She's good-looking enough, but rather clueless and naïve. No one pays her any attention, and the few who do are, of course, entirely undesirable. She tells herself that maybe she should not be so choosy, that someone decent enough will do, but she's trying so hard, she makes matters worse. She's the only girl her age who is still a virgin.

The last humiliating straw is when, upon seeing the university doctor, she sees the six frightfully glowing green letters on the computer screen: VIRGIN. Ellie's in her last year at university, her dissertation is due shortly, and although she intends to pursue a career as a writer and sends résumés for internships to magazines, all her energies are focused on losing her virginity.

She has a falling out with her long-time best friend, Lara, who has had more than enough with her obsession with her virginity, her selfishness, her self-centredness. It doesn't take too long before Ellie sees the error of her ways, but she is too proud to ask for forgiveness. Instead, she becomes much closer to Emma, who kicks her in the behind, tells her to stop moping, inspires her, doesn't judge her, and tells her to go out there and just do it. Ellie tries out her new-found confidence at a party, strikes up a conversation with some guy who seems as alone as she is; she has nothing to lose. They have a pleasant time and he wants to see her again. Is Jack a boyfriend-to-be? Could she have finally found the one?

Emma and Ellie decide to write an anonymous blog dedicated to seldom discussed sexual issues, which could prevent others from experiencing unnecessary embarrassment. While on her quest to acquire practical notions, Ellie also explores the world of intimate grooming, sex toys and porn movies.

VIRGIN will appeal to fans of Bridget Jones and other British chick-lit. It's brash, sometimes coarse, funny and sometimes zany; it's young and very much in tune with the times. As well as being another side of society's obsession with sexual matters, it's also a biting satire at how trivial matters become blown out of proportion, and at how the pursuit of happiness is shaped by what we see in the media, whether we like it or not. It's also an interesting look at friendship, becoming an adult and trying to be comfortable with one's self. Surprisingly enough, the author succeeds at what our fictional bloggers aim for: VIRGIN could very well be helpful to some real-life virgins, or anybody for that matter. I'm very much looking forward to seeing where Ellie goes from there.

Book Summary