When I saw the movie preview for The DUFF I was most definitely intrigued. It looked beautifully hilarious as well as uplifting and hopeful for the everyday girl that doesn’t always feel like she is the beauty that she is. Of course the Mean Girls/My Fair Lady vibe was not unappealing as well.

I honestly had no intention of reading the book. I was just going to go and enjoy the movie uninhibited. That was until I stumbled upon the book on Amazon one night when I couldn’t sleep. Next thing I know I am half way through and realizing that the previews were not really representative of what the book is.

The main character, Bianca is an intelligent, independent, slightly snarky senior in high school whose life experiences a suddenly upheaval. She needs to find a way to cope with this change while dealing with the fact that she was just labeled the “DUFF” by the typical hot, jocky male protagonist. While Bianca is neither particularly ugly nor fat, she is vulnerable to her own insecurities and the changes in the world around her. Kody Keplinger has brilliantly portrayed this in her debut book.

She tackles many issues along with casual sex, self-esteem issues and the way that individual people cope with big life changes. Even though the message of this book is a difficult one to swallow, Keplinger does this in a very real and non-intimidating way that does not overwhelm the reader. Bianca is also, really relatable. She could be me, you, and any girl in the world really. That is what makes the book so appealing. Everyone deals with these types of issues in their lives. There is no right or wrong way to go about it.

One of my favorite lines from the book is this:

“No matter where you go or what you do to distract yourself, reality catches up with you eventually.” ~ Page 126

It is such a true and honest statement that applies to anyone, no matter their age or gender, whether they are rich or poor, healthy or sick. It is a honest portrayal of life and how hard it can be sometimes.

The movie come out February 20th (in the US) and I am honestly worried that it is going to take away from the book’s message by cheapening Bianca and what she went through. That by making her think she needs to better herself by changing her hair and clothes will send the wrong message.

Take a look at the trailer below and tell me what you think. Those of you that have read the book, what is your favorite part and what do you take away from it? How do you think the trailer stacks up? Will it ruin it or we will be surprised?