up to the plate and volunteer! Than moves in a new kid Ben from another school. Spencer really likes him, but so does her best friend! We get to know all of Spencer friends! They are all a close bunch! I really enjoyed this book a lot. I am happy to see where the all the characters went. I am happy on who she ends up with at the end. I wanted that from the beginning! Who will it be? Ben, the new guy? Ryan? Zach? Justin?

Overall: I've seen good and bad reviews on this one, but I actually really liked it. It had laugh out loud moments. I would haved to liked to get to know "mystery guy who she ends up with" more but it was just the right amount of romance and humor for me. I felt like I could connect with the characters, I really liked it.

I loved the dialog in this novel. It was so true to life that it brought some boys I actually knew in H.S. to mind. Fun read!

Upon reading the first three pages of the book I instantly knew I wanted to finish the whole thing. I purchased it on my kindle and finished the book a day later. It was great the main character Spencer is witty and smart. She's compasionate and caring. The Situations were something you could actually see happening and were both painful and hilariousme it was realistic and charming.
Spencer is a 16 year old girl whose mother puts her on the pill, just to be prepared. Spencer feels like she wants to wait for someone she loves while her best friend Alyssa wants to get it over with. Spencer sticks with her decision until a new boy comes to school. Hes Handsome and seems to like her but shes not sure if shes willing to go through with everything. Its interesting whats happens albeit a tad predictable.

This book strongly reminded me of a book I loved when I was younger called Just as long as were together by Judy Blume. Spencer reminded me of the main character Steph in that story who was struggling with balancing her home life, friends and her body issues same as Spencer, Stephs best friend is an Asian girl Alison while Spencers best friend was an Asian girl names Alyssa. The two character to me seem to blend into one and I started to see Giving up the V almost as an what happened next in the Judy Blume story.

Some of the downsides were that the plot was very predicatable and (IMO) borrowed some from 10 things I hate about you. Some of the friendships seemed strange, example the goth girl, dumb jock and science geek were all friends. There was also the token mean popular girl.

Besides from the sterotypes this book was really great and fun to read. I enjoyed it a lot.

The Good: This is a hilarious book! It's not the small chuckle once in a while type, but rather the laugh out loud, leaves you grinning from ear to ear! Does that make sense?

Also, it's really relatable. Unlike some books that make you think, "Are you effing serious, there is no way in hell that can happen", Giving Up the V makes you go, "Wow, that totally happened in my school" or "I know someone exactly like that!" Spencer could be any one of us and she faces the same problems that we all face when we're in high school.

This book is mostly character driven, and luckily for us, the characters are awesome! Spencer's friends a.k.a The Crew are a delightful cast of characters that have a certain quality that make you actually care about them.

I think the one thing that really makes me like this book is the fact that Ms. Robar shows both the cons and the pros of losing your virginity. There are only a handful of books that show both sides and I'm very glad Giving Up the V is one of them!

The Bad: It's a little crude (duh). I'm sure the title is a dead give-away because the V sure as heck, does not stands for vegetables (Giving Up the Vegetables... *snort*). Even though I'm okay with some of the things that are said in this book, some people might not. So, I would not recommend it to everyone. Basically, it's a quick and nice book that you pick up when you have free time, but that's it.

Overall: Giving Up the V is a great book that shows both ends of the losing your virginity spectrum. It's entertaining, believable, and just fantastic!

Grade: B

How can you not like a story that starts off with the main character having to endure her first gynecological exam because she has a forward-thinking mother?

Spencer is the last girl that needs a prescription for the Pill. She has never had a serious crush on a boy in all of her sixteen years. But her mother wants Spencer to be prepared. She's not giving her carte blanche to be promiscuous, but she wants Spencer covered if hormones override common sense.

Spencer's medication is the talk of her group of friends, the Crew. The guys in the group all offer to be her first.

Spencer has always been the girl her friends confide in. Her tight group of friends include Ryan, the player; Morgan and Justin, the on-again/off-again/on-again rocking couple; her best friend, Alyssa, who is so petite she looks like she is only twelve; and good old Zach. It isn't until Spencer lays eyes on the new transfer student, Ben, that she even considers putting her pills to good use.

But problems ensue when Alyssa shares her list of possible boys to lose her virginity to with Spencer. Spencer hasn't told anyone about her crush on Ben (and she's getting the vibe that Ben is into her as well), and she's conflicted when she sees Ben has made it to #1 on Alyssa's list. She's torn between keeping her friend happy and following her own desires.

It doesn't help when her friend Zach starts keeping his distance from her. Though he assures her that everything is okay, Spencer isn't so sure. And she's also confused when she realizes that Zach has started to sport some well-defined muscles of his own.

I really enjoyed GIVING UP THE V from start to finish. Spencer could be any teenage girl struggling with the emotions of her first crush. She's flattered that she's captured his attention, but then uncomfortable with his fast moves. There's girl drama, romance, and amusing situations that the characters find themselves in. Some of the most entertaining parts are Justin's attempts to win Morgan back in their up and down romance.

The story doesn't promote sexual activity even though the title may suggest otherwise. It's a good look at the pros and cons of going all the way the first time.

Reviewed by: Jaglvr