Reviews: What My Mother Doesn't Know and What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones

What My Mother Doesn't Know (What My Mother Doesn't Know #1) by Sonya Sones

Paperback, 261 pages
Published February 2003 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Library
YA Contemporary Novel In Verse

Synopsis from Goodreads:

My name is Sophie.
This book is about me.
It tells
the heart-stoppingly riveting story
of my first love.
And also of my second.
And, okay, my third love, too.

It's not that I'm boy crazy.
It's just that even though
I'm almost fifteen
it's like
my mind
and my body
and my heart
just don't seem to be able to agree
on anything.

What My Mother Doesn't Know is told from Sophie's POV. 14 year old Sophie is pretty, artistic, and has 2 really great friends. But her home life isn't all that great. Through Sonas' poetry we follow Sophie while she discovers the ups and downs of boys. When her crush finally notices her, they start dating, but the relationship isn't what she thought it would be. Sophie also meets someone online who turns out to be a creepy pervert. Over Christmas break, Sophie starts spending time with the school's biggest dork, Murphy, and she finds what she's been looking for in a relationship. Sophie realizes that true love can be found where it's least expected. But will her friends accept her relationship with Murphy? And what will happen with her and Murphy when they return to school? Can their love survive the harsh criticism of their classmates?

I didn't completely love Sophie. At first I found her to be a little shallow. By the end of the book I realized that she was confusing sex with the physical closeness that she longed for. I do think some of the content is for a more mature reader, and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone under 14. (My own daughter is 14 and thankfully doesn't act this way, but I would not want her reading this.) Themes covered include sexual harassment, online predator, thoughts of sex, lying to parents, and strained relationship with parents.

What My Mother Doesn't Know is written in verse. It is a very quick and easy read. The story flows along nicely and it is easy to get caught up in. I had a hard time finding a point that I wanted to stop reading, so I ended up reading it in one sitting.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know (What My Mother Doesn't Know #2) by Sonya Sones

Hardcover, 291 pages
Published June 5th 2007 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Library
YA Contemporary Novel In Verse

Synopsis from Goodreads:

My name is Robin.
This book is about me.
It tells the story of what happens
when after almost 15 pathetic years of loserdom,
the girl of my dreams finally falls for me.

That seems like it would be
a good thing, right?
Only it turns out to be
a lot more complicated than that

Because I'm not gonna lie to you --
there are naked women involved.
Four of them, to be exact.
Though not in the way you might think.

Don't get me wrong -- my girlfriend's amazing.
But the way things have been going lately,
I'm starting to believe that the only thing worse
than not getting what you want,

is getting it.

What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know picks up where What My Mother Doesn't Know left off. Only this time we get a male POV from Robin Murphy (aka Murphy). Robin is an outcast and loser at school. When he starts dating Sophie her social status drops and her 2 best friends turn their backs on her. Robin and Sophie try to tough things out together, but Robin can clearly see how hard things are for Sophie. When Robin gets invited to audit a college art course his life outside of high school brightens up. He is accepted and liked for who he is and easily makes new friends, which boosts his confidence. Then he starts to feel bad because he is happy when he is not around Sophie and high school and all the drama that their relationship has caused. Can Robin and Sophie's relationship stand up to the pressures of high school? Will Sophie's friends ever accept her relationship with Robin?

What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know is told in verse form. I like how Sones uses differing forms of poetry throughout the book to fit specific scenes. This was a very quick read. It was really easy to get wrapped up in and hard to put down. I ended up reading it in one sitting.

I liked this book better than the first. Seeing things from Robin's perspective was very interesting. Sones manages to convey Robin's fears and desires very realistically. Alternately funny and sad, I think this book perfectly captures how difficult adolescence can be.

Even though What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know features 14 year olds, I would only recommend it for anyone over 14 for it's sexual situations and nudity.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars