Extreme Kissing [Paperback]

It's GCSE year, and Bethany is feeling the pressure. She missed the last two days of school because she was ill, and any last minute revision. If that wasn't bad enough, her long term boyfriend Declan hasn't phoned her and has been ignoring her texts, and her calendar tells Bethany her period is late. The only person she can really talk to is her BFF Carlota.

Carlota, a wild child, thinks Bethany stresses far too much, and knowing that she has some awful news to tell Bethany, that her boyfriend has cheated on her, she tries to distract her best friend. She has a mad day of Extreme Travelling planned for them both. Along with the help of several issues of her favourite magazine, she hopes a day full of random challenges that takes them all across London, including silent raving to hijacking a tour bus, will calm Bethany down, give her an awesome day she'll never forget, and it make it easier to tell Bethany about Declan.

Does Bethany have the courage to face her fears and say them out loud? Can Carlota tell Bethany, and risk hurting her? And does Carlota have another reason for wanting to go to London?

I cannot tell you just how brilliant this book is! I thought I would enjoy it, but I didn't expect it to be as good as it was. Several times I was laughing out loud so hard, my Dad told me to shut up. It's just hilarious, but also very moving, seeing the friendship between these two girls, and how much they care about each other. Although the day of Extreme Travelling is supposed to be about light hearted challenges, it also holds emotional challenges for both girls, as they learn about themselves, and have to come to terms with things that are happening in their lives.

Sex isn't the main focus of this book, but it's an underlying theme. Bethany is terrified of the idea that she might be pregnant, and what that will mean for her future. Carlota, very confident and flirty, was kicked out of her previous school for being caught with a boy in the lab - what they get up to isn't gone into in detail. She also has rumours about her going through the school, and gives her kisses to many guys freely. The girls both mention "Kisses Etcetera", a self-explanatory term created by Carlota of which she is a fan. There are also mentions of Boy Snaring lessons, which Carlota gave to Bethany which led to her being with Declan. There is also the briefest hint of peer-pressure when it comes to sex mentioned in the book, too, as is virginity.

I don't want to spoil the book for anyone who hasn't read it yet, but the way Bethany's possible pregnancy is dealt with is just awesome. Her fears were very real; they weren't glossed over, but portrayed realistically, without blowing them out of proportion, and I found myself empathising with her in her worry. There is a whole conversation about being safe during sex in the book, but there isn't too much mention of the precautions someone could take, or the options she would take if it does turn out she's pregnant. Bethany was very much focusing on "Am I, am I not?" - when she was thinking about it - as opposed to what she might do if she is, like she couldn't even think that far ahead.

When the girls end up bumping into an ex of Carlota's, Yves, there is some focus on choice for Carlota in terms of how far she takes things with him. Again, I don't want to spoil the book for anyone, so I won't go into much detail, but there is a point where she has to seriously look at the situation, and at what she wants, and ask herself some serious questions.

Again, sex isn't the main focus of the book, but the aspects of it that are in there are dealt with so well, highlighting the questions, the emotions, the fears the girls go through so realistically and maturely, it's admirable. As hilarious as the book was, it was also very moving and poignant and in some places trying to read. I wish this book had been around when I was younger, and will be forcing it on my cousin ;) An amazing book, one everyone should pick up! Now, who wants to go Extreme Travelling with me?

Extreme Kissing has all the ingredients of the ultimate YA chicklit novel. A heroine (or two) that every reader can relate to, juicy secrets simmering under the surface, and a handsome love interest who's about as close to Prince Charming as teenage boys get. The best part? The whole story takes place during the course of the single most amazing girly day out ever. By the end of it, you'll have laughed, cried, and felt your mouth drop open with total shock. All of which are good things, when it comes to reading, but those of you who are easily embarrassed might want to save this one for reading in private. Because you will be laughing out loud. You won't be able to help it.

Not only does Extreme Kissing have a really fun premise, but it has a super shiny format to match. The story is told in a playful patchwork of magazine snippets, the girls' quiz answers, and first person narration times two. Yes, we get both characters' voices - and it's impossible not to be drawn in by both of them. It's lively, uplifting, and one hell of a ride. It also has substance - it questions what real friendship really is, and how well we know those we call our best friends. Are we really that different? And yes, there's a love interest who is pretty darn perfect. And kissing, of course.

If all that hasn't convinced you, here's the doozy: this book is incredibly clever. When it comes to endings, there's nothing I like more than a genius twist. I'm not talking about just any major surprise here. Don't get me wrong: it's not a simple 'OMG, what?' I'm looking for. It's an 'OMG, of course.' You know, that moment when the author reveals what you're suddenly kicking yourself for not realising way earlier on. Extreme Kissing has exactly one of those moments - an awesome, jaw-dropping revelation that suddenly changes everything. It made me want to go back and reread the entire book all over again.

I'd recommend Extreme Kissing to anyone who enjoys a fun, girly story with genuine heart. Heck, I'd recommend it to anyone who has a heart. It's a must-read.

Extreme Kissing is every bit as sweet, funny and clever as the Sliding-Doors-esque Split By A Kiss.

Bethany and Carlota are best friends, but that doesn't mean they don't have secrets from each other. Bets is terrified she might be pregnant, while Carlota's not quite the girl everyone assumes - and their day of `Extreme Travelling' (every move dictated by the random pages of a magazine) isn't the escape from their troubles they'd hoped for. The story whizzes along, alternately narrated by `good girl' Bets and `wild child' Lots, and even if you have a sneaking suspicion you've worked out Carlota's secret, there might just be another one underneath...

This is Plaja's real gift: there's a sense of absolute authenticity about her characters, whose lives (family, school, friends, boyfriends, past relationships, future hopes and fears) are so convincingly fleshed out that you really do end up caring about their multiple worries - and their triumphs too. The whole thing feels effortlessly witty too: Carlota's `Reverse Goth' fashion crusade, her tendency to knit under stress, the numerous moments where the girls completely misunderstand one another.

Perfect for Louise Rennison fans who like a little angst in with their teenage escapades!