Thursday, November 15, 2007

Tips On Having A Gay (ex) Boyfriend


Jones, Carrie. 2007. Tips on Having A Gay (EX) Boyfriend.

Tips On Having A Gay (Ex) Boyfriend covers one week in the life of high school senior, Belle Philbrick. The book opens on Saturday, the day that her boyfriend tells her a startling truth: I won't ever love another woman because I'm gay. Belle's reaction is one of shock obviously: It isn't every day that my high school boyfriend, Eastbrook High School's Harvest King, for God's sakes, tells me he's gay. It's not every day that the Harvest Queen is dumped in the middle of a road in my mother's silly subdivision with the stars watching the humiliation and the dogs barking because they want to come help tear my heart out and leave it on the cold, gray ground. It isn't every day that my entire world falls apart. Not wanting to become one of those whiny girls that complains all the time about their exes, Belle promises to give herself one week where she's allowed to be miserable, to whine, to complain. One week to get over Dylan, the boy now in love with Bob. (Bob. Dylan. The new couple on campus.) What's worse for Belle than knowing that he's already found someone new? How about hearing that Bob and Dylan were seen making out together in some parking lot? How about having to be near Bob in German class all week? How about catching Bob and Dylan buying condoms at the drug store? Take your pick. Belle's not having an easy time tolerating her ex's new squeeze.

During the course of this week, she relies on her best friend, Emily, and on someone she never expected to confide in, Tom, a boy she's known for ages. A boy that's always teased her. Belle's week has ups and downs. It has its moments of humor, and its moments of heartache. Plenty of confusion to go around. Some anger as well.

Top Ten Reasons Why I Can't Believe I've Been Dumped For Bob

1. He hums during German class.
2. His glasses are thicker than the soles on L.L. Bean hiking boots.
3. He smells funny, like mothballs or something, mixed with metal.
4. He hums Beatles songs in German class.
5. He's in band.
6. He scratches his head too much.
7. He hums Beatles songs in German class OFF-KEY.
8. He wears tighty white underwear that show his butt because his pants are always doing that working man's smile thing on him.
9. He hums Beatles songs in German class OFF-KEY and taps his FEET in time.
10. He's a boy.

Belle's voice is honest and funny. And Tips On Having A Gay (Ex) Boyfriend is an enjoyable read. I can't say too much more without revealing any spoilers...but I really enjoyed this one.

1 comment:

Julia Scott-Douglas said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks so much for the review. I'll have to check it out.