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The Darlings Are Forever #2
The Darlings in Love
The Darlings have just begun their second semester of ninth grade, and love is in the air.
The sweetheart
The irresistible songwriter…but is he writing off Victoria?
The overachiever
The perfect match, if only the game were less complicated
The drama queen
The Greek god… of mixed signals
In the face of both joy and heartbreak, the Darlings know that they'll always have each other. Boys come and go, but the Darlings are still forever.
The sweetheart
The irresistible songwriter…but is he writing off Victoria?
The overachiever
The perfect match, if only the game were less complicated
The drama queen
The Greek god… of mixed signals
In the face of both joy and heartbreak, the Darlings know that they'll always have each other. Boys come and go, but the Darlings are still forever.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 10, 2012
35 people are currently reading
800 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
July 24, 2012
Cover:
The cover was what caught my eye, strolling down my local libraries aisles! Before then, I haven't even heard of The Darlings, nor of the author Melissa Kantor; but thank the skies above I did! This cover is perfect for the summer!
My Thoughts:
Summer's coming up fast, and readers are looking for fun and light books to read outside in the sun or at the beach! Well look no further, this book fits the description perfectly! The Darlings in Love, doesn't actually take place in the summer, but that doesn't matter, right? (:
The Darlings in Love, is about three teenage girls (a.k.a the Darlings), learning to live and love. Victoria, Natalya and Jane each have a different relationship status; one has a boyfriend (Victoria), another still has feelings for her ex (Natalya), and the last is crushing on someone who isn't who she thinks he is (Jane)! To make things easier and less confusing each chapter in the book switches narration between the girls, which I really liked!
With three main characters and each going through different tough times, there's tons of room for readers to be able to connect and compare to at least one girl throughout the story! I believe The Darlings in Love is perfect for any teenage girl, especially during the summer time (:
The cover was what caught my eye, strolling down my local libraries aisles! Before then, I haven't even heard of The Darlings, nor of the author Melissa Kantor; but thank the skies above I did! This cover is perfect for the summer!
My Thoughts:
Summer's coming up fast, and readers are looking for fun and light books to read outside in the sun or at the beach! Well look no further, this book fits the description perfectly! The Darlings in Love, doesn't actually take place in the summer, but that doesn't matter, right? (:
The Darlings in Love, is about three teenage girls (a.k.a the Darlings), learning to live and love. Victoria, Natalya and Jane each have a different relationship status; one has a boyfriend (Victoria), another still has feelings for her ex (Natalya), and the last is crushing on someone who isn't who she thinks he is (Jane)! To make things easier and less confusing each chapter in the book switches narration between the girls, which I really liked!
With three main characters and each going through different tough times, there's tons of room for readers to be able to connect and compare to at least one girl throughout the story! I believe The Darlings in Love is perfect for any teenage girl, especially during the summer time (:
January 8, 2012
*Smiling Widely.*
At first I would get distracted and couldn't find myself to read the book but then when I tried once more it swept me off my feet.
The Girls:
Jane:Strong and Determined
Natalya:Joyful and Full of life
Victoria:Sweetest but easy-going
The Boys:
Simone:Super hot and make you feel complete
Colin:Shy and quiet but It'll change in quickie
Jack:The songwriter with a lot of HEART.
This book was so cute and full of love.I don't know if any other book about love can compare to this one because of their forever friendship and love for their boys.
At first I would get distracted and couldn't find myself to read the book but then when I tried once more it swept me off my feet.
The Girls:
Jane:Strong and Determined
Natalya:Joyful and Full of life
Victoria:Sweetest but easy-going
The Boys:
Simone:Super hot and make you feel complete
Colin:Shy and quiet but It'll change in quickie
Jack:The songwriter with a lot of HEART.
This book was so cute and full of love.I don't know if any other book about love can compare to this one because of their forever friendship and love for their boys.
March 7, 2013
Awwww this was such a sweet book! So light and fluffy and as wholesome as a book about happy well-adjusted fourteen year olds should be! I loved it! My favourite thing about this book was that the characters are so incredibly REAL. I got quite emotional at parts because I felt so personally invested in the girls and their feelings, which is honestly the mark of a truly good book.
If you've read the first book and want something fun and heartwarming to read, it doesn't get any more perfect than this. :)
If you've read the first book and want something fun and heartwarming to read, it doesn't get any more perfect than this. :)
August 22, 2014
I think that this book is a very nice story about these 3 girls who are best friends. All three of them have boyfriends and it is a book on how they suffer through school and their love life. Maybe few people might not like this book. Like for example if you are a person that reads books of love than you will LOVE this book but if you are a person who likes serious books like what I mean is adventurous books or like mission type of books, than maybe this might not me the type of book you would read.
March 1, 2017
It's funny how the inside of the cover said that there was 3 girls and 3 happily ever afters. Yet only one of the girls actually gets a happy ending. Nothing like being lied too. Authors need to be more careful with what they put in the synopsis. Lying to me is not going to go well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2019
I read The Darlings in Love by Melissa Kantor. This was like three different stories and one book. All the girls from each story were best friends. Their little group was called The Darlings. ONe the girls, Victoria, was having trouble with her boyfriends. They have nothing in common. Natalya falls in love with a friend's boyfriend through chess. Jane falls in love with the theater boy but they have problems. Between all this can they fix their relationships and be friends? Read The Darlings in Love to find out.
April 25, 2018
I couldn’t put it down, plus I wanted to finish it, really loved it way more than the first book, plus I love drama!! XD
November 23, 2018
Cute, fun story
November 24, 2018
3.5 stars for me.
July 6, 2019
This book rotates between the perspective of a friend group and their love life. Each relationship turns out differently than you would think and it really sucks you into it.
October 1, 2019
I loved both of these books so much I really hope the author will make a third book.
January 2, 2025
such a sweet book!
September 18, 2025
I loved it. I am a big reader of teen drama and romance and this just hit the spot.
October 7, 2016
So I’ve enjoyed Melissa’s books back in the day and I believe I had listed this series as a TBR because I liked her books. However, in a way, I think I have outgrown her writing now that I am in my mid-20s. I can’t believe I’m already this old…
Anyways, while I still found her writing style to be engaging and entertaining, I found the content of her books to be on the childish side. I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I would have liked and I found a lot of the arguments and problems to be a bit juvenile.
The three girls: Victoria, Jane and Natalya are all incredibly different and they’ve been friends forever but now they are starting high school at different places and they’re trying to overcome new friends and new places while maintaining their best friend status. Let’s just say that I found all of them to be tedious. For example, I did not like Victoria at all. I found her too timid for my liking and I thought she would have matured by the end of the second book but that wasn’t the case. She was so shy even with her friends and she let her friends take the fall when her parents found out about a certain incidence and then blamed her friends for her own mistake all because she couldn’t speak for herself. And the same thing happened with her boyfriend in the second book where her fear of speaking up caused a huge rift and she was all depressed for literally zero reason. I mean, I’m glad things worked out at the end but there was all this tension and drama nonsense.
As for the other girls, I found both Jane and Natalya to be incredibly slow but at least Natalya grew up at the end of the series. The whole thing with Jane was just crazy. She was stupid in the first book and then just even more stupid in the second book. She tried to come off as this smart girl and boy smart but in reality, she was probably the dumbest. I can’t believe the person she fell for in the first book – she was reading all these nonexistent signs and when her friend told her it probably wasn’t smart for her to like that person, she got all crazy and defensive. And then in the second book, the guy literally told her what was going on and she absolutely refused to hear it. The people around her even hinted that maybe he was right and yet again she refused to hear it. I was literally mind-boggled by it.
For Natalya, I found her annoying in the first book but at least I found her the most relatable out of the three. She was starting a new school and just wanted to have friends and she got sucked in with the popular girls by association with a certain politician’s daughter. However, she figured out at the end of the first book who exactly was more important and what kind of friends she wanted to have around her. And in the second book, with that boy drama, she made the right choice as well because she valued friendship over a boy. So, I guess, even though I didn’t particularly liked any of the three girls, I did find Natalya’s ending to be the most rewarding.
The ending was also a little disappointing – I was hoping that all of them would have a happy ending but only Victoria did. Granted, I approved Natalyas’ decision but still. And for Jane, well, in a way she got what she deserved but I think it would have been nice if she ended up with the guy I was rooting for. I felt that there was something between the two but I guess not.
Overall, this series was just okay – it was a fun summer read though.
Click here to view entire review: http://holedupinabook.blogspot.com/20...
Anyways, while I still found her writing style to be engaging and entertaining, I found the content of her books to be on the childish side. I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I would have liked and I found a lot of the arguments and problems to be a bit juvenile.
The three girls: Victoria, Jane and Natalya are all incredibly different and they’ve been friends forever but now they are starting high school at different places and they’re trying to overcome new friends and new places while maintaining their best friend status. Let’s just say that I found all of them to be tedious. For example, I did not like Victoria at all. I found her too timid for my liking and I thought she would have matured by the end of the second book but that wasn’t the case. She was so shy even with her friends and she let her friends take the fall when her parents found out about a certain incidence and then blamed her friends for her own mistake all because she couldn’t speak for herself. And the same thing happened with her boyfriend in the second book where her fear of speaking up caused a huge rift and she was all depressed for literally zero reason. I mean, I’m glad things worked out at the end but there was all this tension and drama nonsense.
As for the other girls, I found both Jane and Natalya to be incredibly slow but at least Natalya grew up at the end of the series. The whole thing with Jane was just crazy. She was stupid in the first book and then just even more stupid in the second book. She tried to come off as this smart girl and boy smart but in reality, she was probably the dumbest. I can’t believe the person she fell for in the first book – she was reading all these nonexistent signs and when her friend told her it probably wasn’t smart for her to like that person, she got all crazy and defensive. And then in the second book, the guy literally told her what was going on and she absolutely refused to hear it. The people around her even hinted that maybe he was right and yet again she refused to hear it. I was literally mind-boggled by it.
For Natalya, I found her annoying in the first book but at least I found her the most relatable out of the three. She was starting a new school and just wanted to have friends and she got sucked in with the popular girls by association with a certain politician’s daughter. However, she figured out at the end of the first book who exactly was more important and what kind of friends she wanted to have around her. And in the second book, with that boy drama, she made the right choice as well because she valued friendship over a boy. So, I guess, even though I didn’t particularly liked any of the three girls, I did find Natalya’s ending to be the most rewarding.
The ending was also a little disappointing – I was hoping that all of them would have a happy ending but only Victoria did. Granted, I approved Natalyas’ decision but still. And for Jane, well, in a way she got what she deserved but I think it would have been nice if she ended up with the guy I was rooting for. I felt that there was something between the two but I guess not.
Overall, this series was just okay – it was a fun summer read though.
Click here to view entire review: http://holedupinabook.blogspot.com/20...
December 18, 2012
This story was about as cute as they come. It follows three girls: Victoria, Jane, and Natalya as they experience their first loves and their first heartbreaks. They are three best friends who call themselves ‘The Darlings’ and have remained best friends even though they are not attending different schools. Each of the girls has developed her own little crush and the three boys could not be more different from each other. The chapters alternate between the three girls including each one’s perspective. We also receive a little background knowledge in each chapter as far as what is going on in their lives and with their families.
Melissa Kantor really captures the idea of first love and that giddy feeling that young girls get in their stomachs after realizing that they have developed a crush. Not everyone will enjoy this book because we are dealing with fourteen year olds and at times I thought the feelings that they sometimes shared and the thoughts they were having was a little mature for a fourteen year old. Maybe if they were eighteen or nineteen it would have seemed more realistic. When I think first crush, I think sweaty palms while holding hands and being dropped off to the movies by mom and dad, not long passionate kisses in an apartment alone while your parents are out. No, I just couldn’t picture this scene for a fourteen year old and take it seriously.
I loved the friendship between these girls and the fact that they called themselves ‘The Darlings.’ I just wish that there had been more time with them together. A lot of the book is told when each girl is at her school and away from the other Darlings. They do interact a lot via text message and things to that nature, but I wanted them to have sleepovers, lunch dates, and girl’s nights. I did, however, appreciate the fact that each girl had other friends outside of the Darlings. They each had their own likes and dislikes and they each had their own hobbies. It is important to not let your friends define you, and I think this message was spread well throughout the book.
Young love is a difficult thing and it doesn’t always result in a happy ending. I think this book will make some readers, like myself, remember what it was like when they developed their first crush, but other readers may find this book entirely too juvenile. It all depends on your taste.
***A big thank you to the publishers at Hyperion for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review***
Melissa Kantor really captures the idea of first love and that giddy feeling that young girls get in their stomachs after realizing that they have developed a crush. Not everyone will enjoy this book because we are dealing with fourteen year olds and at times I thought the feelings that they sometimes shared and the thoughts they were having was a little mature for a fourteen year old. Maybe if they were eighteen or nineteen it would have seemed more realistic. When I think first crush, I think sweaty palms while holding hands and being dropped off to the movies by mom and dad, not long passionate kisses in an apartment alone while your parents are out. No, I just couldn’t picture this scene for a fourteen year old and take it seriously.
I loved the friendship between these girls and the fact that they called themselves ‘The Darlings.’ I just wish that there had been more time with them together. A lot of the book is told when each girl is at her school and away from the other Darlings. They do interact a lot via text message and things to that nature, but I wanted them to have sleepovers, lunch dates, and girl’s nights. I did, however, appreciate the fact that each girl had other friends outside of the Darlings. They each had their own likes and dislikes and they each had their own hobbies. It is important to not let your friends define you, and I think this message was spread well throughout the book.
Young love is a difficult thing and it doesn’t always result in a happy ending. I think this book will make some readers, like myself, remember what it was like when they developed their first crush, but other readers may find this book entirely too juvenile. It all depends on your taste.
***A big thank you to the publishers at Hyperion for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review***
September 18, 2016
This second book about the Darlings - Jane, Natalya, and Victoria - follows immediately on the heels of The Darlings Are Forever, picking up on the romantic dramas each girl left unfinished at the end of that first book. Natalya still has a crush on Colin, the brother of one her classmates at school, Victoria is now dating Jack, even though she's not convinced they have anything in common, and Jane has found love on the stage, acting opposite Simon, who is everything she wants in a guy, except for the fact that he might be gay. Each of the girls struggles throughout this book to figure out how to juggle romance with the rest of her life. Victoria, in particular, agonizes over every detail of her relationship with Jack, torturing herself as she tries to get things just right. Natalya, too, struggles to decide whether it's okay to be interested in a boy who has a girlfriend, especially if that girlfriend is also her friend. Everything culminates, for better or for worse, at an art show, honoring the work of Jane's late grandmother, Nana, who was a special influence in the lives of all three girls.
Compared with the first Darlings book, this one moved a lot faster, and kept a stronger momentum. Jumping from point of view to point of view had me in a constant state of suspense. I'd be reading the latest twist or turn in one girl's part of the story and also anxiously waiting to find out what would happen to the other girls. The pacing was just right, and I was really impressed by how seamlessly Kantor changed between viewpoints. I never got confused about whose mindset I was in, and I never got lost in the many, many threads that tie this story together.
The book also has a lot of emotion in it, something that teenage girls can definitely relate to. Jane, Natalya, and Victoria experience many highs and lows throughout this book, and the reader really empathizes with them, even when we might not agree with the girls' actions. The girls' friendship also remains as strong as ever, which is a wonderful testament to the importance and power of friends in the face of great difficulties.
Melissa Kantor has quickly become one of my favorite contemporary YA authors. I really hope there will be another Darlings sequel, and I can't wait to read anything else Kantor might write in the future as well.
Compared with the first Darlings book, this one moved a lot faster, and kept a stronger momentum. Jumping from point of view to point of view had me in a constant state of suspense. I'd be reading the latest twist or turn in one girl's part of the story and also anxiously waiting to find out what would happen to the other girls. The pacing was just right, and I was really impressed by how seamlessly Kantor changed between viewpoints. I never got confused about whose mindset I was in, and I never got lost in the many, many threads that tie this story together.
The book also has a lot of emotion in it, something that teenage girls can definitely relate to. Jane, Natalya, and Victoria experience many highs and lows throughout this book, and the reader really empathizes with them, even when we might not agree with the girls' actions. The girls' friendship also remains as strong as ever, which is a wonderful testament to the importance and power of friends in the face of great difficulties.
Melissa Kantor has quickly become one of my favorite contemporary YA authors. I really hope there will be another Darlings sequel, and I can't wait to read anything else Kantor might write in the future as well.
October 22, 2013
The Darlings in Love is a book about three girls and how they go through three different types of relationships. The girls in the group are Natalya, Jane and Victoria. They call themselves the Darling because Jane's grandmother gave them that name. Also the book is set in New York City. Natalya met this boy named Colin a while ago that she had a crush on but ended up never seeing him again because he was siblings with the "mean girl" and she wasn't anymore. They end up talking again and once she starts to think he's really into her, he drops the biggest bomb on her: he has a girlfriend. Jane is just a whole other story. She was first in love with her drama teacher but since he wasn't there no more and that was ridiculous anyway, she ends up meeting some guy named Simon. They end up dating for a bit for him to drop a bomb on her too: he's gay. Victoria is more of just a regular situation. She already has a boyfriend named Jack but she soon starts to realize she may be doing more for him than he is for her really. They soon have a fight and end up breaking up but not for long anyway. In the end, Natalya has to end what was going on with Colin because she's friends with his girlfriend and she doesn't want to ruin it for them. Jane is probably a bit more okay but since she was going through a lot at home with her mother and her new boyfriend, Simon ending up being gay wasn't much of a big deal to her afterwards. As for Victoria, in the end Jack came back to fix what happened and they ended getting back together.
What I liked about the book was how it gave the aspect of three different relationships and not just one. Since it was more than one it could compare to more people that may be going through something like that too. What I didn't like was the endings for Natalya and Jane. Yes Victoria got her happy ending but what about the other Darlings? That was really the only thing that kind of bugged me a bit. If I had any questions for the author it would probably be to ask her if she was coming out with another book or not. I definitely would recommend this book because it's just a really good book. The chapters are short which makes you want to keep on to see what else could happen in like two pages and if anyone is really into romances and stuff like that tis is probably a good book to start with.
What I liked about the book was how it gave the aspect of three different relationships and not just one. Since it was more than one it could compare to more people that may be going through something like that too. What I didn't like was the endings for Natalya and Jane. Yes Victoria got her happy ending but what about the other Darlings? That was really the only thing that kind of bugged me a bit. If I had any questions for the author it would probably be to ask her if she was coming out with another book or not. I definitely would recommend this book because it's just a really good book. The chapters are short which makes you want to keep on to see what else could happen in like two pages and if anyone is really into romances and stuff like that tis is probably a good book to start with.
October 23, 2013
This book was one that was almost constantly exciting, with the ups and downs of romance, friends who didn't entirely know what they were doing, and them learning about social life, in a way. A main theme that was throughout the book was that best friends are there when you need them, which is similar to what it says on the cover, "Boys come and go. Best friends are forever." This is seen when the Darlings-Jane, Victoria, and Natalya- were having romance troubles, and they were all there for each other.
I found it kind of interesting to see how Jane seemed to have the best head on her shoulders out of the three Darlings, because she seemed to make the best choices for herself out of all of them. She didn't cause much drama; kept things real, even when it was difficult to; and supported her friends readily; and even gave advice to help support her friends. I felt really sorry for her when her boyfriend, Simon, who she loved dearly, discovered that he was gay, and therefore had to break up with her.
Natalya surprised me a lot, especially when it came to her crush/friend, Colin. I felt sorry for her when it turned out that Colin was dating her friend, Alison, and then Natalya said she wanted to kill herself, which scared and surprised me. Natalya especially surprised me when, not taking Jane's advice of NOT taking up Colin's invitation of going to his house for a chess rematch, actually kissed him. Then they made out, obviously forgetting about poor Alison. Then Natalya began to regret her decision when she left Colin's house, leaving things complicated, which got even more complicated when Colin didn't break up with Alison, leaving Natalya heartbroken. But, at the end of the story, Natalya did the right thing: she wouldn't go through with betraying Alison anymore, and stood up to Colin, by hanging up on him during their last phone call.
Victoria was acting differently in this book, because she lied to her parents twice about where she was going to be, just so she could be with her boyfriend, Jack. I was disappointed and surprised when Jane actually supported Victoria for this decision. That was really out of character for Victoria, and I thought that she learned from her past experience of lying to her parents. I also felt kind of bad for Victoria when she and Jack were having trouble because of miscommunication.
I found it kind of interesting to see how Jane seemed to have the best head on her shoulders out of the three Darlings, because she seemed to make the best choices for herself out of all of them. She didn't cause much drama; kept things real, even when it was difficult to; and supported her friends readily; and even gave advice to help support her friends. I felt really sorry for her when her boyfriend, Simon, who she loved dearly, discovered that he was gay, and therefore had to break up with her.
Natalya surprised me a lot, especially when it came to her crush/friend, Colin. I felt sorry for her when it turned out that Colin was dating her friend, Alison, and then Natalya said she wanted to kill herself, which scared and surprised me. Natalya especially surprised me when, not taking Jane's advice of NOT taking up Colin's invitation of going to his house for a chess rematch, actually kissed him. Then they made out, obviously forgetting about poor Alison. Then Natalya began to regret her decision when she left Colin's house, leaving things complicated, which got even more complicated when Colin didn't break up with Alison, leaving Natalya heartbroken. But, at the end of the story, Natalya did the right thing: she wouldn't go through with betraying Alison anymore, and stood up to Colin, by hanging up on him during their last phone call.
Victoria was acting differently in this book, because she lied to her parents twice about where she was going to be, just so she could be with her boyfriend, Jack. I was disappointed and surprised when Jane actually supported Victoria for this decision. That was really out of character for Victoria, and I thought that she learned from her past experience of lying to her parents. I also felt kind of bad for Victoria when she and Jack were having trouble because of miscommunication.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2011
Victoria, Natalya, and Jane have successfully survived their first semester of high school at separate schools, and now they feel that the Darlings can handle anything—even and especially love. Even though Jane has sworn off love, things are going great for Victoria and looking up for Natalya. Victoria knows that she and her boyfriend Jack are just perfect together, and every moment that they spend together makes her positively glow. And Natalya’s crush Colin might just be dropping hints that he likes her back. Even Jane’s new acting partner Simon may give her a good reason to believe in love again. But just when things are going smoothly, the Darlings are going to have to learn about the more complicated side of love. Victoria’s Valentine’s Day surprise for Jack doesn’t quite go as planned, Simon might be a little too good to be true, and it turns out that Colin has been keeping some very big secrets. But through all these romantic dreams and heartaches, the Darlings know that they still have each other and that their friendship can get them through anything.
I was just as charmed by The Darlings in Love as I was by its prequel, The Darlings Are Forever. The focus on romantic relationships for this second book in a series is a tad overdone, but Kantor still handles it wonderfully. This is partially because Darlings are such a lovable trio; Victoria, Natalya, and Jane are girls that every reader will be rooting for as they struggle with their romantic and other drama. Additionally, the focus of the story isn’t solely on romantic relationships but also on the Darling’s relationships with each other and their families. Though the plot is a little predictable, I still found The Darlings in Love heartwarming and entertaining because of Kantor’s superb character development. Victoria, Natalya, and Jane are so realistic and likable that their stories are always sure to make me smile.
Fans of The Darlings Are Forever won’t want to miss its sequel in The Darlings in Love, nor will fans of The Teashop Girls by Laura Schaefer and Rose Sees Red by Cecil Castellucci.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
I was just as charmed by The Darlings in Love as I was by its prequel, The Darlings Are Forever. The focus on romantic relationships for this second book in a series is a tad overdone, but Kantor still handles it wonderfully. This is partially because Darlings are such a lovable trio; Victoria, Natalya, and Jane are girls that every reader will be rooting for as they struggle with their romantic and other drama. Additionally, the focus of the story isn’t solely on romantic relationships but also on the Darling’s relationships with each other and their families. Though the plot is a little predictable, I still found The Darlings in Love heartwarming and entertaining because of Kantor’s superb character development. Victoria, Natalya, and Jane are so realistic and likable that their stories are always sure to make me smile.
Fans of The Darlings Are Forever won’t want to miss its sequel in The Darlings in Love, nor will fans of The Teashop Girls by Laura Schaefer and Rose Sees Red by Cecil Castellucci.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
January 30, 2012
In The Darlings Are Forever, Jane, Victoria and Natalya, who have been friends for years, were separated at school for the first time when they each went to different high schools.
The Darlings in Love by Melissa Kantor continues the saga of their freshman year, this time looking at how each girl approaches being in a relationship with a boy. Jane is headstrong and confident, and she pursues Simon even though he gives off mixed signals about what he really wants. Natalya is a bit more reserved, and she’s a little unsure of how to approach the wealthy people she’s surrounded by since she got her scholarship to a prestigious private school. Colin is one of those. While they seem so at ease when they are with each other, she’s not sure she can ever fit into his upscale lifestyle. Victoria is not afraid to let Jack know she loves him, but she wonders if they really have enough in common to hold them together.
Together the girls help each other navigate the often-confusing waters of first-time love. How do you interpret the signals you’re getting from a guy about your relationship? Do you give up after the first sign of trouble, or do you try to fix the problem? What happens is a guy tells you he likes you, but he’s dating someone else? What if you find out he likes someone else more than you?
These and other issues are sure to be on the minds of girls who read The Darlings in Love, and Kantor keeps each personality true to itself as she helps her characters figure out the answers to their own questions. Through it all, Jane, Natalya and Victoria have each other to lean on during the rough times and to celebrate with during the good times. I recommend The Darlings in Love for girls aged 11 and up.
The Darlings in Love by Melissa Kantor continues the saga of their freshman year, this time looking at how each girl approaches being in a relationship with a boy. Jane is headstrong and confident, and she pursues Simon even though he gives off mixed signals about what he really wants. Natalya is a bit more reserved, and she’s a little unsure of how to approach the wealthy people she’s surrounded by since she got her scholarship to a prestigious private school. Colin is one of those. While they seem so at ease when they are with each other, she’s not sure she can ever fit into his upscale lifestyle. Victoria is not afraid to let Jack know she loves him, but she wonders if they really have enough in common to hold them together.
Together the girls help each other navigate the often-confusing waters of first-time love. How do you interpret the signals you’re getting from a guy about your relationship? Do you give up after the first sign of trouble, or do you try to fix the problem? What happens is a guy tells you he likes you, but he’s dating someone else? What if you find out he likes someone else more than you?
These and other issues are sure to be on the minds of girls who read The Darlings in Love, and Kantor keeps each personality true to itself as she helps her characters figure out the answers to their own questions. Through it all, Jane, Natalya and Victoria have each other to lean on during the rough times and to celebrate with during the good times. I recommend The Darlings in Love for girls aged 11 and up.
April 12, 2012
A fun and frothy contemporary read!
The Darlings in Love is the follow-up to the charming and fun The Darlings Are Forever. Natalya, Victoria and Jane are all back for more adventures; but this time around, their adventures revolve around relationship and boy problems. The three girls- who I must say, do seem more mature than 14!- live in New York, which provides an entertaining and lively backdrop to their lives beyond school.
As you can read from the book description, each of the girls comes across angst and issues with current and prospective love interests. While there are elements of predictability to the storylines, I don't think that takes away anything from the novel. Kantor is a solid writer and the book is perfect for a beach day, or relaxing downtime: it's YA with a bit of drama, a bit of romance, and female friendships.
If you like to read entertaining and light romantic YA along the lines of Susane Colasanti's So Much Closer, books by Claire LaZebnik, Lindsey Leavitt, or Jenny Han, then this is a good pick. And, of course, if you've read The Darlings Are Forever then do read this one! I think this sequel is better than the first book; all around I thought it to be more developed- the characters more defined, and the plot more even. I haven't heard yet if there will be a third book in this series, but the ending of this book definitely leaves room for more Darlings.
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February 13, 2015This book was really good. It was a combination of a romance novel and a drama novel. It was girlie book that no boys would enjoy. It talks about love and some inappropriate things.
This book starts off with three girls named the Darlings trying to find love. Victoria, the quiet one, is already in love with a boy name Jack. Jane is a drama queen involved in acting lookin g for love. Natlaya is the girl who has been in love with a boy who hates her guts. Or so she thinks. They start playing chess together. Then she finds out that he has a girlfriend and stops seeing. Then one magical night they finally meet again at his house. They share a romantic kiss and he tells her he will break up with his girlfriend. While this is happening, Victoria and Jack are having some problems in paradise. Victoria sneaks out of her house to meet jack to go to a forbidden concert. They get in a fight and they break up. Also while this is happening, Jane is involved in a love scene with a handsome costar that might just be gay. They start dating and after a while she sees him with his hands around a guy. They break up but stay friends. Ata big art opening have comes and apologizes to Victoria and they get back together. They are all together and happy being the three Darlings.
This is a major girl book. It contains stuff about love. Some might consider it to be inappropriate for kids because it talks about being gay, but i don't think so.
This book starts off with three girls named the Darlings trying to find love. Victoria, the quiet one, is already in love with a boy name Jack. Jane is a drama queen involved in acting lookin g for love. Natlaya is the girl who has been in love with a boy who hates her guts. Or so she thinks. They start playing chess together. Then she finds out that he has a girlfriend and stops seeing. Then one magical night they finally meet again at his house. They share a romantic kiss and he tells her he will break up with his girlfriend. While this is happening, Victoria and Jack are having some problems in paradise. Victoria sneaks out of her house to meet jack to go to a forbidden concert. They get in a fight and they break up. Also while this is happening, Jane is involved in a love scene with a handsome costar that might just be gay. They start dating and after a while she sees him with his hands around a guy. They break up but stay friends. Ata big art opening have comes and apologizes to Victoria and they get back together. They are all together and happy being the three Darlings.
This is a major girl book. It contains stuff about love. Some might consider it to be inappropriate for kids because it talks about being gay, but i don't think so.
January 24, 2012
Let me first start with saying the story was OK for me, and I highly suggest this book for the young teens. Maybe part of the reason I didn’t like the book for me was it’s very much shallow for me. It really didn’t hold my interest, and for that I’m sorry. But I have to say the prose was okay, and the characters were okay. But that’s the problem, it was just OKAY. I didn’t expect much from this though, so that was probably good because I’ll just be more down if that were the case.
I’ll just run down to a few more things. Three friends, Natalya, Jane and Victoria composes the “darlings” which they call themselves. The story is basically about their highschool lives: family, love life, and friendship. How they deal with everyday problems such as classes, plus the occasional family issues (mother-daughter relationships), and of course the boy problems. The girls are so sweet with each other, remaining friends despite being from different school. I like how strong friendship was reflected in the story. I have to say there were some swoon-worthy guys (like Simon- the actor, and Jack-the composer, and also Colin-the chess player). The three guys are from different leagues and status quo but they were really cool.
Basically, the book is okay. But it’s not for me. I recommend this for TWEENs. seriously. :)
I’ll just run down to a few more things. Three friends, Natalya, Jane and Victoria composes the “darlings” which they call themselves. The story is basically about their highschool lives: family, love life, and friendship. How they deal with everyday problems such as classes, plus the occasional family issues (mother-daughter relationships), and of course the boy problems. The girls are so sweet with each other, remaining friends despite being from different school. I like how strong friendship was reflected in the story. I have to say there were some swoon-worthy guys (like Simon- the actor, and Jack-the composer, and also Colin-the chess player). The three guys are from different leagues and status quo but they were really cool.
Basically, the book is okay. But it’s not for me. I recommend this for TWEENs. seriously. :)
September 23, 2011
Reviewed from e-galley provided by the publisher via netgalley.com.
In this second installment of The Darlings are Forever series, Natalya, Victoria, and Jane are settling into their new high schools while maintaining their close friendship and trying to survive bumps in their love lives. Natalya is still crushing on Colin who has refused to speak to her, even though she's apologized, until they see each other at the park and start communicating again. But things are more complicated than the chess matches they enjoy, and Natalya turns to her friends frequently for advice. Meanwhile, Victoria is in the throes of new love with her boyfriend Jack until misunderstandings arise and she starts to question their relationship. Jane thinks she should stick to advising her two friends until she's asked to play in a love scene with the cutest boy she's ever seen. That angel face could never deceive her, right?
This is a wonderful continuation of the series and actually reads much more smoothly than the first volume. Maybe it's because the characters are established, but I enjoyed The Darlings in Love more than I did the first one. Kantor does a superb job of showing the girls' sometimes awkward and painful forays into the world of romance and love. Drama, yes, but not over the top, and really well done. Highly recommended for ages 11 & up.
In this second installment of The Darlings are Forever series, Natalya, Victoria, and Jane are settling into their new high schools while maintaining their close friendship and trying to survive bumps in their love lives. Natalya is still crushing on Colin who has refused to speak to her, even though she's apologized, until they see each other at the park and start communicating again. But things are more complicated than the chess matches they enjoy, and Natalya turns to her friends frequently for advice. Meanwhile, Victoria is in the throes of new love with her boyfriend Jack until misunderstandings arise and she starts to question their relationship. Jane thinks she should stick to advising her two friends until she's asked to play in a love scene with the cutest boy she's ever seen. That angel face could never deceive her, right?
This is a wonderful continuation of the series and actually reads much more smoothly than the first volume. Maybe it's because the characters are established, but I enjoyed The Darlings in Love more than I did the first one. Kantor does a superb job of showing the girls' sometimes awkward and painful forays into the world of romance and love. Drama, yes, but not over the top, and really well done. Highly recommended for ages 11 & up.
July 26, 2011
I read this as a preview for a middle school girls book club. I was hoping to find mature enough subject matter along with detailed and descriptive writing to keep the girls interested. I found all of that here. Kantor does a wonderful job of pulling you into the lives of the three 'Darlings' as they now navigate high school.
Each girl has a story to tell about love, relationships, and especially friendships. Kantor examines relationships from 3 different angles as each girl encounters something different. While Victoria is in an existing relationship, she finds herself yielding to her boyfriends interests and somewhat losing herself as she struggles to hold on to him. Natalya might be losing her morals and Jane might be losing her pride. Kantor weaves us through these three girl's experiences effortlessly while keeping you glued to the book to see what is coming next.
I truly loved how Kantor delivers the messages along the way and definitely at the end. I think this book can be an empowering book for girls in terms of how they view relationships and choices within them. I can see many discussions coming from reading this book in our book club.
Each girl has a story to tell about love, relationships, and especially friendships. Kantor examines relationships from 3 different angles as each girl encounters something different. While Victoria is in an existing relationship, she finds herself yielding to her boyfriends interests and somewhat losing herself as she struggles to hold on to him. Natalya might be losing her morals and Jane might be losing her pride. Kantor weaves us through these three girl's experiences effortlessly while keeping you glued to the book to see what is coming next.
I truly loved how Kantor delivers the messages along the way and definitely at the end. I think this book can be an empowering book for girls in terms of how they view relationships and choices within them. I can see many discussions coming from reading this book in our book club.
October 5, 2012
I don't usually read, but when I do I try to pick really good books that I could get excited about reading. I was actually dissapointed. I got kind of bored with it, I was waiting for the big moment to happen, that big "ah-ha" moment, the climax. I was just waiting for it to get better, it did at some point but it got boring again. I really didn't like the ending, the 3 main characters end up alone and broken hearted, what kind of ending is that when the title of the book is "The Darlings in Love" yeah friendship is stronger than anything, but you could also have a boyfriend. The ending should of been more dramatic and exciting. It was a slow book and it really was just monotoned.
I picked this book because it had a bright and pretty front cover, and the previews on it were really good. It seemed interesting, but I guess I just kind of lost my interest.I actually had really big hopes about it. When I was reading it, I was just praying for it to get better and I was just waiting for something that it was never going to happen.
I picked this book because it had a bright and pretty front cover, and the previews on it were really good. It seemed interesting, but I guess I just kind of lost my interest.I actually had really big hopes about it. When I was reading it, I was just praying for it to get better and I was just waiting for something that it was never going to happen.
March 18, 2013
I liked this sequel a lot better than the first one. I still didn't find myself rooting for any one girl in particular, but they did seem to grow up a bit between books.
The ending actually surprised me - in a good way! I was definitely expecting it to be a lot more "chick-lit predictable".
I thought this book was more entertaining than the first one, and showcased more of Melissa Kantor's witty writing which I really do enjoy.
The ending actually surprised me - in a good way! I was definitely expecting it to be a lot more "chick-lit predictable".
I thought this book was more entertaining than the first one, and showcased more of Melissa Kantor's witty writing which I really do enjoy.
January 15, 2013
This book had shock every turn. Like Colin is dating another girl, Simon is gay, and Jack talking about his girlfriend behind her back! Natalya, Jane and Victoria had a bunch of exciting, sad moments but from this whole entire book I can sim up that the theme of this book is Boys come and go but best friends are forever. The girls realized this more towards the end of the book. On the text it stated " 'Talk about experiences making who you are' Natalya said ' I feel like I am who I am because of the two of you," This quote was when they was at the dinner party in the closet remembering Nana ( The one who mad them " The Darlings") and discussing about what happened to each of their love life. At the end Jack and Victoria continued dating and Simon and Jane was no more and as was Natalya and Colin but after listening to what her grandmother said one time before her death they finally learned the meaning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2013
In this book, there is 3 main characters who are best friends. There names are Victoria, Natalya, and Jane(the darlings). They all live in New York city,go to seperate schools, and are in their second semester of 9th grade. Victoria ,who loves acting and drama, is just simply not expecting a guy in life. Until she met Simon (who also likes acting). Simon later in the book confesses to her that he really liked a guy. She thinks that it's a good thing about him because he is open minded, unlike other guys. She starts noticing that simon has been acting pretty strange and has lied to her. She is not quite sure if it's actually true, so she doesn't make it a big deal. Then, Simon tells her he's gay. The Darlings in Love has so much happening and love going on, so if you like romantic books and funny ones there's nothing better than the Darlings. As teenagers in love they do things without thinking like Victoria kisses the guys she likes ,Colin, without even thinking.
September 6, 2011
Each of the Darlings try to navigate relationships with the opposite sex in this novel. Each brings their own individual take on relationships. I liked all three girls, which was suprising because I thought at least one of them I would not be to my liking. But that was so not the case.
Jane had the misfortune of falling for the wrong guy not once but twice. Who can't relate to that, right? Natayla seemed to be finding love once again after letting it slip through her fingers before. Victoria, the only Darling with a boyfriend, seemed to be the only one giving in that relationship.
The guys in their life left a lot to be desired, but the girls had an unbreakable friendship. Kantor did a wonderful job of capturing that. This novel truly is about girls and their friendships. The message of these novel was clearly that guys may come and go in our lives, but Darlings are forever.
Jane had the misfortune of falling for the wrong guy not once but twice. Who can't relate to that, right? Natayla seemed to be finding love once again after letting it slip through her fingers before. Victoria, the only Darling with a boyfriend, seemed to be the only one giving in that relationship.
The guys in their life left a lot to be desired, but the girls had an unbreakable friendship. Kantor did a wonderful job of capturing that. This novel truly is about girls and their friendships. The message of these novel was clearly that guys may come and go in our lives, but Darlings are forever.
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