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.
I feel like there aren’t enough books that show the horny teen girl. I mean, that normalize sexuality and GROSS hormones. When Marcie moves, she has to decide whether to stay in a long distance relationship with Linus the emo rocker or to get some action with JD who looks like Prince Harry AND David Beckham (yum!). I can get behind the need to connect physically. Of course, I thought Marcie didn’t go about things the best possible way, but she’s a teen so I can cut her some slack.
ALSO, can I mention AGAIN how Love And Leftovers by Sarah Tregay is in free verse? I remember back when free verse was scary and weird and could not stack up to normal prose. Now, friends,  I LOVE IT! Also, it is nice to again read more free verse where the main character isn’t a crackhead or a prostitute.
Marcie is someone I can relate to. While I have never moved across country or really been in an actual LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP, my group of friends may as well be the Leftovers because we weren’t exactly in one box. ALSO Marcie learns to find comfort in exercise and running — which I too learned, but as a college student, so it’s easy for me to understand her.
Love And Leftovers by Sarah Tregay is not quite a slow burn, but there are sexy bits and scenes, where it’s not graphic per se, but implied. I like this. I like that Love And Leftovers is not a head in the sand la la la la book on teen sexuality. Which isn’t to say books where all the characters do is kiss or hold hands are bad, because they are not. I realize that everyone moves at their own pace sexually and that is a good thing — that there are books for teens at all different paces and levels of comfort and maturity. OH YEAH and before I forget, this has nothing to do with this paragraph of sexuality, but there are cameos by awesome elderly people in New Hampshire.
There are plenty of cool elements to choose from when reading Love And Leftovers by Sarah Tregay. I am totally comfortable as a reader with lust and characters making mistakes. I know some people are not though, and that is fine. But if you are like me and okay with those things, then you will definitely be down with Love And Leftovers.
Disclosure: Review copy
Other Reviews of Love And Leftovers by Sarah Tregay:
Fiction Folio
Book Chic Club
Book Obsessed
Bookish Babes
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Loved this book and your review is spot on!!!
I have to respect a person who can go from sexual talk to elderly people in one paragraph. Impressive.
You’ve made me really want to read this! (to be clear, not because of having sex and old people in one paragraph. that would make me a creeper.)
I’ve never read a book in verse before. And this one looks intriguing! Your review has convinced me that I really should give it a try 🙂
I’m definitely going to have to add this one to the wish list! I’ve been hearing lots of good things and your review sealed the deal.