Review: Kiss Me, Stupid

by Alison Creaghan

Lorna is shy, serious and determined to do well. Like her friends Abby and Sulvinder, she's sure of one thing: boyfriends are a waste of time, So the three of them make a pact to stay young, free and single. But one by one, their defences start to weaken...

Lorna gets to know Joe and falls in love for the first time. Joe falls in love for the first time. And then Sulvinder meets Jazz and starts to see him in secret. Suddenly their old pact seems stupid - why did they ever want to avoid feelings like this? 

But then things start to get more complex. Is Joe really right for Lorna? And why is Abby spending so much time with Sulvinder's boyfriend? Maybe they should have stayed clear of boys after all... (1994)

You know what? This little story is one of the most accurate representations of teenage relationships I’ve ever read.  It’s only 211 pages long, but there’s heaps of interpersonal ups and downs, several subplots, and it all takes place in the space of a year. The prose is extremely accessible, and the dialogue is authentic. It’s always a relief when a teen male character doesn’t speak like a 30-something woman, amirite?  When it was first released it was considered a contemporary romance. There are time-worn elements, particularly regarding the tech (no mobiles/internet), but they don’t detract from reader engagement, IMO. Adult themes are tackled perfectly for the target audience, and there’s a fair amount of diversity, considering when it was written. Where the story falls down is the actual romance. Sure, there are plenty of relationships in the mix, but it felt like my emotional investment was intentionally misdirected.  I can accept that in other genres, but romance? Nope. Even so, the overall message is as relevant now as it was when the book was published 23 years ago. Had I read this as a teen, that message might have saved me some heartache. 

3/5 Stars