First Date by Krista McGee starts out by introducing Addy Davidson, a shy, quiet introvert who would rather read and study than go to the mall with friends. She spends her days golfing and happily preparing to get into an Ivy League college until one day she is called to the Principal's Office for an unknown reason. She soon finds out she has been entered into a new reality TV show called the Book of Love where the prize is a date with the president’s son. She tries her hardest to get eliminated from the show from the start because she would rather be back in her quiet, uneventful life. Soon, however, she realizes that God has a different plan for her...
I originally picked up this book because it reminded me in a roundabout way of The Hunger Games (a series of which I am very fond): lots of live and televised action, a reluctant main character, a “fight to the death” of the contestants. It wasn’t until later that I realized the book was actually a modern-day retelling of the story of Esther. As soon as I figured that out, I began to immediately make connections to where the story might be headed, but my enjoyment wasn’t compromised because of it. I was greatly pleased with the way the author made the story real, if not somewhat fantastical, and didn’t get caught up with following Esther’s plot too closely, but enough to make her point.
I would recommend this book to readers of all ages, for it isn’t a difficult read. I was pleased at how Addy grew in her faith over the course of the book and I was right along side her. I was able to relate to her because she wasn’t a “larger than life” character, and I think many other people may find themselves in a boat similar to hers. Five stars to you, Krista McGee. And thanks to BookSneeze.com for giving me a free copy of the book to review.
