A Totally Awkward Love Story

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 31, 2016

Review

This British import provides a hilarious and frequently raunchy look at the awkwardness that Hannah (grape girl) and Sam (toilet boy cinderella) experience as they discover, in a hit-and-miss fashion, that they are each other's "lobsters" or mate for life. While they each wait for results of their senior exams that dictate which college they will attend, they pursue house parties, weekend getaways and a Woodstock type concert venue with their group of respective friends. Losing their virginity before college is everyone's main focus as first encounters, mistaken identities, painful rejections, tested loyalties and random coincidental meetings provide the humor reminiscent of a teen Bridget Jones via Judy Blume mashup. Successfully, Ivison pens Hannah's narrative and Ellen pens Sam's in alternating sequence throughout the book creating a seamless read. Some readers choosing the book for the pink, light romance looking cover may be surprised at the sexual frankness and teen drug usage found inside. Suggested for mature High School readers and New Adults.

Overall Book Score: good