Del has had a crush on Kiera Westing since kindergarten. And now, during their junior year, she’s finally available. So when Kiera volunteers for an opportunity at their church, Del’s right behind her. Though he quickly realizes he’s inadvertently signed himself up for a Purity Pledge. His best friend, Qwan, doesn’t believe anyone is worth this long of a long game. But Del’s not about to lose his dream girl.

And that’s where fellow pledger Jameer comes in. He can put in the good word, but with other boys circling Kiera like sharks, Del needs to make his move now. However, with all his plotting and scheming, Del never really stops to What does Kiera want? No matter, though—once he gets the girl, he’s sure all will sort itself out. Right?

An insightful book tackling sexual education, and the tug between abstinence-only, religious education and the double standards afforded to men and women when societal values are crossed. It also examines toxic masculinity, particularly Del’s “nice guy” attitude regarding Kiera.

He has liked her since kindergarten which is quite a while to hold a torch for someone, and Giles does a good job illustrating his more romance-focused desires (in contrast to his player friend, Qwan) and how he’s fit Kiera into the ideal. It’s interesting to note that even though Del says he wants a comfortable relationship like his parents, cuddling on the coach, he never envisions it with Kiera. In fact, he doesn’t imagine any future with her or what will happen after he “gets the girl.” He completely ignores that when he is with her, they have nothing to talk about except Purity Pledge which is a lie on his end. He just assumes it will work out once he musters the nerve to ask her.

Del can be frustrating in the typical self-centered teen boy way. He is singularly focused on getting with Kiera that he ignores how his new friend, Jameer has emotionally/religiously abusive parents, doesn’t talk to his friend, Qwan for weeks and has absolutely no interest in the secretive stuff his mom and sister are up to. It’s amazing how tunnel visioned he is, actually.

It’s well-done because it’s the subtle sort of toxic masculinity where Del never goes so far to force himself, but he never gives up the idea that he will have her. That her offer to be “just friends” will eventually lead to more if he’s patient. This is the kind of toxicity that can build up to create predators, the text notes, and is fueled by society that looks the other way when men go after a girl or get laid but punish women with shaming. Same with sex, where the teen pregnancy epidemic leads to the #Babygetterstoo highlighting how the guys aren’t nearly as harassed as the moms nor are they expected to stand-up to do childcare.

It’s frustrating, but Giles is striving for realism and he does that with Del only getting his head out of his ass at the end of the book, and fortunately, does an appropriate amount of apologizing and big gesture to rectify the damage he caused. I really liked the insight that all of this also points to Del’s own insecurities around sex, and dating, and how he may have been supressing those fears by focusing on a girl who was unattainable.

However, Del isn’t all bad. When he’s not stuck on Kiera, there was a great plot thread about him being the answer guy to his Purity Pledge group about their sexual questions, emphasizing that education is key. Sex and hormones are going to happen no matter what, so it’s better to prepare teens rather have them freak out about normal situations like wet dreams or get into pregnancies. It also creates an unexpected bond between Del and the pledgers that becomes more real than any chance with Kiera. Jameer was a stand-out, in my opinion, and I only wish that he called Del out more about being a self-involved friend.

As for Del’s efforts to change the church’s shaming ways, and interference with sex ed, that was more interesting than his chase for Kiera. The ending where he succeeds with changing Pastor Newsom’s mind. . . I get it’s very church-like to forgive, but I don’t know if it was plausible that the Pastor would pull an about-face like that after years of control.

Other characters in the book were well-rounded and vibrant, and I wished I could have seen more of them like Del’s cool English/Health teacher, MJ. I wish he got a bigger part after his health class got shut down. Also Del’s sister, Cressie, is iconic. Also wish she had more page time, but I guess if Del had a proper support system to call him out, then the plot would not have happened.

Near the end with Del’s intervention, Mr. Rainey admits that he was part of the problem, exhibiting his own disregard for wife and daughter’s viewpoints, and encouraging Del’s behavior, but this felt out of the left field as Mr. and Mrs. Rainey did not have much page time so we don’t see this behavior for ourselves or how he could have contributed to Del’s. Missed opportunity there.

A great read tackling toxic masculinity from the male POV and addresses the societal pitfalls and traps guys fall into, and how everyone can work to be better.