A Book Review: First Date

    Hi! Earlier last week I said that I would be reviewing the first installment of one of my favorite series. However, I ended up reading this book and thought it was so good I wanted to share it instead. This was my first time reading a book by this author, and after reading this one I can't wait to read more from her.

    There may be minor spoilers as I try to give an accurate picture of the book.

   (The discussion questions will have spoilers, since they are supposed to be used after reading the book.)

Title: First Date

Author: Krista McGee

Series: No established series, but there is a sequel called Starring Me. (You can read my Book Beginnings on Fridays page for it here.)

Targeted Age Range: 12-18

Synopsis: 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.

Language: There are some mentions of cursing. Because this is a competition, most of the other girls are not the nicest toward Addy, especially given her less-than-accomplished background. Some of this turns into outright bullying, including accusations that Addy pretends to be nice and sets up different happenings to make her look better. The manager of the show, Hank, is very self-centered and treats his fellow staff cruelly when he's not in public. Once, while joking around, one of Addy's friends imitates Hank ranting, adding a couple of beeps at the end and saying she's "edited out" any curse words.

Violence: There is an assassination attempt on the president and his son, which is stopped before it actually happens. Addy gets bitten by a brown recluse, and almost dies before she is taken to the hospital. Throwing up (because of the spider bite) is mentioned. Addy talks about and thinks about her missionary parents, who were murdered in Colombia.

Romance/Sexual Stuff: Before she is on the show, Addy has a crush on Spencer, a Cuban American boy from her school. To tease Addy, one of her friends starts the old "sitting in a tree" rhyme, and encourages her to actually talk to him instead of admiring him from afar. Later Spencer asks her to prom.

Like it's hinted at in the synopsis, Addy and the president's son (Jonathon) develop feelings for each other. Addy does her best to control her crush-influenced actions, but they often pop up in the story. It's mentioned that Jonathon is very good looking, and that a variety of girls throw themselves at him. (On the show's set, many of Addy's competitors do exactly that.) However, Addy and Jonathon's relationship is treated more like a friendship, with a hint of something more. Addy and Jonathon hold hands and once Addy is so happy she thinks about kissing him. One of Addy's friends mentions her father married a woman whose husband had cheated on her, after his first wife had died.

During one private scene with Addy and Jonathon, some paparazzi stalks them and later makes it seem like Addy took advantage of Jonathon.

Spiritual Elements: Addy is a strong Christian, and goes to a Christian school. Part of the resolution includes her learning to stand up and share her faith. Addy's parents and uncle are Christians as well, and her uncle encourages her in her faith. Addy prays and reads her Bible. It's mentioned that Addy and a friend started a weekly Bible study for younger girls in her hometown, and that they've decided "God first, boys later". It's also mentioned she and her uncle have decided not to deepen Addy and Jonathon's relationship unless he is, or becomes, a Christian. Once Hank interrupts her uncle while he's praying, which is portrayed as wrong.

Like it says in the Violence section, Addy's parents were missionaries who died trying to reach the natives in Colombia, much like the outcome of Operation Auca. Through her mother's old journals, Addy reads about her parents' struggles to tell the natives about Christ while they continued to believe in their old spiritual traditions, including the power of a local "medicine man".

It's mentioned that Hank has been hurt by people who say they're Christians, and has become anti-God, relying on himself to be all he needs. Addy befriends her roommate and fellow competitor, Kara, who insists she's not ready to think about religion.

There are references to Daniel and the lions' den and the story of Esther, as well as the apostle James and a few Bible verses.

Magic: None

References: There are references to the 1950s, America's Next Star, Survivor, The Bachelor, Miss America, the Disney Channel, Mickey Mouse, Walmart, prom, various American cities, places, and states, the Yankees, the Civil War, Gone With The Wind, TV, DVDs, Kool-Aid, Frankenstein, Facebook, Twitter, Shakespeare, various medical conditions, deja vu, YouTube, the Metroplex, texting, King Midas, and golf/golf terms.

Other Issues: In her mini-rant about acting as a career, Addy mentions constant paparazzi, drug abuse, failed marriages, and "botched plastic surgeries" as reasons not to choose acting. Many of Addy's fellow competitors lie and trash talk to build themselves up, and sometimes Kara responds with equal sass. Once Addy jokes with Jonathon by telling him she has heart problems, when she doesn't.

Throughout the story, there are inner monologues and dialogue that may or may not be sarcastic, inappropriate, or insulting.

Where To Buy: First Date is available on Amazon and eBay.

My Age Range: I think kids aged 14 and up would enjoy this book the most.

Read Aloud: Based on the issues above, I think this would be better read alone. However, like I mentioned in my review of Kaley and Rhonda Rhea's book, all of the issues (including the romance) are tastefully handled and would be a great choice for a mother-daughter book club. There is a lot to talk about and share together.

My Opinion: I found this book by reserving it on inter-library loan. The synopsis drew me in, but I honestly wasn't expecting much out of the story, probably because of the similar premise to The Bachelorette and the Selection books. I thought it would be a fun, one-time read, but didn't see how anything that was hinted at in the synopsis would bring me back for more. I was wrong.

    First Date reminded me of the type of witnesses Christians should be for God. Submitting to Him, living in joy when things are rough, and being kind and generous even when we don't get the same treatment. I was deeply moved by Addy's parents and how they clearly exhibited what Christianity should look like. I was also inspired by Addy's kindness and authenticity. I deeply related to her and her struggles to live for Jesus like her parents. McGee took the story of Esther and not only turned it into a story relatable for today's teenage girl, but enriched it, and my understanding of it, with her own spunky, memorable version.

    A lively mixture of Kasie West's lighthearted storytelling, Erynn Mangum's witty narration, and Sadie Robertson's reality TV take in Things Just Got Real, First Date is a read that's both cozy and meaningful. I'd recommend it for any teen girl who wants to grow in her walk with Christ.

Discussion Questions:

-When Addy is picked to go on "The Book of Love", she doesn't think she's anything special. After reading the book, do you agree with her opinion? If not, how does Addy show she's special?

-"First Date" is based partly on the story of Esther. Read a copy of Esther's story and compare and contrast both of them. What parts of Esther did McGee keep, and which parts did she update to be more modern?

-As Addy finds out, reality TV can be a rough business! What parts do you think she had the most trouble with? If you were in her place, what parts would you have the most trouble with?

-There's more to the president's son than he shows in public. What do you think were some of the things he seemed to struggle with the most? What is your opinion on his laid-out future because of his dad's job? Were you surprised when he announced his wish to be a film editor?

-If this show existed, would you like to be on "The Book of Love"? Why or why not? If you were picked, what personality traits and skills that you have would make you a winner?

-What was your favorite part of the book? Why?

(There are also good discussion questions in the book's "Reading Group Guide" section.)

    Thanks for joining me for my review of First Date! I hope this review helped you, or gave you a suggestion for a friend. If you liked this post, don't hesitate to post your thoughts about it, or share it with people who'd be interested.

    If you have a book you think would be perfect for a review, I'd love to hear it! Please check out my Review Policy page, then ask away.

    This blog has been updated! As well as adding a link to my Goodreads account and shelf, and going back and revising my Review Policy page, I've also added an "About Me" tab and a "How I Review Books" tab to better explain my rating system. I'd love for you to check those out.

    Join me next week for BOTH this month's Top Ten Tuesday list and my first-ever try at a Book Beginnings on Fridays! I am super excited about both of these posts and hope that you'll like them, too.