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.

Review: Southern Fried Sushi by Jennifer Rogers Spinola

Author: Jennifer Rogers Spinola

Genre: Fiction, Christian, Romance
Release: October, 2011
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 5/5

Description:Ride the rollercoaster of Shiloh Jacobs’s life as her dreams derail, sending her on a downward spiral from the heights of an AP job in Tokyo to penniless in rural Virginia. Trapped in a world so foreign to her sensibilities and surrounded by a quirky group of friends, will she break through her hardened prejudices before she loses those who want to help her? Can she find the key to what changed her estranged mother’s life so powerfully before her death that she became a different woman—and can it help Shiloh too?

Review: Shiloh Jacobs lives in Japan where she has the perfect life, perfect job, and perfect fiance. Sure she overspends to keep up an image, causing her to have stacks of credit card bills, but other than that, life is good. Until her mother back in the States dies and leaves her house to Shiloh. Shiloh was not close to her mother. At all. Yet, she goes to Staunton, Virginia to the funeral and to sell the house. While there, Shiloh loses both her job and fiance. Life couldn't get any worse. Only it does. Her hopes for a quick sale are dashed. God has funny ways of getting your attention and this is His way of getting Shiloh's. So now, Shiloh's stuck in Staunton, surrounded by her mom's friends, people Shiloh thinks are rednecks. What Shiloh doesn't realize is, these "rednecks" are teach her about true friendship, happiness, and most importantly, God's love.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

• The beginning was a little slow. It picked up more after she receives the call about her mother's death.
• It was slightly stereotypical of the South, but not enough not to like the book.

WHAT I DID LIKE

• The cover and title immediately grabbed my attention! I mean, come on. "Southern Fried Sushi"...what a cool title. The cover is colorful and the mix of cultures is evident (Japanese dress & fan with cowboy boots).
• I loved Shiloh's character. Throughout the book, you see her growth and will be rooting for her by the end.
• The secondary characters are pretty awesome, too. They're well-rounded, three dimensional characters, just like Shiloh. Her mom's friends all have their little quirks that makes them endearing.
• The message of God and His love is written in the story without being too preachy. It's subtle, but...obvious. I know that's an oxymoron, but that's how I can describe it. It's not the "beat you with the Bible" type of message, but a "Let me tell you what God has done for me" type of message.
• I love that Shiloh did not automatically accept Christ. Had she immediately accepted Him, it wouldn't have been real. She struggled. Thought about it. Then struggled some more. It makes the book more authentic.
• There's a little romance in it, but that's not the focus. The focus is more on Shiloh and her growth as a person. But Ms. Spinola does add a splash of romance.

If you're into light-hearted books with a tiny splash of romance, Southern Fried Sushi is perfect. I am now reading the second book, Like Sweet Potato Pie (again with the cool titles), and I'm loving it so far. I'll definitely be on the lookout for book #3, Til Grits Do Us Part.