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Virgin

(Virgin #1)

Radhika Sanghani (Goodreads Author)

3.31 · Rating details · 2,099 ratings · 568 reviews

Okay, I admit it…I didn’t do it.

Yet.

This is normal, right? I mean, just because everyone I know has talked like they’ve already done it doesn’t mean that they’re telling the truth…right?

It’s not like I’m asking for that much. I don’t need the perfect guy. I don’t need candlelight or roses. Honestly, I don’t even need a real bed.

The guys I know complain that girls are alwa ...more

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Kindle Edition, 304 pages

Published August 5th 2014 by Berkley (first published January 1st 2014)

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Lists with This Book

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Community Reviews

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Average rating 3.31 ·

Rating details

· 2,099 ratings · 568 reviews

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Jul 04, 2014 Emily May rated it really liked it

Shelves: new-adult, chick-lit, 2014, na-experiment

This book is solid proof that even New Adult chick lit can be well-written, hilarious and meaningful.

In fact, I am amazed at how good this book is. Virgin should probably be the bible for teenage girls and young women everywhere... it is an honest, laugh-out-loud funny portrayal of growing up, relationships, sex and all the icky bits (and there are some real icky bits).

I cannot tell you how surprised I was. Let's be honest, I read this because of that title which was too curiosity-inducing for ...more

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Sep 22, 2016 Kelly (and the Book Boar) rated it liked it

Shelves: hide-the-salami, adorkable, funny-haha, liburrrrrry-book, pretty-on-the-outside, loveable-losers, read-in-2016, romcom

Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/

Let’s file this review under . . . .

In case you aren’t already aware – I suck at reviews. I’m not just talking about the fact that I don’t words reel gud and opt to use funny movin’ pitchers to get my point across, but I mean I S.U.C.K. at keeping up. Something I didn’t realize until a few weeks ago is that I also suck at requesting books from the library. A lot of you know that when it comes to libraries, the gods really smiled u ...more

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Jun 21, 2014 Dana rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, 2014, blog, satellite-mind, terrible

How to describe this novel..... first words that come to mind...Pathetic, Miserable, Temperamental,Plaintive. I was pretty disgusted with the main character the entire time I was reading this. I really hope this is not supposed to be a relatable character, because if so then our planet is going to shit.

I suppose I was given adequate warning by the title, but every bloody sentence has her whining on and on about how it is so deplorable to be a virgin. In her opinion being a virgin is worse than h ...more

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Jul 13, 2014 Paula M rated it really liked it

Shelves: for-review, favorite, arc

You can also read it here.

"The rumor about boys finding virgins sexy was a LIE. It was just some medieval bullshit that old people said to try and make their daughters keep their legs crossed and not get pregnant"

First of all, Virgin is not Erotica. And honestly, I wonder why it wasn't shelved as Erotica. I mean, yeah, it wasn't really focused on sex scenes but the language.... and there's actually a chapter dedicated on teaching someone how to give a proper Blow.. gift (If you'll read the b ...more

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Jul 17, 2014 Christina (A Reader of Fictions) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, right-in-the-feels, favorites-audio, on-my-shelves, favorites-contemps, na-na-na, owned-audiobook-from-publisher

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

For more reviews, Cover Snark and more, visit A Reader of Fictions.

This review is going to be personal in a way that I rarely get on my blog. I’d feel more comfortable if any family members who happen to be reading my blog would please skip this one or at least have the good grace to not talk to me about it. I am not and probably never will be mature enough for that.

Reading books like Losing It and Virgin is a very personal experience for me, as I am a 26-year-old virgin. Actual rating: 4.5 stars

For more reviews, Cover Snark and more, visit A Reader of Fictions.

This review is going to be personal in a way that I rarely get on my blog. I’d feel more comfortable if any family members who happen to be reading my blog would please skip this one or at least have the good grace to not talk to me about it. I am not and probably never will be mature enough for that.

Reading books like Losing It and Virgin is a very personal experience for me, as I am a 26-year-old virgin. I’m not waiting for something specific except for what feels like the right time for me. Though less abundant than slut-shaming, virgin-shaming is also prevalent in popular culture and I’ve always struggled with my own identity. I felt and still sometimes feel weird and behind, like there’s something wrong with me that I’ve ended up where I am. I’ve even idly (VERY idly) considered plans like Ellie’s: finding someone with the sole goal of not being a virgin anymore. However, I know myself well enough to know that’s not something I’m capable of, even though I do see the appeal of it.

Books like Virgin attract me, but they also scare me, because oftentimes the message is that it is indeed better to get it over with and to join everyone else in the land of the penetrated. At the start, I was afraid that this is the sort of book Virgin would be, as Ellie ranted and raved about how fucked up she was because she’d never been fucked. Do not stop reading, PLEASE. Virgin is revolutionary in a way that it shouldn’t be; our culture needs books like this, which frankly discuss all aspects of female sexuality, so that women like me or not can feel more comfortable with who they are and their own personal time table.

Ellie is sort of a stand-in for a woman of the modern world. She’s well-educated (in uni for English), attractive (though not model gorgeous), and has friends (not an outcast). She’s fairly average, which makes her incredibly relatable. She hates herself at the outset, the product of society’s messages. She hates herself for the same reasons I struggle to admit what shouldn’t be a shocking truth on my own blog. Everything in her life experience tells Ellie that there’s something wrong with her for having an intact hymen (though really this is a terrible indicator) and wants to fix that by finally having sex.

As Ellie launches on this journey, there was a bit more of a bumpy start as she got into a fight with a friend, partly over jealousy that Lara pulled at a club when Ellie had the big plan. Again, don’t let this make you throw Virgin aside. Friendships will be mended stronger than ever. There’s so much kinship and female understanding in Virgin, as the girls open up to one another about all their secret fears.

Virgin talks openly and honestly about vaginas. Ellie and her friend Emma end up starting a blog about their experiences as a 21-year-old virgin and a 21-year-old woman who is proud to be, in her attempt to reclaim the term as a positive, a slut. The blog is about vaginas and about sex. They discuss the state of pubic hair, masturbation, discharge, other body hair and things like that. They do so without shame and without letting the negative comments get them down. It’s so glorious. I was laughing and cringing regularly at Ellie’s mishaps, particularly Little Hitler. Then there’s the fact that Ellie’s internal monologues and concerns and fears are almost all things I’ve worried about in my time and I am just so glad that books like this one are starting to be published.

Even better, Virgin isn’t really a romance. It’s an actual new adult novel about growing up in so many ways. She’s trying to finish her degree and figure out what to do after that. She spends a lot of time and energy on her quest to lose her virginity, yes, but she continues living a real life on the side of it. Her friends were always more important than whatever boy she was chasing. And, in the end, it’s a book about loving and accepting yourself. It’s about figuring out what you want and what makes you feel good about yourself and embracing that. Hallelujah.

Virgin by Radhika Sanghani is brilliant new adult fiction in the inquisitive, comedic vein of The To Do List. It’s painful at times, incredibly awkward, exceedingly honest, and quite humorous. Highly recommended to those who want new adult fiction that is about more than romance. ...more

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Jun 26, 2014 Lindsey Lewis rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: penguin-s-first-to-read, worst-books

NOTE: I received a free digital galley of Virgin from Penguin’s First to Read giveaway. I received no other incentives for reading or reviewing. The review below is entirely of my own opinion. Also inserting a warning here about strong language - I remain as appropriate as I can, but this is a book about sex so maybe grow up a bit?

I would like to applaud Radhika Sanghani for writing a novel that is frank in its discussion of sex, accessible to young readers in similar plights, and TMI in all the ...more

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Aug 14, 2017 Latanya (Crafty Scribbles) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, women, adult, international, realistic-fiction, chick-lit, new-adult

In Radhika Sanghani’s New Adult novel, Virgin, Ellie yearned to lose her virginity at all costs. Her friends did it. They normalized her life. So, why’s she abnormal?

(See my full review at https://craftyscribblescom.wordpress....) ...more

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Aug 16, 2014 Patrice Hoffman rated it liked it

Shelves: provided-by-netgalley

I have to start by saying I'm on the fence about Virgin by Radhika Sanghani. More on that later. Ellie Kolstakis is a 21-year old virgin. Not from lack of trying, but just 'cause. Ellie, with the help of some friends, embarks on a journey to lose her V-card before she graduates from college. Afterall, everyone else is doing it.

From the beginning, Sanghani grabs readers with Ellie's wit and personality. She's honest and open about all her sexual mishaps, inexperience, and really hairy parts. Yeah ...more

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Apr 28, 2014 Jessica B. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

As I was reading this I kept thinking, "OMG is Radhika listening in on all my conversations with friends?!" and, "WTF this is actually my life," except written way better of course.

Seriously, I haven't laughed so hard at a book in years and it wasn't just because it was funny. It's incredibly poignant, especially to this generation of females. What we go through growing up, trying to understand boys, being afraid to ask real questions (aka: can you put a lady-bullet up there?) and this whole my ...more

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Jul 25, 2015 Henz rated it really liked it

Shelves: laughed-out-loud, contemporary, new-adult, chick-lit

Oh boy, this book was hilarious. I had a major amount of fun reading this. Just from the first paragraph and I knew right there that I'm going to love this book.

"Ellie Kolstakis
21 years old
Nonsmoker
VIRGIN

I stared in horror at the words on Dr. E. Bower's computer. The status of my hymen was plastered across her screen in capital letters. V-I-R-G-I-N."

Well I think this book is not for everyone, some may relate to Ellie's obsession of being a virgin and others may find it dirty and unworthy but Oh boy, this book was hilarious. I had a major amount of fun reading this. Just from the first paragraph and I knew right there that I'm going to love this book.

"Ellie Kolstakis
21 years old
Nonsmoker
VIRGIN

I stared in horror at the words on Dr. E. Bower's computer. The status of my hymen was plastered across her screen in capital letters. V-I-R-G-I-N."

Well I think this book is not for everyone, some may relate to Ellie's obsession of being a virgin and others may find it dirty and unworthy but it really depends on what culture you're in and how open-minded you are. There are lots of relate-able stuff about women and their problems down under. From pubes shaving and waxing dilemmas to googleing HOW TO's, and buying condoms for her deflowering agenda, I was laughing and snorting so much I really had to pause from reading to get a hold my self .
This book is like a guide to all those clueless girls out there but let me remind you that the language used is not all subtle, yet very informative and honest about the discreet things we are most curious about.

~oh well I'll just give you a snippet of the book where I laughed so hard. This is where Ellie just had a Brazilian wax.

Oh my fucking God. The wax hadn't all come off on the strips, and it was stuck on my skin along with knicker fluff. I rubbed at it frantically until I realized it had hardened and wasn't coming off. I needed to use some water, but it was a public bathroom. I couldn't just rub my vagina next to the sink, could I?
Praying to God no one would walk in, I hobbled to the sink with my knickers and jeans halfway down my legs. I quickly started rubbing away at it with water and a runny pink soap I squirted from the plastic dispenser. The wax went gloopy when it was mixed with the hot water, and it spread across my skin. I had made it worse.
Feeling panicky, I rubbed as hard as I could and then tried to peel it off. The sticky wax caught under my fingernails and I tried to scrape it off with loo roll, but the paper stuck to the skin on my hands and vagina.
I looked at myself in the mirror, bent down with my legs spread open and my hand on my vagina, stuck there with wax and loo roll. This was not how I'd imagined the start of my first ever grown-up date.
The door swung open and a middle-aged woman wearing a brown fur coat stood in the doorway, staring at me in disgust. My mouth dropped wide open and our eyes met in the mirror. There was a squeal and I looked down and saw the child next to her.
"Mummy," he asked. "Why is that girl rubbing her front bottom?"
The woman put her manicured hand over the little boy's eyes and spun him around. She looked at me with something close to revulsion and shook her head slowly.
"You're disgusting," she hissed under her breath as she propelled her son out of the bathroom. I stared at myself in the mirror, wondering how this was my life. I could hear her hushing the boy outside: "Orlando, sweetie, are you feeling okay?"
I snorted. Orlando was five years old and didn't have a vagina covered in dried wax. He was bloody fine. I, on the other hand, wanted to crawl into the loo cubicle and never leave.

I don't know about you but the girl just cracks me up!
...more

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Jan 19, 2015 Anastasia ｼ rated it liked it

Shelves: arc, 2014, erotica, contemporary, new-adult, romance

At first I wasn’t sure what to make of this book. Virgin was really was something special. I’m just blown away. Sanghani is definitely on my radar now.

Virgin is great. Well written, funny, and very relevant to our time. Even thought the protagonist is a virgin she is frank about her body, and sex. Ellie is a twenty-one year old virgin who shares her story of attempts to have her deflowered with the aid of her partner-in-crime friend Lara.Ellie embarks on several adventures with the opposite sex ...more

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Mar 14, 2016 Scarlet rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Glass

Shelves: funny, contemporary, new-adult, chick-lit

Hilarious!
I was just in the time of need of something to laugh at, to take the stress off my shoulders, and this book came out perfect .

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May 28, 2014 Tina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, owned-print, older-audience-ya-aka-new-adult, uk-import

FINALLY A BOOK ABOUT SEX THAT DOESN'T TRY TO SHAME WOMEN WHO ENJOY HAVING SEX. Yes, that does require those caps because there are so few of these books in existence. So many times I've read a book that is about a person discovering or learning to embrace their sexuality that then turns around and sends the message that too much of a good thing makes you worthy of being called so many terms society adores. Slut, whore, dirty bitch . . . all negative, and all used way too often to make women feel ...more

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Jun 14, 2014 caren rated it it was ok

Shelves: galley-arc, netgalley, new-adult

I applaud the author for writing this book. It's a very real account of what I'm sure many women have experienced at one time or another when stressing about their vaginas. Or about penises touching their vaginas.

My only complaint was that, at twenty one, Ellie seemed much too immature for my tastes. I mean, I get her stress. Her worry. Who didn't experience that 'will it ever happen for me?' moment when one of their friends had sex first? I know I did. But I don't ever remember being so worrie ...more

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Dec 22, 2014 Mel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite-books, library, 5-stars, read-in-2014

This is the 100th book I read this year and I am HELLA glad for that because this book was AMAZING!!
Buckle up everyone this is gonna be a long one.
SPOILERS WILL OCCUR

21 year old virgin who wants nothing more than to lose her virginity and who has shitty luck and gets herself into these disastrous situations but handles them so well? BEST plot and hilarious.
Ellie was a rocket of a character. SO much personality. I loved her dearly. She was super immature at moments, and super obsessive, but so This is the 100th book I read this year and I am HELLA glad for that because this book was AMAZING!!
Buckle up everyone this is gonna be a long one.
SPOILERS WILL OCCUR

21 year old virgin who wants nothing more than to lose her virginity and who has shitty luck and gets herself into these disastrous situations but handles them so well? BEST plot and hilarious.
Ellie was a rocket of a character. SO much personality. I loved her dearly. She was super immature at moments, and super obsessive, but so so so great. Like I absolutely adored her. She's so loveable. Her friends Paul, Lara and Emma were also amazing. I just loved the characters. Secondary and main.
Jack though. I knew Jack was sketchy. I could sense that he wasn't into her. I thought he was just wanting sex, but I guess I was wrong. I feel weird though looking bad he seemed really into making out and stuff and to be honest I don't feel like you want that a lot if you aren't into the person. But I knew there was something off about him. I kind of wanted more closure between them, I wanted her to tell him how much of a dick he was but we didn't get that.
Also, I loved the change she goes through. I wish there wasn't a change for her to GO through but her self confidence boost and everything at the end was amazing because she was finally starting to be like a girl I could SUPPORT. I'm so similar to her and I went through my turn around when I was 17 so I wish hers was sooner but she went through it and I love that.
Plot wise I loved this. LITERALLY loved this. I want a movie. I love to see a book where the struggles of being a girl are hilighted. Like when it comes to pubic hair and whether to have it or not, and the taboo with being a virgin, the expectations, the need to lie so other people don't treat you like a 9 year old. It was seriously perfect.

Were there things I didn't like? yes. naturally. She called her virgintiy her v-plates and that was weird. She complained a lot about useless things. She drank way too much. She said um a lot. She in general said stupid things. She was super desperate and made herself look bad at times. But did they impact what I felt about the books or her? NO. This book was such a learning experience and can be. Ugh I loved it.

I love everything about this book. Literally everything. It's like a coming of age book that's hilarious! I RARELY ever actually laugh out loud while reading books (a lot of in my head laughing) but I genuinely laughed out loud a lot. I recommend this to every one ever.

Edit: I can't stop thinking about this book and how amazing it was. I got it from the library instead of buying it because I'd read a lot of bad reviews but I think I'm going to buy a copy. It was so good. ...more

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Jul 18, 2014 Mandy rated it did not like it

Shelves: arc

I really struggled with this book. I was surprised at how immature the characters were for a book about a 21 year old losing her virginity. I am so thankful that I don't have friends like this. I thought this was supposed to be a humorous book but I didn't really find it funny and I really didn't like the main character Ellie.

*ARC received by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Aug 10, 2014 Bloggeretterized rated it it was ok

Shelves: netgalley, 2star-ok, new-adult

If you don’t take this book seriously it is a fun fast paced read. A book that openly talks about dating, drinking, sex, masturbation, reproductive organs, body fluids, etc. in the college environment. Clearly a book for the college audience. But I am past my college years and even though I can’t deny that it had its funny parts, the final message or the concept of the novel ended up bothering more than I thought making it only an OK read (2 stars). But I’ll get to that later.

The synopsis sounde ...more

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Jul 21, 2014 Jenn (One of Many, We are Legion) rated it liked it

Shelves: reviewed, realistic-fiction-or-contemporary, young-adult-and-new-adult, its-science-bitches, quirky, 2014, humor

8/22/14 - edit to downgrade a star. I said previously that this was somewhere between 3 and 4, and I stand by that. However, on further reflection, I feel this should be on the lower end of that because I still don't particularly like the MC much.

WARNING: This book is not for the faint of heart, as it discusses in a frank manner many issues dealing with the nether lady parts and a woman's first adventures with sex, down to the dirty, ugly anxieties that come with it.

Thank you to Netgalley and B ...more

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Aug 10, 2014 Suzanne (Under the Covers Book blog) rated it really liked it

Shelves: funny-funny-har-har, genre-chick-lit

Ellie thinks she must be the only virgin in her university, 21 years old and all she has to her name is some kisses and a bite job. It’s not even like she is looking for Mr Right with his candlelit dinners and bouquets of roses. She would settle for a few drinks, so long as she can throw away her V card at the end of the night. But this year Ellie is determined to finally do it and get rid of her shameful secret once and for all.

This book is two things that I generally don’t read…and have no ...more

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Jul 12, 2014 hayden rated it liked it

Shelves: 2014-ya-contemp

Well, VIRGIN, here we are. I am finished with you, and I have a much more extensive knowledge of the workings of a vagina than I did at the beginning. For that, I can both thank and curse you.

I mean, really. This wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't bad. It was quite good, albeit a little much.

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May 29, 2014 Kiersten rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: fans of Awkward.

Shelves: arcs-and-uncorrected-proofs, netgalley, 2014-reads, bea-2014

See more of my reviews at We Live and Breathe Books

**I'm giving away an ARC of Virgin! The giveaway is open US only, unless you're willing to pay shipping, through July 24th. Enter here!**

Virgin is about a 21-year-old girl named Ellie who happens to be, well, a virgin. While the story follows Ellie on her mission to lose her virginity, she goes on a whole other journey at the same time.

I got an ARC of Virgin at BEA this year. I wasn't completely sure I was going to read but when I got an email t See more of my reviews at We Live and Breathe Books

**I'm giving away an ARC of Virgin! The giveaway is open US only, unless you're willing to pay shipping, through July 24th. Enter here!**

Virgin is about a 21-year-old girl named Ellie who happens to be, well, a virgin. While the story follows Ellie on her mission to lose her virginity, she goes on a whole other journey at the same time.

I got an ARC of Virgin at BEA this year. I wasn't completely sure I was going to read but when I got an email that it was read-now on Netgalley, I decided to give it a try. When I started reading Virgin, I wasn't sure I'd be able to finish it. The very beginning felt way too personal for me when I'm first meeting this new character - I wanted to shout, "TOO MUCH INFORMATION" and run away. Of course, I did continue reading and I'm glad I did.

After the very beginning of the story, it gets more into Ellie's every day life in her last year of university. To say Ellie's life is hilarious is an understatement - she gets into the funniest jams and everything that could possibly go wrong for her always does. The greatest thing about Ellie is that, despite her moaning and groaning, she's a trooper - she takes most of the awkward moments in her life with a sense of humor and, with some help from her friends, doesn't let it defeat her. Ellie's thoughts are so honest that you can't help but find them funny because she really tells it like it is - no sugar coating whatsoever.

Besides Ellie, there is an AWESOME cast of friends in her life. I would tell you about them but telling you about them is probably spoilery and you should meet them for yourself.

Even though the basic concept of the story is about a 21-year-old girl trying to lose her virginity, it's so much more than that. Ellie matures so much throughout the course of the book. Not only does she learn about friendship and what really matters but she kind of finds her identity and who she is. Most coming of age stories are written about teenagers but I think Virgin is an important coming of age story for college students. As a college student myself, I completely understand Ellie's confusion about what her future holds and I loved how she discovered her voice in a way she never would have expected.

All in all, Virgin is a coming of age story packed full of humor and honest portrayals of life. Not everything turns out how Ellie expects it to; she figures out that it's ok and it makes her who she is. As much as this is a fun coming of age story, it is still pretty graphic and descriptive about mature topics, so I'd say it is definitely more of a New Adult than a Young Adult story. That being said, it really is up to the reader what she/he is comfortable with. While Virgin is unlike anything I've ever read, it does have a similar feel to the TV show Awkward, and, with Ellie's empowering journey to self discovery, it's definitely a great book for all women! ...more

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Jun 02, 2014 Kayla at MyBookMuse rated it really liked it · review of another edition

"This was my last opportunity to lose my virginity and I had to grab it now. I had to ditch my V-plates by the time I graduated in the summer--which meant I had four months to finally understand what an orgasm was and to learn how to give blow jobs."

Ellie is a 21 year old virgin and not for a lack of trying. Having been through a horrible and hilarious experience at 17, which includes a guy laughing at au-natural pubic situation, Ellie is willing to do whatever it takes to not repeat the same mi ...more

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Sep 30, 2014 Terri rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads

Review also found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...

**I won a copy of this book in a giveaway on Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.**

I did not know what to expect when I picked up this book. I mean it throws no punches in advertising that it was about a girl who was trying to find a way to lose her virginity.

Given the subject matter I would not recommend this book for everyone. There is blatant talk about sex and sexuality including descriptions of various sexual acts. There is ...more

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Jul 01, 2015 Julie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: everyone

Shelves: age-older-ya-or-na, owned-novels

I think this might be one of my favorites if not my favorite book ever. It's so laugh out loud funny and it still makes you feel emotional when it needs to. I connected with Ellie so much. She seems like someone I wanna hang out with and most of the thoughts that run through her head are the same thoughts I probably would've had in that situation.This is such an empowering book about female sexuality. It's all about accepting yourself as you are and embracing your own choices of having and not h ...more

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May 18, 2014 Michelle Rodriguez rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2014, rt14-haul, arcs

5/20/2014

Immediately I can relate to the main character. ::dies:: So far, so good.

5/21/2014

Ok, so I have mixed feelings about the main character. Sometimes I loved her, and other times I just wanted to slap her in the face. I guess I had such a love/hate relationship with her because she reminds me of a younger me. I'm definitely glad I outgrew that stage, and have learned to love myself. I loved to see her grow and mature through the story, there's nothing I love more than female empowerment.

Ev ...more

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Jun 11, 2014 Talk Books To Me rated it really liked it · review of another edition

As soon as I read the summary for Virgin I knew I had to give it a try. I love to get lost every now and again in chick lit with a side of humor and that’s exactly what I got out of this fun,compulsive tale of a 21 year old trying to loose her virginity. I laughed so hard I cried especially with the Bite Job and the Bush-mare!

Ellie was a pleasure to read and I loved following her journey because let’s face it,we have all been there. We are not born sexually active or sexual seductresses, we have ...more

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Sep 23, 2014 Lauren rated it did not like it

The experience of reading this book is like being trapped in an elevator with your extremely annoying, nitwit younger cousin and being forced to listen to her "discover" and "embrace" her womanhood.

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Jan 22, 2016 Noelia Alonso rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2016

A fun read. I laughed quite a few times although the main character was a bit too obsessed. It's quite a explicit read so if you're uncomfortable with that, don't waste your time.

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Jun 30, 2014 Dannie Morin rated it it was ok

Dannie says: I liked it better when it was called Forty Year Old Virgin or Losing It or...The Vagina Monologues or...

God, this book is terrible.

WHAT I LIKED

The humor. Even though much of it is that crass style of humor that I'm not super crazy about, there were some good one liners, particularly once the blog excerpts start. The humor prior to that is in the vein of DOING IT by Melvin Burgess which, man did I hate that book. But, as this is intended for an older audience and is thus more approp ...more

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Jun 20, 2014 Ashley rated it really liked it

Oh lordy, is this book a doozy! I was literally laughing to myself while reading this novel. A hilarious novel for confused girls living in a 21st century world, VIRGIN is a perfect mix of innocence, first-times, and the dreaded female problems that all women think about yet nobody wishes to admit!

Ellie is a 21-year old virgin - and to her, this is her most embarrassing feature. Regardless of the fact that nobody knows, Ellie dwells on this fact night and day until it becomes all consuming. Hopi Oh lordy, is this book a doozy! I was literally laughing to myself while reading this novel. A hilarious novel for confused girls living in a 21st century world, VIRGIN is a perfect mix of innocence, first-times, and the dreaded female problems that all women think about yet nobody wishes to admit!

Ellie is a 21-year old virgin - and to her, this is her most embarrassing feature. Regardless of the fact that nobody knows, Ellie dwells on this fact night and day until it becomes all consuming. Hoping to end her final year of university freshly 'deflowered', Ellie embarks on a mission to find the man up to the task of taking away her most embarrassing secret.

First and foremost, I LOVED this book because of it's embrace of female sexuality. With all the constant negative press about females and their bodies (and what can and cannot be done with them), it's remarkably refreshing to have a novel where the main character is in pursuit of her own pleasure. Girl power! It was a breath of fresh air to read a story where the main character is focused on her own sexual revolution rather than just being a footnote in the male's.

What I also loved about the novel was the fact that author Sanghani isn't afraid to "go there" - she brings up all the messy and uncomfortable topics that we've had conversations with our friends over or frantically searched Google to ensure we weren't alone. Masturbation, sex toys, pubic hair, oral sex, and sexual intercourse are discussed at length - be forewarned if you are of the faint hearted! But regardless of the topics brought up, the way in which they are brought up are so fundamental to the story that it would be almost a loss without them. Watching Ellie go through the struggle of her first Brazilian wax is a story I'm sure so many women can relate to!

Thankfully, the story doesn't veer off into 'chick-lit' territory, where girl meets boy and everything becomes magically right in her world. Ellie's relationships are unique - she's actually a very self-centred character (and the author acknowledges this through the work). It's good to watch her relationships struggle in the face of her jealously and self-centredness - it creates a more relatable and reliable narrator rather than the 'perfect woman searching for her perfect man' scenario. Furthermore, Ellie's jaunt into relationships with the opposite sex is also less than perfect - but it's because of these flaws that the book actually works. Real life isn't a fairy tale and this book seeks to remind women of that. Not only does the novel embrace the female sex (rightfully so), it also helps women embrace healthy relationships.

In finality, I loved reading a novel about a women's sexuality that didn't include words like slut, whore, etc. This book is a no-holds-barred, doesn't ask for forgiveness type of novel about a women expressing her sexuality - and it's about damn time! ...more

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Madison Mega-Mara...: Virgin by Radhika Sanghani	1	4	Aug 02, 2014 09:52AM

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About Radhika Sanghani

Radhika Sanghani

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I have just written my debut novel VIRGIN, which will be coming out in August in America, with Penguin, and September here in the UK with Harlequin.
I'm a women's writer for The Daily Telegraph in London where I write on women's issues.
I read constantly and love reviewing contemporary novels. Feel free to get in touch!