Book Review: Bumped

Title: Bumped.
Author: Megan McCafferty.
Series: Yes, Bumped #1.
Source: Purchased.
Publisher: Balzer + Bray.
Published Date: 4/26/11.
Links:
Book Depository
Goodreads

"When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common."

Review:

Bumped has not only been out for a while now, and people have mentioned it here and there, but it also has been sitting on my bookshelf for a few months, begging to be read. It wasn't exactly on the top of my priority list when it came to reading, but with this marathon going on right now, it was the perfect time to finally pick it up.

Bumped, if you don't know, revolves around twin teenage girls named Melody and Harmony, who have just discovered one another. The story takes place in the future where the human race is starting to die down. Men and women aren't fertile after the age of eighteen, which is causing the population to quickly dwindle down.

Becoming pregnant and babies has become a huge market. Teenagers are "bumping" for any couples willing to pay enough money. This money is later used for college, cars and other things. In Melody's high school it isn't strange or frowned upon when a girl is pregnant, instead girls strive for it. There's even a special school bus that picks up and drops off the pregnant girls.

Melody is already in the mist of her bumping contract, but the only thing missing is someone to bump with. Compared to her sister, Harmony, who is soon to be married, and have children of her own.

When Harmony discovers that she has a sister, she knows that she needs to leave her religious reservation, to find her, and share her religion with her. Harmony doesn't know who parents are, so she isn't letting the only possible relative slip between her fingers.

The two get into a lot of crazy mess, especially trying to keep Harmony a secret. But of course things aren't that easy! Harmony starts to have feelings for the guy, Melody is suppose to bump with and Melody is having feelings for her best friend.

Overall, Bumped and the world it took place in, was interesting! The different perspective on teenage pregnancy, that our society has and that of Bumped, was absolutely crazy!

The only worry I had was the whole religious thing when it came to Harmony. I didn't want to read an entire book of what her religion is about, and what she believes. I believe everyone has the right to believe whatever they want and whoever they want. And I also believe beliefs shouldn't be forced on people. So it was a little irritating, that the first thing she wanted to do was spread her religion to her sister.

But after a while this wasn't an issue at all. Actually it was the exact opposite. I liked the way things turned out, and was glad that this added another element to the dynamic.

If you're something like me, and still haven't picked up Bumped, then I would completely recommend it. It's a light read, that makes you think, and that's about true love, friendship and sisterhood.