Review - Love and Other Four Letter Words by Carolyn Mackler

Published by Walker Books
Published 3 July 2006

Summary from Goodreads - With her parents splitting up, 16-year-old Sammie Davis may not want to feel a thing, but feelings happen. For starters, she’s plenty angry. Her dad’s leaving their upstate New York home and moving clear across the country. Her mother—well, she’s packing up and relocating to New York City with Sammie, who has no say about any of it. Overnight Sammie is forced to deal with change. And one change spawns another: Roles get reversed, old and new friendships tested, and sexual feelings awakened. It’s a scary time. But as Sammie realizes that things can’t stay the same forever, that even the people she loves and trusts the most can disappoint her, she begins to accept that change isn’t always bad. It’s how you cope, jumbled feelings and all, that counts. And as she copes, Sammie’s sense of self emerges proud and strong. 

This is the first book i've read by Mackler and I don't think it will be the last. This really is a book about love and everything else that comes with it. About how your parents choices in life can affect yours, how dealing with divorce is hard on everyone, and not just the people directly involved. I loved how New York City was described in the book, like it was this strange and bustling place at first, but then came to be home for Sammie. How at first you kind of hate the place because thats how she conveys her surroundings, but then you grow to love it just as much as she does.

Mackler has quite an intersting way of writing that even though it's not the best i've ever seen, or in no way mindblowing, but still manages to express the emotions of the characters so effectively, that any little flaws are forgotten. You can relate to Sammie, whos life is turned upside down. I felt connected to her, and I saw some qualities in her that I myself had when I was a teenager. Her voice is strong and unqiue and quite empowering for teenagers, expecially ones who can relate to dealing with divorce and having to move to a different town.  Plus, I loved the girl in the park, with the dogs.  I'm not going to say anymore in case I spoil it, but she was my favourite character.

I read this book in one sitting, it was easy to digest and was interserped with funny lighthearted moments. Teenage girls will eat this one up whole.