Teenage Dirtbags
By: James Acker
Genre: YA
Number of Pages: 384
Published: April 9, 2024
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Dates Read: December 11, 2024 - December 15, 2024
Format: Library Book /eBook

Trigger Warnings: Toxic Relationship(s), bullying

Phil Reyno is short tempered and marked as a trouble maker, which is why when the viral video at last year’s dance announced his relationship with universally loved Cameron Ellis, people were surprised.

Jackson Pasternak is the school’s “good guy”; Junior Class President, star rower, Ivy League bound. But Jackson is burnt out and misses the only person who really knew him – his ex-best friend, Phil.

When Cameron dumps Phil and plummets his already iffy reputation, Phil hatches a plan to expose Cameron for who he truly is – two-faced. Jackson agrees to infiltrate Cameron’s circle and uncover dirt to use as ammunition. But, as Phil and Jackson rekindle their friendship (and more), they start to wonder if knocking Cameron off his pedestal will really solve their problems.

I really enjoyed the theme of “putting people on blast” and what that means for everyone. Nowadays, when people get canceled and it’s all over the internet, there really aren’t secrets. This book does a fantastic job at addressing what that can look like for various people.

I also appreciate the relationship everyone had with one another, it was complex, raw, and realistic – not everyone was perfect friends with each other.

Overall, if you’d like a YA book where events (and characters) are messy, this book is for you.