Purity by Jackson Pearce

Purity by Jackson Pearce
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown Books For Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 224

Summary: 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: We are introduced to Shelby who lost her mother at a young age. It’s just been her and her father for a long time, most of her life. They have never been very close but close enough because they live together. Her mom left her with 3 promises she must always follow. She must love and listen to her father, to love as much as possible, and to live without restraint.  Shelby faces a very important challenge when her father informs her they are going to the father daughter Princess Ball.

This means Shelby must swear her purity! No sex, drugs, drinking, etc. Shelby has to find a loophole. She doesn’t want to be a virgin when she’s 30! So with the help of her friends Jonas and Ruby, she makes a plan to lose her virginity. It doesn’t have to be special, she just has to do it quick and the easiest way possible so she picks out a few guys and goes from there.

Purity was a light and fast read for me. I did enjoy it a lot but I felt like it had too much of a religious undertone. Regardless, I still enjoyed reading it.  And Shelby kind of just let things fly by and go along with them. She didn’t really have too much of a backbone I guess I’m saying. I really liked Jonas, I loved how he always came to her rescue and I thought he was sweet.  And Ruby was a riot. I always found myself laughing at things she said.

Purity was a serious novel with some funny moments thrown in. It had a serious message but I at least liked the way Shelby finally opened her eyes and how the ending played out.  I also liked how her relationship with her father changed for the better. I’m glad they are finally starting to really see each other.

Overall: I did really like it. It wasn’t one of my ultimate favorites of the year but I think it’s worth the read and definitely a novel you should read this year as long as you can get past the religious tone of it. I can see why some people won’t like it because of that but if you just enjoy it for what it is, I think you’ll enjoy it enough to justify it!

Cover: Like it! It’s not real eye catching but sparks your attention enough to want to pick it up! I do love the idea of the lock though!

What I'd Give It: