Books in the series: Sloppy Firsts, Second Helpings,Charmed Thirds, Fourth Comings, Perfect Fifths
Source: Own entire series
Summary (my own words):
This series follows Jessica Darling from the tender high school age of sweet sixteen to the college graduate age of 25. Told in humerous and snarky journal-like entries, we follow Jessica, love interest Marcus Flutie and a whole cast of hilarious and heartwarming characters through what can only called life.
Plot: Remember the Georgia Nicholson series by Louise Rennison? I like to think this series is those books but for an older audience. The interesting thing about these novels is that while these first couple of books follows Jessica's 2 years of high school she has left, the next 3 are told in 2 year increments until we have Jessica graduated from college. When the series starts, Jessica is a care-free teenager, with a deep outlook on life. She thinks she has it all figured out, until the day proclaimed "dreg" Marcus Flutie enters her life and Jessica's world is turned upside down. Jessica, throughout the series, encounters real-life problems, although some she makes out much more serious than they actually are. There are also a lot of flashbacks throughout the book, which make the story that much richer.
Characters: These are some of the best characters I have ever read about. Jessica's snarky and rude sense of humor stays on par with every book. Jessica's character is funny and saracastic, but also serious and thought provoking. She is a levelheaded character, not afraid of who she is, or telling people how it is. I love how McCafferty let Jessica grow up and change, but kept her basic attitude the same through the whole series. And Marcus....oh Marcus. Marcus goes toe-to-toe with Jessica in the attitude department, but can be so sweet in his Marcus-like fashion. Marcus is a complex character with many flaws but he is so much more loveable that way. He is cryptic and witty and his banter with Jessica is what makes the novels so enjoyable.
Overall, books 1,2 and 4 are my favorites. The 3rd was just OK for me, and the last one was really good, but I was hoping for just a little more. After you read the last one, you'll know what I'm talking about. You'll be screaming "Just give me a little more!." This is one of my all-time favorite series and I would reccomend it to anyone!
4 out of 5 stars (series overall)
Interesting. I had no idea this was a series. I read Sloppy First about ten years ago. I bet it must have just come out. Now I need to look into reading the rest of the series.
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