First Date by Melody Carlson (The Dating Games #1)

Double Take, and A Simple Song were really good! Because of that, I was wall in for another fast read by Melody Carlson. This book is First Date. It does start off a bit slow, but with an interesting enough premise. These gals are in a Christian School - and they want dates for the dance. Thus, they form a secret club to help each other get dates. Their methods aren't that bad, their working on themselves is just fine, but keeping certain girls from being "left behind" might just wipe their plans off the map. You see, it isn't as easy as people would have you think to get a date. The boys are difficult, or unaware, and the girls are dealing with daily changing emotions and feelings.

My thoughts - this wasn't quite as strong of a book as the two I listed up top. That could have just been me though. Dating is not easy, not at any age. I was glad to see a group of girls trying to look out for each other, in spite of all their teen-age challenges. I never really got to like Devon, though I really tried hard. I didn't think they should have let her do what she did the night of the dance. However, in real life that tends to turn our far far worse than it did for Devon. Some difficult topics were brought up. There is a chance that this book could work for a Mom to discuss with her young teen-age daughter. (Think age 14 and up in today's world. In mine it was 16 and up.) I would still read the second book in this series if I get a chance. I have a feeling it will be much stronger than this one.

Carol

Devon, Emma, Cassidy, Bryn, and Abby have one thing in common as they start their sophomore year: none of them have ever been on a "real" date. With homecoming looming, the girls make a pact and start a secret club they call the DG (Dating Games) that has just one objective--dates for the dance. 

They're sworn to secrecy, but the club is their way to set each other up on their first dates so they can report back to the DG. They'll have to navigate expectations and rules from their parents, figure out how to act on a date, and endear themselves to the guys they like.

What could possibly go wrong?

You can connect with Melody Carlson on her website www.melodycarlson.com

The Book Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Dating-Games-First-Date-ebook/dp/B00CIUJWWM/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1

Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.