Book details
Real Live Boyfriends: Yes. Boyfriends, plural. If my life weren't complicated, I wouldn't be Ruby Oliver (Ruby Oliver Quartet)
Description
Ruby Oliver, the neurotic, hyperverbal heroine of the The Boyfriend List, The Boy Book, and The Treasure Map of Boys, is back!Ruby Oliver is in love. Or it would be love, if Noel, her real live boyfriend, would call her back. But Noel seems to have turned into a pod-robot lobotomy patient, and Ruby can't figure out why.Not only is her romantic life a shambles:Her dad is eating nothing but Cheetos,Her mother's got a piglet head in the refrigerator,Hutch has gone to Paris to play baguette air guitar,Gideon shows up shirtless,And the pygmy goat Robespierre is no help whatsoever.Will Ruby ever control her panic attacks?Will she ever understand boys?Will she ever stop making lists?(No to that last one.)Roo has lost most of her friends. She's lost her true love, more than once. She's lost her grandmother, her job, her reputation, and possibly her mind. But she's never lost her sense of humor. The Ruby Oliver books are the record of her survival.From the Hardcover edition.
Age
12-15
Text complexity
intermediate
Length
224 pages
Book in series
#4
Why to read
- Relatable Teen Experiences: The book offers a genuine portrayal of teenage life, including the complexities of relationships, friendships, and the quest for identity, making it a relatable read for young adults navigating similar experiences.
- Engaging Writing Style: E. Lockhart is known for her witty and engaging writing style, which makes the story of Ruby Oliver come alive with humor and heart. Readers will find themselves laughing and empathizing with Ruby's predicaments.
- Character Development: Throughout the series, and particularly in 'Real Live Boyfriends,' readers witness significant character growth in Ruby Oliver. Her journey towards self-discovery and understanding what she truly values in relationships is both inspiring and educational.
- Mental Health Representation: The book thoughtfully addresses mental health issues, such as anxiety and panic attacks, providing a narrative that raises awareness and encourages empathy for those dealing with similar challenges.