Review: Uses For Boys - Erica Lorraine Scheidt

Title: Uses For Boys 
Author: Erica Lorraine Scheidt

Release Date: January 13th 2013

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Pages: 240

Source: Netgalley

 

Anna remembers a time before boys, when she was little and everything made sense. When she and her mom were a family, just the two of them against the world. But now her mom is gone most of the time, chasing the next marriage, bringing home the next stepfather. Anna is left on her own—until she discovers that she can make boys her family. From Desmond to Joey, Todd to Sam, Anna learns that if you give boys what they want, you can get what you need. But the price is high—the other kids make fun of her; the girls call her a slut. Anna's new friend, Toy, seems to have found a way around the loneliness, but Toy has her own secrets that even Anna can't know.

Then comes Sam. When Anna actually meets a boy who is more than just useful, whose family eats dinner together, laughs, and tells stories, the truth about love becomes clear. And she finally learns how it feels to have something to lose—and something to offer. Real, shocking, uplifting, and stunningly lyrical,  Uses for Boys  is a story of breaking down and growing up.

I honestly don't know how to start this review. So I'm just going to go and say it: I didn't like this book.

Okay. I know teenagers make stupid mistakes (I should know, I *am* one), but I don't make that kind of really immature and just fucked up mistakes. And I think by now I know what's right and wrong, and considering she's sixteen (same age as me), I would think she's mature and smart enough to know that. I didn't like her at ALL. I kinda want to punch her in the face. I don't really want to go slut-shaming and all that. But seriously.

Yes, I admit I felt sorry for Anna and it opened my eyes to the fact that neglected parents can make such a difference and negative impact on the children. But still. I DON'T LIKE HER AND NEVER WILL. *shakes head*
 
I think the only good thing about this book in my opinion, is that I wanted to know what happens in the end. I read this in one sitting, but in the end I was still left very dissatisfied and wanted to throw my kindle at the wall. Argh. This book makes me so freaking mad. 

Oh wait, and also, I must applaud how real and shocking it is. Obviously, this sort of stuff happens a lot with young people. This author has guts. 

The ending was just so confusing and abrupt. I felt like nothing has changed, and there was no character growth. I don't really get the point of this book, to be honest.

It's quite graphic, and I was surprised since this is YA, I would think it would be more NA. 

Sigh. I was expecting to like this book *pouts* and I'm really sad that I didn't. Oh well. 

More like a 1.5 rating.