** spoiler alert ** 
 Let me preface this review by saying that I adore Kody Keplinger, and she's an "instant buy" for me whenever she releases a new book. I'll speak on this more later... 
 But The DUFF. I absolutely disliked this book. I was so excited for it because at the time, I was querying and drowning in the world of traditional YA books. I'd heard so, so much about this book. The hype was huge. The reviews were glowing. Other agents raved about it. So of course, as someone who wanted publication, I had to read this book and see what was so perfect about it. The premise was outstanding. The idea was huge. The title itself had spunk and just sounded like it was a book that was pushing boundaries. 
 However, it fell so very flat. It took me months to finish it, at snail's pace. It was so unrealistic. I can suspend belief and go along with most books because "it's fiction, so just play along." I even write books that are a little "play along" types. But Bianca was an outright biatch. I was never once rooting for her. She was rude to her friends. She wasn't "snarky and witty." She was mean. Rude. A bitch, to be very blunt. Wesley was an ass, but he knew it, and everyone else knew it, and he owned it. I could tolerate that. Bianca's friends lacked personality. They were names. They were flat characters. And I don't know why they put up w/her because she treated them like dirt. 
 The sex was...eh. It just didn't feel right or work for me. The parental relationships were ugh. There were so many awesome ideas here that just didn't work. 
 However, Kody can write well. The book wasn't terrible. It felt like a teenager wrote it (which she was 17 at the time). It lacked a lot of the depth I prefer in a book. I did enjoy the Xbox scene, where Bianca and Wesley were just hanging out like normal teens. That felt real. Sadly that was the only part. 
 I think I'm in the minority, though, which is good for Kody's sake and The DUFF's sake. So many people LOVED this book. I hesitated to read Shut Out after this one, but the premise sucked me in, and I LOVED it. I loved A Midsummer's Nightmare even more. I think Kody really does touch some deeper subjects, and I like that about her. I've thoroughly enjoyed her other books, and I look forward to more from her. This book just didn't do it for me. Maybe it will for you...?