What do you think?
Rate this book
Love and Leftovers
Romantic and bittersweet, Love and Leftovers captures one girl's experience with family, friends, and love. Dragged to New Hampshire for the summer, Marcie soon realizes that her mom has no plans for them to return to Marcie's father in Idaho. As Marcie starts at a new school, without her ragtag group of friends called the Leftovers, a new romance heats up, but she struggles to understand what love really means.
Perfect for fans of romances like Anna and the French Kiss and those by Sarah Dessen as well as readers of poetry, Love and Leftovers is a beautiful and fresh take on love.
Perfect for fans of romances like Anna and the French Kiss and those by Sarah Dessen as well as readers of poetry, Love and Leftovers is a beautiful and fresh take on love.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published December 27, 2011
76 people are currently reading
17390 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Tregay
15 books417 followersRaised without television, I started writing my own middle grade novels after I had read all of the ones in the library. I later discovered YA books, but never did make it to the adult section. When I'm not jotting down poems at stoplights, I can be found hanging out with my "little sister" from Big Brothers Big Sisters or stressing over performance classes at a model horse show.
I have both a Bachelors and Masters of Fine Art in graphic design, and my obsession with typography and layout naturally translates into formatting poetry on the page.
I live in Eagle, Idaho with my husband, two Boston Terriers, and an appaloosa named Mr. Pots.
I have both a Bachelors and Masters of Fine Art in graphic design, and my obsession with typography and layout naturally translates into formatting poetry on the page.
I live in Eagle, Idaho with my husband, two Boston Terriers, and an appaloosa named Mr. Pots.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 644 reviews
November 1, 2021
the worst thing that a book can be is made up of the kind of poetry that is just sentences with a liberal use of the enter key.
the second worst thing that a book can be is ugly cover'd.
there are upsides to each of these problems: one, a 400 page book is really like 100, and two, you can't pretend you didn't know what you were getting into.
but that may just be my interminable optimism talking.
(that was sarcasm.)
part of a series i'm doing where i read books i read a long time ago, using single-phrase reviews and scraps of memories like vigilante detectives use conspiracy walls
the second worst thing that a book can be is ugly cover'd.
there are upsides to each of these problems: one, a 400 page book is really like 100, and two, you can't pretend you didn't know what you were getting into.
but that may just be my interminable optimism talking.
(that was sarcasm.)
part of a series i'm doing where i read books i read a long time ago, using single-phrase reviews and scraps of memories like vigilante detectives use conspiracy walls
May 7, 2012
3.5 stars
It’s fair to say that I’m fickle when it comes to verse novels - I can’t decide whether I like them or not.
But I do like this book.
Love and Leftovers is an earnest, sweet story of a teenage girl’s journey through trials of the heart, family and friends. There’s nothing particularly ground-breaking in the plot: Marcie’s parents have split up, her father has a new boyfriend, and her depressed mother has fled across the country, dragging Marcie with her. Alone in a new state, Marcie is attempting to balance a long distance relationship with her emo-rocker boyfriend, and the burgeoning interest of local jock J.D. In a new place, Marcie can become a new person, but is that who she really wants to be?
This is a case where the verse is what makes the story compelling and vital. Tregay’s writing breathes life into the premise, resuscitating a somewhat vanilla concept into something more complex and interesting. Tregay uses different styles of verse here effectively – smoothly transitioning between free form and more traditional poetic structures to suit each particular scene. As I read Love and Leftovers, I felt I was reading poetry, not simply sentences broken into stilted shards.
What also works in the book’s favour is that I was convinced this was the voice of a teenage girl. The novel takes the form of poems Marcie writes in a notebook, interspersed with IMs with her best friend and song lyrics (Shh. Yes, I know. Song lyrics. But trust me, it’s okay – they work). It reminded me so much of the way I expressed myself as a teenager (although my poetry was decidedly rubbish), that it felt unmistakably realistic.
I also enjoyed the inclusion of Marcie’s group of friends, dubbed the Leftovers, and the way they resisted being categorised under one stereotypical high school label. I love books that acknowledge that high school doesn’t always fall neatly into popular/not popular boxes, and friendships that are diverse. As a former Leftover myself, I really appreciated the way Tregay created a cast of characters that were interesting and seemingly contradictory in themselves – because this feels truer to me than stock standard high school archetypes.
At it’s heart, Love and Leftovers is a story about making mistakes, and moving on. It handles topics both sensitively and frankly, upfront about self-doubt, sex and depression. Or in Marcie’s words:
It’s fair to say that I’m fickle when it comes to verse novels - I can’t decide whether I like them or not.
But I do like this book.
Love and Leftovers is an earnest, sweet story of a teenage girl’s journey through trials of the heart, family and friends. There’s nothing particularly ground-breaking in the plot: Marcie’s parents have split up, her father has a new boyfriend, and her depressed mother has fled across the country, dragging Marcie with her. Alone in a new state, Marcie is attempting to balance a long distance relationship with her emo-rocker boyfriend, and the burgeoning interest of local jock J.D. In a new place, Marcie can become a new person, but is that who she really wants to be?
This is a case where the verse is what makes the story compelling and vital. Tregay’s writing breathes life into the premise, resuscitating a somewhat vanilla concept into something more complex and interesting. Tregay uses different styles of verse here effectively – smoothly transitioning between free form and more traditional poetic structures to suit each particular scene. As I read Love and Leftovers, I felt I was reading poetry, not simply sentences broken into stilted shards.
What also works in the book’s favour is that I was convinced this was the voice of a teenage girl. The novel takes the form of poems Marcie writes in a notebook, interspersed with IMs with her best friend and song lyrics (Shh. Yes, I know. Song lyrics. But trust me, it’s okay – they work). It reminded me so much of the way I expressed myself as a teenager (although my poetry was decidedly rubbish), that it felt unmistakably realistic.
I also enjoyed the inclusion of Marcie’s group of friends, dubbed the Leftovers, and the way they resisted being categorised under one stereotypical high school label. I love books that acknowledge that high school doesn’t always fall neatly into popular/not popular boxes, and friendships that are diverse. As a former Leftover myself, I really appreciated the way Tregay created a cast of characters that were interesting and seemingly contradictory in themselves – because this feels truer to me than stock standard high school archetypes.
At it’s heart, Love and Leftovers is a story about making mistakes, and moving on. It handles topics both sensitively and frankly, upfront about self-doubt, sex and depression. Or in Marcie’s words:
[…]poems about love, lust, and loneliness,I may never make up my mind about verse novels in general, but I’m definitely a fan of Sarah Tregay's charming debut.
Docks, fires, and gravel lanes,
Big panties and condoms,
Blue dresses and rocking canoes,
Talent shows and selfish bitches,
Quiet crushes and candlelit cupcakes…”
July 11, 2017
This was such a dreamy, swoony, heart-melty story.
Marcie's life is in an upheaval. Her mother has run away from her marital problems, in Idaho, dragging Marcie with her to New Hampshire. Away from her endearing, quirky, friends she affectionately calls "The Leftovers," and her dreamy-emo-rocker-boyfriend, Linus. I loved this description of him in the beginning, and I was pretty much hooked after this:
"Linus is quiet, and genuinely sweet,
prefers music to team sports,
has a 4.0, and doesn't have to shave.
This makes him the perfect boyfriend because he
holds my hand in the halls
and whispers little secrets in my ear,
writes me songs and sings them softly
while we rock Roland's baby to sleep,
helps me with my math homework
and rewards right answers
with smooth-cheeked kisses."
Marcie has to deal with a new school, making friends, and struggle with her loneliness. Her mother has burrowed into a shell and basically checked out of life. Soon Marcie starts to receiving attention from a boy, J.D. who seems too good to be true with "a face that belongs in a Disney movie, and a sweet, sincere, Boy-Scout personality." J.D. starts bringing Marcie coffee and doughnuts every morning at school, striking up a friendship, and filling a void she feels with her boyfriend miles away, and no responsible parent to confide in. Soon Marcie finds herself making bad decisions, and cutting off the friends she left behind. You find yourself wondering if Marcie is going to find a way back, or ruin everything. You feel so bad for Marcie because you know that she's not thinking clearly because of the stress and problems in her life.
I loved this story! The thought of verse novels always scares me but this was so lovely and beautiful, expressing such emotion and thought with very few words. My favorite poem is on page 107 titled: "What I Want To Do," and it is oh-so-lovely. Because Marcie's boyfriend is a sensitive-emo-rocker, there are songs in the story, written by Linus FOR HER! Who doesn't want a song written about her?!! The lyrics to songs in the book were beautiful, filled with longing, and sometimes intense anger. There were a few rip your heart out moments in this book but it left you with a steady "Love dub | love dub" in your heart at the end.
Marcie's life is in an upheaval. Her mother has run away from her marital problems, in Idaho, dragging Marcie with her to New Hampshire. Away from her endearing, quirky, friends she affectionately calls "The Leftovers," and her dreamy-emo-rocker-boyfriend, Linus. I loved this description of him in the beginning, and I was pretty much hooked after this:
"Linus is quiet, and genuinely sweet,
prefers music to team sports,
has a 4.0, and doesn't have to shave.
This makes him the perfect boyfriend because he
holds my hand in the halls
and whispers little secrets in my ear,
writes me songs and sings them softly
while we rock Roland's baby to sleep,
helps me with my math homework
and rewards right answers
with smooth-cheeked kisses."
Marcie has to deal with a new school, making friends, and struggle with her loneliness. Her mother has burrowed into a shell and basically checked out of life. Soon Marcie starts to receiving attention from a boy, J.D. who seems too good to be true with "a face that belongs in a Disney movie, and a sweet, sincere, Boy-Scout personality." J.D. starts bringing Marcie coffee and doughnuts every morning at school, striking up a friendship, and filling a void she feels with her boyfriend miles away, and no responsible parent to confide in. Soon Marcie finds herself making bad decisions, and cutting off the friends she left behind. You find yourself wondering if Marcie is going to find a way back, or ruin everything. You feel so bad for Marcie because you know that she's not thinking clearly because of the stress and problems in her life.
I loved this story! The thought of verse novels always scares me but this was so lovely and beautiful, expressing such emotion and thought with very few words. My favorite poem is on page 107 titled: "What I Want To Do," and it is oh-so-lovely. Because Marcie's boyfriend is a sensitive-emo-rocker, there are songs in the story, written by Linus FOR HER! Who doesn't want a song written about her?!! The lyrics to songs in the book were beautiful, filled with longing, and sometimes intense anger. There were a few rip your heart out moments in this book but it left you with a steady "Love dub | love dub" in your heart at the end.
February 23, 2012
3.5 stars
“Love and Leftovers is a beautifully written story of one girl’s story navigating family, friends and love and a compelling and sexy read that teens will gobble up whole”
This description on the jacket flap pretty much sums up my reading experience of Love and Leftovers. The writing is mesmeric, that before you know it you’re reading the book at a frenzied pace. The fact that this was a verse book was I guess what surprised me the most as I wasn’t expecting it to be a verse novel but seeing as I’ve quickly become a verse fan I was quite stoked to be reading it. The verse books I’ve read so far were full of such beautiful writing; that you find yourself going back re- reading passages. Love and Leftovers were no different; it was full with several beautiful passages that before I knew it my copy was over flowing with post its marking my favourite quotes.
“Your arms ache to hold someone
you move in slow motion from one hug to the next
so you won’t jostle the warm feeling off your shoulders
before the next hug comes you way
your heart feels hollow
that emptiness screams like an addition to be filled
even if it means doing hurtful, selfish things
to get a fix.”
Love and Leftovers tells the heartfelt story of Marcie, whose parents are going through a separation. Marcie’s mum makes a decision to move out to the summer house in New Hampshire, before she knows Marcie’s enrolled into a new school, permanently leaving her dad, best friends and boyfriend Linus behind. Marcie has a lot of change to deal with within a small amount of time, on top of this she also has to deal with the fact that her mum isn’t coping at all; she never seems to make it out of bed or take the responsibilities that an adults supposed to, instead it’s left up to Marcie to fend for herself. After torturous weeks of only communicating with her boyfriend and best friend over the phone or through instant messaging and just watching their music video’s she finds herself completely alone, she can’t talk to her mum as she’s always shut away in her room. And after everything that’s happened with her parents she begins having doubts about her own relationship with Linus; she really seeks some sort of physical comfort a hug, a reassuring hand on the shoulder, she misses Linus terribly but he’s 2700 miles away. So she starts hanging out with J.D a guy from school he’s nice, sensitive brings her doughnuts and before you know it he’s filling that big gaping hole within her with the love and comfort she’s longed for.
The things that miffed me about this book;
At the end of the day I actually preferred J.D a lot more to Linus. I know a lot of my friends liked Linus, but I just didn’t click with him, yes the fact he was in a band was cool, his songs were sweet, but I honestly thought Marcie had the better relationship with J.D.
I really did think Marcie was selfish at times;
Despite these minor irks Love and Leftovers was a cute and entertaining debut from Sarah Tregay, it wasn’t one of the best verse books I’ve read, but still reasonably enjoyable.
“Love and Leftovers is a beautifully written story of one girl’s story navigating family, friends and love and a compelling and sexy read that teens will gobble up whole”
This description on the jacket flap pretty much sums up my reading experience of Love and Leftovers. The writing is mesmeric, that before you know it you’re reading the book at a frenzied pace. The fact that this was a verse book was I guess what surprised me the most as I wasn’t expecting it to be a verse novel but seeing as I’ve quickly become a verse fan I was quite stoked to be reading it. The verse books I’ve read so far were full of such beautiful writing; that you find yourself going back re- reading passages. Love and Leftovers were no different; it was full with several beautiful passages that before I knew it my copy was over flowing with post its marking my favourite quotes.
“Your arms ache to hold someone
you move in slow motion from one hug to the next
so you won’t jostle the warm feeling off your shoulders
before the next hug comes you way
your heart feels hollow
that emptiness screams like an addition to be filled
even if it means doing hurtful, selfish things
to get a fix.”
Love and Leftovers tells the heartfelt story of Marcie, whose parents are going through a separation. Marcie’s mum makes a decision to move out to the summer house in New Hampshire, before she knows Marcie’s enrolled into a new school, permanently leaving her dad, best friends and boyfriend Linus behind. Marcie has a lot of change to deal with within a small amount of time, on top of this she also has to deal with the fact that her mum isn’t coping at all; she never seems to make it out of bed or take the responsibilities that an adults supposed to, instead it’s left up to Marcie to fend for herself. After torturous weeks of only communicating with her boyfriend and best friend over the phone or through instant messaging and just watching their music video’s she finds herself completely alone, she can’t talk to her mum as she’s always shut away in her room. And after everything that’s happened with her parents she begins having doubts about her own relationship with Linus; she really seeks some sort of physical comfort a hug, a reassuring hand on the shoulder, she misses Linus terribly but he’s 2700 miles away. So she starts hanging out with J.D a guy from school he’s nice, sensitive brings her doughnuts and before you know it he’s filling that big gaping hole within her with the love and comfort she’s longed for.
The things that miffed me about this book;
At the end of the day I actually preferred J.D a lot more to Linus. I know a lot of my friends liked Linus, but I just didn’t click with him, yes the fact he was in a band was cool, his songs were sweet, but I honestly thought Marcie had the better relationship with J.D.
I really did think Marcie was selfish at times;
Despite these minor irks Love and Leftovers was a cute and entertaining debut from Sarah Tregay, it wasn’t one of the best verse books I’ve read, but still reasonably enjoyable.
February 13, 2012
I really don't know what to expect with this book at first since it was written in verse. I thought it would be weird and I wouldn't be able to understand the story well and connect with the characters in that format, with just so little words. So I was really surprised when I found myself getting so caught up with the book and connecting with the main character easily. I was surprised to realize that a few words can actually contain and elicit a lot of meanings and feelings at the same time. Those verses was able to voice out Marcie's feelings and thoughts clearly.
Love and Leftovers was a fun, witty and lovely read. I loved how Marcie told her feelings through writing it in poems. Through short verses I was able to understand her, see her frustrations, her struggles, wishes, and desires. Marcie was struggling and lonely with all the situations she was suddenly thrown into - depressed mother, new school, making new friends, being away with people she loved - making her flawed in so many ways, doing wrong decisions and actions. But as the story went on and as she saw the consequences of her actions she was able to learn and realize things from them deal with it and started fixing things she could still save.
I loved how Marcie was able to deal with the lot of issued she had in her life especially with her parents. I liked her dad and how he explained the situation and things to her. Katie was a lovely and adorable best friend, and Linus, of course was a very nice, charming and absolutely sweet boyfriend. Though, I would be honest I did like J.D. at first but, wow, this guy was equally swoony too. I loved how much he loved Marcie and how much his respect for her was. I really loved those songs he wrote and sang and that poem he wrote for Marcie in her diary, it was just so, so sweet!
Overall, this was a very entertaining and enjoyable read. It was fast-paced and easy with really appealing and lovely characters. :))
This review is also posted at Book Overdose
Love and Leftovers was a fun, witty and lovely read. I loved how Marcie told her feelings through writing it in poems. Through short verses I was able to understand her, see her frustrations, her struggles, wishes, and desires. Marcie was struggling and lonely with all the situations she was suddenly thrown into - depressed mother, new school, making new friends, being away with people she loved - making her flawed in so many ways, doing wrong decisions and actions. But as the story went on and as she saw the consequences of her actions she was able to learn and realize things from them deal with it and started fixing things she could still save.
I loved how Marcie was able to deal with the lot of issued she had in her life especially with her parents. I liked her dad and how he explained the situation and things to her. Katie was a lovely and adorable best friend, and Linus, of course was a very nice, charming and absolutely sweet boyfriend. Though, I would be honest I did like J.D. at first but, wow, this guy was equally swoony too. I loved how much he loved Marcie and how much his respect for her was. I really loved those songs he wrote and sang and that poem he wrote for Marcie in her diary, it was just so, so sweet!
Overall, this was a very entertaining and enjoyable read. It was fast-paced and easy with really appealing and lovely characters. :))
This review is also posted at Book Overdose
February 16, 2012
4.5 stars
I ordered Love & Leftovers soon after I finished Audition because I'd really enjoyed that novel in verse and I'd remembered that April had really enjoyed this one as well. The verse in Love and Leftovers is actually far more enjoyable than in Audition, as it plays with form to build tension throughout the novel. If you're nerdily interested in that sort of thing, L&L is worth reading for that aspect alone.
What I was really surprised by was how compelling and "edgy" (ugh, I hate that word) this one is. The marketing for L&L made me assume it was a "cute/sweet" read (I've got no problem with that at all), but it actually dealt with a lot of issues in a realistic manner, particularly teens and intimacy in many of its forms.
Marcie is dragged on a permanent vacation from her hometown of Boise to New Hampshire by her mother. Once summer is over, their vacation doesn't end, and her mother enrolls Marcie in school in New England, where she's incredibly lonely. Despite that she has a boyfriend, Marcie begins a sort of relationship with J.D. The fluid nature of young adult relationships was handled extremely well, and while I am often uncomfortable with themes of cheating (and frankly, I have a hard time categorizing this as cheating) in novels for any age, the very real consequences (positive and negative) of this plot-line were extremely well-done.
When Marcie returns to Idaho, she's reunited with her group of friends, The Leftovers, and boy did I love the scenes involving all of them. It reminded both of when I was that age and my friend pool was very similar and was relatable for me now as a supposed grown-up who still has a motley mix of friends. The results of what happened while Marcie was marooned in New Hampshire come to a head in interesting and believable ways and there are some moments in which I was absolutely cringing in a way I do whenever I watch Freaks & Geeks ("It's too real! Make it stop!").
I have a few thoughts that are of a spoilery nature, so click through at your own risk:
Notes:
- I had a hard time with J.D. as a character, because I kept thinking he was J.D. McCoy, and he was totally not a J.D. McCoy. If anything, he was kind of a male Lyla.
- Hallelujah to the rare YA novel that embraces teen girl sexuality in a positive way. Seriously. I'm sure for this reason, some folks will have a problem with L&L.
- I wish I could ask the book designer if the use of Lobster font for the poem titles was a shout out to New England.
- If someone had told me you could use the word "boner" in a poem, I probably would've enjoyed poetry more as a teenager.
- This poem stuck out to me as articulating something that a love of women of all ages wrestle with:
-My favorite line (aside from the boner poem, obviously):
I highly recommend this one for folks who love realistic, contemporary YA and for people who're interested in checking out novels in free verse. This one is super-approachable and beautifully executed. I usually buy books in digital form, but I did buy the hardback of this one and it's full of post-it notes with favorite lines marked out. Sarah Tregay will definitely go onto my auto-buy list.
Love! Must remember to actually review.
I ordered Love & Leftovers soon after I finished Audition because I'd really enjoyed that novel in verse and I'd remembered that April had really enjoyed this one as well. The verse in Love and Leftovers is actually far more enjoyable than in Audition, as it plays with form to build tension throughout the novel. If you're nerdily interested in that sort of thing, L&L is worth reading for that aspect alone.
What I was really surprised by was how compelling and "edgy" (ugh, I hate that word) this one is. The marketing for L&L made me assume it was a "cute/sweet" read (I've got no problem with that at all), but it actually dealt with a lot of issues in a realistic manner, particularly teens and intimacy in many of its forms.
Marcie is dragged on a permanent vacation from her hometown of Boise to New Hampshire by her mother. Once summer is over, their vacation doesn't end, and her mother enrolls Marcie in school in New England, where she's incredibly lonely. Despite that she has a boyfriend, Marcie begins a sort of relationship with J.D. The fluid nature of young adult relationships was handled extremely well, and while I am often uncomfortable with themes of cheating (and frankly, I have a hard time categorizing this as cheating) in novels for any age, the very real consequences (positive and negative) of this plot-line were extremely well-done.
When Marcie returns to Idaho, she's reunited with her group of friends, The Leftovers, and boy did I love the scenes involving all of them. It reminded both of when I was that age and my friend pool was very similar and was relatable for me now as a supposed grown-up who still has a motley mix of friends. The results of what happened while Marcie was marooned in New Hampshire come to a head in interesting and believable ways and there are some moments in which I was absolutely cringing in a way I do whenever I watch Freaks & Geeks ("It's too real! Make it stop!").
I have a few thoughts that are of a spoilery nature, so click through at your own risk:
Notes:
- I had a hard time with J.D. as a character, because I kept thinking he was J.D. McCoy, and he was totally not a J.D. McCoy. If anything, he was kind of a male Lyla.
- Hallelujah to the rare YA novel that embraces teen girl sexuality in a positive way. Seriously. I'm sure for this reason, some folks will have a problem with L&L.
- I wish I could ask the book designer if the use of Lobster font for the poem titles was a shout out to New England.
- If someone had told me you could use the word "boner" in a poem, I probably would've enjoyed poetry more as a teenager.
- This poem stuck out to me as articulating something that a love of women of all ages wrestle with:
If my mom says
women
are not property
how come I want
to belong
to someone?
-My favorite line (aside from the boner poem, obviously):
That's how we spent the day
drizzling sarcasm over the truth
dropping bad jokes like f-bombs
I highly recommend this one for folks who love realistic, contemporary YA and for people who're interested in checking out novels in free verse. This one is super-approachable and beautifully executed. I usually buy books in digital form, but I did buy the hardback of this one and it's full of post-it notes with favorite lines marked out. Sarah Tregay will definitely go onto my auto-buy list.
November 15, 2015
2.5 stars
Interested in more of my reviews? Visit my blog!
Love & Leftovers is about Marcie, a soon to be 16 year-old girl who has recently been uprooted from her home in Idaho after her parents have split up. Her father left her mother for a younger man and it’s left Marie and her mother devastated. Her mother, suffering from severe depression, takes off for their summer home in New Hampshire. Originally thinking this is only temporary; Marie starts to realize that they’re not going anywhere anytime soon.
This book dealt with several issues: broken homes, cheating, depression, and finding love. The story was well written but I was left feeling underwhelmed by the story itself as I felt it lacked distinction… up until the last page I kept waiting for something more to happen. Unfortunately that just didn’t happen.
I had an issue with Marcie’s ‘fear’ that the boyfriend she left behind in Idaho just might be gay and that’s why he never tried to sleep with her. I understand that that ‘issue’ broke up her family so it may be credible for her to think that could happen to her again, but it never crossed her mind that she’s 15 and maybe he was just being a decent guy? Maybe my grown-up mature self has difficulty grasping this ‘possibility’ but it just seemed far-fetched.
“But I’m worried that if Linus is gay like my father, I’ll become depressed like my mother.”
I've been looking forward to this story for a while, but much like The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight I was also left feeling underwhelmed. Yes, there were several great lines and there were some cute moments where I found myself smiling, but overall it just didn't hit the mark for me. I loved that it was written in verse; however, being a huge fan of verse I've found that not all stories can be written this way and achieve what it was originally meant to.
Interested in more of my reviews? Visit my blog!
Love & Leftovers is about Marcie, a soon to be 16 year-old girl who has recently been uprooted from her home in Idaho after her parents have split up. Her father left her mother for a younger man and it’s left Marie and her mother devastated. Her mother, suffering from severe depression, takes off for their summer home in New Hampshire. Originally thinking this is only temporary; Marie starts to realize that they’re not going anywhere anytime soon.
This book dealt with several issues: broken homes, cheating, depression, and finding love. The story was well written but I was left feeling underwhelmed by the story itself as I felt it lacked distinction… up until the last page I kept waiting for something more to happen. Unfortunately that just didn’t happen.
I had an issue with Marcie’s ‘fear’ that the boyfriend she left behind in Idaho just might be gay and that’s why he never tried to sleep with her. I understand that that ‘issue’ broke up her family so it may be credible for her to think that could happen to her again, but it never crossed her mind that she’s 15 and maybe he was just being a decent guy? Maybe my grown-up mature self has difficulty grasping this ‘possibility’ but it just seemed far-fetched.
“But I’m worried that if Linus is gay like my father, I’ll become depressed like my mother.”
I've been looking forward to this story for a while, but much like The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight I was also left feeling underwhelmed. Yes, there were several great lines and there were some cute moments where I found myself smiling, but overall it just didn't hit the mark for me. I loved that it was written in verse; however, being a huge fan of verse I've found that not all stories can be written this way and achieve what it was originally meant to.
July 31, 2014
Oh, mate, I really loved this romantic verse novel from Sarah Tregay. It was fun and cute and swoony and just a delicious rainy-day feel good read.
From the cover and so many swoony and favourable reviews I expected it to be all that, but I didn't anticipate just how addictive it would be, and how much I would grin and sigh my way through it. So recommended. I read this on my kindle but am itching to buy a copy for my shelves (hopefully a paperback will be released).
From the cover and so many swoony and favourable reviews I expected it to be all that, but I didn't anticipate just how addictive it would be, and how much I would grin and sigh my way through it. So recommended. I read this on my kindle but am itching to buy a copy for my shelves (hopefully a paperback will be released).
March 14, 2012
This makes me so giddy, I can't even stop myself from grinning the whole time I was reading this. This has become official that I love me some verse novels. I find it more full of emotions that left you needing more but at the same time with content.
I admit, this story makes me so happy I can't tear my eyes from the lines that I just finished it for 3 hours. Even that took a long time, I kept re-reading some of the lines. They're too "swoony" to miss. I am still smiling despite everything that's happened but i was glad it turned out to be great in the latter.
I think I can't really control myself but, Linus and J.D! 'Nuff said. God, they're so sweet they make me want to devour them like sugar-coated doughnuts with a sappy love song. The first half makes me a giddy-giddy little girl that looks like I'm about to receive my birthday/Christmas/new years present all at once. That's how excited and exuberant I felt while J.D tells Marcie things that I don't even want to think because I'm so jealous. And for the next half, well everything falls out that I was actually sympathetic and at the same time thinks she deserves what she's done. But I'm awfully in a good mood that I let it pass just for her sake. And for the Leftovers. I think the Leftovers are the mixed people that I wanna hang out with in high school on my next life. I think they made everything bearable to think your life's so full of shit but with them there, you'll think you're still good to have them. I am speaking more of Katie actually. And I love everything about her. Her Japanese-manga and everything else addiction. And I think that girl's got potential.
In the end, I am liking me this book! I think I would never pass the chance to read this again soon. It makes my heart flutter like a million butterflies flew from my stomach, heart and soul. :)
xx
I admit, this story makes me so happy I can't tear my eyes from the lines that I just finished it for 3 hours. Even that took a long time, I kept re-reading some of the lines. They're too "swoony" to miss. I am still smiling despite everything that's happened but i was glad it turned out to be great in the latter.
I think I can't really control myself but, Linus and J.D! 'Nuff said. God, they're so sweet they make me want to devour them like sugar-coated doughnuts with a sappy love song. The first half makes me a giddy-giddy little girl that looks like I'm about to receive my birthday/Christmas/new years present all at once. That's how excited and exuberant I felt while J.D tells Marcie things that I don't even want to think because I'm so jealous. And for the next half, well everything falls out that I was actually sympathetic and at the same time thinks she deserves what she's done. But I'm awfully in a good mood that I let it pass just for her sake. And for the Leftovers. I think the Leftovers are the mixed people that I wanna hang out with in high school on my next life. I think they made everything bearable to think your life's so full of shit but with them there, you'll think you're still good to have them. I am speaking more of Katie actually. And I love everything about her. Her Japanese-manga and everything else addiction. And I think that girl's got potential.
In the end, I am liking me this book! I think I would never pass the chance to read this again soon. It makes my heart flutter like a million butterflies flew from my stomach, heart and soul. :)
xx
April 15, 2012
My first encounter with a book written in verses was “I heart you, You haunt me” by Lisa Schroeder which became an immediate favorite. Then it was followed by the Day Before by the same author.
When I opened “Love and Leftovers” I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as the other two books I read. I wasn’t expecting to love it so much.
Love and Leftovers was a bittersweet story about Marcie’s struggles with her parents split up, being away from her friends and her boyfriend, how to fit well in her new school. Though written in verses you’ll definitely feel the emotion that Marcie had as she was telling her story.
The story was good. I liked Marcie because she was real and you could easily relate to her. She made mistakes and one of which I definitely disliked. She cheated on her so sweet boyfriend. :(
Why did you do that Marcie?
Why?
Anyways, everything turned out okay in the end and she learned her lesson and everyone’s happy.
Love and Leftovers is definitely a must read.
It was a one of those books that you’ll find yourself wanting to read it in one sitting.
I liked it and would be waiting for more books from this author.
4! :D
When I opened “Love and Leftovers” I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as the other two books I read. I wasn’t expecting to love it so much.
Love and Leftovers was a bittersweet story about Marcie’s struggles with her parents split up, being away from her friends and her boyfriend, how to fit well in her new school. Though written in verses you’ll definitely feel the emotion that Marcie had as she was telling her story.
The story was good. I liked Marcie because she was real and you could easily relate to her. She made mistakes and one of which I definitely disliked. She cheated on her so sweet boyfriend. :(
Why did you do that Marcie?
Why?
Anyways, everything turned out okay in the end and she learned her lesson and everyone’s happy.
Love and Leftovers is definitely a must read.
It was a one of those books that you’ll find yourself wanting to read it in one sitting.
I liked it and would be waiting for more books from this author.
4! :D
January 23, 2012
Hmmm. What is it with the lead in this one, whose story runs along the same line as Playing Hurt, yet has me considering her all the same? Infidelity. When ever a story goes there, I always end up judging someone as selfish. Always. Because it seems to me that what follows it (or precedes the act as the case may be) is a reason behind the same. And in so doing, things feel like a cop out. This is so even with all the bad crap she had to undergo.
Yet, once all was said and done, there was a return to normalcy. And because all of them-- from dad, to mom, to the lead, to her ex, to BFF-- behaved badly at one point or another. So, for me at least, it felt like one bad act canceled another that bad act out, (if you catch my drift.) It felt needlessly long and needlessly sad because in the end, there’s just a simple realization that had she heeded her mum’s words, she wouldn’t have found herself in such the shitty position of needing to grovel, and the shittier place of still being treated like crap and thus left feeling pissed on her own behalf because there was no one with whom to share the load.
And talk of mum’s words of advice? She had some interesting notions, I thought. It was simply too bad that her mum came up short as well. And why? Because her mum had problems of her own! And in the end, all I saw was a bunch of people with problems galore. Strangely enough it seemed that it was daddy’s boyfriend who’s not so bad after all. And that good old sweet Linus, could be an A-hole in his own right. My point? It seemed that by the end of the book none of them came up smelling like roses. Who could blame one character for doing this or another for doing that? They all do something crappy. *cop out. *
All that said if there was one thing I truly enjoyed here it’s the idea of ‘leftovers.’ Of people who don’t fit in with any particular group and end together because there’s nowhere else.
2.5/5
Yet, once all was said and done, there was a return to normalcy. And because all of them-- from dad, to mom, to the lead, to her ex, to BFF-- behaved badly at one point or another. So, for me at least, it felt like one bad act canceled another that bad act out, (if you catch my drift.) It felt needlessly long and needlessly sad because in the end, there’s just a simple realization that had she heeded her mum’s words, she wouldn’t have found herself in such the shitty position of needing to grovel, and the shittier place of still being treated like crap and thus left feeling pissed on her own behalf because there was no one with whom to share the load.
And talk of mum’s words of advice? She had some interesting notions, I thought. It was simply too bad that her mum came up short as well. And why? Because her mum had problems of her own! And in the end, all I saw was a bunch of people with problems galore. Strangely enough it seemed that it was daddy’s boyfriend who’s not so bad after all. And that good old sweet Linus, could be an A-hole in his own right. My point? It seemed that by the end of the book none of them came up smelling like roses. Who could blame one character for doing this or another for doing that? They all do something crappy. *cop out. *
All that said if there was one thing I truly enjoyed here it’s the idea of ‘leftovers.’ Of people who don’t fit in with any particular group and end together because there’s nowhere else.
2.5/5
January 19, 2014
I’m a sucker for novels in verse because they reach me emotionally in a way that other books rarely do. With that in mind, I was fairly certain I would enjoy Love & Leftovers, but I actually adored the book! It was better than I imagined it would be.
The thing I loved most about this story is the raw realness it has. Marcie is a flawed character, and she makes some very poor decisions that made me think she deserved what happened in the aftermath. And she did deserve it, but at the same time I couldn’t help but start to feel sorry for her. I felt sorry for everyone, actually, because each character is struggling with their own version of lonely, and loneliness makes for a miserable existence. It also makes you do things without thinking about the consequences.
I was originally going to give this book four stars, because it deals with so many things, one of which being cheating, and that is something that always turns me off in a book. However, the way the book made me feel surpassed all of that. I read the book in one sitting, my emotions on a roller coaster. When I finally went to bed I thought about reading it again.
Furthermore, Marcie’s actions weren’t just glossed over by a happy little romance. It is definitely romantic, but before Marcie can experience that, she has to deal with the consequences of her actions. This is rare, a YA character really dealing with consequences, and I loved that about Love & Leftovers.
I think this is a great book for YA romance lovers, especially (but not exclusively) if you’re a fan of novels in verse.
The thing I loved most about this story is the raw realness it has. Marcie is a flawed character, and she makes some very poor decisions that made me think she deserved what happened in the aftermath. And she did deserve it, but at the same time I couldn’t help but start to feel sorry for her. I felt sorry for everyone, actually, because each character is struggling with their own version of lonely, and loneliness makes for a miserable existence. It also makes you do things without thinking about the consequences.
I was originally going to give this book four stars, because it deals with so many things, one of which being cheating, and that is something that always turns me off in a book. However, the way the book made me feel surpassed all of that. I read the book in one sitting, my emotions on a roller coaster. When I finally went to bed I thought about reading it again.
Furthermore, Marcie’s actions weren’t just glossed over by a happy little romance. It is definitely romantic, but before Marcie can experience that, she has to deal with the consequences of her actions. This is rare, a YA character really dealing with consequences, and I loved that about Love & Leftovers.
I think this is a great book for YA romance lovers, especially (but not exclusively) if you’re a fan of novels in verse.
May 9, 2012
I’m a fan of novels in verse, I am amazed at how an author can convey such emotion using so few words! Love and Leftovers is no exception to the wonderful verse novels I’ve experienced.
Marcie’s voice is incredible. It’s what made this novel such an enjoyable reading expereince. It’s imperfect, realistic and raw. Perhaps I enjoy reading verse novels so much is because of the simplicity of the writing. Everything is cut out except for what absolutely must be there. These characters are so exposed, it’s such a different reading experience. I just love it!
The story was just as wonderful as the characters. Watching Marcie’s struggle with what exactly love means to her, it was so gripping! It was difficult to watch her internal conflict at times, knowing that there is no one true right answer.
Love and Leftovers was just an all around great read and I can’t wait to see what Tregay comes up with next!
Marcie’s voice is incredible. It’s what made this novel such an enjoyable reading expereince. It’s imperfect, realistic and raw. Perhaps I enjoy reading verse novels so much is because of the simplicity of the writing. Everything is cut out except for what absolutely must be there. These characters are so exposed, it’s such a different reading experience. I just love it!
The story was just as wonderful as the characters. Watching Marcie’s struggle with what exactly love means to her, it was so gripping! It was difficult to watch her internal conflict at times, knowing that there is no one true right answer.
Love and Leftovers was just an all around great read and I can’t wait to see what Tregay comes up with next!
March 2, 2012
When I was in 9th grade there wasn't a name for our group.
Neither in 10th or 11th.
I think it was in 12th they started calling us Freaks just because they couldn't think of anything better.
When I was in school there was one of us who was good at twirling, one who dreamed of being a Mom and read trashy romance novels, another who was really smart, a boy who was a Johova Witness, and another boy who was from the Church of Christ and was addicted to Uno. One of us was good at art, another cheated in math and chemistry (cough cough... she knows who she is), and me.... I stole material from stand-up comedians I saw on A&E and SNL (and cheated through chemistry).
We were good at everything. Well, put together there was at least one of us who knew how to do it.
We couldn't be labeled jock. We weren't emo enough to be cutters. None of us had anger management issues to be a bully or a girl who started fights. Only one or two of us went to the prom. And one did have a baby.
Oh yeah, and I was a Girl Scout for a while.
We were the Leftovers.
And that's what this book is about.
That group of kids that doesn't fit into one clique.
This is Marcie's story.
Marcie is from Idaho who now lives in New Hampshire. She thought it was just for the summer. Boy was she wrong! Her mom and dad have decided to call it quits on their marriage. And mom's family is in New Hampshire. Plus she doesn't want to go home. It's too painful when her husband has a secret life that he is now willing to admit.
That leaves Marcie even more out of place. Her best friend and her emo rocker boyfriend are in Idaho. What's in New Hampshire? Just a bunch of people who talk funny.
She wants to go home. But she can't. Her mom needs her. It's been so long since she saw her smile. She can't leave her like that.
Marcie starts school and that's when she meets J.D. An athletic popular boy who sits at the athletic popular table.
Does Marcie know what love is? Is it possible? Is it cheating if it's so far away?
Greta's Thoughts:
I really enjoyed how this book was written in verse.
My main complaint was Linus's song lyrics. I'm sorry but they were lame ;)
I thought the plot was clever even though there wasn't a big big ah-hah moment. But that's a good thing. It made it more real.
Greta's price range:
This book is not in my price range. I'm sorry but I can't see myself spending nearly $18 on a book that only took me like 5 hours to read. This is more of a used paperback buy or a rental from the library (for me)
The next Ellen Hopkins?
I'm not sure about that one. This is the 3rd verse author I have read. It does however make me wonder who decides what is verse and what are just sentences.
Boy or Girl?
For the girls!
Age:
I would think anyone older than 13 would be okily dokely for this book. Not a lot of cussing, a bit of under the sweater action, and a neon green condom. I've seen worse on tv.
Characters:
All the characters were very interesting. I guarantee you'll be able to relate with at least one or two of them.
Kids of today:
I kind of wonder if the kids of today will be able to relate to this story. Sure there are things like cell phones and eyeliner. But there is also mention of The Violent Femmes, Jonny Depp (do teen girls really find him sexy?), and Napoleon Dynamite. I just kind of feel this book was written more for the late-20 year old crowd rather than the pre-teens/teenagers. I mean, they go to Redbox and rent Chocolat. Uhhh.... what 15,16,17 year old of today does that?
But that doesn't mean it's not enjoyable. It just makes me wonder.
Greta Alert:
You betcha! This book has an Aunt Greta!
All in all:
This book is great. I loved how short and simple it was. I loved the plot. Fell in love with the characters. And could understand the hardships that Marcie was going through as she tripped through New Hampshire.
Neither in 10th or 11th.
I think it was in 12th they started calling us Freaks just because they couldn't think of anything better.
When I was in school there was one of us who was good at twirling, one who dreamed of being a Mom and read trashy romance novels, another who was really smart, a boy who was a Johova Witness, and another boy who was from the Church of Christ and was addicted to Uno. One of us was good at art, another cheated in math and chemistry (cough cough... she knows who she is), and me.... I stole material from stand-up comedians I saw on A&E and SNL (and cheated through chemistry).
We were good at everything. Well, put together there was at least one of us who knew how to do it.
We couldn't be labeled jock. We weren't emo enough to be cutters. None of us had anger management issues to be a bully or a girl who started fights. Only one or two of us went to the prom. And one did have a baby.
Oh yeah, and I was a Girl Scout for a while.
We were the Leftovers.
And that's what this book is about.
That group of kids that doesn't fit into one clique.
This is Marcie's story.
Marcie is from Idaho who now lives in New Hampshire. She thought it was just for the summer. Boy was she wrong! Her mom and dad have decided to call it quits on their marriage. And mom's family is in New Hampshire. Plus she doesn't want to go home. It's too painful when her husband has a secret life that he is now willing to admit.
That leaves Marcie even more out of place. Her best friend and her emo rocker boyfriend are in Idaho. What's in New Hampshire? Just a bunch of people who talk funny.
She wants to go home. But she can't. Her mom needs her. It's been so long since she saw her smile. She can't leave her like that.
Marcie starts school and that's when she meets J.D. An athletic popular boy who sits at the athletic popular table.
Does Marcie know what love is? Is it possible? Is it cheating if it's so far away?
Greta's Thoughts:
I really enjoyed how this book was written in verse.
My main complaint was Linus's song lyrics. I'm sorry but they were lame ;)
I thought the plot was clever even though there wasn't a big big ah-hah moment. But that's a good thing. It made it more real.
Greta's price range:
This book is not in my price range. I'm sorry but I can't see myself spending nearly $18 on a book that only took me like 5 hours to read. This is more of a used paperback buy or a rental from the library (for me)
The next Ellen Hopkins?
I'm not sure about that one. This is the 3rd verse author I have read. It does however make me wonder who decides what is verse and what are just sentences.
Boy or Girl?
For the girls!
Age:
I would think anyone older than 13 would be okily dokely for this book. Not a lot of cussing, a bit of under the sweater action, and a neon green condom. I've seen worse on tv.
Characters:
All the characters were very interesting. I guarantee you'll be able to relate with at least one or two of them.
Kids of today:
I kind of wonder if the kids of today will be able to relate to this story. Sure there are things like cell phones and eyeliner. But there is also mention of The Violent Femmes, Jonny Depp (do teen girls really find him sexy?), and Napoleon Dynamite. I just kind of feel this book was written more for the late-20 year old crowd rather than the pre-teens/teenagers. I mean, they go to Redbox and rent Chocolat. Uhhh.... what 15,16,17 year old of today does that?
But that doesn't mean it's not enjoyable. It just makes me wonder.
Greta Alert:
You betcha! This book has an Aunt Greta!
All in all:
This book is great. I loved how short and simple it was. I loved the plot. Fell in love with the characters. And could understand the hardships that Marcie was going through as she tripped through New Hampshire.
January 8, 2012
Summer vacation turned almost semi-permanent, it was supposed to be just a break. But Marcie's mom couldn't seem to get over a mild case of the funk so the summer vacation turned into seven months. All of a sudden, Marcie is having to be the adult - the one to do everything while her mother buries herself in depression brought on by a recently failed marriage. Meanwhile, back in Idaho, the Leftovers seems to be moving on without her. Loneliness surrounds Marcie in New Hampshire that she turned to a boy with an easy smile and coffee and doughnuts. If only she didn't have boyfriend waiting in Idaho, or if she could have another best friend in New Hampshire, or if only her father would realize his mistake and take them back. But life is not about granted wishes. Marcie will learn the hard way that love isn't as easy as what everyone painted it to be.
This was probably the most descriptive verse novel I've read so far. There were more conversations and more detailed account of Marcie's feelings which padded the readability and unputdownable factor of this book. I love how the author took me to different strata of sentiments while reading this novel. I was frustrated, annoyed, angry and eventually I fell in love with the concept of the imperfections of the relationships. Love is never easy; the realization of having this feeling toward another person is a journey. You don't just see a person and instantly realized you're soul mates. And really, isn't that the best thing about love? The roller-coaster ride that pulls you into peaks and valleys until that sudden stop when everything becomes clear and your heart beats a mile a minute for what seems like hours?
At first, I had a hard time with the idea of Marcie/Linus or Marcie/JD. It felt like she belong to neither boys. There was a point in the novel where I wished she was alone. Because it was hard to see her self-destruct. It was easy to root for JD because who doesn't want a boy who looks like David Beckham with a Prince Harry smile? And Linus, is just...well I liked his intensity and who doesn't want a rocker boy with a heart of gold? I loved the eventual ending of this book. I loved watching Marcie grow up and realize that life is a two-way road - a give and take. If she wanted all the relationships in her life to work, she has to actually work for it.
Love and Leftovers is a book that anyone can relate to, not so much verbatim but when have we not found ourselves wishing there was a giant eraser that we could use for all the mistakes we've made in life? Marcie's second chance isn't something serendipitous, she stood up and faced her errors and gave herself that chance. I wish I have her guts.
This was probably the most descriptive verse novel I've read so far. There were more conversations and more detailed account of Marcie's feelings which padded the readability and unputdownable factor of this book. I love how the author took me to different strata of sentiments while reading this novel. I was frustrated, annoyed, angry and eventually I fell in love with the concept of the imperfections of the relationships. Love is never easy; the realization of having this feeling toward another person is a journey. You don't just see a person and instantly realized you're soul mates. And really, isn't that the best thing about love? The roller-coaster ride that pulls you into peaks and valleys until that sudden stop when everything becomes clear and your heart beats a mile a minute for what seems like hours?
At first, I had a hard time with the idea of Marcie/Linus or Marcie/JD. It felt like she belong to neither boys. There was a point in the novel where I wished she was alone. Because it was hard to see her self-destruct. It was easy to root for JD because who doesn't want a boy who looks like David Beckham with a Prince Harry smile? And Linus, is just...well I liked his intensity and who doesn't want a rocker boy with a heart of gold? I loved the eventual ending of this book. I loved watching Marcie grow up and realize that life is a two-way road - a give and take. If she wanted all the relationships in her life to work, she has to actually work for it.
Love and Leftovers is a book that anyone can relate to, not so much verbatim but when have we not found ourselves wishing there was a giant eraser that we could use for all the mistakes we've made in life? Marcie's second chance isn't something serendipitous, she stood up and faced her errors and gave herself that chance. I wish I have her guts.
October 2, 2014
The most difficult aspect of writing in verse is to be clear and concise while cleverly making the poetry flow and have the proper syllable count. It doesn't rhyme but it is written in a visual manner, much like Ellen Hopkins. Also like Hopkins, the emotions are raw, experiences real, subject matter relevant but a lot cleaner than Hopkins.
Marcie is dealing with a lot as her father comes out, her mother slips into depression, and she is uprooted and moved across the country where she slips into the parental role and feels lonely and isolated. In Idaho, Marcie knew where she belonged. In the leftover crowd. In other words, the crowd that didn't belong to any crowd. They were the leftovers that didn't stand out. On the eastern coast, Marcie makes different decisions than she did in Idaho.
So is this another book about growing pains and growing up, dating the football captain then clicking your ruby slippers and murmuring, "There's no place like home?" Absolutely not. I think that's what makes the book stand out.
Marcie is grappling with the idea and definition of love, belonging, respect, and sex. Why didn't her boyfriend in Idaho at least try to get to second base with her? Is he gay, too? Why did her dad push the house of cards down and decide he was gay? Why did his decision ruin her life? Why must she suffer for her parents inability to love one another and be parental? What does she really feel for for J.D.? What does she feel for Linus? How much should she confide in her best friend, Katie?
Marcie is flawed. Her friends are flawed. She betrays and she is betrayed. But Marcie learns from her mistakes, learns to accept situations out of her control, and accept flawed people, including herself. Much, much happens to Marcie in the few months the book covers and I couldn't imagine such a quick read could be so substantial in dealing with the issues of love, respect, sex, and healing but it is.
Clear, concise, sweet, and illustrates the reasons for a moral compass without preaching it.
Parental warnings:
Language is strong. One "f" word. Other swearing is present, not overly abundant.
Dialogue: Strong subjects addressed. Sex and petting are discussed. Again, the author craftily does not spell the activities in romance-novel detail. In one verse, petting is described by "exploring the geography of my body with his hands." Clever.
Sex: Discussed. Dreamed about. It's not a subject the author shies away from and is somewhat central to Marcie's struggles but delicately approached, in most cases.
Marcie is dealing with a lot as her father comes out, her mother slips into depression, and she is uprooted and moved across the country where she slips into the parental role and feels lonely and isolated. In Idaho, Marcie knew where she belonged. In the leftover crowd. In other words, the crowd that didn't belong to any crowd. They were the leftovers that didn't stand out. On the eastern coast, Marcie makes different decisions than she did in Idaho.
So is this another book about growing pains and growing up, dating the football captain then clicking your ruby slippers and murmuring, "There's no place like home?" Absolutely not. I think that's what makes the book stand out.
Marcie is grappling with the idea and definition of love, belonging, respect, and sex. Why didn't her boyfriend in Idaho at least try to get to second base with her? Is he gay, too? Why did her dad push the house of cards down and decide he was gay? Why did his decision ruin her life? Why must she suffer for her parents inability to love one another and be parental? What does she really feel for for J.D.? What does she feel for Linus? How much should she confide in her best friend, Katie?
Marcie is flawed. Her friends are flawed. She betrays and she is betrayed. But Marcie learns from her mistakes, learns to accept situations out of her control, and accept flawed people, including herself. Much, much happens to Marcie in the few months the book covers and I couldn't imagine such a quick read could be so substantial in dealing with the issues of love, respect, sex, and healing but it is.
Clear, concise, sweet, and illustrates the reasons for a moral compass without preaching it.
Parental warnings:
Language is strong. One "f" word. Other swearing is present, not overly abundant.
Dialogue: Strong subjects addressed. Sex and petting are discussed. Again, the author craftily does not spell the activities in romance-novel detail. In one verse, petting is described by "exploring the geography of my body with his hands." Clever.
Sex: Discussed. Dreamed about. It's not a subject the author shies away from and is somewhat central to Marcie's struggles but delicately approached, in most cases.
April 11, 2012
I originally grabbed this book because I thought it looked really cute and, hey why not? It's in a poem format so I figured it'd be an easy and fast read. It was but damn, did this book annoy me or what?!
Marcie is your average girl. Average height, weight,looks and friends. Her mom gets a divorce because her father found another. . . . man. . . . Marcie's mom decided to runaway. So they moved from Boise, Idaho to somewhere else (Was it New Hampshire?). Back home, Marcie has a fantastic boyfriend but being away from him, makes her hormones go crazy and she ends up cheating on him with a boy sbe met, JD. Then DUNNNNNN DUN DUUUUUUN!!!!! The unspeakable happens: He finds out (Shocking, I know).
The last 200 pages is of Marcie, sinking in her own self pity and wondering why the hell her friends hate her (I wonder why...). This book was aggravating. It has two main themes: Sex (Yet, there is no sex) and depression/self pity.
I found this book to be a bore yet somehow it was a page turner? I guess I had high hopes that'd it'd be so much better (It wasn't) and I just wanted something cool to happen.
All in all, I didn't enjoy this book and I'm gonna tell you a secret: I skipped allllll the pages of Marcie's boyfriend's band's songs. I HOPE THAT JUST CONFUSED THE CRAP OUT OF YOU.
End rant.
Marcie is your average girl. Average height, weight,looks and friends. Her mom gets a divorce because her father found another. . . . man. . . . Marcie's mom decided to runaway. So they moved from Boise, Idaho to somewhere else (Was it New Hampshire?). Back home, Marcie has a fantastic boyfriend but being away from him, makes her hormones go crazy and she ends up cheating on him with a boy sbe met, JD. Then DUNNNNNN DUN DUUUUUUN!!!!! The unspeakable happens: He finds out (Shocking, I know).
The last 200 pages is of Marcie, sinking in her own self pity and wondering why the hell her friends hate her (I wonder why...). This book was aggravating. It has two main themes: Sex (Yet, there is no sex) and depression/self pity.
I found this book to be a bore yet somehow it was a page turner? I guess I had high hopes that'd it'd be so much better (It wasn't) and I just wanted something cool to happen.
All in all, I didn't enjoy this book and I'm gonna tell you a secret: I skipped allllll the pages of Marcie's boyfriend's band's songs. I HOPE THAT JUST CONFUSED THE CRAP OUT OF YOU.
End rant.
March 30, 2013
I’m a sucker for a good romantic book, so I picked up LOVE & LEFTOVERS thinking I was going to get a nice, easy, weekend read. What I wasn’t expecting was the beautifully crafted novel in verse that not only delivered a sigh-worthy love story, but also a nuanced account of a teen’s struggle with family dysfunction and the consequences of her own ill-advised actions. Marcie is a very relatable and sympathetic character and even though she makes some big mistakes, she doesn’t make them in a vacuum and it is easy to understand how she was led astray. I also loved Danny, Marcie’s father’s partner and the ‘leftovers’, Marcie’s group of friends that don’t fit in any other clique, so they make up their own. Tregay did a great job drawing these wonderful characters and I think teens will love this real, honest and very sexy story.
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order at IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978006...
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you or order at IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/978006...
March 18, 2012
Esta novela es una belleza. La escritura, en verso, me atrapó desde el primer momento y es tan ligera de leer. Y el mensaje, hermoso. Tengo aún un nudo en la garganta (hoy estoy muy emocional)... La reseña completa en unos días...
May 8, 2012
I was not a big fan of the verse structure, and I guess that's my fault for not doing more research on the book before I read it. The story was pretty good, but it was hard for me to overcome my initial aversion to the format.
November 3, 2019
16 years old and is mad that she hasn't said
"I love you" to anyone
and she feels like she's selfish
because she doesn't want to burden her
BFF with certain things
and I just hate when people try to write
in verse because they think it's poetic
but its just a way for them to not have to write an entire book
"I love you" to anyone
and she feels like she's selfish
because she doesn't want to burden her
BFF with certain things
and I just hate when people try to write
in verse because they think it's poetic
but its just a way for them to not have to write an entire book
January 3, 2012
I devoured Love & Leftovers in a matter of hours. It's a gripping read that forced me to ask myself what I'd do if I were in Marcie's shoes. It also reminded me that emotions breed actions and your actions have the potential to hurt the ones you care about. It seems like an obvious statement, but, in the moment before we act, many of us forget that there will be consequences.
That's what makes navigating love so tough. It's selfish and selfless all at the same time and generally an emotional mess. When Marcie's life is pulled out from under her she's forced to find her footing in a new place, and the new perspective leads her to question everything she used to know.
Her parents split up after they'd become distant, and her dad decides to pursue a relationship with a bartender who became his confidant. Marcie's mom takes her and runs away to their New Hampshire summer house, and Marcie begins to realize that their summer escape may be her mom's attempt at a fresh start. It's unlikely that she'll be going home to Idaho, which means leaving her friends and perfect emo-rocker boyfriend behind.
She tries to make due long distance, keeping in touch with them all via phone, chat and YouTube; however, doubt and loneliness begin to get the best of her. Soon enough, Marcie is leading a double life. She's desperate to stay in her old life, but her knew one offers the opportunity to pursue what she feels she needs - passion, understanding, and physical comfort - and see if what she had was all it was cracked up to be.The trouble is she's hiding things from her friends, boyfriend, and even the too-tempting-to-resist guy who has swept her off her feet.
What she discovers is that there is no comparing relationships. People love differently. Everyone has their own wants and needs, and while they may not understand yours that doesn't mean they love you any less. They're just loving you in their own way.
Conversely, she learns that sometimes people who seem selfish and hurt others by being so are really just trying to find what they need in life. It's the case with her dad and later with her. Ripple effect casualties happen, but they aren't always malicious. Once the damage is done, all you can do is be honest and hope for a little forgiveness and understanding.
I think what I loved most about Love & Leftovers outside of the beautiful verse is that it deals with love and relationships from several angles, not just the romantic one. Marcie searches for understanding of her dad's choice to break up their family while coping with the mistakes she's made and the fallout with her friends and boyfriend back home in Idaho.
Reconciling love and sexuality is one of the more complicated issues dealt with in Love & Leftovers. Marcie dissects her relationships with her boyfriend back home and the guy she's been dating in an effort to get some clarity. Do emotions and physicality always go hand-in-hand? How do you know when you fall in love? And more importantly, how do you know if someone is in love with you?
Love & Leftovers conveys a deluge of emotion in very few words. It's complex and deep and, like love, ends with acceptance. In my opinion, that's how matters of the heart should always end. To share one of my favorite quotes from Sam Keen: "You come to love not by meeting the perfect person, but by loving an imperfect person perfectly."
That's what makes navigating love so tough. It's selfish and selfless all at the same time and generally an emotional mess. When Marcie's life is pulled out from under her she's forced to find her footing in a new place, and the new perspective leads her to question everything she used to know.
Her parents split up after they'd become distant, and her dad decides to pursue a relationship with a bartender who became his confidant. Marcie's mom takes her and runs away to their New Hampshire summer house, and Marcie begins to realize that their summer escape may be her mom's attempt at a fresh start. It's unlikely that she'll be going home to Idaho, which means leaving her friends and perfect emo-rocker boyfriend behind.
She tries to make due long distance, keeping in touch with them all via phone, chat and YouTube; however, doubt and loneliness begin to get the best of her. Soon enough, Marcie is leading a double life. She's desperate to stay in her old life, but her knew one offers the opportunity to pursue what she feels she needs - passion, understanding, and physical comfort - and see if what she had was all it was cracked up to be.The trouble is she's hiding things from her friends, boyfriend, and even the too-tempting-to-resist guy who has swept her off her feet.
What she discovers is that there is no comparing relationships. People love differently. Everyone has their own wants and needs, and while they may not understand yours that doesn't mean they love you any less. They're just loving you in their own way.
Conversely, she learns that sometimes people who seem selfish and hurt others by being so are really just trying to find what they need in life. It's the case with her dad and later with her. Ripple effect casualties happen, but they aren't always malicious. Once the damage is done, all you can do is be honest and hope for a little forgiveness and understanding.
I think what I loved most about Love & Leftovers outside of the beautiful verse is that it deals with love and relationships from several angles, not just the romantic one. Marcie searches for understanding of her dad's choice to break up their family while coping with the mistakes she's made and the fallout with her friends and boyfriend back home in Idaho.
Reconciling love and sexuality is one of the more complicated issues dealt with in Love & Leftovers. Marcie dissects her relationships with her boyfriend back home and the guy she's been dating in an effort to get some clarity. Do emotions and physicality always go hand-in-hand? How do you know when you fall in love? And more importantly, how do you know if someone is in love with you?
Love & Leftovers conveys a deluge of emotion in very few words. It's complex and deep and, like love, ends with acceptance. In my opinion, that's how matters of the heart should always end. To share one of my favorite quotes from Sam Keen: "You come to love not by meeting the perfect person, but by loving an imperfect person perfectly."
December 21, 2019
I enjoyed Love & Leftovers. I liked it because It was relateble, there were a lot of boyfriends and best friend relationships in the story that I could relate to. In the story Marcie's parents split up and although I could not relate to that, I could see how she was feeling through her poems. I would recommend this book to teenage girls, interested and love in drama books due to the relatable content throughout the story.
December 1, 2011
The most difficult aspect of writing in verse is to be clear and concise while cleverly making the poetry flow and have the proper syllable count. It doesn't rhyme but it is written in a visual manner, much like Ellen Hopkins. Also like Hopkins, the emotions are raw, experiences real, subject matter relevant but a lot cleaner than Hopkins.
Marcie is dealing with a lot as her father comes out, her mother slips into depression, and she is uprooted and moved across the country where she slips into the parental role and feels lonely and isolated. In Idaho, Marcie knew where she belonged. In the leftover crowd. In other words, the crowd that didn't belong to any crowd. They were the leftovers that didn't stand out. On the eastern coast, Marcie makes different decisions than she did in Idaho.
So is this another book about growing pains and growing up, dating the football captain then clicking your ruby slippers and murmuring, "There's no place like home?" Absolutely not. I think that's what makes the book stand out.
Marcie is grappling with the idea and definition of love, belonging, respect, and sex. Why didn't her boyfriend in Idaho at least try to get to second base with her? Is he gay, too? Why did her dad push the house of cards down and decide he was gay? Why did his decision ruin her life? Why must she suffer for her parents inability to love one another and be parental? What does she really feel for for J.D.? What does she feel for Linus? How much should she confide in her best friend, Katie?
Marcie is flawed. Her friends are flawed. She betrays and she is betrayed. But Marcie learns from her mistakes, learns to accept situations out of her control, and accept flawed people, including herself. Much, much happens to Marcie in the few months the book covers and I couldn't imagine such a quick read could be so substantial in dealing with the issues of love, respect, sex, and healing but it is.
Clear, concise, sweet, and illustrates the reasons for a moral compass without preaching it.
Parental warnings:
Language is strong. One "f" word. Other swearing is present, not overly abundant.
Dialogue: Strong subjects addressed. Sex and petting are discussed. Again, the author craftily does not spell the activities in romance-novel detail. In one verse, petting is described by "exploring the geography of my body with his hands." Clever.
Sex: Discussed. Dreamed about. It's not a subject the author shies away from and is somewhat central to Marcie's struggles but delicately approached, in most cases.
Marcie is dealing with a lot as her father comes out, her mother slips into depression, and she is uprooted and moved across the country where she slips into the parental role and feels lonely and isolated. In Idaho, Marcie knew where she belonged. In the leftover crowd. In other words, the crowd that didn't belong to any crowd. They were the leftovers that didn't stand out. On the eastern coast, Marcie makes different decisions than she did in Idaho.
So is this another book about growing pains and growing up, dating the football captain then clicking your ruby slippers and murmuring, "There's no place like home?" Absolutely not. I think that's what makes the book stand out.
Marcie is grappling with the idea and definition of love, belonging, respect, and sex. Why didn't her boyfriend in Idaho at least try to get to second base with her? Is he gay, too? Why did her dad push the house of cards down and decide he was gay? Why did his decision ruin her life? Why must she suffer for her parents inability to love one another and be parental? What does she really feel for for J.D.? What does she feel for Linus? How much should she confide in her best friend, Katie?
Marcie is flawed. Her friends are flawed. She betrays and she is betrayed. But Marcie learns from her mistakes, learns to accept situations out of her control, and accept flawed people, including herself. Much, much happens to Marcie in the few months the book covers and I couldn't imagine such a quick read could be so substantial in dealing with the issues of love, respect, sex, and healing but it is.
Clear, concise, sweet, and illustrates the reasons for a moral compass without preaching it.
Parental warnings:
Language is strong. One "f" word. Other swearing is present, not overly abundant.
Dialogue: Strong subjects addressed. Sex and petting are discussed. Again, the author craftily does not spell the activities in romance-novel detail. In one verse, petting is described by "exploring the geography of my body with his hands." Clever.
Sex: Discussed. Dreamed about. It's not a subject the author shies away from and is somewhat central to Marcie's struggles but delicately approached, in most cases.
May 18, 2019
Such a cute and fluffy ya read!😊
January 14, 2013
OK here we go.. 2 stars.
Sadly it did not reach beyond my expectations
Even though the cover seems very very very lovely
And the title sounds interesting, too…
I have to announce that the book was a total disappointment.. -.-
Marcie the Player..
Linus the EMO..
J.D... I have got no idea what he was up to..
Love & Leftovers was first on my must-read list.. I waited for so long! However, now I have read it..
I don't think it is even worth it.. OK it might sound harsh and mean.. and very..negative but... well I'm Sorry!
The book was a definetly a page-turner. Not because it was an ''OMG I want to read because it is sooo interesting and addictive'' but because I wanted to finish it as soon as possible and I really hate to start with a book and not finish it.
While I really find the ''lovelines'' interesting (at first) I kind of drifted away because of the twists in the story
How can you love two person at the same time.. that was just lame. SHAME ON YOU MARCIE.
When I thought she finally got her deserved punishment .. boyfriend dumping her and going out with another girl and J.D.. (whatever happended to him) did not... you know contacted her ever..
it suddenly ended happily.. and my thoughts when I reached the last page was literally ''what the...''
We will never know whatever happened to the rest of the characters.. especially J.D while I really thought she would go for him.. but.. nahh..wrong intuition.
OK so summarizing my review:
the book was NOT what I expected..
I will recommend it to.. wel no one...
except for the ones that want a quick read and are not out there to find an interesting lovestory..
So read it if you have some time but don't expect too much!
Sadly it did not reach beyond my expectations
Even though the cover seems very very very lovely
And the title sounds interesting, too…
I have to announce that the book was a total disappointment.. -.-
Marcie the Player..
Linus the EMO..
J.D... I have got no idea what he was up to..
Love & Leftovers was first on my must-read list.. I waited for so long! However, now I have read it..
I don't think it is even worth it.. OK it might sound harsh and mean.. and very..negative but... well I'm Sorry!
The book was a definetly a page-turner. Not because it was an ''OMG I want to read because it is sooo interesting and addictive'' but because I wanted to finish it as soon as possible and I really hate to start with a book and not finish it.
While I really find the ''lovelines'' interesting (at first) I kind of drifted away because of the twists in the story
How can you love two person at the same time.. that was just lame. SHAME ON YOU MARCIE.
When I thought she finally got her deserved punishment .. boyfriend dumping her and going out with another girl and J.D.. (whatever happended to him) did not... you know contacted her ever..
it suddenly ended happily.. and my thoughts when I reached the last page was literally ''what the...''
We will never know whatever happened to the rest of the characters.. especially J.D while I really thought she would go for him.. but.. nahh..wrong intuition.
OK so summarizing my review:
the book was NOT what I expected..
I will recommend it to.. wel no one...
except for the ones that want a quick read and are not out there to find an interesting lovestory..
So read it if you have some time but don't expect too much!
July 5, 2012
Because this book was written in verse
and since I like being creative,
I’m writing my review
As a poem.
But don’t be harsh- I’m no poet.
Gimme some slack
Just this once.
And no, it ain’t gonna rhyme.
I’ll make it short
And semi-sweet
Because I don’t think I can do this poetry thing for long.
Love and Leftovers was good,
NOT great.
I loved that it’s written
As a young girl’s poems
About her topsy-turvy life.
It was fun and quick to read
Because the words
Seem to march single file down the page
Like
This.
That’s where the ‘likes’ end and the ‘dislikes’
Begin.
All the characters were overly obsessed with sex.
And that sort of thing.
They discussed
Fretted
And dwelt on it
As if it were the key to the universe.
Their definition of love was two people making out and touching each other.
Can we say confused?
Twisted?
INAPPROPRIATE?
Marcie doubted her boyfriend was even into her
All because he respected her
And didn’t use her.
By the end of the book
I was sick
Tired
And disgusted
With hearing all about
-Marice’s bisexual dad (ew, sick, twisted)
-Marcie and J.D. (so she knows he’s a “serial dater” and she still lets him use her?)
-Linus and his stupid song lyrics (I keep picturing an emo rocker dragging around a blue blanket)
-And these kids’ obsession with physical affection (Hey! That rhymed! Kind of…).
While I liked the verse
I didn’t enjoy the story.
It’s not that great.
Kind of made me sick to my stomach
At points.
So I suggest
You let this be a leftover on your shelf.
Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*
Language: Mild – Moderate
Violence: None
Sexual: Moderate – Heavy (I’d blush if I had to describe it.)
and since I like being creative,
I’m writing my review
As a poem.
But don’t be harsh- I’m no poet.
Gimme some slack
Just this once.
And no, it ain’t gonna rhyme.
I’ll make it short
And semi-sweet
Because I don’t think I can do this poetry thing for long.
Love and Leftovers was good,
NOT great.
I loved that it’s written
As a young girl’s poems
About her topsy-turvy life.
It was fun and quick to read
Because the words
Seem to march single file down the page
Like
This.
That’s where the ‘likes’ end and the ‘dislikes’
Begin.
All the characters were overly obsessed with sex.
And that sort of thing.
They discussed
Fretted
And dwelt on it
As if it were the key to the universe.
Their definition of love was two people making out and touching each other.
Can we say confused?
Twisted?
INAPPROPRIATE?
Marcie doubted her boyfriend was even into her
All because he respected her
And didn’t use her.
By the end of the book
I was sick
Tired
And disgusted
With hearing all about
-Marice’s bisexual dad (ew, sick, twisted)
-Marcie and J.D. (so she knows he’s a “serial dater” and she still lets him use her?)
-Linus and his stupid song lyrics (I keep picturing an emo rocker dragging around a blue blanket)
-And these kids’ obsession with physical affection (Hey! That rhymed! Kind of…).
While I liked the verse
I didn’t enjoy the story.
It’s not that great.
Kind of made me sick to my stomach
At points.
So I suggest
You let this be a leftover on your shelf.
Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*
Language: Mild – Moderate
Violence: None
Sexual: Moderate – Heavy (I’d blush if I had to describe it.)
January 11, 2012
I was lucky enough to win this book from the First Reads Giveaway! Since I received the notice, I have been impatiently waiting for it to come in the mail. When I got the call that it finally came, I actually jumped up and down.
After getting the kids in bed, I settled down to start it... then finished it by midnight!
What a great book. Who would have thought that a book written in verse would be so cool? It was visually stimulating, and impossible to put down.
The story is a good one, which almost everyone can relate to. I love the idea of The Leftovers, and if I had read the term years ago, I would have tagged me & my friends as the same! I did think that it was somewhat "racy" in parts. I am not sure if I would let my 15 year-old read it, but I am a little over-protective on what I think is too much for her eyes!
I look forward to reading more from Sarah Tregay!
After getting the kids in bed, I settled down to start it... then finished it by midnight!
What a great book. Who would have thought that a book written in verse would be so cool? It was visually stimulating, and impossible to put down.
The story is a good one, which almost everyone can relate to. I love the idea of The Leftovers, and if I had read the term years ago, I would have tagged me & my friends as the same! I did think that it was somewhat "racy" in parts. I am not sure if I would let my 15 year-old read it, but I am a little over-protective on what I think is too much for her eyes!
I look forward to reading more from Sarah Tregay!
February 4, 2012
OMG! this book is a 1 of a kind a bout a girl named Marcie whose mom breaks up with her dad when her father goes out with a guy from a straight bar. Her mom runs away with her to her family's summer house in Massachusetts wear Marcie becomes extremly lonely when her mom goes deep into depression. Soon school starts and shes still living a dull and lonely life with her mom in the summer house. At school she fits in pretty well and becomes close friends with a guy named J.D. But back in Boise ,Idaho her group of friends called the Leftovers and her sweet lovable, espresso eyed emo rocker boyfriend linus is there to. She loves Linus but she has some strong feelings for J.D whose been there when Linus is 300,000,000 miles away. This book is filled with teen romance, love, and a tad bit of heart break. This is the perfect book for VALENTINES DAY!!!!! I HIGHLY recommend!!
December 20, 2011
Marcie has a wonderful life in Idaho, a group of quirky friends known as the leftovers and a hot emo rocker boyfriend. When her dad comes out of the closet and her parents split up, Marcie’s mom whisks her to New Hampshire for a longer stay than summer vacation. Love And Leftovers by Sarah Tregay deftly weaves themes such as love, lust, sexuality AND family issues flawlessly in free verse form.
Read the rest of my review here
Read the rest of my review here
Displaying 1 - 30 of 644 reviews