Larry Doyle -"I Love You, Beth Cooper"
Harper
April 15, 2008

While it was an entertaining story, this is a far cry from what would be considered "great" literature, and I'm pretty sure writer Larry Doyle knew that from the first letter that he typed. This novel reads like a Hollywood movie, leaving no surprise that a film is in the works. But I knew what I was gonna get upon purchasing this, and the book left me far from disappointed.

This is a twist on teenage coming of age films, featuring the high school valedictorian, his in the closet best friend, the head cheerleader and her two friends, her jealous boyfriend and his cokehead crew, and some other characters that pop up. This whirlwind begins when ? announces his love for Beth Cooper, among other things, during his graduation speech. What follows is an unbelievable and Hollywood thought of night. The best and most clever part is when Cooper tells main character Denis Cooverman that high school is her pinnacle and he's gonna go so much further in life. I was really taken by that realization.

Doyle has a very descriptive writing style, nearly drawing the scenes right in the head of the reader. The story is funny and entertaining, and a quick read that doesn't require a whole mess of thought. this is a good escape for a couple hours.

Written by: RF
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