A good deal of the book centers on how the boys don’t pay attention to these awesome girls – but it’s never clear why they should in the first place. I had more things on my mind than just boys, and the boys at my school had more going on in their lives than just girls. High school wasn’t that long ago for me, but the characters’ high school experience in no way resembled mine. I couldn’t relate to any of the characters. Putting your friends first isn’t an original concept for a book, but it’s still important. Through this, Diane learns how to have girlfriends again and decides to pursue the activities she enjoys rather than what she thinks she should do to please others.

Diane, Penny’s former friend who ditched her when Diane started to date a boy, returns to Penny’s life after Diane is dumped by said boy. This, I think, was the strongest part of the book. Learning to remain yourself, even if you’re part of a relationship, is important. (For example, Penny’s parents have become vegetarian, not because they are animal rights activists or for health reasons, but because Paul McCartney is a vegetarian.) Teen Beatles fans may get a kick out of it, particularly out of Penny Lane’s parents, who take the word “fanatic” to new levels. For those girls, Lonely Hearts Club is wish fulfillment, a way for them to see what giving up boys and dating would be like without actually doing it themselves. Most girls at some point in their lives have been fed up with boys and threatened to swear off them completely. I will say that it was not really my cup of tea, but I do know that it will have its audience. Kelly reviewed this book about a week ago, so I won’t rehash the plot too much.

We can work it out elizabeth eulberg