
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is navigating the overwhelming world of first crushes and romantic feelings, perhaps getting a bit carried away in the search for 'the one.' The story follows high school junior Evangeline who, determined to find her First True Love's Kiss, embarks on a secret, 'scientific' project of kissing various boys and rating their abilities in a journal. This humorous premise is a vehicle for exploring deeper themes like self-discovery, the true meaning of connection, and the importance of friendship and honesty. Appropriate for young teens, the book handles romance in a lighthearted, non-graphic way, focusing on the emotional and social fallout of Evangeline's experiment. It's an excellent choice for opening conversations about peer pressure, reputation, and the difference between infatuation and a genuine relationship, all wrapped in a funny and relatable story.
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Sign in to write a reviewProtagonist's kissing 'research' involves some deception and using boys as experiments.
The book's central topic is teenage romance and sexuality, specifically kissing. The approach is direct but comedic and exploratory rather than titillating or graphic. The context is entirely secular. The resolution is hopeful and realistic: Evangeline gains significant self-awareness and maturity, learning that real connection isn't something that can be engineered.
A 13- or 14-year-old who is preoccupied with the ideas of dating, first kisses, and crushes. This reader might be feeling a mix of excitement and social pressure, and could be prone to overthinking or trying to find a 'formula' for navigating complex social dynamics. It is perfect for a teen looking for a funny, light romance.
The book can be read cold. A parent should be aware that the premise involves the protagonist kissing multiple boys, sometimes deceptively. This isn't presented as a moral failing so much as a misguided project, and it provides a great opening for discussions about honesty, reputation, and intentions in relationships. The parent hears their teen talking constantly about crushes, feeling pressured to have a first kiss, or expressing anxiety about being single. The parent might be concerned that their child is basing their self-esteem on romantic attention.
A younger reader (12-13) will likely focus on the humor of the situations, the romantic drama, and the relatable school setting. An older reader (14-15) is more likely to appreciate the satire of romantic comedy tropes, the character development, and the underlying message about friendship and authentic self-discovery.
Unlike many teen romances focused on a single destined partner, this book humorously deconstructs the fantasy of the 'perfect kiss.' Its unique premise of applying a scientific method to romance allows for a clever and insightful exploration of the messy, awkward, and often funny reality of adolescent self-discovery. The focus is less on finding love and more on learning about oneself through the attempt.
High school junior Evangeline decides to find her "First True Love's Kiss" through a scientific approach. She creates a list of potential candidates, systematically kisses them, and records the results in a secret journal. Her obsessive and deceptive project leads to widespread social chaos, straining her relationships with her best friend, her twin sister, and the boys she experiments on. Ultimately, the fallout forces Evangeline to confront what she is truly looking for in a relationship and in herself.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.