Book Review: Addison Blakely, Confessions of a PK

Book Review of Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK

What it's about:

Addison Blakely has never had much trouble pleasing her widowed, overprotective father. After all, he’s a pastor, and she knows her reputation is closely linked to his. But when the bad boy next door, the cute but arrogant quarterback, and a charming new guy all vie for Addison’s attention, she begins to doubt her resolve. To make matters worse, Addison’s best friend suddenly seems to hate her, a talent show has the entire school at odds, and an exotic exchange student from Germany is shaking everyone up. Addison attempts to separate love from lust, faith from facts, and keep her head above water in her murky, fishbowl existence.

What I thought:

As a minister's wife and self-professed "good girl" I have to say I was very curious--and a bit apprehensive--about a book with "Confessions of a PK" as part of the title. I didn't know if the author was herself a former "PK" (preacher's kid), or how she would handle depiction of life in a minister's home. (My apprehension is founded on a few Christian fiction books I've read in recent years that provided less than stellar views inside the parsonage.)

I'm happy to report that my apprehension was unfounded. Betsy St. Amant has created a good, likeable character in Addison Blakely. She is a delightful character, full of spunk and honesty. I can identify with some of her struggles, for I went through many of the same sorts of mental and spiritual struggles about God and Jesus and boys and school when I was seventeen. I thought the spiritual content was handled quite well. Again, my own experiences might color my views here.

Addison lives in a great small town unlike some I've lived in--due to the suburban-style coffee shop. Since I've lived in Midwestern small towns ranging from 95 to 1900 and none of those had a coffee shop outside the gas station, I can only assume that Crooked Hollow is on the larger side of small. I loved the coffee shop scenes, though--and the shop itself reminds me of my favorite in Warrensburg (population over 19,000). The small-town church that Addison's dad pastors is spot on.

The ending was left wide open for a sequel, and I believe I read somewhere on the author's blog that she has a contract for a series. I hope so!

If you liked Robin Jones Gunn's young adult books, or Lisa Samson's "Hollywood Nobody" series, you will enjoy this novel. It's also similar in tone to Erynn Mangum's "Match" series, but for the high school instead of post-college set.

I'm definitely going to pass this book along to my teen.

The author's website: http://www.betsystamant.com/

Thanks to Net Galley and Barbour Publishing for a Kindle galley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.