Virgin by Radhika Sanghani Pages: 304
Published by Berkley Trade, Penguin on August 5, 2014
Genres: Coming of Age, New Adult, Romance
Source: eARC from Publisher
Okay, I admit it…I didn’t do it.
Yet.
This is normal, right? I mean, just because everyone I know has talked like they’ve already done it doesn’t mean that they’re telling the truth…right?
It’s not like I’m asking for that much. I don’t need the perfect guy. I don’t need candlelight or roses. Honestly, I don’t even need a real bed.
The guys I know complain that girls are always looking for Mr. Right—do I have to wear a sign that says I’m only looking for Mr. Right Now?
Sooooo…anyone out there want sex? Anyone? Hello? Just for fun?
I am not going to die a virgin. One way or another I am going to make this happen.
Hey, what have I got to lose? Besides the obvious.For those who grew up on Judy Blume—and graduated to Lena Dunham—a “hilarious”debut...
This book is really tough for me to review. Some parts of this book I really loved. Like really loved. I thought they were little talked about subjects that almost every young woman has thought about or experienced in some way shape or form. Things that I think should be a must read for young women everywhere. But the main character bugged me for a lot of the first half of the book. She was whiny and self absorbed. I thought she was all the things her best friend accused her of being in the fight. And there is a problem if you are agreeing with the best friend that is being a jerk. But I pushed that aside and powered on with the book, and overall I was really glad that I did. I loved the “vlog” that EM and EK came up with. It really was one of the highlights of the book. I thought it was witty and funny and needed. They talked about things that should be talked about. Both from the virgin and “slut” perspective. Radhika Sanghani did a fantastic job with the “V” writing in this book. I thought Virgin was daring and different.
Ellie was not my favorite main character. We should just get that out of the way. She was so self absorbed and way immature. I eventually grew to tolerate her and even like her by the end of the novel, but I wouldn’t really say that she outgrew those annoying character traits. she got a little better with them and with herself overall, but she is a nice person, so I just accepted those as part of her that I would have to accept. She is so obsessed with the fact that she is a virgin. I get that that is a very large part of the book- her coming to terms with that about herself and losing “it”…or not…but I still thought she was too preoccupied with losing her virginity to anyone really. My tension with the book was its’ fighting between that above mentioned storyline and the real star of the story- in my opinion- all of the things about “v’s” that teenage girls might not know about.
Virgin is hilariously written. The bits about waxing and brazlian v. hollywood and all of the things Ellie goes through are fantastic. I laughed and loved those discussions and mistrials so much. Those parts made me want to rate the book 4 or more stars honestly. And Ellies second friend in the story. I thought she was a great friend and she was funny too. Watching her and Ellie actually made me like Ellie more.
Virgin was a book that was very well written and I think so many teens and young women will relate to it, and if that vlog was a real thing, I would be a loyal subscriber of it, but Ellie’s obsession with losing her virginty prevented me from going from like to love of this story. I wavered between 2.5 and 3 stars a lot, but the fact that I ended up liking Ellie a little more than I did in the start means that I should go for the higher rating. The guys also stunk, but hey they were pretty realistic in the situation, I am sorry to say, so I certainly can’t fault Radhika Sanghani for that. In fact, I applaud her for being brave enough to write about the subject. She did a fantastic job with teenage (and not so teenage) questions and concerns and thinking you may be the only one going through this all the way to the “omg is that a normal thing to happen down there?” That aspect of V was brilliant! It was just my hesitation with Ellie that stopped me from enjoying the book more.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
kimbacaffeinate
I skimmed Michelle as I have a copy of this and haven’t decided if I will take the plunge. You have me curious and despite not wowing you, it does sounds fresh.
kindlemom1
I think it says a lot that even though you didn’t like the main character at first you still found things to love about this read.
Great review!
LeKeisha @L-Booknerd Reviews
I enjoyed it. I think the humor and subject matter is what did it for me. Ellie was a little whiny in the beginning though.
Lola
This sounds like an interesting read, although the main characetr sounds annoying. It can be hard to read a book when you don’t like the main character. And the fact that she seems so obsessed with losing her virginity makes me doubt if I want to read this book. Great review!