The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

Loved it, loved it, loved it! 5 stars

Penny Lane Bloom is a junior in high school, was named after a Beatles song, and has bad luck with guys.  After being cheated on by her lifelong crush (and boyfriend at the time) she starts the Lonely Hearts Club.  Her  idea is that boys are unworthy, and she’s not going to date any for the rest of high school.  Originally the Lonely Hearts Club was really just a cute name for Penny and her new lifestyle, but soon Penny realizes that she’s not the only one who’s been lied to, cheated on, and otherwise misused.  Girls come flocking to her for membership in the club.  Instead of being an anti-guy club, Lonely Hearts turns into a large and empowering circle of friends there to support each other no matter what. 

If you’re interested in joining, here are the rules:

1. Members must stop dating boys for the rest of their high school career

1. 2. Members attend couples events (like school dances together)

3. Members must come to the Saturday night meetings each week (except in case of emergency)

4. Members support each other

Now, what if Penny has trouble sticking to rule number 1?

 

This book reminded me a lot of Taylor Swift’s song Fifteen.  There were a lot of girls who’d been pressured into sex and regretted it.  It made me think, and wonder if that was really so common in high school now.  I graduated 8 years ago, without ever having a boyfriend in high school, so if the world is anything like the one Elizabeth Eulberg created, than we NEED this book.  It just radiates with girl power!  You don’t need a guy to complete you; you don’t have to change who you are to impress them; A good group of friends can change the world :)

Despite the theme, Lonely Hearts Club was a very lighthearted and funny read.  I absolutely loved the Beatles references and need to go out and get a greatest hits cd right now.  The characters were well written, and the romance that would not seem to belong in such a girl power book, was perfect.

Published: December 29, 2009

285 pages