Review: Second Helpings (Jessica Darling #2) by Megan McCafferty

Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Release Date: April 22, 2003
Format: Paperback
Pages: 357
Source: Purchased

From Goodreads: “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.


My review: This book starts out in a summer camp, but not the normal kind – that wouldn’t fit for Jessica Darling after all. While different, the smartie-pants summer camp gave Jessica Darling the same thing many teens get out of summer camp – a taste of freedom and bigger dreams. Jessica knows she is going to an Ivy League college but her experience at this camp is altering how she views her college options, but she might have some parental opposition. This book encompassed the senior year of high school feel for me to a level of perfection. The fear, the excitement and the absolute thrill of looking at adulthood and college brings. Jessica grapples with the first of many major life decisions trying to decide what is right for her in her heart of hearts.

Oh Marcus Flutie – you may have redeemed your erratic teenage boy moments from Sloppy Firsts in this book. I must admit I swooned a bit over him – I can’t wait to see how his impact on the plot and Jessica continues with the next book. And finally – a character I wanted to know better finally made an extra special appearance! I am not spilling the beans here but have to say – finally!