📖 Genre: Memoir, Coming-of-Age, Romantic Comedy
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5

📚 Overview
My Favorite Girlfriend is a delightful coming-of-age memoir that chronicles Paul Sturm's journey from a scrawny, witty kid to a high school basketball hero. Set against the backdrop of 1960s New Jersey, the narrative intertwines Paul's romantic escapades with his athletic pursuits, culminating in his school's first-ever State Basketball Championship in 1966. The memoir offers a humorous and heartfelt exploration of adolescence, ambition, and the quest for love.

🧐 What I Loved
✔ Engaging Narrative: Sturm's storytelling is both humorous and poignant, capturing the essence of teenage life with authenticity and wit.

✔ Relatable Themes: The memoir delves into universal themes such as first loves, personal insecurities, and the drive to achieve one's dreams, making it resonate with a wide audience.

✔ Rich Characterization: The portrayal of Paul's relationships, both on and off the court, adds depth to the narrative, highlighting the complexities of friendships, mentorships, and romantic interests.

🤔 What Could Be Better
🔹 Pacing Variations: Certain sections, particularly those detailing basketball strategies, may feel lengthy to readers less interested in sports.

🔹 Predictable Outcomes: Some plot developments follow familiar coming-of-age tropes, making certain events foreseeable.

✨ Final Thoughts
My Favorite Girlfriend is a charming memoir that seamlessly blends sports, romance, and humor. Paul Sturm's reflective and entertaining recounting of his youth offers readers both laughter and nostalgia. It's a testament to how passion and perseverance can lead to unexpected triumphs, both in love and life.

📌 Would I recommend it? Absolutely! Whether you're a sports enthusiast, a fan of romantic comedies, or someone who enjoys heartfelt memoirs, this book has something to offer.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to finish this book before it was archived on NetGalley. I was finally able to go back and read it elsewhere. The wonderful storytelling and amazing sense of humor of Paul Sturm is evident throughout. I would say that his technique feels a bit raw at times. But I just admire any author who puts so much of themselves on the page.

I really enjoyed this story. I liked the cast of characters. The plot was easy to follow. My first story by Paul Sturm and definitely not my last.

I honestly did not see the point of this book,there were far too many pages devoted to describing the sports and the play by play of the games he took part in. The frequent back and forth in chronology and the unending new characters became too tedious to follow, let alone care about.Also of note was the fantastical thoughts of a pre-k child that were outside the realm of believability. The ending seemed rushed and I applaud the "girlfriend" that found him interesting enough to spend a lifetime with.The book illustration was eye-catching but misleading.I must say I finished this book only so I could give my complete and unbiased review in all fairness.

This story was engaging and written in a light hearted manner so the reader could follow easily. Although not really the correct story for me, I do think a lot of other readers will enjoy this one. Written well and has a fun narrative throughout.