Review: First Date (The Dating Games #1)

First Date (The Dating Games #1) by Melody Carlson

From the Back Cover

When it comes to catching the eye of that cute boy at school, sometimes you just need a little help from your friends.
Devon, Emma, Cassidy, Bryn, and Abby have one thing in common as they start their sophomore year: none of them have ever been on a "real" date. With homecoming looming, the girls make a pact and start a secret club they call the DG (Dating Games) that has just one objective--dates for the dance.

They're sworn to secrecy, but the club is their way to set each other up on their first dates so they can report back to the DG. They'll have to navigate expectations and rules from their parents, figure out how to act on a date, and endear themselves to the guys they like.

What could possibly go wrong?

 

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When I was given the opportunity to pick from a list of available books to review, First Date caught my eye immediately. The cover itself is chic and gave it natural appeal. 

I was impressed by the authors style of writing. I found it to be clean and it flowed nicely. I also appreciated the fact that the story was written from each of the girls view points, independently. I felt hearing each characters point of view brought the story together as a whole. 

Having said that, I really wanted to like this book. I was, however, rather disappointed. While quite possibly the intent, I viewed the message relayed about dating to be nothing more than a game. A message I was not expecting from what I understood to be a Christian novel.

While the characters superficial views on social status, appearances, and their ability to get the guys to notice them is true representation of reality for most teenagers, at no point did the story re-direct the readers thoughts- in an effort to express that the characters approach was indeed superficial.

 

I certainly would not want my teenage sons or daughters reading this book and getting the idea that dating should be viewed as a game, that their social status defines them, or that their appearances are everything. 

 

This book was a nice escape into YA fiction, for myself, as an adult. I would not, however, recommend this book for its target age group of 13-18.

I was provided First Date by Tell Us The Truth Reviews in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. The above is my own personal opinion and should be regarded as such.