First Date by Krista McGee

Warning, some pretty strong opinions shared.  Enter with caution.  ; )

First Date by Krista McGee

Summary from Goodreads:
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.

Read Septemer 2012

3 Stars

My Review:
I am a Christian.  It is part of who I am and part of how I choose my books.  I am careful about what I read in an effort to have my mind filled with positive things.  Do I sometimes  choose books to read that probably aren't that uplifting?  Sure.  I'm a work in progress.  : )

Lately I have been reading a lot of clean reads by Christian authors.  I find that in general I don't have to worry about there being swear words or explicit sex scenes.  Not all of the books are considered Christian Fiction, in fact, I think most aren't in that genre (whatever that genre is and who decided to categorize books there, I'm not sure).

Last week I read a book that was categorized as Christian Fiction.  I enjoyed the book and found that the references to God and Jesus Christ were refreshing.  When I read the summary for this book, I knew it would be a fun story.  I love Esther in the Bible and this is a modern retelling of that story.  With my previous experience, I thought that there would be reference to God.  I was expecting this.  However, I felt that this was way over the top.  Again, I haven't read a lot of books in this genre, so perhaps this was totally normal.  

I believe that God, my Eternal Father, loves me and has a plan for me.  I believe that His Son, Jesus Christ, is my Savior and that I need him to return to Heaven one day.  I could identify with the main character's concerns about sharing her faith with others and I could identify with her dependence on God and wanting to do what is right.  What I couldn't figure out was why the author wrote about it SOOOO much.  I almost felt like the main character was judging others for not being the same type of Christian as she was.  If a person believes that Jesus Christ is their Savior, then they are a Christian.  If they practice their faith through their actions, then they are a Christian.  It does not matter if they are the same religion, they are still a Christian.  At one point, the main character expresses her concerns that the First Son goes to church, but that he may not be a Christian.  I do not understand this.  

As far as the story of this girl being plucked from obscurity to be a reality TV star, this was adorable.  I loved the interactions with friends and with other contestants.  I loved the interactions the main character had with the First Son.  In fact, I think he was my favorite character, a really genuine guy.  This was a feel good story.

Warnings: None (other than the ones expressed above).

I would let my 14 year old daughter read this book.