Bianca Piper, 17, is bright, outspoken, and loyal to her two beautiful friends.

    She also thinks that she is not pretty, an opinion confirmed* when school hottie Wesley Rush calls her a “DUFF” (designated ugly fat friend). Hearing that, Piper throws her Cherry Coke in his face.

    However, when her mother decides to divorce her father, who then continues drinking again, she becomes involved in a secret sexual relationship with Rush to take her mind off her problems.

    Piper finds that as their love/hate relationship continues, she is falling in love with him. Not surprisingly, Rush, who has family problems of his own, responds to her love and announces that, although he doesn’t chase* girls, he is chasing her.

    Finally, everything comes to a satisfying but predictable* conclusion.

    This debut novel by Kody Keplinger is a fun read and surprisingly feminist* in a number of ways. Keplinger makes good points about female body image and female friendship, and discusses how both men and women use offensive* terms about women as a means of social control. Keplinger has perfectly captured the insecurities* that all women have. Her writing is witty, sarcastic, and hilariously funny.

    Piper and the other female characters are more believable and realistic than Piper, who is a perfect dream lover for girls. It is a little difficult to understand why Piper would get involved with him after he insults* her, but in their romantic scenes, there is some seriously hot chemistry.

    The book, already adapted into a film, is available at online bookstore dangdang.com.(SD-Agencies)