What do you think?
Rate this book
Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Stories About Falling Out of Love by Four Incredible Authors
Niki Burnham, Terri Clark, Ellen Hopkins, and Lynda Sandoval give us four tales about the end of first love. How does anyone survive? Read on and find out. Each story showcases the writer’s signature style: Niki Burnham keeps it smart and sassy; Terri Clark brings a touch of fantasy; Ellen Hopkins tells her story in verse; and no one does funny like Lynda Sandoval. For teens looking for something to get them through the pain, this is just the prescription!
300 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2008
10 people are currently reading
907 people want to read
About the author
Niki Burnham
18 books262 followersNiki Burnham is the pseudonym of romance author Nicole Burnham.
You can subscribe to Nicole's newsletter for reader bonuses and the latest news by visiting https://nicoleburnham.com/new-events/
---
NOTE FROM NICOLE: My Goodreads library is by no means comprehensive. I have thousands of books on my real (as opposed to my Goodreads) bookshelves. However, my Goodreads library only contains those books I'd give four or five stars and would recommend to friends without hesitation (and I haven't even gotten around to listing all those yet!)
You can subscribe to Nicole's newsletter for reader bonuses and the latest news by visiting https://nicoleburnham.com/new-events/
---
NOTE FROM NICOLE: My Goodreads library is by no means comprehensive. I have thousands of books on my real (as opposed to my Goodreads) bookshelves. However, my Goodreads library only contains those books I'd give four or five stars and would recommend to friends without hesitation (and I haven't even gotten around to listing all those yet!)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 23, 2008
Four fabulous young adult authors come together in this short story collection to bring teens tales of love, heartbreak, and hope. Each author brings a unique voice to the collection and the stories represent a range of characters, story lines, and styles while centering on the theme of love and loss.
Niki Burnham shares the story of Toby, a high school junior with a gorgeous girlfriend. Things seem to be going great for Toby as the school year starts until his girlfriend starts pressuring him to have sex. Burnham does a great job writing about not being ready for sex from the male perspective as Toby struggles with his conflicting feelings.
Newcomer Terri Clark provides a fast paced story about Dark Dee who gains the ability to hear other people's thoughts after being in a car accident. This leads to the unpleasant realization that her boyfriend has been dating her to gather information for a book on how to get girls from a variety of cliques to fall in love with you. Dee and her friend, Pixie, decide to reveal the boys scheme before they can con anyone else. In order to do this, they must bridge the gaps separating the various social groups at school. Clark engages the reader with snappy dialogue and well drawn characters.
Ellen Hopkins offers the reader a story in verse form, breaking the prose of the rest of the book. Her main character, Lisa, feels plain compared to the other girls in Palm Springs. She is happily surprised when a boy comes in to the coffee shop where she works and eventually asks her out. As the relationship develops, Lisa finds herself changing her outward appearance to please her new boyfriend. She adapts to the relationship in ways that make her uncomfortable especially when her boyfriend starts putting on more pressure. Hopkins verse is shaped to fit the content and the emotions of her narrator.
Lynda Sandoval shows another side of love when Mia's girlfriend, Paige, breaks her heart at the beginning of the school year by hooking up with the school's hottest guy and outing Mia as a lesbian. Mia rides an emotional roller coaster as she deals with the scenario that her summer love is actually straight and having her sexual preference known by the entire school. Sandoval writes in depth characters and carries the reader along for the emotional ride.
All four of these stories revolve around first loves and heartbreaks. While this could be a very depressing collection, each author also injects strength into the characters to overcome the heartbreak and offers the characters hope for future relationships. A great read for mature teens!
Niki Burnham shares the story of Toby, a high school junior with a gorgeous girlfriend. Things seem to be going great for Toby as the school year starts until his girlfriend starts pressuring him to have sex. Burnham does a great job writing about not being ready for sex from the male perspective as Toby struggles with his conflicting feelings.
Newcomer Terri Clark provides a fast paced story about Dark Dee who gains the ability to hear other people's thoughts after being in a car accident. This leads to the unpleasant realization that her boyfriend has been dating her to gather information for a book on how to get girls from a variety of cliques to fall in love with you. Dee and her friend, Pixie, decide to reveal the boys scheme before they can con anyone else. In order to do this, they must bridge the gaps separating the various social groups at school. Clark engages the reader with snappy dialogue and well drawn characters.
Ellen Hopkins offers the reader a story in verse form, breaking the prose of the rest of the book. Her main character, Lisa, feels plain compared to the other girls in Palm Springs. She is happily surprised when a boy comes in to the coffee shop where she works and eventually asks her out. As the relationship develops, Lisa finds herself changing her outward appearance to please her new boyfriend. She adapts to the relationship in ways that make her uncomfortable especially when her boyfriend starts putting on more pressure. Hopkins verse is shaped to fit the content and the emotions of her narrator.
Lynda Sandoval shows another side of love when Mia's girlfriend, Paige, breaks her heart at the beginning of the school year by hooking up with the school's hottest guy and outing Mia as a lesbian. Mia rides an emotional roller coaster as she deals with the scenario that her summer love is actually straight and having her sexual preference known by the entire school. Sandoval writes in depth characters and carries the reader along for the emotional ride.
All four of these stories revolve around first loves and heartbreaks. While this could be a very depressing collection, each author also injects strength into the characters to overcome the heartbreak and offers the characters hope for future relationships. A great read for mature teens!
November 6, 2012
Reviewed by Harmony for TeensReadToo.com
First love is the greatest thing in the world. Until it ends. When it does, you wonder if you'll ever make it. Or maybe you decide that guys are jerks and you pretend that it doesn't bother you. The truth is that breaking up sucks, especially the first time. No one likes to grow through it, but everyone loves reading about it.
BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO is the perfect short story collection to read about, well, breaking up.
Four short stories, each by an amazing author, tell the stories of Toby, who loses his girlfriend because he won't have sex; of Dee, who realizes that her relationship was nothing but research for a book; of Lisa, who's changed by her boyfriend and then dumped because she was "practice" and not pretty enough; and of Mia, who realizes her girlfriend can't decide
whether she's straight or gay and ends up hurting Mia in more ways than one.
I don't read short stories very often, because I always want more -- but I loved each of the stories in this collection. Each story was unique and written in a very different style (one was even written in verse), but they all went great together. If I had to pick my favorite of these stories, it would have to be the story about Mia. I loved reading about the acceptance club at school and Wade was just amazing.
I would definitely recommend getting this book as soon as it comes out. It's awesome.
First love is the greatest thing in the world. Until it ends. When it does, you wonder if you'll ever make it. Or maybe you decide that guys are jerks and you pretend that it doesn't bother you. The truth is that breaking up sucks, especially the first time. No one likes to grow through it, but everyone loves reading about it.
BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO is the perfect short story collection to read about, well, breaking up.
Four short stories, each by an amazing author, tell the stories of Toby, who loses his girlfriend because he won't have sex; of Dee, who realizes that her relationship was nothing but research for a book; of Lisa, who's changed by her boyfriend and then dumped because she was "practice" and not pretty enough; and of Mia, who realizes her girlfriend can't decide
whether she's straight or gay and ends up hurting Mia in more ways than one.
I don't read short stories very often, because I always want more -- but I loved each of the stories in this collection. Each story was unique and written in a very different style (one was even written in verse), but they all went great together. If I had to pick my favorite of these stories, it would have to be the story about Mia. I loved reading about the acceptance club at school and Wade was just amazing.
I would definitely recommend getting this book as soon as it comes out. It's awesome.
May 31, 2016
I would definitely give this collection 5 stars if one of the stories' plot didn't revolve around bi people not existing.
December 3, 2021
This book was weird because the stories were either really good or really bad.
The first story was very solid: it's about a guy who gets broken up with because he isn't comfortable with having sex at his age yet. It felt like a real situation and I was ultimately left wanting more once the story ended.
The second story was one of the worst things I have ever read. So basically... this girl gets in an accident and she can somehow... read minds? Okay, cool, whatever. And then she finds out her boyfriend had a bet to have sex with her and acts like a stereotypical Disney Channel villain? Uh... weird. And then the story abruptly ends out of nowhere? What the hell? I seriously do not know how this was published.
The third story was unironically one of the best things I ever read and I would seriously recommend reading this book solely for this short story. It was written in this poem format that I've never seen done before, which combined with the simple yet excellent plot, worked wonders. It was about a girl with low confidence finally finding a guy who likes her but then slowly realizing how crummy he is. It was interesting seeing the relationship function like a rollercoaster: tons of high-highs, tons of low-lows. The main character was very sympathetic and even the guy she breaks up with felt real. Not some mustache-twirling antagonist, but the sort of douche you'd actually meet in high school.
The last story was extremely awful. Like *holy crap* awful. It's about a girl who gets dumped by her girlfriend that doesn't want to admit that she's gay. It was interesting to see a topic handled in a short story, but the entire thing just felt... really insulting to the LGBTQ+ community. As a bi girl, it rubbed me the wrong way to see the main character insult her ex by calling her straight because she was kissing up on some douche. The characters, besides the protagonist, are fine I suppose. But this was a hard story to get through because of how much it painted sexuality as black and white: gay or straight.
Overall, a 3/5. Not a bad book but I wouldn't really find myself reading the whole thing ever again.
The first story was very solid: it's about a guy who gets broken up with because he isn't comfortable with having sex at his age yet. It felt like a real situation and I was ultimately left wanting more once the story ended.
The second story was one of the worst things I have ever read. So basically... this girl gets in an accident and she can somehow... read minds? Okay, cool, whatever. And then she finds out her boyfriend had a bet to have sex with her and acts like a stereotypical Disney Channel villain? Uh... weird. And then the story abruptly ends out of nowhere? What the hell? I seriously do not know how this was published.
The third story was unironically one of the best things I ever read and I would seriously recommend reading this book solely for this short story. It was written in this poem format that I've never seen done before, which combined with the simple yet excellent plot, worked wonders. It was about a girl with low confidence finally finding a guy who likes her but then slowly realizing how crummy he is. It was interesting seeing the relationship function like a rollercoaster: tons of high-highs, tons of low-lows. The main character was very sympathetic and even the guy she breaks up with felt real. Not some mustache-twirling antagonist, but the sort of douche you'd actually meet in high school.
The last story was extremely awful. Like *holy crap* awful. It's about a girl who gets dumped by her girlfriend that doesn't want to admit that she's gay. It was interesting to see a topic handled in a short story, but the entire thing just felt... really insulting to the LGBTQ+ community. As a bi girl, it rubbed me the wrong way to see the main character insult her ex by calling her straight because she was kissing up on some douche. The characters, besides the protagonist, are fine I suppose. But this was a hard story to get through because of how much it painted sexuality as black and white: gay or straight.
Overall, a 3/5. Not a bad book but I wouldn't really find myself reading the whole thing ever again.
September 6, 2020
This book was written in 4 separate parts by 4 different authors. It is meant to be from a teenager's point of view, and all 4 teenagers are dealing with a breakup. It tackles subjects such as virginity, sexual orientation, feeling used, and standing up for yourself. The dialogue at times was cringy and unrealistic but not at all boring. Obviously I'm not the target audience and this book was published in 2008. It was not bad at all, I didn't have to force myself to read it- it just wasn't great.
January 27, 2021
Some light reading- thoughts on breakups that are interesting.
July 13, 2011
I ordered this book for my middle school library, as it's had great reviews and the authors are very respected. It's composed of four individual stories, all revolving around the teen drama of breaking up (obviously). SPOILER ALERT.....
The first story, by Niki Burnham, is from the point of view of a boy who has been dating the most beautiful girl to him for a while. Things start to go awry when she pressures him for sex, and makes him feel guilty when he tells her no. Toby enters a world of question and embarrassment as he confides in his best friend, and soon realizes what was really going on with his girlfriend to make him pressure him.
The second story, by Terri Clark, is about a Goth girl who gets in a car accident while "petting" her boyfriend in the front seat of his truck. Afterwards, she is able to hear his thoughts and discovers that he's on a quest with his buddy to write a book about how to get ANY girl (crossing clique lines). She obviously dumps him on the spot, but soon learns at school that she's not the only one and with the help of her friend, seeks out the other victims to extract some revenge, while saving other girls in the school from the boys.
The third story, by Ellen Hopkins, is in poem format making it a quick and easy read. It is about a girl, who labels herself as plain and "big boned". While working at a coffee shop, she ends up having a boy ask the other workers for her number. Chet calls her and asks her out. It becomes her first ever date, kiss, and boyfriend and everything else that ensues are firsts. But Chet asks her to make some changes about her appearance that leaves her questioning who she is doing it for, but loving the attention she gets from him because of it. When things go a little too far, Lisa puts the stop to going all the way to discover what Chet's true thoughts are of her.
The final story, by Lynda Sandoval, is about a girl named Mia who over the summer was dating the most popular girl in school named Paige. When Paige outs Mia in front of most of the school two days before senior year, and calls her a freak, Mia is heartbroken. Paige had been her first love, and Mia had been Paige's first girlfriend. Shortly into the school year, Mia becomes the poster girl (although she doesn't want to be) for the Acceptance Alliance (AA) where anyone, gay/straight/religious/whatever, can get together and have a group to call their own. Lots of students participate, and clique groups dissipate. Mia also becomes close with a ballet dancer named Kellen who is a totally cool girl. The issues between Paige & Mia resurface and it takes another embarrassing moment to ease the tensions.
Most of the stories happen over the summer months between school semesters, and deal with teens in their junior or senior year of high school. Content is definitely more mature than what most any 6th and 7th grader can handle, but a for sure great read for the other teens. Easy stories, no cuss words, just sexual content which is a very big part of teens' lives in school.
The first story, by Niki Burnham, is from the point of view of a boy who has been dating the most beautiful girl to him for a while. Things start to go awry when she pressures him for sex, and makes him feel guilty when he tells her no. Toby enters a world of question and embarrassment as he confides in his best friend, and soon realizes what was really going on with his girlfriend to make him pressure him.
The second story, by Terri Clark, is about a Goth girl who gets in a car accident while "petting" her boyfriend in the front seat of his truck. Afterwards, she is able to hear his thoughts and discovers that he's on a quest with his buddy to write a book about how to get ANY girl (crossing clique lines). She obviously dumps him on the spot, but soon learns at school that she's not the only one and with the help of her friend, seeks out the other victims to extract some revenge, while saving other girls in the school from the boys.
The third story, by Ellen Hopkins, is in poem format making it a quick and easy read. It is about a girl, who labels herself as plain and "big boned". While working at a coffee shop, she ends up having a boy ask the other workers for her number. Chet calls her and asks her out. It becomes her first ever date, kiss, and boyfriend and everything else that ensues are firsts. But Chet asks her to make some changes about her appearance that leaves her questioning who she is doing it for, but loving the attention she gets from him because of it. When things go a little too far, Lisa puts the stop to going all the way to discover what Chet's true thoughts are of her.
The final story, by Lynda Sandoval, is about a girl named Mia who over the summer was dating the most popular girl in school named Paige. When Paige outs Mia in front of most of the school two days before senior year, and calls her a freak, Mia is heartbroken. Paige had been her first love, and Mia had been Paige's first girlfriend. Shortly into the school year, Mia becomes the poster girl (although she doesn't want to be) for the Acceptance Alliance (AA) where anyone, gay/straight/religious/whatever, can get together and have a group to call their own. Lots of students participate, and clique groups dissipate. Mia also becomes close with a ballet dancer named Kellen who is a totally cool girl. The issues between Paige & Mia resurface and it takes another embarrassing moment to ease the tensions.
Most of the stories happen over the summer months between school semesters, and deal with teens in their junior or senior year of high school. Content is definitely more mature than what most any 6th and 7th grader can handle, but a for sure great read for the other teens. Easy stories, no cuss words, just sexual content which is a very big part of teens' lives in school.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2010
These are all stories about love and breaking up.
It was amazing how fast love and break-ups happen, or how slow they go and then it hits you like "BANG."
The stories were all lessons, that we can all learn from. Or that we can admire.
"Last Stand" by Niki Burnham tells about a guy giving so much to a girl, that he doesn't even realize what she wants from him. When he does, he sees the mistake he made, and what the problem was. This girl was using him because she loved attention.
"Don't Mind Me" by Terri Clark is kind of about playing, and revenge. These girls learn their lesson, and plan on something bad for the 2 guys who have cheated them. Even this couldn't make up for what the guys had done to them: gave the guys their hearts for sex and NOTHING.
"Just Plain Lisa" by Ellen Hopkins shows a guy that is using a girl and making her change herself. This girl (Lisa) felt special while the guy (Chet) was dating her. Lisa listened to what Chet had to say. She lost her glasses to contacts because it "brought out the gold flecks" in Lisa's eyes. She dyed her hair red because she'd be a "knockout as a redhead." She lost a dress size, even spared a chocolate soufflé because Chet thought it was "calorific," AND he even made her start wearing make-up because he thought it would make her look prettier. At a party, she became a little drunk, and told him that she loved him, and meaning it. But he didn't say it back. The day at school, Lisa overheard Chet talking to another girl saying "you know, this will be my first date." Ohhhhh
"Party Foul" by Lynda Sandoval was very amazing. Mia, a gay girl in high school, was dating a popular blonde, Paige, in the same school during the summer. They totally hit it off, but when Paige told Mia she wasn't attending the big party before school started, Mia was confused about why she wouldn't want to go with her. Besides, Paige wouldn't miss a party or any event for anything. But Mia went anyways with her best friend (who is also gay), Allison. Paige was there, and making out with a guy named Marco. Mia confronted Paige, who in front of the whole school called her a lesbian freak, and said how Mia was just obsessed over her. Mia was in shock, but soon after, there was a GSA club made (which was turned into an AA club-Acceptance Alliance.) Things happened, Mia got a girlfriend, and then at home-coming, Paige was voted home-coming queen, along with Marco as the home-coming king, but they had JUST broken up. Paige went up to the stage alone, and told the whole school how wrong she was for doing what she did to Mia, and that it was true: she was gay. This story is pretty amazing and can teach you how you can accept people the way they are.
I think that this whole book is really good. I couldn't stop reading it; and now that its done, i wish there was more to it. I think that a lot of people would enjoy this book.
It was amazing how fast love and break-ups happen, or how slow they go and then it hits you like "BANG."
The stories were all lessons, that we can all learn from. Or that we can admire.
"Last Stand" by Niki Burnham tells about a guy giving so much to a girl, that he doesn't even realize what she wants from him. When he does, he sees the mistake he made, and what the problem was. This girl was using him because she loved attention.
"Don't Mind Me" by Terri Clark is kind of about playing, and revenge. These girls learn their lesson, and plan on something bad for the 2 guys who have cheated them. Even this couldn't make up for what the guys had done to them: gave the guys their hearts for sex and NOTHING.
"Just Plain Lisa" by Ellen Hopkins shows a guy that is using a girl and making her change herself. This girl (Lisa) felt special while the guy (Chet) was dating her. Lisa listened to what Chet had to say. She lost her glasses to contacts because it "brought out the gold flecks" in Lisa's eyes. She dyed her hair red because she'd be a "knockout as a redhead." She lost a dress size, even spared a chocolate soufflé because Chet thought it was "calorific," AND he even made her start wearing make-up because he thought it would make her look prettier. At a party, she became a little drunk, and told him that she loved him, and meaning it. But he didn't say it back. The day at school, Lisa overheard Chet talking to another girl saying "you know, this will be my first date." Ohhhhh
"Party Foul" by Lynda Sandoval was very amazing. Mia, a gay girl in high school, was dating a popular blonde, Paige, in the same school during the summer. They totally hit it off, but when Paige told Mia she wasn't attending the big party before school started, Mia was confused about why she wouldn't want to go with her. Besides, Paige wouldn't miss a party or any event for anything. But Mia went anyways with her best friend (who is also gay), Allison. Paige was there, and making out with a guy named Marco. Mia confronted Paige, who in front of the whole school called her a lesbian freak, and said how Mia was just obsessed over her. Mia was in shock, but soon after, there was a GSA club made (which was turned into an AA club-Acceptance Alliance.) Things happened, Mia got a girlfriend, and then at home-coming, Paige was voted home-coming queen, along with Marco as the home-coming king, but they had JUST broken up. Paige went up to the stage alone, and told the whole school how wrong she was for doing what she did to Mia, and that it was true: she was gay. This story is pretty amazing and can teach you how you can accept people the way they are.
I think that this whole book is really good. I couldn't stop reading it; and now that its done, i wish there was more to it. I think that a lot of people would enjoy this book.
did-not-finish
October 15, 2016Read Last Stand by Niki Burnham on 11/26/12.
Last Stand is a bit longer than the stories I usually feature in the short story spotlight. It’s actually more of a novella than a short story, and it comes from a collection of four such novellas entitled Breaking Up is Hard To Do. I like break-up stories, and I love Niki Burnham, so when I discovered this book at the library in my town (as opposed to the library I work in), I knew I wanted to read at least her story. As it turned out, Burnham’s story is the only one I read, partly because I just couldn’t stand to leave the world of Last Stand once I was so heavily invested.
Toby and his girlfriend, Amber, have been together for a while, and he’s happy with the way things are. Amber, however, wants more. Specifically, she wants to have sex with Toby, even though he’s really not ready. Toby tries to explain his feelings without insulting Amber, but as he works to save their relationship, he starts to realize the many reasons it might be time to move on. At the same time, he starts to understand that he might be too nice to people, and that he needs to carve out some space for himself, instead of always putting everyone else first.
When I first started reading this story, I was expecting the conversational tone of the other Niki Burnham books I’ve read, all of which are from the Simon Romantic Comedies series. What stood out for me about Last Stand is how different it actually is from those fluffier, feel-good stories. Last Stand deals with a very serious issue, and from a unique point of view. It’s easy to find a story about a boy who pressures a girl for sex, but more difficult to find the reverse situation. Burnham tackles it very honestly and believably, and Toby becomes a very sympathetic character.
The supporting characters are also wonderful additions to the story. Toby’s older sister, Keira, who is a young single mom running her own business is the chief influence in Toby’s life, and the number one recipient of his selfless kindness. His best friend, Griff, stands by him through the worst of Amber’s anger and cruelty and supports him as he works through the breakup. And Ginger, a female classmate of Toby’s is the one who talks sense into him, reminding him that it’s not all about Amber or Keira.
The writing in the story is very precise and evocative. I got to know the characters quickly, and wished I could have spent 100 more pages with them. The dialogue is perfect, and even though Amber is the villain of the story, Burnham makes sure we can still understand how Toby could have fallen for her and stayed with her for so long.
Last Stand is a bit longer than the stories I usually feature in the short story spotlight. It’s actually more of a novella than a short story, and it comes from a collection of four such novellas entitled Breaking Up is Hard To Do. I like break-up stories, and I love Niki Burnham, so when I discovered this book at the library in my town (as opposed to the library I work in), I knew I wanted to read at least her story. As it turned out, Burnham’s story is the only one I read, partly because I just couldn’t stand to leave the world of Last Stand once I was so heavily invested.
Toby and his girlfriend, Amber, have been together for a while, and he’s happy with the way things are. Amber, however, wants more. Specifically, she wants to have sex with Toby, even though he’s really not ready. Toby tries to explain his feelings without insulting Amber, but as he works to save their relationship, he starts to realize the many reasons it might be time to move on. At the same time, he starts to understand that he might be too nice to people, and that he needs to carve out some space for himself, instead of always putting everyone else first.
When I first started reading this story, I was expecting the conversational tone of the other Niki Burnham books I’ve read, all of which are from the Simon Romantic Comedies series. What stood out for me about Last Stand is how different it actually is from those fluffier, feel-good stories. Last Stand deals with a very serious issue, and from a unique point of view. It’s easy to find a story about a boy who pressures a girl for sex, but more difficult to find the reverse situation. Burnham tackles it very honestly and believably, and Toby becomes a very sympathetic character.
The supporting characters are also wonderful additions to the story. Toby’s older sister, Keira, who is a young single mom running her own business is the chief influence in Toby’s life, and the number one recipient of his selfless kindness. His best friend, Griff, stands by him through the worst of Amber’s anger and cruelty and supports him as he works through the breakup. And Ginger, a female classmate of Toby’s is the one who talks sense into him, reminding him that it’s not all about Amber or Keira.
The writing in the story is very precise and evocative. I got to know the characters quickly, and wished I could have spent 100 more pages with them. The dialogue is perfect, and even though Amber is the villain of the story, Burnham makes sure we can still understand how Toby could have fallen for her and stayed with her for so long.
February 23, 2016
The beginning was okay. It was just a little slow. Although, it does get a little better when Amber and Toby are alone together. However, it gets slow towards the end.
The book just went downhill from there. The other stories started off slow and did not really get any better as I read on. The only one after the first story that made me even have a small inkling of interest was the last story, Party Foul. It was interesting to have a story about lesbians. Never really read a story on that subject. I mean, I have read stories involving LGBT, but just not specifically on that topic.
The book just went downhill from there. The other stories started off slow and did not really get any better as I read on. The only one after the first story that made me even have a small inkling of interest was the last story, Party Foul. It was interesting to have a story about lesbians. Never really read a story on that subject. I mean, I have read stories involving LGBT, but just not specifically on that topic.
October 16, 2011
"Breaking Up is Hard to do" is a collection of four stories about four different characters: Toby, Dee, Lisa, and Mia. It is about their unsuccessful first love relationships. Each character is going through a break up with his or her partner due to various reasons. Toby's girlfriend, Amber, breaks up with him because he refuses to have sex with her. She believes that his refusal to have sex with her means that he doesn't like her and that he is thinks she is a "slut." As for Dee, a girl who is able to read people's minds, she later realizes that her relationship with her boyfriend, Rick, is a lie; it is based on a joke. She then gathers all the girls at school for revenge. Moving to Lisa, this teenager who changes her look completely only to impress her boyfriend, Chet. Although she began to wear makeup, dress nicely, and take care of herself, she still failed to keep their relationship going. However, the last story is different as it speaks about a lesbian girl, Mia, who falls in love with a straight girl. Yet she is not ready to publicly announce that she is not straight. Each of these four stories is extremely personal and detailed, which encourages the readers to follow along as it grasps his or her attention.
February 1, 2012
I was really excited to get this anthology and am so glad I did. All four authors are amazing, and write such fantastic and unique tales. Niki's story is told from a guy's point of view and is pretty funny with Sam, the protagonist, putting in little snarky asides to the reader. Terri's story is an extremely hilarious paranormal story that has a very awesome girl power message. Ellen's story is told in her usual verse format and brings a fresh style to the anthology, and is as addicting to read as her verse novels. And, finally, Lynda's story brings in the sexual orientation aspect with her main character being a lesbian, adding a new level to this anthology; her story is written really well and is very heartwarming to read (after the breakup bit, lol). A wonderful anthology from four unbelievably great authors, and one that everyone should read. All the stories end on a very hopeful note, so don't shy away from this if you think it'll be depressing, much like I thought it would be once the full idea of the anthology sunk in, since I was pulled in by the amazing authors contributing.
August 7, 2010
I get the feeling this book is aimed more at ages 13-15, purposely written with characters who are around 16 or 17. When I was just coming out of middle school, I didn’t want to read about kids my own age either. Then again, coming out of middle school, I’d already had a couple boyfriend implosions and was well on my way to a few more. Perhaps I’m not the best judge of who feels what when.
All four stories make the point that while we don’t often find happiness by the path we expected, it’s still possible. Because of that, I can forgive some of the sentimentality. It’s certainly not a perfect book, but your teenager could read far worse.
(Full review can be found at Glorified Love Letters.)
All four stories make the point that while we don’t often find happiness by the path we expected, it’s still possible. Because of that, I can forgive some of the sentimentality. It’s certainly not a perfect book, but your teenager could read far worse.
(Full review can be found at Glorified Love Letters.)
November 30, 2008
I’m not extremely fond of short stories—there really isn’t much time and room for development, is there?—so I was skeptical about picking this up. I mean, yes, Niki Burnham is a decent romantic comedy writer, Ellen Hopkins is known for her verse, Lynda Sandoval has written one of the most hilarious books ever (Who’s Your Daddy?), and Terri Clark is beach reads. Turns out I was right. The breakups were okay, but it was unrealistic how they had a new lover in sight as soon as they got dumped. The only perk was that I got a glimpse of Hopkin’s verse, something I’d always been doubtful of reading. Now, I think I might read her books.
February 9, 2009
So far what is happing is that Toby and Amber been going out since the summer. Toby made it in the cross country team. It was the first day of school. When Toby finish doing the job for his sister Keira, then he went to Amber's house to do homework. But they were really were kissing. This part of the book makes me feel that they are really in love with each other.I like the author's style because they give good information and it makes it feel like your there(Also I like dating books). The author wants me to feel happy in the begginng of the book and then sad at the end of the book because Toby and Amber broke up and Toby didn't want to but he had to.
May 14, 2008
Disclaimer! My friend Terri wrote the novella included in this collection, but even if I hadn't known the author I'd still give her selection 5 stars for inventiveness and great characters. Ellen Hopkins contribution about a teen girl that changes to please a boy rings true and sad.
January 19, 2009
When young love comes calling shortly after the breakups are bound to happen. The 4 stories in the book will entertain you but in the end everyone lives seem to work out for the better and with a new perspective on life.
August 2, 2010
Okay, so I only read the story by Ellen Hopkins, but it was a very interesting story told in free verse poems. Not a huge fan of that style, but the story was a great story of high school love grown and dashed.
July 29, 2011
At least, I would recommend this book to any of my friends. It is a fun set of stories that really show you how a single break up can completely change you. I like some of the stories better than others, but that happens sometimes.
July 8, 2013
Didn't like the first story, middle 2 were ok, and detested the last one. Not that the topic is a fun one to start with, but I keep being surprised at what is in the young adult section- if I had teens I would not want them reading this one or various others I have checked out.
July 7, 2008
4 cute stories of teens and their heartbreaking breakups. I found it rather unrealistic how all of them were able to find new significant others virtually immediately.
February 18, 2012
This book is FANTABULOUS!!!! Its really good and it kind of teaches you a lesson kinda
June 22, 2012
true braking up is hard. it makes me be reminded of my first boy friend
November 19, 2012
I only read the Ellen Hopkins part...love her stuff
December 26, 2012
Loved it
July 26, 2013
AMAZING BOOK!!! I loved this book so much!
August 31, 2008
For some reason, this book just irked me.
It did not interest me at all.
It did not interest me at all.
December 15, 2011
as with most short stories collections, half of the stories grabbed me and half didn't
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews