Review: Extreme Kissing - Luisa Plaja

Bethany and Carlota are best friends. Studious, cautious Bets worries that her boyfriend Declan might be about to break up with her. Reckless serial snogger Lots lives under threat of being sent away to boarding school. They're two girls with plenty of reasons to stress out - not least the impending doom of the GCSE final exams.

They're also two girls with secrets.

Luckily Lots has an idea to take Bethany's mind off her boyfriend blues: a day of Extreme Travel. She'll open her magazine to a random page, and let whatever she finds there guide them.

Then maybe, just maybe, by the end of the day she'll find the perfect moment to tell Bets what she knows about Declan...

Extreme Kissing has all the ingredients of the ultimate YA chicklit novel. A heroine (or two) that every reader can relate to, juicy secrets simmering under the surface, and a handsome love interest who's about as close to Prince Charming as teenage boys get. The best part? The whole story takes place during the course of the single most amazing girly day out ever. By the end of it, you'll have laughed, cried, and felt your mouth drop open with total shock. All of which are good things, when it comes to reading, but those of you who are easily embarrassed might want to save this one for reading in private. Because you will be laughing out loud. You won't be able to help it.

Not only does Extreme Kissing have a really fun premise, but it has a super shiny format to match. The story is told in a playful patchwork of magazine snippets, the girls' quiz answers, and first person narration times two. Yes, we get both characters' voices - and it's impossible not to be drawn in by both of them. It's lively, uplifting, and one hell of a ride. It also has substance - it questions what real friendship really is, and how well we know those we call our best friends. Are we really that different? And yes, there's a love interest who is pretty darn perfect. And kissing, of course.

If all that hasn't convinced you, here's the doozy: this book is incredibly clever. When it comes to endings, there's nothing I like more than a genius twist. I'm not talking about just any major surprise here. Don't get me wrong: it's not a simple 'OMG, what?' I'm looking for. It's an 'OMG, of course.' You know, that moment when the author reveals what you're suddenly kicking yourself for not realising way earlier on. Extreme Kissing has exactly one of those moments - an awesome, jaw-dropping revelation that suddenly changes everything. It made me want to go back and reread the entire book all over again.

I'd recommend Extreme Kissing to anyone who enjoys a fun, girly story with genuine heart. Heck, I'd recommend it to anyone who has a heart. It's a must-read.