“And then he hugs me. Really hugs me. Like he thinks that there's only one of me and I'm special and I'm enough for him. Like he doesn't need anything else. Like he was alone and then I came along.”3.5 StarsReview also available @ Say It With BooksWhen I stumbled across Uses for Boys a few weeks ago my first thought was "Ooooh,look at that gorgeous cover!".The fairy lights and the muted colors give you the impression that it's a light & romantic read.Even though the synopsis hints that Uses for Boys is "real & shocking" I had no idea it would be such an intense read.If you are looking for a fairy tale teen love story,you are looking at the wrong book.Uses for Boys is written in first person POV.During most of Anna's childhood her mother is not at home.Anna's mother is a single parent,a horrible one who moves from one man to another.I found Anna's mother completely selfish and uncaring-She left Anna to fend for herself at a really young age while she went out on "dates" with a string of men.Since Anna lacks the attention that she craves as a child and she starts to look for this love in other boys.Anna's narration is breathtakingly honest and shocking.Her view of love and relationships is warped because she was brought up that way.Anna jumps from one "relationship" to another in search of the love that her mother didn't give.Scheidt touches on some really sensitives issues and she doesn't hold back when she explains some of the situations.Sam is such a sweet and innocent guy and he helps Anna get over her insecurities and helps her fill the void that was left by her mother.Toy,Anna's friend in the story is as equally messed up as Anna-their relationship was....unusual. Uses for Boys is a gritty read that pulls at your heart strings-it leaves you disgusted,shocked,hopeful,sad and thankful for all the wonderful things that you have and Anna does not.
