Review- The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

 

paperback, 380 pages

Published February 16th 2012 by Speak

Ella is nearly invisible at the Willing School, and that's just fine by her. Still, it's hard being a nobody and having a crush on the biggest somebody in the school: Alex Bainbridge. Especially when he is her French tutor, and lessons have started becoming, well, certainly more interesting than French ever has been before. 

I will admit, just like the many others before me, part of me only wanted to read this because I seriously dug the cover. C'mon, who doesn't? 

This book had a lot of hype going for it, mostly due to that famazing cover up there, but in this case, the cover just wasn't enough. 

The Fine Art of Truth of Dare centers young Ella, who, is a not-so-popular girl who has this infatuation with an ultra-popular boy. Like plenty of other books before this one, Ella and Alex somehow end up tangled in each others life through the fine art of schoolwork. Huzzah! 

 

Anyways! Said pair of star-crossed lovers from opposite ends of the food chain start a secret relationship that doesn't last too long before someone blows over from all the secret sexual tension. I think we all saw that coming. 

On the plus side, The Fine Art had me laughing a little more often than most books do. I actually learned to love the side characters more than the main. 

FYI, Frankie had to be the world's BEST gay BFF ever. Seriously, dudes hilarious. 

But besides that, I felt like the only other major up to this one was that Ella really grew up as a person throughout the book. 

Like Ella, I think me and every other teen out there know what it's like to feel different, whether it be a scar that runs all along your neck or a birthmark in the shape of a poodle on your arm. All in all, being different is difficult, and that's something everyone can relate to. 

The only other problem with The Fine Art was I was hoping for conclusion, and I didn't get any of that. Ella openly admits that she doesn't love herself just yet but with due time, she just might. Realistic, but not conclusive.

The author left room for a next installment, but I am sad to say that I don't see myself reading it in the near future.

I wouldn't recommend this book to many, but if you're looking for something cute, quirky and predictable to read, then give it a shot!

3 stars to The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen!