****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I imagine there are only two kinds of reviews here: Those who agree with this book and think that purity is important before marriage, and those who don't agree with that concept at all and think that pre-marital sex is ok. This book isn't written to people who are already bent on having sex before marriage; it's not written in a way to change your mind on that issue. If you are bound and determined that it's impossible to remain pure, then simply don't buy the book -- you won't agree with it and you won't like it. If you ARE looking to have a pure, God-centered relationship (even in the distant future), this book is a great way to start. I do agree with some other reviewers who complain that this book holds females to a standard that isn't necessarily placed on guys. But it's written to girls. And the important part is that you shouldn't be in a relationship with a guy who is pressuring you to do things you don't want to do -- you should look for a guy who has these standards or who respects the standards you have and cherishes your purity. They DO exist. And you are worth waiting for. If nothing else, this challenges you to think about what is helpful and hurtful in a relationship. Society tells us that pre-marital sex is ok, and even if it's not -- everything else leading up to it is. But there are deep emotional consequences, which society at large ignores.This book explains how to grow in purity -- even if you've already "screwed up." It shows you why you should be striving toward it, and it gives some practical steps toward attaining it.NOTE: this is written with the high schooler/college student in mind. In fact, I think it's important for girls that age to read it. I'm a mid-20s adult who found it helpful and insightful for that age group, but it was repeating many things I either already know or wish I'd heard a LONG time ago.This book has some gems in it, I won't lie. There are some beautiful quotes in it, and large parts of it are very inspiring. Although this is true, I wouldn't say that it's the solution. I got the book because I wanted to reaffirm my decision to wait, and to remind myself the true reason why this decision was so important. I'm not saying the book can't help with that. However, I feel that it only skitters over what should be the most important: our relationship with Christ. After purchasing the book, I read through the whole thing in a few hours. However, afterwards, I did not feel more relieved or resolved in my decision. There's a whole lot of praise for the book within the book, which made me feel a bit off, and many situations described in the book I felt didn't apply to me. I agree with dressing modestly, but I do not like the way she described how and why we should. Much of the book felt a little too condemning and simultaneously fluffy.All in all, the book's okay. If you decide to buy and read this book, great. Many said they got a lot of help from this book, but it wasn't as much the case for me. Overall, I think the solution to strengthening your resolve in waiting would be to develop your relationship with Christ. Reading the book would be an ok idea to give you a few ideas on how to say no, or get a friend to keep you accountable, but it's not the best resource out there. A better book by her I would suggest is Get Lost. This book is more so about us experiencing God's "love feast" for us. I think reading that book would help a lot more. Or pick up "Swipe Right" by Levi Lusko. That ones incredible! Another suggestion I have is to listen to the sermon "Great Sex Guarantee" by Mike Guzzardo, which you can find by looking up online.This is a great book. Very easy to read and the author did a great job making it relatable.This book has no age boundary! I read it when I was 22 yrs old, and I have to say that God used it dramatically to change how I see myself! I now have much more respect and honor for myself because of how God sees me. Yet, I would give it to any girl I know who is 11 yrs old and older! Yes, the book is about Purity, but it is not the typical "sex is bad" book. It deals with respecting yourself as a woman and how that plays into all aspects of your life. Dannah (Gresh) makes you feel like you know her by the end of the book. It's an intimate ride.I would encourage any lady to read this book! I have bought many and given them to my girlfriends. It's not an easy read if you are serious about learning to be a godly woman. But it is SO worth it, and Dannah makes sure to write a section for us women who have already had sex. To encourage us and remind us that all is forgiven.I wish I had all the right words to describe my experience. I feel my review is lacking in showing just how wonderful this book and Dannah Gresh are...After taking preteen and teen girls through Gresh's "Secret Keeper" books, I contemplated buying this book to go through with a bunch of college age girls at summer camp. Before ordering a whole slew of them, I bought one for myself and read through it. I am married already, but the book was so great, I read through it in about a day and a half. It's a book that draws you in and compells you to finish! I then handed it out to my college girls. One of them was worried it would be too much work, as the whole group is also going through Henry Blackaby's "Experiencing God" study, which is pretty intense. 10 minutes after handing them out, the girls were already "into" it. They were discussing all sorts of topics related to purity, and one said she was sure she couldn't stop reading after the assigned first chapter. I'm thrilled that something like this is out there. God is using it to teach Christian girls about His BEST plan for sex, marriage, and purity of thought. The leader's guide is more for a retreat, but can be used as a Bible study, and the companion is nice, but not necessary. Thanks for a much needed study, Dannah!I could very well relate to the book as it gives true experiences of women and men.I will recommend it for every woman.
