"Sticky Fingers" by Niki Burnham (YA)

I had originally planned to get this review up on Monday morning, but quite honestly I just couldn't figure out how to review this book without giving away the plot and spoiling the story for anyone who hasn't read it yet.

The book is "Sticky Fingers" by Niki Burnham (I love the cover by the way). It's a YA book that deals with teen issues like pressure from boyfriends to have sex, getting into college, doing the right things, divorce, drugs & drinking (general partying at that age) and more.

Back Blurb: "Bulletproof, that's how Jenna Kassarian sees herself. It's all about control: As long as she works hard, nothing can hurt her. So Jenna constantly pushes — for perfect grades, the ideal boyfriend, the best, best friend. The only problem is, she doesn't know if she can stop. If she relaxes even for a second, she's afraid she'll lose control completely. Then Jenna decides it's now or never. She goes to a party and has one drink. But one drink is all it takes for her perfect facade to shatter. Suddenly she realizes straight A's can't protect you in the real world."

Jenna is a good kid. She focuses, works hard, gets great grades and is driven to be the best she can be. Jenna has a perfect boyfriend - smart and driven like she is to do good, he's a sports jock and loves Jenna. Jenna has an amazing best friend whom she completely trusts and believes to be one of the best people on earth; caring, loyal, honest, trustworthy etc. But Jenna's not a very good judge of character...at least that is what her best friend Courtney keeps telling her.

Perfect boyfriend Scott wants sex. He thinks they are at that point in their relationship to take it to the next step. Jenna thinks they probably are too...and Scott's make out sessions leave her hot and bothered...BUT... Jenna is holding back. Something is telling her its not the right time, place or...could it be not the right person for her?? She has to figure that all out. At the same time something is up with her very best friend Courtney. Courtney just isn't acting like her old self, but she won't tell Jenna what is going on. Is Courtney really who Jenna thinks she is? Could Jenna really be a bad judge of character?


That's all I am going to say, because I really don't want to give anything away of the storyline. I liked the book, when I finally sat down and read it I finished it like like 3 hours - very fast YA read (247 pages with an excellent Author's Note at the end), but a good one. Something I think many teen girls would benefit from reading. It was a bit like one of those old after school special movies aimed at teens to get them to think. This would make a good after school movie without ANY preachy lessons, just a girl going through life making choices.

I score this one 3 stars out of 5 stars.