Skater girl Jane is new in town. When she falls (literally) for kind, funny, absent-minded Jack, her roommates call the underground network of girls in the area: The Cute Girl Network. Jack's dating history is a bit, um, colorful, and they want to make sure she doesn't make the same mistakes other girls did with dating him. Will Jane be scared off by Jack's dating history, or will Jack win her over?
Oh goodness, I loved this. I connected so much with the characters (I'm assuming this is because I'm not too far gone from that period in my life). The Cute Girl Network was fresh and funny. Great for twenty-somethings.
There's a Twilight parody book group, with Jane and her roommates. O...M...G...I laughed so hard. Then went back and read it again. The characters are developed well-I loved Jane's roommate Wendy (who's making a documentary about girls and how they interact while playing). The dialogue between Jack and his roommates, and Jane and hers, is so familiar. As in, I have had those conversations and behaved that way with friends.
The artwork is black and white, somewhat reminiscent of Craig Thompson. The details in the larger scenes were astounding. I kept going back to just stare. There's a vending machine graveyard, and all I could think was "I want to go to there."
I may categorize it as a YA book, but it will definitely resonate with those in their 20s and 30s. It's a great story, with captivating artwork. It makes you question: at what point do you stop listening to others, and start listening to yourself?
The Cute Girl Network is published by :01 First Second (a division of Macmillan). Review copy graciously provided by the publisher.
Release Date: 11.12.2013
