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Second Helpings (Jessica Darling #2)

by Megan McCafferty (Goodreads Author)

4.08 · rating details · 8,064 ratings · 453 reviews

“Knowing that I’ve just done something that will take decades off my parents’ lives with worry, you’ll excuse me for not getting into the fa-la-la-la-la Yuletide spirit this year. . . . The only difference between Christmas 2001 and Christmas 2000 is that I don’t have a visit from Hope to look forward to. And Bethany has already packed on some major fetal flab. Oh, and now...more“Knowing that I’ve just done something that will take decades off my parents’ lives with worry, you’ll excuse me for not getting into the fa-la-la-la-la Yuletide spirit this year. . . . The only difference between Christmas 2001 and Christmas 2000 is that I don’t have a visit from Hope to look forward to. And Bethany has already packed on some major fetal flab. Oh, and now Gladdie doesn’t need to ask a bizillion questions about my boyfriend, because she’s already gotten the dirt from you know who.”

Jessica Darling is up in arms again in this much-anticipated, hilarious sequel to Sloppy Firsts. This time, the hyperobservant, angst-ridden teenager is going through the social and emotional ordeal of her senior year at Pineville High. Not only does the mysterious and oh-so-compelling Marcus Flutie continue to distract Jessica, but her best friend, Hope, still lives in another state, and she can’t seem to escape the clutches of the Clueless Crew, her annoying so-called friends. To top it off, Jessica’s parents won’t get off her butt about choosing a college, and her sister Bethany’s pregnancy is causing a big stir in the Darling household.

With keen intelligence, sardonic wit, and ingenious comedic timing, Megan McCafferty again re-creates the tumultuous world of today’s fast-moving and sophisticated teens. Fans of Sloppy Firsts will be reunited with their favorite characters and also introduced to the fresh new faces that have entered Jess’s life, including the hot creative writing teacher at her summer college prep program and her feisty, tell-it-like-it-is grandmother Gladdie. But most of all, readers will finally have the answers to all of their burgeoning questions, and then some: Will Jessica crack under the pressure of senioritis? Will her unresolved feelings for Marcus wreak havoc on her love life? Will Hope ever come back to Pineville? Fall in love with saucy, irreverent Jessica all over again in this wonderful sequel to a book that critics and readers alike hailed as the best high school novel in years.(less)

Paperback, 357 pages

Published December 18th 2007 by Three Rivers Press

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Community Reviews

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Jan 28, 2011

Janina rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult-fiction, contemporary, books-i-own, favourite-characters, made-me-cry, read-in-2011, fictional-crushes, love-triangle, best-of-2011, just-hilarious, want-to-be-your-friend, older-ya-vibe

Reasons I enjoyed Second Helpings more than Sloppy Firsts:

Reading it in English. Really, the humour – and especially the play on words – just doesn’t translate too well. I had much more fun reading the original. Jessica’s voice felt more authentic.

It had more Marcus Flutie. Enough said.

I loved that Jessica started to make friends with someone she only felt mild annoyance for in book one. Her relationship with Bridget grew and she acknowledged that while it wasn’t t...more

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Jan 03, 2011

Jessica rated it

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

This was fun fun fun! I had trouble deciding on a rating, though.
I kept changing it from 4 stars to 5 stars to 4 stars to 5 stars and now, finally, I settled on a 4 stars rating which is actually more like a 4.5 stars rating ;-)

To my surprise, I liked Second Helpings better than Sloppy Firsts. It was funnier somehow and there were more swoon worthy moments. Boy, am I crushing hard on Marcus Flutie! ♥

When I checked the reviews for this bo...moreSQUEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

This was fun fun fun! I had trouble deciding on a rating, though.
I kept changing it from 4 stars to 5 stars to 4 stars to 5 stars and now, finally, I settled on a 4 stars rating which is actually more like a 4.5 stars rating ;-)

To my surprise, I liked Second Helpings better than Sloppy Firsts. It was funnier somehow and there were more swoon worthy moments. Boy, am I crushing hard on Marcus Flutie! ♥

When I checked the reviews for this book (and the Jessica Darling series in general) I was quite worried, because obviously people are rather torn when it comes to this series. There are a lot of negative reviews on here and I have to say that now, after having read the second installment in this series, I understand why some people don’t like these books. Basically, it all boils down to whether you can relate to Jessica or not. She is sarcastic, snarky and quite the pessimist. Sometimes she’s too rash in judging things or people and the way she talks about the observations she makes might come across as harsh and arrogant but she has friends who call her out on it and she realizes that she has to work on herself. I can see why there are people who don’t like her. I, however, can relate to her pretty well, seeing as I used to be like this, too. I am still snarky and sarcastic but I dropped the negative attitude. Believe me, 16-year-old me wasn’t always fun to be around. ;-) What makes me relate to Jessica to an almost creepy extent, makes others dislike her.

The second thing that makes this book sometimes difficult to like is the writing. It’s rather complicated and a little too wordy at times. Some of the descriptions just drag on and on.

So, what else is there to say? Second Helpings was pretty much focused on Jessica’s love life, which I didn’t mind, because it was just so much fun. Marcus is a great character, I adore him and I really hope that everything works out between him and Jess. I also loved all the parts about Bridget and Pepe, Skank and Skankier, Scotty, the Pinevile Low editions and Len. (even though I wanted to rip his balls off). All in all, a really great read!(less)

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Mar 08, 2010

Tatiana rated it

Shelves: 2010, chick-lit, ya, tres-annoying, series-dropped-lost-steam

As much as I loved "Sloppy Firsts," as much as I admired Jessica Darling and identified with her in that book, I just couldn't bring myself to give this sequel more than 2 stars, simply because I didn't like how this story unfolded.

For one, I thought Jessica digressed in this installment. I no longer found her funny and spazzy, I found her immature, whiny, and, for all her school smarts, dumb. I didn't like her relationship with Len, I thoroughly hated her sudden obsession ...more

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Aug 19, 2010

Crystal rated it

Shelves: 2010

The first book left me wanting more, but this one left me going "huh". I think what I liked about Jessica was lost in this one. She turned into a boy crazy, sex starved, mouthy girl. The whole Len situation ticked me off too. I applauded her for not giving in to Scotty, but then she turned around and dated Len for all the wrong reasons. I just didn't get why she went in that direction. Throughout most of the book I was bored until Marcus walked in. Don't get me wrong he annoyed ...more

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Jan 31, 2012

Isamlq rated it

3.5/5

I’ll be the first to admit that Jessica Darling’s whining was getting to me.
And I’ll also be the first to admit that I didn’t think I was going to like Second Helpings. I mean, really, there’s very little new here. Mostly, she’s still in dire need of perspective and she’s also not the only one to point said fact out. Worse? She’s become even less darling (pun, definitely intended) from how she was in the first! How so? Well, what was with the sudden sex obsession? What ha...more

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Apr 14, 2009

Brittany rated it

Recommends it for: Teens to Young Adults

Recommended to Brittany by: Anna M

Shelves: girly-books, high-school, fiction, favorites, young-adult

How I Came To Read This Book: My friend Anna insisted I read it.

The Plot: After a rather explosive time in Jessica's life - including the burning of her precious journals - everyone's favourite darling is back and ready to tackle senior year with more biting, raw commentary on the happenings at Pineville. The problems are just as realistic and dramatic - for a teenager - as ever in Jessica's life, ranging from boyfriends to sex to friends to family to expectations for college.
...moreHow I Came To Read This Book: My friend Anna insisted I read it.

The Plot: After a rather explosive time in Jessica's life - including the burning of her precious journals - everyone's favourite darling is back and ready to tackle senior year with more biting, raw commentary on the happenings at Pineville. The problems are just as realistic and dramatic - for a teenager - as ever in Jessica's life, ranging from boyfriends to sex to friends to family to expectations for college.

The Good or Bad: This was my fave Jessica Darling book. I reread them both before the third one came out and still stuck to this one as my fave. I felt like it was the most complete - the first one is a bit too immature, the third is too sporadic, and the fourth is too short within the timeframe of the book. Again, the books are very timely, perhaps reading them again in a few years will make the lingo/pop culture almost archaic, however that could be said of most chick lit/YA fiction. If you're going to read it, at least read a good series.

Anything Memorable?: After reading Sloppy Firsts & Second Helpings, I wrote Megan McCafferty an email and she wrote me back!

Bottom Line: Part of one of my fave book series of all time - a definite read.

50 Book Challenge?: Nope

Retro Review: In Megan McCafferty's Second Offering in the Jessica Darling sagas, we get introduced to her life as a Senior. With even more pessimistic yet realistic views of life as a suburban teenager, get ready for the rollercoaster ride of Jessica's life as she goes through new steps in boyfriends, sex-type-stuff, friends, dealing with the past, her family, and altogether your typical teenager life.
The thing I love about this book is that its SO real. The average teen book out there puts the main character in some weird crazy situation that only a small majority can relate to: ex, death of a parent, living in a trailer park, etc. etc. McCafferty isn't afraid to address the fact that hwile in the GRAND scheme of things JD's probs are probably trivial, in her life, they are her world. Which is why i think I (and many others) can relate.

If you're looking for a book where you feel at one with the characters and the plot, definately pick up Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings for a sometimes sad, sometimes touching, sometimes downright painfully hilariously embarassing and ALWAYS real plot!!!
(less)

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Apr 09, 2008

Leslie rated it

I think I was right to have decided to reread Sloppy Firsts before I read this one because I read the latter last summer and I, for one, stand among the many other people who easily forget the details in a book and just end up remembering the basic outline of the whole plot. I think it can be better appreciated with Sloppy Firsts just fresh in mind.

I seemed to have liked this one a bit better than Sloppy Firsts because although it continued to depict the shallowness and drama of high...more

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Aug 07, 2007

Jennie rated it

Jessica Darling’s grandmother, Gladie, knows more about her love-life than Jessica does herself. In fact, all the seniors at Silver Meadows nursing home know more about Jessica’s life than she does. Jessica fully blames Marcus, who she refuses to talk to, because he’s been talking to Gladie.

But the mysterious editor of the gossip email, Pineville Low knows more about everyone’s life and their dark secrets and everyone assumes it’s Jessica. It’s caustic, it’s cutting, and Jessica hasn...more

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Nov 28, 2011

Lisa O. rated it

Shelves: chick-lit, ya-lit

Jessica Darling irreverent approach to reality around her goes on. She is in her final school year and is still dealing with many of the problems that plagued her previous year. She is so observant, so cynical, so witty and sometimes just downright so brutal that some parts of this book are too good to be true. It makes me want to get a marker and highlight them so i can remember them later and laugh my ass off any time i feel the urge to. Grandma Gladdie was the cherry on the pie in this instal...more

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Feb 25, 2009

Lexi rated it

I read Second Helpings because I wanted an easy read. Although I was really surprised to find that the main character and I shared a sense of humor with a lot of similar feelings thus making this book not only easy but enjoyable.

I liked the book most for its style. Jessica, the narrator who tells the story in first person, is smart, witty, and has a talent for writing. We see her true thoughts and feelings as the story is told through the pages of her journal. Even from the very ...more

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Dec 28, 2011

Btari Nadine rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Sep 12, 2011

Jac (For Love and Books) rated it

· review of another edition

I can sum up this book in one word. SQUEE!!

I loved Second Helpings more than Sloppy Firsts, which I hadn't thought was possible. Maybe it was because Jess was more mature (for the most part) or maybe that I finally understood why everyone loves Marcus Flutie.

We join Jessica Darling and her friends (and not-friends) for their senior year at Pineville High. Jess still misses her best friend, Hope. She's still madly in love with "He-who-must-not-be-named" (...more

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Apr 16, 2011

cecilia rated it

Shelves: purple-covers, sitting-covers, torso-covers, knees-covers

Jessica Darling wants nothing to do with Marcus Flutie after his betrayal, but he seems determined to make her life as awkward as possible by helping his best friend Len Levy win her over. Not to mention, Marcus seems to be in cahoots with her colorful grandmother at the nursing home when it comes to Jessica's love life and college plans. As she tries to survive her senior year at Pineville High, Jessica combats a mediocre relationship with a boy not of her dreams, a dream college that far excee...more

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Feb 22, 2011

A. S. rated it

This book is the second book in Megan McCafferty's Jessica Darling series. I really loved Sloppy Firsts, and while this book isn't the worst in the series, it is definitely a step down from the first book.

Jessica Darling begins this novel while she's at a sleepaway camp for students gifted in the arts. She's in the writing program and there she has her second crush (her hot, gay writing professor) and meets her former high school crush, prompting her to think about applying to Columb...more

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Dec 21, 2010

Michelle rated it

Shelves: 2010, ya, contemp

After learning of Marcus' betrayal and vowing to never speak his name again, Jessica prepares for her senior year by getting the heck out of dodge...er...Pineville by enrolling in a teenage writers camp called SPECIAL. SPECIAL doesn't really turn out to be the escape Jessica hopes. As if lusting after her writing mentor weren't enough, Jessica is now stuck for the next six weeks dealing with a bunch of hormone-crazed or suicidal teens she has nothing in common with. That is until she accidentall...moreAfter learning of Marcus' betrayal and vowing to never speak his name again, Jessica prepares for her senior year by getting the heck out of dodge...er...Pineville by enrolling in a teenage writers camp called SPECIAL. SPECIAL doesn't really turn out to be the escape Jessica hopes. As if lusting after her writing mentor weren't enough, Jessica is now stuck for the next six weeks dealing with a bunch of hormone-crazed or suicidal teens she has nothing in common with. That is until she accidentally turns in her actual journal instead of her class-required journal for credit and her mentor is suitably impressed. Embarrassed by his praise but full of new ambitions for college and life after Pineville High, Jessica returns to face her senior year and the one boy she wishes she'd never laid eyes on. That is until he turns her world upside down. Again.

Since I fell hard and fast for practically every single thing about Sloppy Firsts I couldn't help but be a little disappointed with Second Helpings. There were tons of great things about this book - Jessica is dead-on with her descriptions of the sheer terror every teen faces in trying to decided what college to attend (I mean really, it's only your ENTIRE FUTURE we're talking about here people) and the odd, bittersweet goodbyes of any senior year. Every bit of that was totally relate-able and hilarious as always. It was Jessica's somewhat subtle change in tone and her sex-crazed mission that put me off this time. Instead of finding her voice snarky and irreverent, she became whiny and pessimistic and downright annoying. But that's not what really got me - it was her whole 'I'm not with Marcus, so I'm gonna be with somebody' motto that lead to her ill-advised quest to lose her virginity with Len. To be honest, I was actually a bit bored until Marcus entered the picture once again - so of course, I was delighted with the ending, it was just a lot of the details leading up to the big finale that left me with mixed feelings on this one.(less)

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Oct 09, 2010

Jessica Lawlor rated it

Shelves: read-in-2009

Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty is the second in the series about Jessica Darling, now a high school senior. The story is still told through Jessica’s journal and letters to her best friend Hope who moved away during her sophomore year.

I really wasn’t a fan of the first book, but because I’ve heard such good things about the series, I decided to give it another chance. I’m so glad I did, because now I’m absolutely in love with Jessica Darling.

The second book chronicle...more

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Apr 18, 2010

Lauren Fidler rated it

Shelves: barry-manilow, bildungsroman, books-i-can-read-in-under-3-hours, dirty-hippy, journal-fiction, salinger-rip-offs, sappy-tacky-sentimental-pap

i am mentally prepping myself for summer books by starting off with this series.

i enjoyed "second helpings" - even if the cutesy, mildly double-entendred titles aren't really doin' it for me.

the perks:

1. same ole jessica d., same ole marcus flutie (my soft spot for brilliant redheaded male poets in literature is legendary), same ole clueless crew, same ole letters to hope marking the end of each month, all good as far as i'm concerned
2. more e...more

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Jan 10, 2010

Sheela rated it

Shelves: chick-lit

This is the second novel in the Jess Darling series and Megan McCafferty is becoming one of my favorite authors. I really enjoy the biting commentary and her style of writing (except for some of the cliche phrases that happen to also conveniently rhyme, ie "queen of mean" or something to that extent). I also like how there isn't necessarily a plot or story, but just a glimpse into this teen's life. While Jess is a little self-absorbed (and at times, a tad bit whiny), it is a more real...more

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Sep 30, 2009

Erin rated it

I asume that if you have read this then you read the 1st in the Jessica Darling series (Sloppy Firsts) and you too have fallen completely in love with Marcus as much as I have. The funny thing about it is that I didn't even like Marcus until almost the end of the 1st book, but in this book... Shheessh, I can't even put it into words, for me, he is hotter than Edward/Jacob(Twilight, whichever team you are on).

This book explains a lot of what the 1st book leaves you hanging on, but I...more

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Aug 04, 2009

Audelia rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I read an Indonesian edition of this novel.

Suatu hari saya ke tempat penyewaan buku favorit, dan mencari lamaaa sekali apa yang ingin saya baca. Saya waktu itu pengen banget baca sesuatu yang ringan-ringan aja, mengisi waktu ketika bersemedi di kamar mandi...

Entah kenapa saya memilih buku ini, walau covernya(sayang sekali) tidak menarik. Mungkin dari cuplikan di belakang buku yang membuat saya berminat mengambilnya. Dan ternyata saya ga bisa lepas dari buku ini. Alurnya ...moreI read an Indonesian edition of this novel.

Suatu hari saya ke tempat penyewaan buku favorit, dan mencari lamaaa sekali apa yang ingin saya baca. Saya waktu itu pengen banget baca sesuatu yang ringan-ringan aja, mengisi waktu ketika bersemedi di kamar mandi...

Entah kenapa saya memilih buku ini, walau covernya(sayang sekali) tidak menarik. Mungkin dari cuplikan di belakang buku yang membuat saya berminat mengambilnya. Dan ternyata saya ga bisa lepas dari buku ini. Alurnya sangat detail, dan agak berbelit-belit.Benar-benar seperti membaca pikiran seorang anak remaja perempuan, bukan membaca suatu novel yang dirancang untuk membuat pembaca tertarik.

Hal yang paling saya sukai adalah endingnya...sepanjang buku ini, Jessica Darling yang luar biasa OK mengeluhkan hidupnya. Tetapi di akhir cerita, pada saat kelulusannya,Ia berkata bahwa ia tidak ingin mengubah apapun yang telah terjadi. Bahwa ia tahu apa yang terjadi kemarin adalah hal2 yang diperlukan baginya untuk bisa meraih hari ini, menjadi pribadi yang sekarang ini. Ooww... I wish all Indonesian teens read this book.

Oh ya, satu hal lagi yang menarik dari buku ini, Jessica Darling adalah juara sekolah(dalam hal akademik), kapten tim lari, dan penulis andalan di koran sekolahnya. Tapi ia merasa merana di sepanjang kehidupan SMA nya. Dan, ia tidak menyadari bahwa ia adalah orang yang luar biasa dan banyak orang menghargainya, kecuali dirinya sendiri. Sepanjang tahun terakhirnya, ia melepaskan satu persatu predikat 'super'nya itu. Ia berhenti dari tim lari dan koran sekolah. Di akhir tahun ia bahkan menjadi nomor 2, bukan nomor satu untuk hal akademik! Itu semua ia lakukan 'dalam rangka' mencari apa yang ia inginkan. The best banget deh, buku ini. I guess we don't have to be afraid doing something impulsive. Cos almost everything can be fixed up =D

This book is very, very honest. Can't wait to read next edition!(tapi terlalu malas untuk membaca edisi bahasa Inggrinya-udah terbit sampai seri ke-5).

Katanya buku ini akan difilmkan! calon kuatnya Dakota Fanning. I guess she will be a perfect Jessica Darling.(less)

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May 27, 2009

laaaaames rated it

You know, I enjoy these books. Truly. It's kind of like Princess Diaries but not as adorable or pop-culturey or, OK, good, but I enjoy them. I fly through them. They're giant and dense for YA lit which is nice because it actually takes me awhile to fly.

Also I imagine Marcus Flutie as a cute boy I know. That is nice.

Here's what I don't like about these books. They are so full of girl-on-girl hate. I know that's part of high school. I know in high school I was often a terri...more

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Feb 01, 2012

Eva rated it

Second Helpings is much better than the first book in the series, Sloppy Firsts, mainly because there's finally a development in the Flutie-Darling front. Other reasons including, but not limited to:

1. Bridget. I like her, but she has to stop saying "like", LIKE all the time.
2. Bridget going out with Black Elvis.
3. Black Elvis and his coolness.
4. Len's laughable relationship with his mother and perspective about marriage and sex.
5. Manda and ...more

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Dec 14, 2011

Katrina Lumsden rated it

· review of another edition

Less amusing than the first. I genuinely enjoy Jess's voice, but in this installment there was just too much of it. I can't help but think these books would've been much, much better had they not been written journal style. I've never much cared for journal style and these books really suffer from the format since the supporting characters are genuinely charming and engaging and would benefit from more face time. Especially Marcus who I think was actually in this one less than the first! Jess is...more

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Jan 10, 2012

Emma Koller rated it

How can you not love reading the hidden thoughts of another person? I must be extremely nosy because the thought of reading someone else’s journal just makes me excited beyond words. I guess what makes this so appealing is just the chance that perhaps there is someone else out there who can relate to you. At times Jessica Darling is that person for me. I understand her difficulty finding her place and I can remember so well her college dilemma. I first read this novel when I was a tad younger th...more

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Mar 22, 2011

Anne rated it

· review of another edition

Me. Yes. Me.

That's Jessica Darling's mantra the whole book as she forgot that there are indeed other people. I was kind of uncomfortable with her fixation on Hope since the first book but I didn't mind it up until now. She keeps drilling in our heads that Hope's her only best friend just like Marcus is the only guy for her (subconsciously since she's in denial a lot). I like Bridget more than her at this point. Good thing is that Bridget did point it out. But again she was only 'like...moreMe. Yes. Me.

That's Jessica Darling's mantra the whole book as she forgot that there are indeed other people. I was kind of uncomfortable with her fixation on Hope since the first book but I didn't mind it up until now. She keeps drilling in our heads that Hope's her only best friend just like Marcus is the only guy for her (subconsciously since she's in denial a lot). I like Bridget more than her at this point. Good thing is that Bridget did point it out. But again she was only 'like' a best friend.

Len, why did she had to blow him off like that when he was asking for forgiveness. I get her point of Len doing it for himself but there was no need for her to embarrass the guy since she was using him. Couldn't she just let it go since it doesn't mean anything to her?

Clueless Two and Scotty. If there are things constant in this book is that Jessica wants you to hate this three. It's easy but to say that they'll be nothing after HS is generalizing and again shows how Jessica believes that she's superior. Backhanded compliment for Pineville High in her speech and then you realize that yes it is still about her.

Jessica complains about everything in her life. Seriously? What's wrong with being her? She's really smart, a good runner, guys do like her, her parents care for her (how many in the car moments are we gonna have before she gets it?). Aside from her fixation on Hope and Marcus her big problem is she's not getting any. From a girl supposedly smart she's a whole lotta dumb with that. The sex scene shouldn't have been written. It kind of defeats the purpose of her saying she's not going to write about it. I also did not like how it was executed. I know, Marcus was awesome with the t-shirt and the singing (though the song was trying to hard) but must they get on at it at once? I don't believe that they have enough of the talking as they barely did any during the entire course of the book.

Don't get me wrong the book has it moments especially when it involves other people. I was laughing harder than I did than in Sloppy Firsts (which I liked better). I guess I'm ending the series with this as I don't want myself to be more disappointed with Jessica Notso Darling. That ending was closure enough.(less)

· see review

Aug 04, 2009

Lorihudeck rated it

I finished the second installment of Jessica Darling's journal, called Second Helpings. As with the first, the writing is witty and entertaining. Jessica seems like a very real teen, with real dilemmas. I particulary liked her relationship with Gladdie. And while I can't say that I enjoyed her strained relationship with her parents and perfect sister, I will say that I can relate to it.

My only problems with this installment is that Jessica comes across as a little too whiny for m...more

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May 25, 2010

Emma rated it

Shelves: chick-lit, teen

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The difference and the reason why this book got five stars compared to that of Sloppy Firsts was because Jessica and Marcus FINALLY got together, even if it was at the end of the book you do not realise how elated I was at this aspect as I am sure everyone else was. It was a LONG time coming, I pretty much shrieked with delight and I NEVER do that! Although the bubble has to be burst by Marcus at the end with him going to California while Jess goes to Columbia. Hopefully the rest of the series...moreThe difference and the reason why this book got five stars compared to that of Sloppy Firsts was because Jessica and Marcus FINALLY got together, even if it was at the end of the book you do not realise how elated I was at this aspect as I am sure everyone else was. It was a LONG time coming, I pretty much shrieked with delight and I NEVER do that! Although the bubble has to be burst by Marcus at the end with him going to California while Jess goes to Columbia. Hopefully the rest of the series (which I have ordered and will hopefully be on my doorstep in 72 hours!!!) will see them struggle but pull through. I will have to wait and see.

BUT this book was just as laugh out loud funny as the one before but I felt there were more tranisitions and progressions in the book, Jessica grew up some, took decisions into her own hands and started to think about pleasing herself instead of others; her parents, Hope, Marcus, Paul Parlipiano etc. It was nice to see that her character developed and you could see the change in her, not only that I felt that there were more emotions that Jess experienced - loss, love lust, rekindling of friendships, it wasn't all hate and despise, she started to mature with ehr feelings as well, and Marcus was there throughout it, in the shadows waiting for her to be ready. The only thing about the whole Marcus and Jess thing that swung me the coomplete oppositte direction was the 'sure he likes your brains but he sin't attracted to you' from Gladdie. I was distraught and the whole Marcus staying away and pushing back completely threw me throughout the book but this just shows you how well Megan McCafferty can throw you into the thick of it and feel like you are experiencing it all along with her (quick note - when JD mentioned burning her journal from the previous year I thought to myself you didn't because I have a copy and then it dawned on me that it was fictional...lol thats how involved I was)

It still revolves around the shallowness of high school etc, but it isn't as predominant, as smaller characters become more predominant and it is about suriving the senior, but even the shallowness is brilliant as this is what makes it funny relatable and immensely enjoyable....I might even consider them to be one of my all time favourites because rereading it right after didn't put me off them and I didn't get bored, they are light, hilarious and cringeworthy at points, but then when Marcus comes onto the scene again, although he never leaves, all 6ft 2 of him you just know that it is going to be a worthwile read!

Highly recommended people trust me!(less)

· see review

Apr 22, 2011

Nicole rated it

Shelves: favorite-series, read-2011

Ok, I haven't wanted to stop reading to write a review for a while, but I feel these books deserve my attention.
My lord, do I love Jessica Darling! This girl has such a fresh and entertaining voice, I'm amazed at Megan McCafferty's writing skills! I know the concept of this series is nothing new, (girl writes in journal a la Bridget Jones)...but I couldn't put it down. Jess's take on life is so refreshing and funny, here's a couple of quotes that had me giggling:
On her sister's extr...more

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Dec 13, 2011

Amy rated it

· review of another edition

For a more in-depth review, check out http://vivaladolcevita14.blogspot.com/

This was a decent second book in the Jessica Darling series. It had great stories in it. I do have some gripes though. The big gripe is how freaking sex obsessed almost all of the characters were. There was one character in Sloppy Firsts who was truly like that, and that was fine considering it was integral to who she was and the story. But in this book, sex obsession overtook almost everything, threatenin...more

· see review

Jun 20, 2010

Susan Bischoff rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, romance

I pushed through this because, frankly, I needed some closure on the Marcus thing. But it was really hard for me to get into this. I was really only interested in the two of them and since Jess continues to be angry at Marcus for his revelations in the first book, she's not even speaking to him for a good part of this story. The part of the book that dealt with them I can say I really loved. There's just wasn't enough to it--or there was too much of the other stuff. This book was FULL of genuine...more

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About Megan McCafferty

Megan McCafferty is the author of BUMPED, a satirical dystopian YA novel published by the Balzer + Bray imprint of HarperCollins. She also wrote the bestselling Jessica Darling series: SLOPPY FIRSTS, SECOND HELPINGS, CHARMED THIRDS, FOURTH COMINGS and PERFECT FIFTHS.

Megan edited a short story anthology called SIXTEEN: Stories About That Sweet and Bitter Birthday. She has contributed t...more

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“It's so much easier to convince yourself you're madly in love with someone when you know nothing about him.” — 184 people liked it

“You, yes, you, linger inside my heart
The same you who stopped us before we could start.” — 162 people liked it

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Second Helpings (Jessica Darling #2)

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