
Reach for this book when your teenage son is beginning to navigate the complicated waters of dating, peer pressure, and the often confusing expectations of what it means to be a man. While it follows Del's humorous attempt to get close to his lifelong crush by joining a church Purity Pledge group, the story dives deep into the realities of toxic masculinity and the importance of female agency. It is a vital read for parents who want to open a dialogue about consent, sex education, and the pressure boys feel to perform a certain type of toughness. Giles balances laugh-out-loud moments with serious reflections on faith and family, making it an accessible and profound tool for helping teens define their own integrity.
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Sign in to write a reviewCharacters lie and manipulate to get close to crushes, though this is critiqued.
The book handles teen sexuality and reproductive health directly but within a religious framework that promotes abstinence. It addresses toxic masculinity and sexual harassment with a realistic, firm lens. The resolution is hopeful and grounded in personal growth rather than a fairy-tale romance.
A high school boy who feels caught between different worlds: the 'tough guy' expectations of his friends, the moral expectations of his church or family, and his own genuine but clumsy feelings about girls.
Parents should be aware that there are frank discussions of male anatomy, masturbation, and sexual curiosity. It is best read alongside the teen or with a willingness to discuss the 'Purity Culture' context. A parent might see their teen acting performatively for friends or struggling to express vulnerability, or they may overhear 'locker room talk' that makes them realize their child needs a better roadmap for respect.
Younger teens (14) will focus on the slapstick humor and the 'crush' dynamics. Older teens (17-18) will better appreciate the nuanced critique of how society socializes boys to view women as objects.
Unlike many YA romances, this book focuses specifically on the male internal struggle with toxic masculinity and 'the game' of dating, using humor to dismantle harmful stereotypes from the inside out.
High school junior Del Buchanan is determined to finally win over Kiera Westing. When she joins a Purity Pledge group at their church, Del impulsively signs up too. He soon finds himself caught between his peers' expectations, his father's confusing advice on manhood, and a secret mission to get real answers about sex for his fellow 'pledgers.' As the lies pile up, Del must confront whether he is actually seeing Kiera as a person or just a prize to be won.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.