Book Review: So Many Boys by Suzanne Young

SUMMARY:

After her center-court split with Aiden, Tessa put the SOS behind her. After all, cheaters never prosper! Now she’s busy working on her faux-relationship with Aiden and negotiating the unfamiliar waters of “technically single and pseudo-dating.”

Life can’t get any more dismal for a one-guy kind of girl until an imposter hijacks the SOS, and it’s up to Tessa to save her squad from slander. But with her best boy hot and cold, what’s a kitten to do?

Even worse, Tessa doesn’t realize how much she’s up against—because this copykitten is far more naughty than nice.


OPINION: 5 STARS

Romance, drama, scandal and betrayal make another gritty appearance in So Many Boys, engaging the characters introduced in The Naughty List in another whirlwind plot. Beginning with the questionable memo that wrapped up The Naughty List, this book launches into events swiftly. Young doesn’t waste time reintroducing her characters or the set up, still writing the same strong, developed personalities we met in the first book. The plot moves rapidly, weaving a tale of mystery and tying things up in under 250 pages.

Tessa is the same spitfire, a sometimes ditzy girl but who possess a strong sense of leadership, intelligence, and loyalty. Still refusing to swear, her euphemisms provide constant entertainment throughout, no matter the situation. Some of her views, emotions and actions are comical while others are heartbreaking and endearing. Despite the changes she’s made in her life after the events of The Naughty List, Tessa’s core character and beliefs remain the same and it was a revitalizing part of the book to see her sort through everything.

Aiden, Kira, Leona, Izzie and Chloe all make return appearances in this book, along with the introduction of a new character named Joel who is utterly swoonworthy. Young does a tremendous job with physical descriptions of her characters, right down to one lone crooked tooth Joel has that stands out to Tessa. From his laid back clothing to hair and eye color, Young brings him alive in a reader’s mind in the same way she did the characters in book 1. Joel was a fantastic addition to this book, providing many things needed for both Tessa and the plot.

Despite the same characters, readers will have different views on some by the end. Though a continuation of The Naughty List, So Many Boys is on a new playing field. Characters previously disliked could become appreciated while ones liked could have the tables turned and now be cast in a negative light. Part of the intrigue and brilliance of this book is finding out which characters endure such a shift. Despite this, even the most betraying character has reasons- and Young does a phenomenal job bringing sympathy across the board.

The mental voice rings through strongly, giving the reader the same bold connection to Tessa forged in The Naughty List. Though at times she and the other teenage characters do stupid things, their motivations are always clear. They are the perfect mix of mature and teenage, trying to balance the normal high school stress with the added pressures of the events of this book. As the plot progresses, tensions amp up significantly, coming to a bigger climax than seen in The Naughty List. The outcome, while predictable to an astute reader who is willing to piece things together, is shocking and fantastic. Despite the well placed and often subtle clues, there is enough conflict and questions to keep the reader from knowing positively who the culprit is right until the final, beautifully planned reveal. Young has an emboldened knack for weaving mystery with romance and drama, tying the various elements together into one powerful world.

Incredibly strong writing with a bold, realistic voice, a mysterious and convoluted plot, and characters who’s view by the readers will be challenged tie together to make So Many Boys even more potent than The Naughty List. It will leave readers eager for the final book in the series, particularly with the little snippet given at the end of this book to spark reader’s thoughts for what is to come. Young has most certainly shown her strengths as a writer, holding the ability to cover a range of character types and incorporate them all into one memorable story.

Details:
Source: Finished copy received from author as part of an auction prize pack
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Razorbill (June 10, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595142673
ISBN-13: 978-1595142672

Author's Website