Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Virgin, by Radhika Sanghani, ends 11/11

Life as an adult virgin is more complicated than you might think. Obviously it is normal, there are thousands of us, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Choosing when to have sex is a completely individual decision, and everyone is different. Some people choose to wait till marriage, and some just want to wait for the right person. Others are religious, and others are just too busy being successful in every other area of their lives to worry about something as minor as intercourse.

At least, that's what the Internet said when I Googled it the second I got home from the doctor's office.

This book was hilarious, and I'm pretty sure everyone can relate to it, or even parts of it, at one time in their life or another. Ellie is a 21-year-old university student, and is also a virgin, something she'd like to change. All of her friends have already lost their virginities, most when they were 16 or 17 years old, and she wants to lose hers before she graduates from college.

Official synopsis:

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 always looking for Mr. Right—do I have to wear a sign that says I’m only looking for Mr. Right Now?

Sooooo…anyone out there want sex? Anyone? Hello? Just for fun?

I am not going to die a virgin. One way or another I am going to make this happen.

Hey, what have I got to lose? Besides the obvious.

Ellie reminded me of a young English Carrie Bradshaw (a la The Carrie Diaries) before the city and the sex. I loved that Sanghani (the author) made us privy to her inner thoughts and freakouts, and I found myself laughing out loud throughout many parts of this novel. 

Ellie and her friend Emma also start a "vlog," as they call it (although I believe it's a written blog and not a video blog, or "vlog," as we call it here in the States), about women's health, to put it mildly, and the state of their sex lives, and this provides more laughs, as well as some interesting information too.

Some of my favorite passages from the book included:

Resigned to the expensive reality of sex, I took my condoms over to the counter. If they did a Meal Deal, you'd think they would at least consider doing a Sex Deal. I wouldn't mind paying ten quid if I got a varied selection of condoms, with maybe a free bottle of lube. I made a mental note to find out exactly what lube did and if I needed some.  

I did a tiny jump when I ran up my driveway. My mum almost fainted with shock when I hugged her as I walked into our house. Fuck you, Nikki Pitsillides, with your druggie unemployed boyfriend. I have a date with a graphic designer who thinks I'm clever and funny. I'd found my devirginizer.

And the passage that sums up Ellie's character, in my opinion:

"I don't know," [Lara] sighed. "I guess ... I wish I hadn't thrown my virginity away on a total dick, and you haven't, so that makes you different. You have morals. It's a good thing."

I'd recommend this book for anyone who likes coming of age stories, or can remember what it's like to be young and completely sure that everyone in the world is moving faster (and maturing faster) than you are.

5 stars out of 5.

{To buy this book, click here}

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this novel for reviewing purposes. The opinions expressed here, however, are my own.

GIVEAWAY:

One lucky reader will win a paperback copy of Virgin. 

Enter via the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway will end on Tuesday, November 11th at 11:59pm EST, and winner will be notified via email on November 12th and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate winner will be chosen. 

U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.

Good luck!

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