Review: Ten Things We Did (and probably shouldn't have)

Ten Things We Did (and probably shouldn't have)
Sarah Mlynowsk
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: June 7, 2011

2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house – parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have.

If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.

In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time.

I've been hearing xush great things about this book, so I couldn't wait to read it. I actually didn't get as into as others, but I still really liked it. A very enjoyable read, but there was one thing that bothered me. 

The characters. Especially the main character, April. The entire time she didn't care about anyone but herself. I found myself rolling my eyes at her a lot. Now, I didn't hate her. She had her moments. But there were times when she bothered me. Also, maybe this is just me being me, but would anyone else feel bad about spending their parents money like that? Not even on necessary things, but on useless things like a hot tub? I know I would. But I guess I'm a goody two shoes. 

Anyway, on to the good stuff. This really is a fun book. Despite it being a mostly light read, it deals with some tough stuff, too. And even though the idea of it is a little far-fetched, the issues still seemed real. 

Overall, I did really like this book. If it weren't for the characters, I would absolutely love it.