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The Nerdy and the Dirty
Pen Lupo is sick and tired of hiding who she is. On the outside, Pen is popular, quiet, and deferential to her boyfriend. On the inside, however, Pen is honest, opinionated--and not quite sure that she's like other girls. Do they have urges like she does?
His classmates may consider him a nerd, but Benedict Pendleton knows he's destined for great things. All he has to do is find a worthy girlfriend, and his social station will be secured. Sure, Benedict is different--but that's what he likes about himself.
When fate intervenes, both Pen and Benedict end up at the same vacation resort for winter break. Despite their differences, the two are drawn together. But is there such a thing as happily ever after for a nympho and a nerd?
His classmates may consider him a nerd, but Benedict Pendleton knows he's destined for great things. All he has to do is find a worthy girlfriend, and his social station will be secured. Sure, Benedict is different--but that's what he likes about himself.
When fate intervenes, both Pen and Benedict end up at the same vacation resort for winter break. Despite their differences, the two are drawn together. But is there such a thing as happily ever after for a nympho and a nerd?
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2016
38 people are currently reading
2,371 people want to read
About the author
B.T. Gottfred
19books195followersWith starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and VOYA, author b.t. gottfred is a novelist, screenwriter, producer, director, and playwright who has penned critically-acclaimed novels that explore themes such as gender, sexuality, and human relationships and that reviewers call � emotionally satisfying,� “poignant, quirky, and achingly honest.� His work has been selected as one of BookRiot’s Best of the Decade, Best of 2016 by Audible and has also been featured in the New York Times, Bustle, 60 Minutes, and Salon. In his new series, CANDY CANE, Gottfred returns with his signature candor and ability to capture the raw complexity of human emotions. In his new novel, THE NEXT GOD, he explores our personal search for spiritual purpose.
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May 16, 2016I can't express how much I love this book. Benedict is now one of my favorite people ever. And I lost my heart to Pen.
The story is about so much more than sex. I was laughing most of the way through. But this is the way sex should be written for (older) teenagers. It's like Judy Blume for millennials - showing the ugly side of teen relationships as well as the way it could possibly be. (If boys like Benedict actually exist out there. He's the most surprising but most adorable Book Boyfriend I've read.)
When my kids are old enough, I'm going to leave this out on the coffee table and hope they pick it up. Until then, I think I'll read it again.
The story is about so much more than sex. I was laughing most of the way through. But this is the way sex should be written for (older) teenagers. It's like Judy Blume for millennials - showing the ugly side of teen relationships as well as the way it could possibly be. (If boys like Benedict actually exist out there. He's the most surprising but most adorable Book Boyfriend I've read.)
When my kids are old enough, I'm going to leave this out on the coffee table and hope they pick it up. Until then, I think I'll read it again.
August 31, 2018
There were a few things about this that made me feel a little iffy. Looking back, I enjoyed this well enough but I definitely didn't love it.
December 28, 2017
I went in to The Nerdy and the Dirty with some reservations because B.T. Gottfred is a male author writing about teen sexuality and in particular female teenage sexuality. I thought that it may come off as unrealistic or perhaps even judgmental. I have never been so excited to be completely wrong. B.T. Gottfred tells a thoughtful story ultimately about finding and accepting yourself. At times it’s heart breaking and at others it’s hysterically relatable. Combine the feels and laughs with love and a fair amount of sex and you have a recipe for a novel that will fully charm the pants off you. Pun INTENDED! Ha!
There are a lot of books out there that explore teen romance but very few of them ever bother to explore teen sexuality. This doesn’t really make a lot of sense when you think about it because more often than not, romance and sexuality go hand in hand. Especially so amongst hormone addled teens! Full disclosure, The Nerdy and the Dirty is pretty explicit for YA literature so this definitely isn’t for a younger audience. However, the sex in The Nerdy and the Dirty accomplishes a few wonderful things:
1. First, it shows what clear consent looks like. I mean, it really shouldn’t be that hard to show consent but you’d be surprised by the amount of ambiguous consent out there in literature. Every time something progressed sexually between Benedict and Penelope they always asked each other if it was ok. Awesome!
2. Second, the sexual content never seeks to shame the characters. From a narrative perspective, they are allowed to think about and explore their sexualities in a judgement free zone.
3. Lastly, the sexual content isn’t dumbed down just because these characters happen to be 17. Let’s be real for a minute� almost every 17 year old knows a fair amount about sex. So I always find it disingenuous in most YA literature when the characters go in basically as a blank slate knowing little to nothing about sex. Penelope and Benedict have an age appropriate understanding of their bodies and the mechanics of sex.
It’s never specifically stated but Benedict is obviously on the spectrum. More than likely he has Asperger syndrome. I found that his journey was written in such a way that we really understand how someone with this condition may feel on a daily basis. Underneath the social awkwardness, Benedict is a very kind and loyal person who desperately wants to connect with people but finds it almost impossible to do so. It’s rather lonely to be intelligent enough to know how unusual you are and having no way of being less unusual no matter how much you would like to. Penelope, in essence, feels the exact same way. She’s a young woman with entirely normal sexual needs. In an endless variety of ways, girls are told by society that being sexual is somehow wrong. Penelope is also intelligent enough to think she’s unusual and she’s completely terrified of anyone ever finding out just how unusual she is. Benedict’s and Penelope’s struggles are told with a wonderful sensitivity. Even though their issues may be based around specific things that not everyone can relate to, there are so many instances where the characters are intensely relatable to everyone who was ever a teenager. There’s no judgement cast on these characters and they are allowed to discover the answers they need on their own.
I am firmly of the belief that sex shouldn’t be something that’s considered shameful or inherently wrong. There are so many societal stigmas around sexuality that I think it actually creates the over-sexualized culture that the stigmas sought to prevent in the first place! If everyone could just have a normal, healthy, and open conversation about sex I think the world would be the better for it. Sex is normal and should be treated like its normal. Let’s demystify sex! There needs to be more books like out there like The Nerdy and the Dirty out there!
There are a lot of books out there that explore teen romance but very few of them ever bother to explore teen sexuality. This doesn’t really make a lot of sense when you think about it because more often than not, romance and sexuality go hand in hand. Especially so amongst hormone addled teens! Full disclosure, The Nerdy and the Dirty is pretty explicit for YA literature so this definitely isn’t for a younger audience. However, the sex in The Nerdy and the Dirty accomplishes a few wonderful things:
1. First, it shows what clear consent looks like. I mean, it really shouldn’t be that hard to show consent but you’d be surprised by the amount of ambiguous consent out there in literature. Every time something progressed sexually between Benedict and Penelope they always asked each other if it was ok. Awesome!
2. Second, the sexual content never seeks to shame the characters. From a narrative perspective, they are allowed to think about and explore their sexualities in a judgement free zone.
3. Lastly, the sexual content isn’t dumbed down just because these characters happen to be 17. Let’s be real for a minute� almost every 17 year old knows a fair amount about sex. So I always find it disingenuous in most YA literature when the characters go in basically as a blank slate knowing little to nothing about sex. Penelope and Benedict have an age appropriate understanding of their bodies and the mechanics of sex.
It’s never specifically stated but Benedict is obviously on the spectrum. More than likely he has Asperger syndrome. I found that his journey was written in such a way that we really understand how someone with this condition may feel on a daily basis. Underneath the social awkwardness, Benedict is a very kind and loyal person who desperately wants to connect with people but finds it almost impossible to do so. It’s rather lonely to be intelligent enough to know how unusual you are and having no way of being less unusual no matter how much you would like to. Penelope, in essence, feels the exact same way. She’s a young woman with entirely normal sexual needs. In an endless variety of ways, girls are told by society that being sexual is somehow wrong. Penelope is also intelligent enough to think she’s unusual and she’s completely terrified of anyone ever finding out just how unusual she is. Benedict’s and Penelope’s struggles are told with a wonderful sensitivity. Even though their issues may be based around specific things that not everyone can relate to, there are so many instances where the characters are intensely relatable to everyone who was ever a teenager. There’s no judgement cast on these characters and they are allowed to discover the answers they need on their own.
I am firmly of the belief that sex shouldn’t be something that’s considered shameful or inherently wrong. There are so many societal stigmas around sexuality that I think it actually creates the over-sexualized culture that the stigmas sought to prevent in the first place! If everyone could just have a normal, healthy, and open conversation about sex I think the world would be the better for it. Sex is normal and should be treated like its normal. Let’s demystify sex! There needs to be more books like out there like The Nerdy and the Dirty out there!
December 4, 2016
“No one would ever publish a book about teenagers with the word ‘dirty� in the title.�
“Why not?� Robert asked.
“Because,� I said, “the world’s not ready for that.�
So I just tried to write a review about this book & failed miserably.
This book is SO choppy, and the characters both sounded so monotone when I read it, that it made my head hurt. When I tried to write a review it was super choppy and I could literally hear my inner voice going monotone. Idk.
This book was weird. Not in a good way for me, but I think other people might like it. It was kind of like a mix of & - both books I hated, but most people loved. I think it comes down to people's sense of humor, and this book just did not make me laugh at all. If anything, I cringed A LOT.
Anyway, here's some things I found weird & I'm gonna spoiler tag it just cause.
“Why not?� Robert asked.
“Because,� I said, “the world’s not ready for that.�
So I just tried to write a review about this book & failed miserably.
This book is SO choppy, and the characters both sounded so monotone when I read it, that it made my head hurt. When I tried to write a review it was super choppy and I could literally hear my inner voice going monotone. Idk.
This book was weird. Not in a good way for me, but I think other people might like it. It was kind of like a mix of & - both books I hated, but most people loved. I think it comes down to people's sense of humor, and this book just did not make me laugh at all. If anything, I cringed A LOT.
Anyway, here's some things I found weird & I'm gonna spoiler tag it just cause.
June 30, 2017
موضوعی که به دقت انتخاب شده و دقیق پیاده شده.اولین رابطه جنسی قبل از ازدواج و احساس گناه برای افراد مسیحی. بندیکت و پنه لوپه دو نوجوان دبیرستانی هستن که هر کدومشون معمولی ان و اصلا توی چشم بقیه نیستن. رفتار، پوشش و فعالیت های معمولی ای دارن. اما در باطن، اصلا اینطور نیستن. تمام نیاز های یک انسان بالغ رو دارن. این نیاز ادامه یدا میکنه تا زمانی که هر کدام از این دو تصمیم میگیرن که خودشون رو مخفی نکنن و چیزی که هستن رو کامل نشون بدن. ظاهرشون، رفتارشون و گفتارشون تغییر پیدا میکنه و همه اونا رو میبینن...
کتاب خوبی بود که به این موضوع که برای بیشتر نوجوان های دبیرستانی اتفاق می افته پرداخته بود و هیچ خط قرمزی رو رد نکرده بود اما با این حال کاملا زیبا، خنده دار و دلگرم کننده به موضوع پرداخته بود. توصیفات احساس گناه این افراد دقیق و با جزئیات بود. متن ساده ای داشت و سرعت پیشروی روند داستان بالا بود.
کتاب خوبی بود که به این موضوع که برای بیشتر نوجوان های دبیرستانی اتفاق می افته پرداخته بود و هیچ خط قرمزی رو رد نکرده بود اما با این حال کاملا زیبا، خنده دار و دلگرم کننده به موضوع پرداخته بود. توصیفات احساس گناه این افراد دقیق و با جزئیات بود. متن ساده ای داشت و سرعت پیشروی روند داستان بالا بود.
November 30, 2016
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Ugh you guys. This was a painful and cringeworthy read. That pretty much sums up my thoughts on this book. Just ugh. I hate writing negative reviews, I really do. But I cannot allow some other unsuspecting soul to think like me and say, oh this sounds cute and original! It’s not. It tries really hard to be but it misses the mark by like a mile. I won this book through a ŷ giveaway and thank god, because I would’ve been pissed had I actually spent money on this.
There’s two POV here, Pen and Benedict. Pen is popular and sex obsessed. Weird that’s how I describe her, right? I have no choice because the author ensured that ninety nine percent of what she thought about was sex. She talks about how much she masturbates constantly, then as if that isn’t enough, there are multiple scenes where she’s masturbating as well. Look, maybe I’m just old, or prudish, but I don’t want to imagine a sixteen year old girl masturbating, much less have to read about it in detail. I felt like a voyeuristic creep way more than I’m comfortable admitting.
Benedict has more substance to him than Pen, but honestly, that’s not saying much. He’s a nerd but he is overly confident and doesn’t care what anyone thinks. He’s unabashedly honest and totally awkward. Oh but behind all that he’s gorgeous, because of course he is. This hit every annoying YA trope you can think of.
My biggest gripe, (and I have many) is that there was so much shaming going on. Fat shaming, slut shaming, nerd shaming, it went on and on. Then, everyone used the word retard or retarded as an insult all the time. Even the adults! Why? This is not ok, it’s disgusting and totally insulting.
This is way too risqué and sexually explicit for a YA novel. It’s recommended for kids 14-18 and there is no way in hell that I would be comfortable recommending this to a freshman. No way. I can see where the author was trying to go and a message of self acceptance was there, but it was hidden beneath insta love, terrible language and overused tropes.
There was one thing I liked and it’s only fair to point out, but the acknowledgment was awesome. The characters in the book helped write it and that was unique and fresh.
Ugh you guys. This was a painful and cringeworthy read. That pretty much sums up my thoughts on this book. Just ugh. I hate writing negative reviews, I really do. But I cannot allow some other unsuspecting soul to think like me and say, oh this sounds cute and original! It’s not. It tries really hard to be but it misses the mark by like a mile. I won this book through a ŷ giveaway and thank god, because I would’ve been pissed had I actually spent money on this.
There’s two POV here, Pen and Benedict. Pen is popular and sex obsessed. Weird that’s how I describe her, right? I have no choice because the author ensured that ninety nine percent of what she thought about was sex. She talks about how much she masturbates constantly, then as if that isn’t enough, there are multiple scenes where she’s masturbating as well. Look, maybe I’m just old, or prudish, but I don’t want to imagine a sixteen year old girl masturbating, much less have to read about it in detail. I felt like a voyeuristic creep way more than I’m comfortable admitting.
Benedict has more substance to him than Pen, but honestly, that’s not saying much. He’s a nerd but he is overly confident and doesn’t care what anyone thinks. He’s unabashedly honest and totally awkward. Oh but behind all that he’s gorgeous, because of course he is. This hit every annoying YA trope you can think of.
My biggest gripe, (and I have many) is that there was so much shaming going on. Fat shaming, slut shaming, nerd shaming, it went on and on. Then, everyone used the word retard or retarded as an insult all the time. Even the adults! Why? This is not ok, it’s disgusting and totally insulting.
This is way too risqué and sexually explicit for a YA novel. It’s recommended for kids 14-18 and there is no way in hell that I would be comfortable recommending this to a freshman. No way. I can see where the author was trying to go and a message of self acceptance was there, but it was hidden beneath insta love, terrible language and overused tropes.
There was one thing I liked and it’s only fair to point out, but the acknowledgment was awesome. The characters in the book helped write it and that was unique and fresh.
June 18, 2018
"Lets talk about SEX baby lets talk about You and Me" this song played in my head the whole time I read this book. This book was refreshing, albeit a little unrealistic but overall I really liked it. I couldn't help but think about what 16 year old me would think about this. I don't know if I would have ever had the courage to pick it up. I don't know how a 16 year old today would react. There is a serious stigma around girls and sex... and there shouldn't be. I like that this book address that. I like that the female protagonist, Pen, is honest about sex, about liking sex... but most of all I liked that she addresses that she feels like she should feel bad about her hormonal desired but doesn't.
I'll be honest, when I first started reading this I almost put it down, I didn't like either characters inner thoughts at first, I'm so glad I stuck it out. I grew to love these characters. I really liked how the book addressed some tough issues.
I have read lots of books with male protagonists that talk about sex the way that Pen does, and I thought this book was refreshing. I am afraid that there may be some double standards with the way it's received by the general public. I really hope that we will see more books like this... Not books about sex-crazed girls, but books that address taboo issues that are not talked about, such as sex. I hope that some young girl who is afraid and ashamed of how she feels about her body will read this books and feel like she doesn't have to be ashamed anymore.
There are lots of other things that this book does that I think are good. I've never read a book about a character who has some kind of social disorder the way that the male protagonist, Benedict does. I would like to know how people who have a social disorder feels about this character. I liked that Pen was thoughtful about how Benedict processed things and that it was never something that bothered her.
I feel like this is a book I will continue to think about, and more than likely reread once more.
I'll be honest, when I first started reading this I almost put it down, I didn't like either characters inner thoughts at first, I'm so glad I stuck it out. I grew to love these characters. I really liked how the book addressed some tough issues.
I have read lots of books with male protagonists that talk about sex the way that Pen does, and I thought this book was refreshing. I am afraid that there may be some double standards with the way it's received by the general public. I really hope that we will see more books like this... Not books about sex-crazed girls, but books that address taboo issues that are not talked about, such as sex. I hope that some young girl who is afraid and ashamed of how she feels about her body will read this books and feel like she doesn't have to be ashamed anymore.
There are lots of other things that this book does that I think are good. I've never read a book about a character who has some kind of social disorder the way that the male protagonist, Benedict does. I would like to know how people who have a social disorder feels about this character. I liked that Pen was thoughtful about how Benedict processed things and that it was never something that bothered her.
I feel like this is a book I will continue to think about, and more than likely reread once more.
November 12, 2016
If you're looking for a quirky romance story, and don't mind a lot of graphic sexual content then you will definitely love this book.
On the outside, Pen is quiet, does what she's told, and pretends to be a "good" catholic girl. But on the inside, Pen has urges and would love nothing more than to speak her mind freely. Her polar opposite, Benedict, can't help but speak freely. He believes theres no point in lying, and will tell you how it is to your face, unfortunately this labeled him as the weird nerdy kid everyone calls Tin-Man. When the unlikely pair end up together at the same resort, they realize that the other one isn't exactly who they seem to be.
I was actually thinking about giving up on this book when I first started it. I found Pen's point of view really hard to focus on, and I just wasn't too impressed with Benedict. Benedict is basically Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang Theory, but younger. He doesn't understand how to be social with people, and will turn away any potential friends with his brutally honest personality. Pen's point of view was like being in someones brain who has ADHD and will fly from one topic to the next. It was very hard to follow at first, but I kept on reading for some reason, and I'm somewhat glad I did.
The book really picks up when the two are at the winter resort, which happens around 45% into the book. Before that, I found the book to be boring, confusing and bland. But when the two main characters actually start talking and falling in love with each other, it was actually a really cute romance story and I found myself rooting for the two of them to be together, against all odds.
This book had a lot of sexual content in it, especially from Pen's point of view. While I didn't mind reading about it, I don't think it's very fitting for young adults, I think it's safe to say that people reading this book should be at least 15 and older... hopefully.
I'm not sure if I would recommend this book to everyone. I definitely recommend it to people above 15 who are either outcasts who believe they will never find love (which, trust me, you will <3) or for people who are ready to have their first sexual encounter with a partner.
I wish I could have given this book more than 3 stars because it was a really cute romance, but unfortunately it wasn't my type of read. Hopefully, you will enjoy it more than I did.
Happy Reading,
Aneta
On the outside, Pen is quiet, does what she's told, and pretends to be a "good" catholic girl. But on the inside, Pen has urges and would love nothing more than to speak her mind freely. Her polar opposite, Benedict, can't help but speak freely. He believes theres no point in lying, and will tell you how it is to your face, unfortunately this labeled him as the weird nerdy kid everyone calls Tin-Man. When the unlikely pair end up together at the same resort, they realize that the other one isn't exactly who they seem to be.
I was actually thinking about giving up on this book when I first started it. I found Pen's point of view really hard to focus on, and I just wasn't too impressed with Benedict. Benedict is basically Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang Theory, but younger. He doesn't understand how to be social with people, and will turn away any potential friends with his brutally honest personality. Pen's point of view was like being in someones brain who has ADHD and will fly from one topic to the next. It was very hard to follow at first, but I kept on reading for some reason, and I'm somewhat glad I did.
The book really picks up when the two are at the winter resort, which happens around 45% into the book. Before that, I found the book to be boring, confusing and bland. But when the two main characters actually start talking and falling in love with each other, it was actually a really cute romance story and I found myself rooting for the two of them to be together, against all odds.
This book had a lot of sexual content in it, especially from Pen's point of view. While I didn't mind reading about it, I don't think it's very fitting for young adults, I think it's safe to say that people reading this book should be at least 15 and older... hopefully.
I'm not sure if I would recommend this book to everyone. I definitely recommend it to people above 15 who are either outcasts who believe they will never find love (which, trust me, you will <3) or for people who are ready to have their first sexual encounter with a partner.
I wish I could have given this book more than 3 stars because it was a really cute romance, but unfortunately it wasn't my type of read. Hopefully, you will enjoy it more than I did.
Happy Reading,
Aneta
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June 6, 2016Definitely lots of mixed thoughts, but overall, this was a really fun read and I really appreciated the effort at featuring a girl who's sexually curious and...thirsty, I guess? I'm not sure it really achieved the effect of "By the way, this is totally healthy and normal and yes, a lot of girls do masturbate and think about sex all the time" that I'd assume/hope it was going for, especially because that point is validated strictly by a single (male) love interest, but I do appreciate the character of Pen. Also, I don't particularly mind instalove because I think it's a real thing that happens when you're a teen, but it honestly feels bordering on satire here, and I'm only like 50% sure that's intended. This is definitely not a book to be taken too seriously, but it's a fun read if you're ever felt like The Weirdo (though there's some icky fat hate and lots of use of the r-word I reallly could've done without).
February 20, 2018
"No one would ever publish a book about teenagers with the word "dirty" in the title"- "The worlds not ready for that."
Okay, so this book wasn't what I expected... But, then, I didn't really have any expectations. I actually really enjoyed it. I was suprised by some of the the scenes, but honestly, it was refreshing, because this is what 16-17 year olds are dealing with.
I want to write a full review,but I need to gather my thoughts. Full review coming soon.
But I will say, I loved Pen and Benedict ( although I hated him in the beginning) Also, this book had the BEST acknowledgement chapter.
Okay, so this book wasn't what I expected... But, then, I didn't really have any expectations. I actually really enjoyed it. I was suprised by some of the the scenes, but honestly, it was refreshing, because this is what 16-17 year olds are dealing with.
I want to write a full review,but I need to gather my thoughts. Full review coming soon.
But I will say, I loved Pen and Benedict ( although I hated him in the beginning) Also, this book had the BEST acknowledgement chapter.
October 11, 2019
Oh God, what can I say. This was a rollercoaster for me that lasted approximately 13 hours. I wanted very much to give this book 3 stars while reading it. Up until about 150 pages in. But you know what I realized? There was something about this book that kept me reading it, kept me holding on until I was holding on tighter than I thought I would: the book's blunt honesty, relatability, and message to be truthfully true to yourself and others. This story is more than just sappy romance about true love (that I wish I had, every day of my life). It's about relationships, platonic and romantic, and healthy and toxic. It's about loving someone who helps you and makes you love yourself more. That's why I couldn't bring myself to give this book less than 5 stars. Because it's about an experience that I couldn't give less than 5 stars, even if I wanted to.
December 27, 2016
DNF'ing the crap out of this book. Masturbation is NORMAL and I will never be okay with using religion as a way of controlling your child or your "other half". Also, every man in this book was a complete asshole.
Done and moving the hell on. So not impressed.
Done and moving the hell on. So not impressed.
January 22, 2019
The novel The Nerdy and the Dirty by B. T. Gottfred explores the potentiality of accepting your true self and introducing that person to the world. Like many YA fictions, this book contains an unlikely teenage love story, but unlike others I did not see this one coming. Penelope “Pen� Lupo is your average popular girl with the cute popular boyfriend and perfect little christian family, however she isn’t herself around any of them. The real her is not quiet and obsequious like she lets on, but rather lascivious and opinionated. Benedict Pendleton is at the top of his class and strives to be perfect. Though in his eyes, he believes he is already better than everyone else� besides his dad. Benedict’s father not only claims to be perfect but even teaches others to be just like him through his bestselling self-help novels. Whether they realize it from the start or not, both of the main characters struggle with finding and sharing their true identities, especially with the constant pressure from those around them to be someone else.
The novel switches off between Pen and Benedict’s point of view throughout the story, interweaving the two polar opposite characters in a kind of odd way. With Benedict being so cold and analytical (very much like Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory.. Just to give you an image) I found it difficult to believe that he and Pen could have any kind of relationship, let alone a romantic one. However, the friendship that formed between the two felt real and and not forced at all when it happened. I actually thought they were really cute as friends and was looking forward to seeing them help each other’s love lives in a platonic way.
However, by the end I did come to appreciate the relationship that the two develop throughout the book, as they seem to help one another to feel more comfortable with their true selves. This book does a fantastic job of capturing the personal thoughts and struggles that every young adult goes through at some point in their lives. Not only is it incredibly relatable but, this book is even able to make you laugh while talking about such real subjects. The only warning I would include is that the story is definitely for a more mature audience as it does talk in detail about sex and sexuality quite a bit since the character Pen is very interested in these things. Though I would recommend that every young adult read this novel at some point in their life, whether just for fun or to help them accept themselves - this book is just a really enjoyable read overall.
The novel switches off between Pen and Benedict’s point of view throughout the story, interweaving the two polar opposite characters in a kind of odd way. With Benedict being so cold and analytical (very much like Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory.. Just to give you an image) I found it difficult to believe that he and Pen could have any kind of relationship, let alone a romantic one. However, the friendship that formed between the two felt real and and not forced at all when it happened. I actually thought they were really cute as friends and was looking forward to seeing them help each other’s love lives in a platonic way.
However, by the end I did come to appreciate the relationship that the two develop throughout the book, as they seem to help one another to feel more comfortable with their true selves. This book does a fantastic job of capturing the personal thoughts and struggles that every young adult goes through at some point in their lives. Not only is it incredibly relatable but, this book is even able to make you laugh while talking about such real subjects. The only warning I would include is that the story is definitely for a more mature audience as it does talk in detail about sex and sexuality quite a bit since the character Pen is very interested in these things. Though I would recommend that every young adult read this novel at some point in their life, whether just for fun or to help them accept themselves - this book is just a really enjoyable read overall.
February 13, 2017
THE NERDY AND THE DIRTY by B.T. Gottfred is a hysterically funny and empowering exploration of teenage love and sexuality. The word quirky sticks in my mind.
Pen is popular, well-liked, and reserved —but she’s harboring a significant amount of shame about her secret sexual urges. Benedict is smart, socially awkward, and pretty much at the bottom of the totem pole. This unlikely pair is thrown together over winter break and sparks fly.
Gottfred has a gift for writing the teenage voice in a way I’ve never read before. At times it’s painfully awkward and at others completely shallow. Some readers seem to have found this polarizing, but I believe it is a completely authentic representation of what goes on in the teenage mind. Absolutely brilliant! For better or worse, I found myself reliving some of the most awkward moments of my young adult years through these pages.
This book is hilarious, honest, truly beautiful, and even a little steamy! This is YA that pushes the boundaries in the BEST possible ways. Bravo!
Disclaimer: There is quite a bit of explicit material in this book. If you can’t handle that, then this isn’t the book for you. To those who can I suggest you go in with an open mind—you won’t be disappointed!
Pen is popular, well-liked, and reserved —but she’s harboring a significant amount of shame about her secret sexual urges. Benedict is smart, socially awkward, and pretty much at the bottom of the totem pole. This unlikely pair is thrown together over winter break and sparks fly.
Gottfred has a gift for writing the teenage voice in a way I’ve never read before. At times it’s painfully awkward and at others completely shallow. Some readers seem to have found this polarizing, but I believe it is a completely authentic representation of what goes on in the teenage mind. Absolutely brilliant! For better or worse, I found myself reliving some of the most awkward moments of my young adult years through these pages.
This book is hilarious, honest, truly beautiful, and even a little steamy! This is YA that pushes the boundaries in the BEST possible ways. Bravo!
Disclaimer: There is quite a bit of explicit material in this book. If you can’t handle that, then this isn’t the book for you. To those who can I suggest you go in with an open mind—you won’t be disappointed!
February 12, 2019
LOVE THIS BOOK IM A BOOK SNOB AND IM SAYING READ IT DONT TAKE THAT LIGHTLY I ALSO NEVER REREAD YET IVE READ THIS 5 TIMES OVER
March 11, 2017
HILARIOUS. And very cute.
October 28, 2020
Well, I just have to say, thanks for not putting my heart into a blender this time, B. T. Gottfred. (Though I did tell my boyfriend that he may have some competition because I'm pretty sure I'm in love with this man.)
This book swallowed me up. It usually takes me a few days to get through a book, but I raced through this one in only a day and a half (would've been quicker if it wasn't for adult responsibilities, like work).
I love the characters and the world that this book presents. Something I love about is the way his characters are true to their age. Sixteen/seventeen year old characters in this case, actually felt seventeen years old, as opposed to feeling too young or oddly mature. And character development isn't rushed. You see characters grow at a believable pace.
4.7/5 stars. Thanks for making me fall in love with scars and awkwardness.
This book swallowed me up. It usually takes me a few days to get through a book, but I raced through this one in only a day and a half (would've been quicker if it wasn't for adult responsibilities, like work).
I love the characters and the world that this book presents. Something I love about is the way his characters are true to their age. Sixteen/seventeen year old characters in this case, actually felt seventeen years old, as opposed to feeling too young or oddly mature. And character development isn't rushed. You see characters grow at a believable pace.
4.7/5 stars. Thanks for making me fall in love with scars and awkwardness.
December 3, 2016
First let's start with a trigger warning. This book refers to domestic abuse and rape, plus a generous dose of emotional abuse.
I really, really, really, really like THE NERDY AND THE DIRTY, but I also don'tlove it. It's really tough to explain, but I will try my best.
My favourite thing about it was that it was very direct, very real, very messy. We got a peek into both Benedict's and Penelope's minds, with all their uncensored thoughts, and I could relate to each of them in some way, both as a the teenager I remember being and the 25-year-old I am now. I get in trouble a lot for being honest and direct and not wanting to deal with being "nice," like Benedict (though I can be very good at it, unlike Benedict). At the same time, I also feel like I hide a lot of who I am, just like Penelope. It takes me a while to reveal who I am to people, and, in some ways,people following me on Twitterknow me a lot better than people who know me IRL.
I also really liked how much sex there was in this. Not in smutty way, though, woah, was it fun to read. The point was that it did not shy away from talking about sex and masturbation and being turned on by weird and wonderful things. Penelope and Benedict each had their own approaches and experiences with their sexuality, and it was so awesome to see those come together. (Tehehe "come together"...)
The family situations were all kinds of messed up, with Benedict having a very distant, unloving, robo-dad, while Penelope's mom was uber-Catholic. Both MCs were shamed for different reasons, and it was horrible to read that. There were also VERY AWKWARD scenes. WAAAAY AWKWARD. As in, I had to put the book down to deal with the awks. But I did like how the family issues changed in the book, but were never fully resolved. Like they did when they broke the 4th freaking wall at one point, real life doesn't tie up nicely, so why should books?
On the other hand with all this, I found the pacing a bit icky at the start. I also thought the pacing of the relationship between Benedict and Penelope was lightning fast. Seriously. But I guess you could chalk it up to teenagers being all gooey? No, I don't really think you can, but I suppose it had to happen this way for the story to happen in the allowed time.
I was also not too happy with how certain triggery things were thrown in here and there. I don't want to go into too much spoilery detail, but something revealed by a dude toward the end could have been dealt with a bit better, if it needed to be at all.
All in all, though, I do recommend this book, especially if you want to see real teenagers having real thoughts about sex.
I really, really, really, really like THE NERDY AND THE DIRTY, but I also don'tlove it. It's really tough to explain, but I will try my best.
My favourite thing about it was that it was very direct, very real, very messy. We got a peek into both Benedict's and Penelope's minds, with all their uncensored thoughts, and I could relate to each of them in some way, both as a the teenager I remember being and the 25-year-old I am now. I get in trouble a lot for being honest and direct and not wanting to deal with being "nice," like Benedict (though I can be very good at it, unlike Benedict). At the same time, I also feel like I hide a lot of who I am, just like Penelope. It takes me a while to reveal who I am to people, and, in some ways,people following me on Twitterknow me a lot better than people who know me IRL.
I also really liked how much sex there was in this. Not in smutty way, though, woah, was it fun to read. The point was that it did not shy away from talking about sex and masturbation and being turned on by weird and wonderful things. Penelope and Benedict each had their own approaches and experiences with their sexuality, and it was so awesome to see those come together. (Tehehe "come together"...)
The family situations were all kinds of messed up, with Benedict having a very distant, unloving, robo-dad, while Penelope's mom was uber-Catholic. Both MCs were shamed for different reasons, and it was horrible to read that. There were also VERY AWKWARD scenes. WAAAAY AWKWARD. As in, I had to put the book down to deal with the awks. But I did like how the family issues changed in the book, but were never fully resolved. Like they did when they broke the 4th freaking wall at one point, real life doesn't tie up nicely, so why should books?
On the other hand with all this, I found the pacing a bit icky at the start. I also thought the pacing of the relationship between Benedict and Penelope was lightning fast. Seriously. But I guess you could chalk it up to teenagers being all gooey? No, I don't really think you can, but I suppose it had to happen this way for the story to happen in the allowed time.
I was also not too happy with how certain triggery things were thrown in here and there. I don't want to go into too much spoilery detail, but something revealed by a dude toward the end could have been dealt with a bit better, if it needed to be at all.
All in all, though, I do recommend this book, especially if you want to see real teenagers having real thoughts about sex.
December 14, 2021
I liked this charming book so much.
Alternating viewpoints: Benedict and Pen.
Benedict's father wrote a book called How to Be Perfect so Benedict assumes his father is perfect. Benedict has read his father's book fourteen times and does everything it says, so he assumes himself to be perfect too, except he only has one friend and no girlfriend.
Pen masturbates. She has a sexual relationship with her boyfriend but that's less interesting than beating off. Her mother is a crazy, watching the Catholic channel in a greasy bathrobe-type, religious person. She is popular because her boyfriend is cool and she speaks in noncommittal monosyllables.
Benedict and Pen cross paths at school when Pen's friend insults Benedict for no reason and Pen stands up for him, thus confusing her boyfriend by comparing Benedict to Steve Jobs' interpersonal skills: "Do you have secret opinions about everything, babe? Do you have secret opinions about me?" Pen's mom catches her masturbating about Benedict later that day and sends her to a few days of religious therapy. Benedict's best friend dumps him. Benedict's inner voice, the one that points out his imperfections, is having a great time insulting him and Benedict listens instead of suppressing it like usual. That's Evil Benny.
It's also the start of winter break and both families have separately decided to go to a resort in Wisconsin. Penelope and Benedict are shocked to see each other there, but Benedict's little sister appreciates Pen's hot Goth vibe and forces Benedict to interact with her, which works for him because he's no longer perfect. Benedict develops a new inner voice, Penis Benedict. This book is continually hilarious. Consent is maintained at all times. Love is complicated and squishy. Pen presses charges on her boyfriend for hitting her, because hitting is assault unless everyone agrees that it is a fun, D/s thing to do. Skiing skills are acquired. The dogma of the Catholic Church is mulled over. B.T. Gottfred meets with Pen and Benedict in the restaurant where certain events of the book take place to co-author the acknowledgements and Pen and Benedict's relationship has grown since the events of the book. Absolutely delightful and with many amazing lines that made me laugh out loud.
Alternating viewpoints: Benedict and Pen.
Benedict's father wrote a book called How to Be Perfect so Benedict assumes his father is perfect. Benedict has read his father's book fourteen times and does everything it says, so he assumes himself to be perfect too, except he only has one friend and no girlfriend.
Pen masturbates. She has a sexual relationship with her boyfriend but that's less interesting than beating off. Her mother is a crazy, watching the Catholic channel in a greasy bathrobe-type, religious person. She is popular because her boyfriend is cool and she speaks in noncommittal monosyllables.
Benedict and Pen cross paths at school when Pen's friend insults Benedict for no reason and Pen stands up for him, thus confusing her boyfriend by comparing Benedict to Steve Jobs' interpersonal skills: "Do you have secret opinions about everything, babe? Do you have secret opinions about me?" Pen's mom catches her masturbating about Benedict later that day and sends her to a few days of religious therapy. Benedict's best friend dumps him. Benedict's inner voice, the one that points out his imperfections, is having a great time insulting him and Benedict listens instead of suppressing it like usual. That's Evil Benny.
It's also the start of winter break and both families have separately decided to go to a resort in Wisconsin. Penelope and Benedict are shocked to see each other there, but Benedict's little sister appreciates Pen's hot Goth vibe and forces Benedict to interact with her, which works for him because he's no longer perfect. Benedict develops a new inner voice, Penis Benedict. This book is continually hilarious. Consent is maintained at all times. Love is complicated and squishy. Pen presses charges on her boyfriend for hitting her, because hitting is assault unless everyone agrees that it is a fun, D/s thing to do. Skiing skills are acquired. The dogma of the Catholic Church is mulled over. B.T. Gottfred meets with Pen and Benedict in the restaurant where certain events of the book take place to co-author the acknowledgements and Pen and Benedict's relationship has grown since the events of the book. Absolutely delightful and with many amazing lines that made me laugh out loud.
June 3, 2017
I love this crazy book!
If you're wondering why the narration seemed so much, it's because that's how teens talk and think, as I did. So many YA books are written about adult teenagers. Everything just feels so written and revised and smoothed over and polished and calculated so you can squee over a "swoon-worthy" line. As a YA writer and fan, I understand that appeal. Who doesn't want to read a well-written book? But I do think that sometimes that kind of writing makes you forget you're reading about real people (well, fictional, but real in the context of the narrative) because you realize you are reading a novel. But the characters don't feel like they are in a novel, right? Because, unless it is really meta, the action, characters, dialogue, etc. described are supposed to happen organically. Every time I read an overwritten novel, or one that you can practically see the plot outline and character questionnaires burned into the paper, it jogs me out of the experience.
But then there are the rare books like The Nerdy and the Dirty (and some other faves: Matthew Quick's Every Exquisite Thing and Heather Demtrios' I'll Meet You There) that remind you what it's like to think as a teen (and a human): awkward, unpolished, spontaneous, inconsistent, etc. with everything big, uncensored drama and emotion. The Nerdy and the Dirty doesn't feel written. It feels authentic. (Though at the end, it does get kind of meta, but in a clever way.)
The way the book incorporates sex is so well done. Especially when you get to the end, and you understand more about how trauma has rippled down to affect Pen. See, Gottfred doesn't just throw in a bunch of sex and urges and self-hatred for nothing. This isn't one dimensional. There are roots that run deep, shaping Pen and Benedict and their relationship to sex and each other.
I really wish I had read this when I was a teen. It would have made me feel more comfortable thinking about sex, and maybe I wouldn't be as numbingly neurotic as I am about it now.
If you're wondering why the narration seemed so much, it's because that's how teens talk and think, as I did. So many YA books are written about adult teenagers. Everything just feels so written and revised and smoothed over and polished and calculated so you can squee over a "swoon-worthy" line. As a YA writer and fan, I understand that appeal. Who doesn't want to read a well-written book? But I do think that sometimes that kind of writing makes you forget you're reading about real people (well, fictional, but real in the context of the narrative) because you realize you are reading a novel. But the characters don't feel like they are in a novel, right? Because, unless it is really meta, the action, characters, dialogue, etc. described are supposed to happen organically. Every time I read an overwritten novel, or one that you can practically see the plot outline and character questionnaires burned into the paper, it jogs me out of the experience.
But then there are the rare books like The Nerdy and the Dirty (and some other faves: Matthew Quick's Every Exquisite Thing and Heather Demtrios' I'll Meet You There) that remind you what it's like to think as a teen (and a human): awkward, unpolished, spontaneous, inconsistent, etc. with everything big, uncensored drama and emotion. The Nerdy and the Dirty doesn't feel written. It feels authentic. (Though at the end, it does get kind of meta, but in a clever way.)
The way the book incorporates sex is so well done. Especially when you get to the end, and you understand more about how trauma has rippled down to affect Pen. See, Gottfred doesn't just throw in a bunch of sex and urges and self-hatred for nothing. This isn't one dimensional. There are roots that run deep, shaping Pen and Benedict and their relationship to sex and each other.
I really wish I had read this when I was a teen. It would have made me feel more comfortable thinking about sex, and maybe I wouldn't be as numbingly neurotic as I am about it now.
December 16, 2016
"I guess this makes me a homicidal maniac. Love's great. I'm kidding. It sucks."
One of the sauciest and most explicit YA books I have ever had my hands on. It reminds me of that winter at the warming hut... Hmmm (touches chin).....
Benedict is tall, rich, handsome and kind of a huge nerd. Speaks the truth and doesn't hold anything back. Even if it hurts peoples feelings. His dad being a famous author and tell him what to do and think, Benedict thinks his life is perfect. Having that one best friend, Robert and living his life through his dads book. But, maybe it's time for a change. Get a girlfriend and become a different man.
Penelope is dating a popular guy, dresses in dark clothes, dyes her hair the blackest of blacks, and is very Catholic. Pen wants to be different, wants to speak her mind and not get judged for it by her so-called friends.When they claim love, she doesn't feel it and that's what she wants. She also has a tiny dilemma, can we all say chronic masturbator? That's right! With her mom quaking in her boots, clutching the Bible and calling her a blasphemer, someone does the dirty alone. It's time for a change.
with both families in turmoil, they both decide to go to a resort. Not together and it shocks Pen and Ben to their core.
Benedict and Robert are supposed to be helping each other find girls. Just so happens that the girl Robert wants is at this resort with Benedict and things go from Oh No! to Oh yes! at the drop of a snowsuit.
Will true love come up for air?
This is one hell of a racy book. Whew! what the hell!? It wasn't grotesque to where you felt disgusted. You were cheering them on in your mind to get that and live the life they so truly deserve.
I laughed, I cheered and I embraced the characters. You fall in love with them instantly and cringe along with them every step of the way.
Sad that I didn't pick this up at Ala, but glad I got my hands on this one. Disappointment is not here, so go away!!
One of the sauciest and most explicit YA books I have ever had my hands on. It reminds me of that winter at the warming hut... Hmmm (touches chin).....
Benedict is tall, rich, handsome and kind of a huge nerd. Speaks the truth and doesn't hold anything back. Even if it hurts peoples feelings. His dad being a famous author and tell him what to do and think, Benedict thinks his life is perfect. Having that one best friend, Robert and living his life through his dads book. But, maybe it's time for a change. Get a girlfriend and become a different man.
Penelope is dating a popular guy, dresses in dark clothes, dyes her hair the blackest of blacks, and is very Catholic. Pen wants to be different, wants to speak her mind and not get judged for it by her so-called friends.When they claim love, she doesn't feel it and that's what she wants. She also has a tiny dilemma, can we all say chronic masturbator? That's right! With her mom quaking in her boots, clutching the Bible and calling her a blasphemer, someone does the dirty alone. It's time for a change.
with both families in turmoil, they both decide to go to a resort. Not together and it shocks Pen and Ben to their core.
Benedict and Robert are supposed to be helping each other find girls. Just so happens that the girl Robert wants is at this resort with Benedict and things go from Oh No! to Oh yes! at the drop of a snowsuit.
Will true love come up for air?
This is one hell of a racy book. Whew! what the hell!? It wasn't grotesque to where you felt disgusted. You were cheering them on in your mind to get that and live the life they so truly deserve.
I laughed, I cheered and I embraced the characters. You fall in love with them instantly and cringe along with them every step of the way.
Sad that I didn't pick this up at Ala, but glad I got my hands on this one. Disappointment is not here, so go away!!
April 19, 2016
I got this ARC at the RT convention and I was so engrossed that I almost missed the book fair! Be forewarned: It's REALLY explicit for a YA contemp, so if you are not okay with graphic descriptions of teen sex, then stay away from this one. But the characters were so refreshingly unique, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
I did have a few issues with it; in fact, Pen's voice at the beginning was so self-deprecating and repetitive that I almost put the book down. If you feel the same, I suggest a little patience; she grows and changes through the novel. Benedict was absolutely fantastic, beginning to end. Though the diagnosis is never explicitly stated, he is obviously autistic, on the high-functioning end of the spectrum. Assuming that this is correct, there were a couple of moments which rang false to me. The first inconsistency was his observation that his sister's eyes "were begging him to say something." People with autism have a lot of trouble interpreting facial expressions and the look in someone's eyes almost always goes over their heads. Also, his character development was a bit too dramatic for my taste; the whole novel takes place over a couple of weeks and he is just too perfectly charming during the climactic love scene. Even his awkwardness is adorable. Which I know is the point, but a bit more dissonance would have made it more realistic.
Still, I really appreciated the love scene, if only as an example to teens of what actual consent looks like.
Overall, this was a great read and I would recommend it to older, mature teens.
I did have a few issues with it; in fact, Pen's voice at the beginning was so self-deprecating and repetitive that I almost put the book down. If you feel the same, I suggest a little patience; she grows and changes through the novel. Benedict was absolutely fantastic, beginning to end. Though the diagnosis is never explicitly stated, he is obviously autistic, on the high-functioning end of the spectrum. Assuming that this is correct, there were a couple of moments which rang false to me. The first inconsistency was his observation that his sister's eyes "were begging him to say something." People with autism have a lot of trouble interpreting facial expressions and the look in someone's eyes almost always goes over their heads. Also, his character development was a bit too dramatic for my taste; the whole novel takes place over a couple of weeks and he is just too perfectly charming during the climactic love scene. Even his awkwardness is adorable. Which I know is the point, but a bit more dissonance would have made it more realistic.
Still, I really appreciated the love scene, if only as an example to teens of what actual consent looks like.
Overall, this was a great read and I would recommend it to older, mature teens.
April 8, 2020
I freaking give this book infinity stars. I loved it . I usually hate insta love, but this book. I thought it was beautiful. I loved that the characters were complete messes. I loved that we got into their heads. And I love that even when they fixed each other, they still were a bit of a mess, but that they had each other, made that mess okay. I do hope this makes sense. I’m for sure as much a mess as Penelope and Benedict. The acknowledgments were amazing even. I loved that he basically had a conversation with the characters as his acknowledgments. That’s very unique. I’m sure it was Penelope idea. As Benedict says, she’s very Unique. ;)
I picked up this book because my librarian was talking about the approval process of high school novels and that she approved of this book despite the sexual scenes because she felt it was important that the high schoolers hear the message. I loved this book the whole time I was reading it, from page 1 and I completely agree, even though the sex scenes are a bit graphic, it would be a shame not to have the pleasure of this book in my school library.
If your debating this book due to the title or the sexual scenes, take the book. It’s so so good. And so worth it. And so so much more then just a cheesy hook up novel.
To those of you who have picked this up already, I hoped you love it as much as I did.
To those of you who are considering it . Take it . Enjoy it as much as I did.
EDIT FROM REREAD #3: this book makes me cry happy tears every time I read it. I just love it so much.
I picked up this book because my librarian was talking about the approval process of high school novels and that she approved of this book despite the sexual scenes because she felt it was important that the high schoolers hear the message. I loved this book the whole time I was reading it, from page 1 and I completely agree, even though the sex scenes are a bit graphic, it would be a shame not to have the pleasure of this book in my school library.
If your debating this book due to the title or the sexual scenes, take the book. It’s so so good. And so worth it. And so so much more then just a cheesy hook up novel.
To those of you who have picked this up already, I hoped you love it as much as I did.
To those of you who are considering it . Take it . Enjoy it as much as I did.
EDIT FROM REREAD #3: this book makes me cry happy tears every time I read it. I just love it so much.
May 31, 2021
I have a huge boner for this book. It's made of looooooooooove!
I wish this book had been around when I was a teenager. I can certainly see the Judy Blume "Forever" comparisons. I think this book needed to happen. We need characters that talk about sex openly and honestly and in a body-positive way. Yay for penises and vaginas! Let them be together, let them be apart! Whether it's hetero or homosexual, we should have books like this for young people who are navigating their bodies and learning to share them in trust with others.
While I wished for more character development, especially in Pen's character, I did love this as is. A great romance for lovers who have ever felt bad about sex and intimacy for whatever reason. This heals. Love these two.
14+
I wish this book had been around when I was a teenager. I can certainly see the Judy Blume "Forever" comparisons. I think this book needed to happen. We need characters that talk about sex openly and honestly and in a body-positive way. Yay for penises and vaginas! Let them be together, let them be apart! Whether it's hetero or homosexual, we should have books like this for young people who are navigating their bodies and learning to share them in trust with others.
While I wished for more character development, especially in Pen's character, I did love this as is. A great romance for lovers who have ever felt bad about sex and intimacy for whatever reason. This heals. Love these two.
14+
July 25, 2016
I was just picking this up as a time filler while waiting on another galley, but then I ended up devouring this in one sitting.
LAUGH-OUT-LOUD FUNNY. I haven't laughed so hard in ages. For sure, there are some heartbreaking scenes/lines, but this is mostly such...an awkward, delightful, and hilarious book. And the discussion of sex is extremely open, which I always love seeing in contemporary YA. A few misgivings but overall really enjoyable.
Longer review later but !!! a surprise favorite for Fall 2016!
LAUGH-OUT-LOUD FUNNY. I haven't laughed so hard in ages. For sure, there are some heartbreaking scenes/lines, but this is mostly such...an awkward, delightful, and hilarious book. And the discussion of sex is extremely open, which I always love seeing in contemporary YA. A few misgivings but overall really enjoyable.
Longer review later but !!! a surprise favorite for Fall 2016!
March 29, 2018
Pen and Benedict are unconventional and their journey to becoming a couple is cute, awkward, sometimes painful, but funny and sweet.
August 31, 2019
Heartbreakingly wonderful, honest and real.
September 25, 2017
Hmmm....what to say.
There were things I really liked about this book, and other things I wasn't sure what to do with. Pen and Benedict are both interesting characters, and ones that I sympathized with. But they are also characters that puzzled me at times.
This is, perhaps, the most up front and blunt take on teenage sex and sexuality that I've ever come across in a YA novel. Pen's honesty about her desire for sex and frequent masturbation in particular was something that I found both refreshingly honest and also uncomfortable. The same went for a scene later in the book with Benedict.
I honestly, though, think that was the point. The honesty about sex and masturbation and relationships that is portrayed in this book is something not often scene, because it still feels taboo to talk about those things. Especially when you're a teenager and not sure if the things you're feeling are things other people are feeling too. So I admired that this book tackled those things, even if it did make me uncomfortable at times.
Where the book lost me, sometimes, was in its idealism. In the way it threw Pen and Benedict together, and how honest they both were with each other. One the one hand? That is how all good pairings should be -- with each party being forthright with the other about how they feel, what they need, etc. However, in real life most grown ass adults aren't even capable of that, let alone two teenagers just trying to figure it out for the first time. Yes, Pen and Benedict are both unique teenagers so maybe that makes their bond more plausible. I got what the author was going for, but I also think the only way it worked was because Benedict was portrayed as a "socially awkward" person who had no choice but to be honest. At times I felt like Benedict was used as a tool more than anything else. I liked Benedict, but also found him to be potentially the least believable character in the book.
I appreciated how they tied Pen's and Benedict's family situations into the story, which helped to put both of their own personalities and reactions to the world around them into perspective a bit. It also, however, made me more confused about Benedict -- was he the way he was just because he was trying to emulate his father, or was he legitimately potentially on the spectrum? I honestly wasn't sure. And I felt it was a disservice to the character and the story for that to not be made clear. I also had trouble with the discovery that
Thinking back on this and writing this review, I'm honestly just super conflicted about my overall take. Which is why the book is getting a 3 star review. If I could give half stars, I think I'd put it solidly at 2.5 stars, right in the middle of the road, since the things I liked and the things that rubbed me the wrong way seemed to balance out in almost equal measure.
There were things I really liked about this book, and other things I wasn't sure what to do with. Pen and Benedict are both interesting characters, and ones that I sympathized with. But they are also characters that puzzled me at times.
This is, perhaps, the most up front and blunt take on teenage sex and sexuality that I've ever come across in a YA novel. Pen's honesty about her desire for sex and frequent masturbation in particular was something that I found both refreshingly honest and also uncomfortable. The same went for a scene later in the book with Benedict.
I honestly, though, think that was the point. The honesty about sex and masturbation and relationships that is portrayed in this book is something not often scene, because it still feels taboo to talk about those things. Especially when you're a teenager and not sure if the things you're feeling are things other people are feeling too. So I admired that this book tackled those things, even if it did make me uncomfortable at times.
Where the book lost me, sometimes, was in its idealism. In the way it threw Pen and Benedict together, and how honest they both were with each other. One the one hand? That is how all good pairings should be -- with each party being forthright with the other about how they feel, what they need, etc. However, in real life most grown ass adults aren't even capable of that, let alone two teenagers just trying to figure it out for the first time. Yes, Pen and Benedict are both unique teenagers so maybe that makes their bond more plausible. I got what the author was going for, but I also think the only way it worked was because Benedict was portrayed as a "socially awkward" person who had no choice but to be honest. At times I felt like Benedict was used as a tool more than anything else. I liked Benedict, but also found him to be potentially the least believable character in the book.
I appreciated how they tied Pen's and Benedict's family situations into the story, which helped to put both of their own personalities and reactions to the world around them into perspective a bit. It also, however, made me more confused about Benedict -- was he the way he was just because he was trying to emulate his father, or was he legitimately potentially on the spectrum? I honestly wasn't sure. And I felt it was a disservice to the character and the story for that to not be made clear. I also had trouble with the discovery that
Thinking back on this and writing this review, I'm honestly just super conflicted about my overall take. Which is why the book is getting a 3 star review. If I could give half stars, I think I'd put it solidly at 2.5 stars, right in the middle of the road, since the things I liked and the things that rubbed me the wrong way seemed to balance out in almost equal measure.
June 22, 2017
This is the exact kind of teen book we need more of! I have no idea why YA authors and publishers think we need to pretend that teens don't have active sex lives. It makes many adult authors seem either naive, scared, or ridiculous. B.T. Gottfred addressed it in just the right way, though. Yes, I know I'm an adult now, but I was a teen for seven years, and this book would have been excellent for me then in so many ways. Now, it was excellent for me in entertaining ways, and I'm going to encourage my daughter to read it as soon as she finishes The Silence of the Lambs. Maybe I'll recommend she listen to the audio book. I listened to some of it because I like to use multiple formats, and the readers are great!
December 17, 2017
A YA combination of the Rosie Project, The Hating Game, and Eleanor And Park. I enjoyed reading it. Thanks Jenny!
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