Review: Purity by Jackson Pearce

Purity

Author: Jackson Pearce

Publication Date: April 24, 2012

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Thank you Hatchett Book Group Canada for the Review Copy

Genre: Contemporary

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Synopsis:

A novel about love, loss, and sex -- but not necessarily in that order.

Before her mother died, Shelby promised three things: to listen to her father, to love as much as possible, and to live without restraint. Those Promises become harder to keep when Shelby's father joins the planning committee for the Princess Ball, an annual dance that ends with a ceremonial vow to live pure lives -- in other words, no "bad behavior," no breaking the rules, and definitely no sex.

Torn between Promises One and Three, Shelby makes a decision -- to exploit a loophole and lose her virginity before taking the vow. But somewhere between failed hookup attempts and helping her dad plan the ball, Shelby starts to understand what her mother really meant, what her father really needs, and who really has the right to her purity.

My Thoughts: This was my first time reading a book by Jackson Pearce and I have to say, she has a new fan! I just loved this book! Within the first 50 pages it had made me laugh to tears and cry from sadness. It was a complete roller coaster of emotion, but in a good way! I received more than one odd look from those around me while I was reading, I couldn't help it, some of the events in it are just too funny. I also love the simplicity of the cover for this book, it works great for this one. 

This book is told from a first person point of view and revolves around Shelby Crewes as she tries to live her life by the Promises she made to her mother before she died. She finds out her father wants her participate in the Princess Ball, which he has taken it upon himself to help plan. The Ball ends with a vow to live a pure life.  Basically meaning, no drugs, no under aged drinking, no sex before marriage. Clearly this doesn't fit in with Promise Three, which is to live without restraint. But she can't not go to the Ball because her father wants her to, and Promise One is to listen to her father. Shelby Lives by these rules, so clearly she needs to try and find a loophole so that the vow is void. Which means, she needs to have sex before the Ball, which is just five weeks away!