Going off of yesterday’s post that heartbreaks happen, I turn now to a new meaning of this. Everyone has a bad relationship at some time, whether it was a cheater, a teaser or a plain jerk. The important thing is not to dwell on what went wrong, but to embrace being single again, and putting yourself first. This is what happens to Penny Bloom in The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg. Penny decides that relationships are just a waste of time, and for her remaining years in high school, she is through with guys and their games.
First off, Penny Lane Bloom (yes, named after the Beetle’s song), has had her last bad relationship. Nate is the son of her father’s best friend, and although they lived in different cities, they grew up together in the summer. Penny and Nate had a silent relationship, until Nate kissed her one summer. Penny was elated, until she found him in her basement with another girl, and I think you know what I mean when I say this. Penny was devastated and refused to even talk to him from then on.
Penny decides to swear off guys for the rest of her two years in high school. Her best friend, Tracey, thinks she’s crazy and doesn’t think she’s serious. But Penny is, and she starts the club after reconnecting with Diane. Diane was her best friend all through elementary and middle school, but when Diane snagged Ryan Bauer as a boyfriend, Diane forgot about Penny. But, Ryan and Diane have broken up and Diane wants to put herself and her friends first now, so she decides to be in Penny’s Lonely Hearts Club, where they will not date until high school ends, or even after that.
But, girls are starting to join the club, swearing off the losers at McKinley high as well, and this start to cause trouble. The guys at her school start to dislike Penny, a lot. Including Todd, who has called ‘dibbs’ on Penny, and expects her to be his girlfriend. It also cause trouble with the school principal, Mr. Braddock, who believes penny is trying to control the girls. Penny starts to doubt that the club is a good idea.
But, good things happen, like Diane finally has the support to quit cheerleading and join the basketball team. Her friend Kara can finally talk about her eating disorder and the girls in the club are so tight- they’re like a family. But things go wrong as fast as they go right, too. Penny learns that Nate is coming for Thanksgiving. She accidentally denies her friend Morgan her perfect guy, and there’s always Ryan. Ryan, Diane’s ex-boyfriend, who Penny is completely falling for, but he always seems so hot and cold to her.
RED’S ALL STAR REVIEW: 4 out of 5 stars. I loved the writing and the story I can totally relate to, as can most girls out there. It was funny and dramatic and a pleasure to read.
MASS APPEAL: any girl who has ever been in love, lost love or has sworn it off completely, this is perfect for you. It also goes to show that there is always love, especially where you don’t go looking for it.
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