Review: First Date

Title: First Date
Author: Krista McGee
Published: 2011 by Thomas Nelson
Version: Paperback
Obtained: Booksneeze.com

The last thing Addy Davidson wants is to be on a reality TV show where the prize is a prom date with the President's son.

She's focused on her schoolwork so she can get a scholarship to an Ivy League college, uncomfortable in the spotlight, never been on a date, and didn't even audition for it.

But she got selected anyway.

So she does her best to get eliminated on the very first show. Right before she realizes that the President's son is possibly the most attractive guy she has ever seen in person, surprisingly nice, and seemingly unimpressed by the 99 other girls who are throwing themselves at him.

Addy's totally out of her comfort zone but that may be right where God can show her all that she was meant to be.

First Sentence:
“‘You’re going to be on television, Addy,’ Mr. Lawrence said, as if it were a good thing.”

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This novel is a modern retelling of the story of Esther, from the Bible, and I think the story would have been better if it wasn’t.

If this had just been a cute, cheesy, Christian, realty show story, it would have been way better. But with needing to keep to the story of Esther, the plot became terrible. In the real tale of Esther, death is present. But in this fuzzy-feelings retelling, there is no scary almosts, no threat of death, and so the entire plot seems kind of foolish and silly. Also, in real life, King Xerxes was a bit of a creep, so it’s weird having him translated into a cute President’s son.

All the characters were a fraction of who they could have been, the plot was predictable, the resolution was way too simple, and the “deep” moments just weren’t deep. I think it comes down to the writing. Krista McGee is not a good writer. Maybe with time she could get better, but as it is, her dialogue is unrealistic and her plotlines are terrible.

I did enjoy some of the dramatic personalities of the girls on the show. I loved Kara, Addy’s best friend on the show, a very dramatic actress-type. I also enjoyed seeing the “behind-the-scenes” of the realty show.

If you’re looking for a quick, cheesy read with Christian messages, than this is the book for you. If you’re looking for a great retelling of Esther or a great contemporary romance, this is totally not it.

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Content Warnings: Nothing objectionable.

Rating: