Monday, January 2, 2012

Review on First Date by Krista McGee


Isn’t it always a wondrous thing to behold a shooting star as it crosses the sky? It’s something special and new each time and sort of a thrill to get to see. Those are my thoughts in meeting this new author Krista McGee.  Her first novel entitled First Date is a charming novel. I love the creativity behind it. I mean who would have thought to cross the ages old Esther story with a little contemporary reality TV show ala “The Bachelor” style and oh yeah, let’s make it a YA book making it G rated and appropriate for a great teen read. (Although I am not a teen and enjoyed it very much.)

 Meet teenaged Addy Davidson singularly focused on her studies and getting into an Ivy League University, hand selected to represent her small Christian school as their representative on a reality TV show called “The Book of Love”. On this show the “Bachelor” or rather Prom date seeker is none other than Jonathon Jackson, the movie –star looking ,son of the leader-of-the-free-world, which makes him sought after by teenage girls all across America…but not by Addy. Being on this show is not on her list of things to do and she makes her feelings known…in front of millions of viewers.  But somehow this very fact endears her to Jonothan and to America and as Addy goes on this little adventure filled with all kinds of challenges ranging from athletic prowess on the golf course to academics to good manners and etiquette, she finds herself making friends and a few enemies and also becoming more than a little enthralled with this Jonothan Jackson guy.

Krista McGee does a great job with her first novel.  She makes Addy a very likeable heroine and does it by giving her that perfect balance of spunk and vulnerability. Her back story is heartbreaking as she lost her missionary parents when she was a young child and this very fact drives her to succeed in her studies and life. Addy is not perfect and makes mistakes along the way, but the reader sees that she truly allows God to guide her path and trusts Him with the outcome.

To sum up, I think the premise is fun, characters interesting and pacing just right.   I really enjoyed this story and am always on the lookout for great YA Christian fiction for my own daughters and am very pleased to be able to recommend this one without reservation. I look forward to seeing more novels by this author !

Great book!- 4 stars.