I enjoyed this third entry into this series. The characters remained fresh and fun. You see them grow through their college years and are curious what will come next. The choices, regrets, and moving forward for the main character Jessica are believable. ( )

I knew I shouldn't have read this, but it pains me not to finish a series once started and it was finally available in paperback. I remember Jessica as a likable, sarcastic cynic (although it has been many years since I read the first two books). However, in this book she came off as both crude and extremely whiny. I also don't think McCafferty should have tackled her whole college experience in one book, focusing on winter/summer breaks and ignoring the rest of it except for brief updates. There is a fourth one, but I'm not sure if I'll read it or not. It is only available in hardcover so I don't have to make that decision right now. ( )

The main character Jessica Darling goes to college, and she's becoming more introspective and self-aware. The only thing I didn't like about this one is that the conflict with her high school boyfriend felt forced--almost like conflict for the sake of conflict. But I really like the main character, so I didn't care so much about that. ( )

CHARMED THIRDS, the third book in Megan McCafferty’s bestselling series, introduces a more insightful and pensive, though not necessarily more likable, Jessica Darling. Diehard fans of the first two books will have trouble coming to terms with Jessica’s growth, though personally I think it’s fantastic.

College is supposed to be better for Jessica Darling. After all, she has escaped Pineville to attend prestigious Columbia University in the greatest city in the world, and she is still with Marcus.

However, things are not as great as it seems. Jessica and Marcus’ relationship seems to hit the rocks. She still can’t escape her high school joke of friends, even with new college friends. She has unsatisfying flings with several different guys. But worst of all, her parents won’t help her pay for college.

How will Jessica even survive her college years, let alone come out a better person? ( )

Jessica Darling is back for her third round. "Charmed Thirds" consists of Jessica's diary while she's home on breaks from Columbia University. She's struggling to maintain a long-distance relationship with Marcus, working two jobs to pay the bills, and trying to find friends and figure out exactly what she wants from life. She makes her share of mistakes, but each one helps her grow. And, of course, it's all told with the snark that makes Jessica so fun to read about.

I enjoyed this latest book in the Jessica Darling series. I think it gives a good portrayal of college life- trying to find yourself, experimenting with friends and boyfriends, holding on to home while letting go at the same time. Like the other books, this is not all fluff, but it's not all serious either. My one bone with this book (and maybe the series in general, though I really noticed it in this book) is the pop culture references. They're not as abundant as some of the more fluffy teen chick lit, but enough to be noticeable, and I just worry that in a few years the books will seem dated.

*shrugs* Hopefully people will still give the series a try because I think it is pretty great. ( )