Review: RECOMMENDED FOR OLDER YOUNG ADULTS
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 6, 2011
Broken Hearts Damaged Goods by Jack Gunthridge was a great find. It's the perfect book for older young adults because it's comical, relatable, and current."I would break up with him, but I don't know if I want to be just friends with him, or just remain friends on Facebook while not actually ever talking to each other. I don't think I want to unfriend him. He wasn't a bad boyfriend. We are just no longer good as a couple." - From Broken Hearts Damaged GoodsThis story is told in alternating perspectives. Liselle's side it told through her journal entries; Jack's perspective is told through his creative writing.In the beginning of the novel, Liselle's character is beautifully flawed; she has a lot of room to grow. Her journal entries are HILARIOUS, especially the entries about Steve. Her outlook on relationships and sex is amusing, but troubling. Every relationship she has been in has been based on sex. While she was trying to fall in love and find the right guy, the guys were just using her for sex. She is looking for love but giving out sex instead. Sex doesn't seem to hold much of an emotional value to her anymore.Another great thing about Liselle is that she doesn't hold back. Because we are reading her journal entries, we hear the story from her perspective and get her raw emotions. She is very honest about her past, and she doesn't place blame or make excuses for her behavior.The only thing that disappointed me about this book was the ending. I am satisfied with how it ended; I am frustrated with the way it was told. At the beginning of the end, a "story" is shared; it seemed to drag on and on. (I wasn't that into it). On top of that, I wanted to hear from Liselle one more time at the end; Jack's last story left me wanting more.I gave Broken Hearts Damaged Goods by Jack Gunthridge 4 STARS. Overall, this was a good book. I strongly recommend this story to older young adults.-XOXOREADING, EATING AND DREAMING