This was a fun little romance that looked at some difficult issues that teens today face: purity, being true to yourself, and learning to stand up for your own beliefs even if it's at the expense of your friendships. The book never really got too deep and stayed somewhat superficial. But at the same time, it did make me think. In addition, it was a good romance that also focused on Tabitha's personal friendships and growth. ( )

This is a story that examines purity ring culture. What does the ring mean to the wearer, but also what do the wearers think it means to others? The wearers- best friends- also question their friendships with each other and their feelings about boys. ( )

I put this book down a lot, and was skimming towards the end to finish. However, I do think the author realistically portrayed the 'drama' that goes along with friendships between girls in HS and I liked the protagonist's williness to see many sides of an issue. ( )

Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

Tabitha and her four friends were all brought together by a common belief....to remain virgins until marriage.

Each of them wears a purity ring to symbolize their commitment to their promise to God. Though each of the girls have different backgrounds, it's their belief that brought them together. But when one of the five girls winds up breaking her promise to God, the friendships that have been created are destroyed and rearranged.

Tabitha's best friend has the flashiest ring and sees things in black and white. She is pessimistic when Tabitha begins dating Jake, saying he's only after one thing. And when she forces Tabitha to choose between her and their "fallen" friend, Tabitha realizes things aren't so black and white and winds up losing her best friend.

Without her best friend, Tabitha branches out and forms bonds with the other girls from their group. Thinking she wouldn't survive without her best friend, life doesn't turn out to be as much doom and gloom as she expected. And Jake surprises her when he respects her purity ring and actually wants to learn about her choices.

PURE is a wonderful book for anyone looking for a positive message. The story is far from preachy. Using the purity rings as a starting point, the book looks at what friendship means, and how to stay true to your own beliefs, even when your friends may have different views than your own. Tabitha learns to be honest to herself while still being supportive to her friends that need her aid. ( )

Sometimes you read a book that when you're finished you feel lonely. Lonely because your journey of getting to know those characters is over. This is how I felt when finishing Pure. I loved getting to know Tabitha. I loved seeing her relationship with Cara, Morgan, and Jake develop and grow and find new plains of friendship. I wish I could know what happens to everyone. Like, keeps tabs on their lives, haha!

I love how controversial this novel is. Controversial nowadays almost means rebellious and unconventional. But I think Pure is controversial because it is so conventional. Purity rings, church, and perfect families. Sometimes people are afraid of morals and what the effect of other peoples' morals will have on them.

This novel was brilliant. It was educational but not preachy. The relationship Tabitha had with Morgan was so real and I'm very glad it ended the way it did. This novel shows us that not all things are cut and dry.

The one other thing I enjoyed was something the author didn't do. I'm glad Cara didn't get pregnant in this novel. So many novels about pre-marital sex focus on the consequences of the body but not many focus on what happens to the people around and Pure did just that. ( )