Book Review: First Date by Krista McGee

Author: Krista McGee

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Christian
Release: January, 2012
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 4/5

Description: The last thing Addy Davidson wants is to be on a reality TV show where the prize is a prom date with the President's son.

She's focused on her schoolwork so she can get a scholarship to an Ivy League college, uncomfortable in the spotlight, never been on a date, and didn't even audition for it.

But she got selected anyway.

So she does her best to get eliminated on the very first show. Right before she realizes that the President's son is possibly the most attractive guy she has ever seen in person, surprisingly nice, and seemingly unimpressed by the 99 other girls who are throwing themselves at him.

Addy's totally out of her comfort zone but that may be right where God can show her all that she was meant to be.

Review: This story is a cute 21st century version of the biblical story of Esther. In the story, Addy, a Christian teen is told the principal of her small Christian private high school, that she's been entered into a reality show competition. On "The Book of Love", 100 teen girls compete to be the prom date of the president's son, Jonathan. Addy is not thrilled and doesn't want to do it, but her principal convinces to do it for the school, which needs exposure and funds. What follows is Addy's journey to finding out who she is in Christ.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

• I didn't like the fact that the principal entered her into the competition without checking or discussing with her first. I don't remember it mentioning him discussing with her uncle, who is her guardian, either for that matter. I think I would've liked the book even more had this whole competition been her choice.

WHAT I DID LIKE

• I liked Addy and Jonathan's romance. It was very sweet...not intense. And it didn't happen too quick.
• I loved the fact that Addy struggled with sharing her faith. Not every Christian teen finds it easy to share their faith with others, especially strangers who are seen as enemies.
• The story behind Addy's missionary parents and their deaths was very interesting. I don't want to give up details, but it was interesting to see Addy struggle with whether or not she lived up to their legacy.
• Addy grows in her faith.

First Date shows how God can use you in ways you couldn't imagine.