Book Review: Betsy St. Amant’s Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK
Last week I said although it wouldn’t be fair to books releasing later this year, I could be ready to announce my favorite books of the year. The non fiction book I loved was I am Second.
Today, I can’t wait to tell you about Betsy St. Amant’s Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK.
Sixteen-year-old Addison Blakely has tireless played the role of PK—preacher’s kid—her entire life. But after Wes Keegan revs his motorcycle into town and into her heart, Addison begins to wonder how much of her faith is her own and how much has been handed to her. She isn’t so sure she wants to be the good girl anymore. Join Addison Blakely as she attempts to separate love from lust, facts from faith, and keep her head above water in her murky, fishbowl existence.
I know this is a YA (Young Adult) novel geared for teens but trust me, this 40-something mom of a teen ate this book up like a box of name brand chocolates. There was so much I enjoyed about this story. First of all, Addison. She is a contemporary teen that the targeted age can relate to whether parents like me want to admit it or not. Teens are insecure and want to fit in. They have fears and frustrations and the pressures on them are real.
I also like Addison’s spunk. She sees life as black or white and people are either Gummi Bears or Lemon Drops. I confess, at my age, I chat with my BFF about people either being Barbies or Misfits. I know Addison’s frustrations because they were mine back then, and I still struggle with them.
I also enjoyed Addison struggling with change. I remember from my teenaged years and now through my son, friendships change, sometimes in a day, without a reason. It hurts and it’s awkward. New friends come on the scene and can speak truth that hit dead center, even if the new friend barely knows you.
Parents change, and in Addison’s case, her dad is a widower back on the dating scene, and he isn’t dating just anybody. Transition is hard, and Addison has no idea how to handle it in her black or white world.
Then…there is the bad boy. It’s hard to resist a leather wearing boy with a motorcycle but most parents aren’t up for the scenario. If dad is the pastor, forget it. And Addison knows liking the bad boy spells trouble. But still…
This is a heartfelt book with strong characters and real situations like marriage, eating disorders, purity, peer pressure,transition, love, secrets, dysfunction, and true faith. Again, my teenage years are a distant fog and this is on target to be my favorite fiction read of 2012.
Do yourself a favor and get your hands on Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK.
This book was provided to me by the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review.
