A review by killerpancake
Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

While the ending is almost too perfect and clean, I absolutely loved this book. Giles really nails writing teenaged characters who are so complex! They are mini-adults but also still kids and he just threads the needle perfectly. 

Del is in love with Kiera since forever. He agrees to join a purity pledge to get in her good graces and both hilarity and chaos erupt. But Giles deftly weaves Del’s story with larger issues about what it means to “be a man” and the pressures that young people experience that send them down darker paths. That sounds so corny but honestly I wish I had something like this book when I was younger.

I felt things in this story so personally 💕