Love and Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

Published: December 27^th, 2011

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Pages: 432

Rating: 2/5

My wish
is to fall
cranium over Converse
in dizzy, daydream-worthy
love.

(If only it were that easy.)

When her parents split, Marcie is dragged from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She leaves behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father. By the time Labor Day rolls around, Marcie suspects this "vacation" has become permanent. She starts at a new school where a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up.

But understanding love, especially when you've watched your parents' affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? Can you even know it until you've lost it? [Description from Goodreads]

Review:

Because this book was written in verse

and since I like being creative,

I’m writing my review

As a poem.

But don’t be harsh- I’m no poet.

Gimme some slack

Just this once.

And no, it ain’t gonna rhyme.

I’ll make it short

And semi-sweet

Because I don’t think I can do this poetry thing for long.

Love and Leftovers was good,

NOT great.

I loved that it’s written

As a young girl’s poems

About her topsy-turvy life.

It was fun and quick to read

Because the words

Seem to march single file down the page

Like

This.

That’s where the ‘likes’ end and the ‘dislikes’

Begin.

All the characters were overly obsessed with sex.

And that sort of thing.

They discussed

Fretted

And dwelt on it

As if it were the key to the universe.

Their definition of love was two people making out and touching each other.

Can we say confused?

Twisted?

INAPPROPRIATE?

Marcie doubted her boyfriend was even into her

All because he respected her

And didn’t use her.

By the end of the book

I was sick

Tired

And disgusted

With hearing all about

-Marice’s bisexual dad (ew, sick, twisted)

-Marcie and J.D. (so she knows he’s a “serial dater” and she still lets him use her?)

-Linus and his stupid song lyrics (I keep picturing an emo rocker dragging around a blue blanket)

-And these kids’ obsession with physical affection (Hey! That rhymed! Kind of…).

While I liked the verse

I didn’t enjoy the story.

It’s not that great.

Kind of made me sick to my stomach

At points.

So I suggest

You let this be a leftover on your shelf.

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: Mild – Moderate

Violence: None

Sexual: Moderate – Heavy (I’d blush if I had to describe it.)