The Romance Diaries - Ruby by Jenna Austen

cover image

The Romance Diaries - Ruby by Jenna Austen
Harper Collins Publishers, 2013. ISBN 978073333152 7.
The Romance Diaries - Ruby is aimed at girls aged 12 years+. It is an easy to read, diary-style story involving the lives of the main character, Ruby, and her friends. Even though the female characters are teenagers and it mainly focuses on their relationships, the language used is definitely not aimed at older readers and provides a positive insight into the relationships many girls will one day experience.
Ruby is about 16 years of age and is tired of seeing her friend, Bella, heartbroken after failing romances. An avid romantic novel reader and budding writing, Ruby devises a plan to help choose the perfect partner for Bella. Her first match-making attempt seems successful and when Ruby meets Will she decides he is perfect for Bella. Unbeknownst to Ruby, Bella has match-making plans of her own and when Ruby receives flowers and anonymous emails she begins to understand what it feels like to be in love. Will Ruby realise she is more than a match-maker and is about to become a main character in her own romantic story?
The Romance Diaries - Ruby is aimed at more independent readers and is highly recommended to any girl who is a bit of a romantic at heart! Even I was cheering Ruby on in her pursuit of happiness!
The author, Jenna Austen, incorporates teenage-style language, references to modern texts, like Twilight and easily engages readers in the lives of Ruby and her friends.
Kylie Kempster

booktopia