First Date
A Sweet, Feel-Good YA Romance
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Thomas Nelson Publishers
Published:15th Dec '11
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
One hundred girls. One reality show. One date with America's most eligible teenage bachelor. Addy Davidson wants absolutely nothing to do with any of it. Perfect for fans of Lynn Painter.
Seventeen-year-old Addy has a plan: get good grades, earn a scholarship to an Ivy League college, and stay far away from the spotlight. So when her principal chooses her to represent their school on The Book of Love, a new reality show where one hundred girls compete for a prom date with the president's son, Addy is horrified. She didn't audition. She's never even been on a date. And unlike nearly every other contestant, she has no interest in becoming famous.
Her solution? Get eliminated as quickly as possible. But being the one girl who isn't desperate to impress Jonathon Jackson makes Addy impossible to ignore--especially when she discovers that the handsome First Son is far more genuine than she expected. Soon America is rooting for the reluctant contestant, the competition is getting ugly, and Addy is stuck in the spotlight she tried so hard to escape.
As cameras capture her every move, Addy begins to wonder whether she landed on The Book of Love for a reason. Loosely inspired by the biblical story of Esther, First Date is a funny, feel-good YA romance about an ordinary girl in an extraordinary situation, a swoony first love, and finding the courage to stand up for what you believe--even when the whole world is watching.
'...a touching, fun, edifying, campy, quick and downright delicious teen read.' * USAToday.com *
'...with sparks of wit, the story offers a positive message about being true to oneself...' * Publishers Weekly *
'McGee’s debut novel is an absolute gem.' 'Anyone who enjoys reality television and a well-told story shouldn’t hesitate to read this great book...' * Romantic Times TOP PICK! *
This light teenage romance with a reality-show twist is entertaining and forgivably predictable. Getting good grades and into an Ivy League college are 17-year-old Addy’s two goals in life. So when her principal taps her to represent her school on the new reality TV show The Book of Love, Addy isn’t thrilled, despite the show’s prize of a date to the prom with Jonathon Jackson, the son of the president of the United States. Looking to be sent home quickly, unlike the other 99 girls, Addy doesn’t fawn over the First Son and instead chooses to just be herself, which, to her dismay, endears her to viewers and prolongs her stay. Addy’s positive attention attracts some serious nastiness from her competitors and the show’s director, Hank, which convinces Addy that her purpose on the show is to really share her faith. Relying on Christianity, Addy musters the courage to persevere, just like her deceased missionary parents, who are referenced throughout. Short transcripts of interviews with the show's participants are sprinkled between chapters, underscoring the vapid nature of the other girls. Although reality shows and religion don’t usually mix, this text blends both well and serves up Addy as a believable and endearing heroine. * Kirkus Reviews *
ISBN: 9781401684884
Dimensions: 213mm x 139mm x 20mm
Weight: 389g
336 pages