Review: Purity

Title: Purity
Author: Jackson Pearce
Publisher: Little, Brown
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Format: Hardback
Source: Publisher for Review
Rating: Acquire

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.

Out of all the books Pearce has published this is only the second one of her's I have read. Her first book I read was As You Wish and I loved it! As I closed that book I said I cannot wait to read more from this author. So I thought it fate (Yes, I am being overly cheese-ie) when Little, Brown sent me a copy of Purity. I was so happy to get it, and even more excited to read it! I posted an IMM expressing my over dramatic happiness about the book and one of my followers mentioned how this book was such a let down, and I let that get to me so I set it back on my shelf and ignored the poor book for a few months.

Finally, I just took a chance on Pearce. And I am glad I did! This book was not a let down, not even close.  For such a small book, it really left a big impact. This book is one of those contemporary novels that you love and you really get attached to. I was close to tears throughout the novel.

The characters were lets just say I loved some, more then I should... and others just slipped through my radar. Most of the main characters are great! Shelby and her dad were both amazing characters. I really grew attached to Shelby, and I reflected on some of the things she went through. Shelby and her fathers relationship is really something. Through the novel you watch it grow, and I think this is one of the strong points of the novel.

Pearce is a great writer. I think this book shows just how much talent she has. Yes, the book has some adult issues, but these issues are experienced everyday by adolescents! I think Pearce did a great job with the issues at hand, she wasn't to harsh but most of all she didn't do the fluff thing that most authors do. Along with a great story line Pearce was able to add great bits of humor! So while you're reading your close to tears, then you burst out laughing.  I admire her as an author.

This book was a short read, and with only about 200 pages you can experience a great story and become and emotional wreak!