Releases May 4, 2021 (initially released August 28, 2001)

Book 1 of the Jessica Darling series (5 books, all published)

I received an ARC of Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty thanks to the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Content warning: off-page drug use, sibling death grief (deaths prior to book), self-harm thoughts

Blurb thanks to Goodreads:

“The first book in the beloved, New York Times bestselling series—now with a new foreword from New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Serle

Jessica Darling is devastated when her best friend moves away from Pineville, New Jersey. With Hope gone, Jessica has no one she can really talk to. She doesn’t relate to the boy-and-shopping obsessed girls at school, or her dad’s obsession with track meets, and her mom is too busy planning big sister Bethany’s lavish wedding. Jessica is lost more than ever, and her nonexistent love life is only making things worse.

Fresh, funny, and utterly compelling, readers fell in love with Jessica Darling’s poignant, hilarious voice and have stayed with her through her ups and downs (and her mixed-up feelings about her first love, Marcus Flutie). A modern classic, readers will be excited to return to Pineville, New Jersey and Jessica Darling’s world with Sloppy Firsts.”

Review:

Sloppy Firsts is set in 2000 – 2001, which I am a fan of because that was the start of my preteen years and I recognized the time period references. However, those who are younger than me and are not aware of the references will not be lost. They are just sprinkled in with quick mentions before moving on. None of it was completely relevant to the plot. The one except that was a problem in the early 2000s compared to current times is the use of cellphones, which are everywhere and used all the time. Jess needed to work around not having this instant connection by *gasp* phone calls!

I enjoyed the characters, although at times I wanted to scream at Jess’s parents. They were so self-absorbed. While I know mental illness is often not visible, which was Jess’s case, but to put so much pressure on someone and then ignore them is just awful. At the same time it’s hard to blame them for not understanding what they were doing wrong.

The plot is definitely reminiscent of Sarah Dessen, with the young girl dealing with mental trauma and trying to move past it however she can. It’s a story line/characters that I enjoy, even if it is really predictable. Although it would have been less predictable when it was initially released twenty years ago.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and characters. I definitely plan to read the next book so worth recommending!

Sloppy Firsts was previously released twenty years ago and yet I just heard about it this year. After reading the author's notes, I'm impressed that it feels both like a time warp and relevant to today. I'm hoping that Wednesday continues to re-release the rest of the series.
This reads a little like Bridget Jones' Diary in that it's Jessica's personal journal where she rambles and is brutally honest with herself. My heart hurt for her but I also found quite a bit to laugh about too.
I can see why this was originally marketed to adults rather than strictly YA. I think it straddles that fine line of what age group(s) would find Sloppy Firsts to be relatable whether currently experiencing high school or looking at it through a past lense.
Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

This was a reread for me, and it was fun comparing my copy of Sloppy Firsts from 2001 with this revised version. I agree with a number of the updates made, though others come across as superficial and sometimes random changes. (Watching a movie in class, originally attributed to having a substitute teacher that day, becomes the actions of an almost-retired teacher at the end of the school year who doesn't care anymore. Why in the world was that change made? As a former teacher, watching a movie in class is common for a substitute teacher lesson plan!!) Updating the language of an insulting, judgmental main character doesn't make the observations of that character any less insulting or judgmental, it just makes things slightly less offensive. So I think the book remains problematic (though not as problematic as it was before), and it's not one that I would recommend to young adults.

However, I would recommend it to established adults who were growing up in the early '00s, for the nostalgia factor. The unfortunate truth is that I still highly relate to Jessica Darling, warts and all, and reading these books bring me comfort. She has such a clever, distinctive voice, and I can't help but see myself in her. And I think others who have grown out of their angsty teenage years will also relate to Jessica Darling. I'm glad of the changes that have been made in the updated edition, but this version is still not something I would introduce to a young reader, though, for fear of harmful triggers.

The book is still a 5-star read for me, personally, but a 3-star read from a more objective viewpoint, so I'm going with a 4-star rating on here as a compromise.

I just adored Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCaffery with its lovable characters, relatable situations, and ability to take me back to my own high school days.

I absolutely loved the main character Jess (Jessica) Darling. I wasn’t like her in high school, but I would have gladly been her best friend. We would have bonded over a shared snarkiness and a disdain for people whose actions are over the top – those that try too hard to seem cool, be popular, and/or attract potential dating partners. Jess is unapologetically real among teenagers who are more focused on the skewed fantasy than what’s real. I laughed out loud so often as she fought against other peoples’ expectations day in and day out.

I also enjoyed the journal technique that is used to tell the story. This, of course, puts it in a first-person POV, but I found that an extraordinarily compelling way to tell the tale, especially since the main character is so relatable. At its heart, this is a story about a teenage girl whose best friend moved away after her family went through a traumatic ordeal. Jess tells the tale of what it’s like to be a teenager and lose “your person” (that person who gets you and who loves and accepts you through thick and thin) beautifully and more through her choices than through her words. I especially loved her letters to Hope, reflecting her growth and her blossoming self-awareness as the story unfolds.

The romantic elements of the story are fascinating as Jess would never do anything, especially romance, in a sappy, gushing way. I was sad that the relationship that develops was left in a cliffhanger at a critical juncture – left unsaid here for many spoiler-type reasons. I don’t like cliffhangers, in general, and I didn’t see it coming in a romantic comedy, having never experienced it within the genre before. But I wish that the story could have ended on a lightly conclusive note, even though I know more books are coming in the series.

If you are looking for a story that can take you back to high school (or one that is relatable if you are currently in high school) and show you universal truths, even the hard ones, in a deceptively entertaining way, you must pick up this book and series. I bet you will adore Jess and her story as much as I do!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the NetGalley ARC!

Right off the bat, I wasn’t really in the mood for this book. Jessica’s voice was way too cynical for my taste, and I genuinely didn’t care for the other characters. They were all 2D stereotypes, and I really didn’t care what they did, or didn’t do, in this book.

Then, there’s the issue of Marcus. Marcus is the bad-boy-druggie trope personified. The way his addiction is perceived by Jessica is extremely stereotypical and dehumanizing. Marcus was easily the most interesting character in this book, yet he got no development. He is consistently the same from start to finish. The Marcus you meet at the beginning is the same Marcus in the last chapter.

And that ending? Straight out of Wattpad. It’s almost exactly the same ending as the one in After, but to be fair this book was written first. As you can imagine, I was not a big fan of the ending. Part of me was hoping the ending would be a tad more closed because I wasn’t planning on continuing this series, and I definitely don’t plan to read the rest now.

I genuinely was expecting something else from this book. I read the first 2 It List books when I was in middle school, and I thought I enjoyed them. I’m now starting to realize that I don’t believe I ever truly loved Jessica Darling. But I definitely thought that with this republication, parts of the book would be updated or rewritten. The only new parts? A foreword by Rebecca Serle, and an apology disguised as an author’s note for the harmful stereotypes in this book. McCafferty had the ability to rewrite/reedit her book, and chose not to. Instead, she included an apology for how the book displays sensitive topics as stereotypes. That speaks volumes.

I’m really bummed because this was the first ever ARC I was approved to read on NetGalley, and I was looking forward to it because of my past with Jessica Darling. After this, I can safely say my future will definitely not include another Jessica Darling book.

Having been the same as this character during the timeframe it was taken at made this extra special. I got the cultural references, loved through similar experiences, and could understand what the headspace was for the character. It felt as if I was reading my own journals from when I was Jessica age. There’s a bit of nostalgia because I know the exact feelings she’s experiencing since I have been through them and it was nice as an adult to go back with this book and live vicariously through this story.

The writing is very sarcastic and fun. The writing style kept the book from being too heavy with content. It takes you back to a time where your biggest problems seemed impossible to solve, but in reality they were some of the most benign issues. I like how the author makes light of those kinds of situations. There’s something relatable about these characters where you feel the author was able to reflect bits and pieces of yourself within her.

Overall this is a feel good story wrapped in nostalgia. I enjoyed going back into this world with Jessica, though at times I did struggle with how young the characters were portrayed and the beginning was slow to start. I’m excited for this series and to see how this world develops as Jessica grows. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC

So cute, so fun, and such a light read which makes it the best kind of summer read. I also love the cover a lot.

Goodness, I'm starting to feel really harsh with my teen reads lately because this is my 2nd disappointment in a row. Even more so than the last book I read, I get the appeal of this one and I can see why it was so beloved at the time of its initial printing, and continues to stay on the favorite lists of those looking for nostalgia.

I had to force myself to keep reading this book. I see the draw for some readers who will appreciate the episodic, diary structure, but that is not what I'm looking for in my life right now. Nor am I looking for a self-absorbed protagonist. This was just not for me at this point in my life. But at my age, I am hardly the target market for it. But the big question: will teens at my library like it? I'm a bit on the fence about that. I shall have to do some serious thinking...

Sloppy Firsts and all of the Jessica Darling expanded universe were my favorite books growing up. Jessica Darling's thoughts about high school and college and boys and everything were my thoughts. We even had the same name! And other than the fact that I extremely dislike running I felt like she was the only one who understood me. She was the first iconoclastic, intelligent high school girl I met who thought the same things that I did and as she wrote her deepest thoughts in her journal and letters to her best friend Hope I felt like she was talking to me.

I've frequently thought of Jessica Darling and Sloppy Firsts and wondered if I read it now would I still feel the same or would it just be nostalgia for an old friend. So when NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books gave me the opportunity to check in with my good friend Jessica I thought it a great opportunity

It's wild how it all came rushing back to me - being a teenager in the 2000's, thinking about the Backstreet Boys and the kicker...not having a cell phone! There are even phrases from this book I use in my everyday life that I didn't realize came from this book. It was fascinating seeing things that I still love in books reflected here and how Marcus Flutie is basically my archetype for all the bad boys I've been drawn to in the books I've continued to read since.

I won't lie that the book is dated in some ways. The authors note does mention that they did make some subtle changes in the book but references to the Backstreet Boys and Y2K probably won't resontate with Generation Z and younger. That being said, Jessica is allowed to make mistakes and learn through the book and somethings that I maybe raised an eyebrow at in the beginning of the book do get some resolution as the character grows and evolves.

It was such a joy to return to Pineville High and the world of Jessica Darling as she navigates high school and all that comes with it. Thank you so much to NetGalley, Wednesday Books and St. Martin's Press for this opportunity. I hope others get to discover and rediscover this book just as I did when they absolutely needed it.

CW: Drug use, overdose, fatphobia, eating disorders

Jessica Darling is devastated when her best friend Hope moves to a different state after Hope's brother accidentally dies of a drug overdose. Now, Jessica is left to navigate the last three years of high school alone and falling deeper into depression. When Jessica inadvertently catches the attention of Marcus Flutie, the school's most notorious drug addict, she can't understand why she is starting to think he might not be so bad after all. But Hope's brother was friends with Marcus, and her family blames him for his death. Jessica is faced with a decision: is Marcus and their new found friendship/relationship worth possibly losing Hope's friendship, or will Hope be the best friend she always has been and understand that Jessica and Marcus are friends?

This book captured a lot of thoughts and emotions I remember feeling as a teenager in high school. Friends are everything, parents are annoying, boys are a welcome distraction. The author really nailed the teen angst and drama that sixteen year old girls feel with humor and wit that made me laugh out loud. That was my favorite thing about this book, was the humor and laughable yet relatable moments.

I thought Jessica's character was well rounded and developed. She had all different kinds of thoughts and emotions in every situation, but most often, overthinking drove her crazy to the point she couldn't sleep. We all have had those moments when we continuously agonize over something that seems so huge in our life at the time, but a few weeks or months later, it's no big deal. (We call those moments "high school.")

I had a hard time with the middle of the book when Jessica was in the midst of her deepest depression. I felt like Jessica became even more pessimistic than before, and she was playing the "poor me" card way too often. (I understand that depression is not meant to be an element of entertainment, but to make us feel connected and relatable to the character. I just felt this was a little too over the top for me and I was rolling my eyes a lot.) I felt bored for a somewhat lengthy period in the middle of the story. However, I do think the ending of the book was redeeming enough to make me like this story and want to read the next book in the series, if not the entire series.

My other issue, though minor, was that Hope was not really an active character in this book. There was a lot of talk and discussion about Hope, but she never actually made an appearance at all. That was a bit disappointing for me, but maybe that's different in the next book.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I'm interested to see what happens to Jessica in the next installment and I'm hoping (ha ha) that there is more FROM Hope than ABOUT Hope. I'm invested in the "whatever" relationship between Marcus and Jessica, and I'm curious to know what happens between Jessica and some of her other friends. 4 stars, recommended to fans of YA rom-coms or anyone wanting to relive their high school years.

I loved this book. It was a fun & easy read. It a world where everything is weird and kind of awful, it was a nice escape to read about Jessica and her life. Thank you for the ARC copy of Sloppy Firsts, Netgally. I will definitely be tracking down the rest of this series.

I loved the Mall but Sloppy Firsts missed the mark for me. The nostalgia seemed fun, but was the wrong book for me right now. Thanks for letting me give it a shot.

I had the hardest time getting myself involved with this book. It took me to 55% to start to understand what plot the author was aiming and that was after going back to the synopsis to realize that I needed to look for Marcus. Not only did I struggle with finding the plot but a lot of the commentary that our protagonist gives to every single character of the book is either slut-shaming, sexist, or even racist at times. Which of course irritated me a whole lot. I also did not understand a lot of the references mostly the pop cultures one but I think it's because I'm not the designated audience for the book. I actually thought the character of Marcus was enjoyable but the fact that you only get to really know him at 65% and if this was not a book I'm reviewing for Netgalley, I would have never gotten to the point of knowing the love interest.

I know this is book one of a series, which is why the ending is unsatisfying to leave suspense. But since I didn't think this book was strong plot-wise it just leaves the book as unsatisfying,

When you are trying to publish a book for a second time with the designated audience being teenagers of this generation, Who are constantly supporting movements to embrace female sexuality, are against racism and are against sexism. The least you could do to sell this book for them is to modify the commentary to their beliefs.

I tried reading this book and couldn't get into this book . I did read about 35% before I stopped. This book wasn't a good fit for me and I hadn't read anything else by this author. I didn't really know this world.

I really wanted to like this book as it took place in New Jersey, but I unfortunately did not finish it due to some pretty problematic elements that exist in this book (slut shaming, fat shaming, slurs, cheating, etc.)

I think this book is not for me. This is because the content is very problematic and I thought since this is a republication, it would be a bit less problematic but nope I didn't think it was very cleaned up at all. Plus there was choppy transitions from one chapter to another (What is the point?? ) I apologize for this low rating but, I think this was something that didn't need to be resurfaced. Because of these points, I have to give this a 2 out of 5 stars.

Clever, an easy way to pass the day. I’d recommend to anyone who wants an authentic, entertaining book to read for any occasion. A fun YA read for adults as well as teens.

So I first read this book 20 years ago, and I have read and reread the first two books of the serious a lot since then. While I do not care as much for the latter books (3-5), the first two are absolutely perfect, and made even more perfect with this minimal update (mostly for more inclusive language).

I cannot say enough about how the snarkiness of Jessica Darling spoke to me, as well as the realism of her struggles. Jessica was not the prettiest. She was not the most popular. She was often times horrible to people, but that's what I was as a teenager.

A lot has been written about Marcus, but to me, he is secondary to Jessica really learning to like herself, which is a lesson we all should learn. I would recommend this book to any teen or anyone who has been a teen girl.

I also loved McCafferty's new book, The Mall.

I wanted to love this book so much. The Mall (by the same author) was one of my favorite books last year. It was fun and the main character was so relatable. But "not so" in this case (if you read the book, you'll get it). I couldn't connect with the main character very much as she spent the whole book whining about her life, her friends, and how her best friend moved away and her life was over. It took so long to even understand what the plot of this book was. As such I struggled.

Sadly, I just did not finish this book. The subject matter and writing just were not my cup of tea, and so I decided not to finish it.