Virgin by Radhika Sanghani

 Title : Virgin

Author : Radhika Sanghani

Series : N/A, Standalone

Genre : Contemporary Fiction, Chick Lit, New Adult

Number of Pages : 304

Publication Date : June 2014

Publisher : Berkley

Rating :

I received this book as a free copy from NetGalley. These books are given to me as review copies to read and evaluate. I am not obligated to write a review for any of the books I receive, but it is an encouraged practice. I choose which books I review on my blog and on my Goodreads profile. I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews. My reviews are always honest...I never lie about books. My opinions are my own and may be positive or negative depending on my feelings about a specific piece. Keep in mind, just because I may like or not like a book may not mean that you will feel the same way.

Okay, I admit it...I didn't do it.

Yet.

This is normal, right? I mean, just because everyone I know has talked like they've already done it doesn't mean that they're telling the truth...right?

It's not like I'm asking for that much. I don't need the perfect guy. I don't need candlelight or roses. Honestly, I don't even need a real bed.

The guys I know complain that girls are always looking for Mr. Right -- do I have to wear a sign that says I'm only looking for Mr. Right Now?

-Abbreviated/edited Goodreads blurb

I chose this book because of the quippy blurb. I thought it sounded cute and fun and reminded me somewhat of a Meg Cabot setup, but then I almost missed out on it because I wasn't paying attention to my Adobe Digital Editions expiration dates. I'm glad I didn't. This was a fun read.

I admit, at first I was worried. Immediately within the first couple of pages, the language was more frank and graphic than I've been reading of late. I'm not a complete prude, but I was mildly uncomfortable for just a bit. I got over it. (I also thought very quickly that this might be a book that Karsyn would like.)

The prose is very blunt and she occasionally uses semi-awkward sexual terms. "VJ"? I assume this is a frequent abbreviation used by those in the U.K. for vagina? I don't know. Maybe it's just Ellie (the main character). She tends to use weird abbreviations. There is a bit of a cultural barrier that shows up once in a while, but again...not enough to give me much trouble. I've read books by British authors and been stumped by their different word choices before. I learn. I get myself a little cultural exposure. Jumper? Yep...sweater. Got it. Pants? Underwear. See...I'm a pro at this.

Once I got past my own awkwardness, this book turned out to be very fun to read. She is very relaxed with her writing and the book reads quickly and easily. I finished it in a few hours and was happy that I had the time to read it all in one sitting. It moved very well. Again...highly reminds me of a Meg Cabot novel in that way.

I loved Ellie. She is quirky and fun with a little neurotic mixed in; just like a lot of other girls I happen to know. To me, she was identifiable and realistic. There were a few of her awkward moments that I could identify with. My teenage years were not the most graceful and I certainly had my share of uncertainty with myself and my body in my late teens/early twenties.

I read a couple of other quips from fellow readers who felt that Ellie was a problem because she's not a strong feminist character and she makes the gender seem weaker and more focused on their relationships with men, blah, blah, blah. (This is why I typically don't look at any other reviews before I'm done with mine.) I disagree. I think that approach is far too stodgy. Relax a little and have fun when you read a book. Geez. Ellie's not meant to be a serious and proper character, she's meant to be a realistic representation of a woman her age. A lot of women in their young twenties (I know this because I was one once upon a time) aren't worried about feminist agendas and the oppression of the female gender by a male-centered culture. (Ugh. I almost hate myself just for writing that dreck.) They're more concerned with how they fit in among their peers and how they feel about themselves. I know I was.

For me, Ellie was great. I thought she was bouncy and brave. She had issues with herself that she worked through during the progress of the book and I was proud of her growth. I may have disagreed with some of the conclusions she came to in the end, but that's fine...she's not me. To each their own. I did, however, enjoy her journey and I laughed along with her mishaps. It was entertaining.

Oh...and I really, really, really liked the addition of the vlog. I wanted more of that. I think that premise could create a spin-off novel of its own. I would read it.

If you like quippy chick lit and you don't have issues with sexuality in novel form (it's not a true romance novel, but there are some umm...anatomical descriptions of actions), then give this one a try. It's like a more grown up version of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. And I liked it. Quite a bit.