Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK

I love when I find a book I can’t put down. Addison Blakely: Confessions of a P.K. was one such book. In it, author Betsy St. Amant captured the struggles, temptations, doubts, and drama of the teenage years quite well.

The story opens with hormones. Addison is attracted to newcomer Wes Keegan, even though he is, for all appearances, exactly the type of boy her father (a preacher) would never approve of. He has tattoos. He rides a motorcycle. He’s older than her by two years. And he is not a believer.

As the story continues, Addison fights several emotional battles. It’s a spiritual journey and as well as one of self-discovery. She wants to meet the expectations of her father, but their relationship is strained. She has taken a vow of purity, but faces sexual temptations. She questions why she makes certain choices and not others.

Meanwhile, spunky sixteen-year-old Addison deals with regular teenage drama: a bulimic friend, unwanted attention from a boy, her widowed father dating again, and meeting the pressures of school responsibilities.

Amant created realistic, relatable, and likable characters. While Addison was the main focus—and one worth rooting for—she was surrounded by a great cast. Each character played an important role in the story, and Amant wove their lives together with skill.

Addison’s friend Claire quickly exited from center stage, but her struggle with bulimia and self-worth will still resonate with some readers. Marta, an exchange student from Germany, provided balance and wisdom. Luke demonstrated kindness and chivalry. He was the reliable boy we all know and love… as a friend. And irresistible bad boy Wes simply permeated the story with his complexity.

The story moved at a fast pace, making it extremely hard to set down. It held a mixture of humor and thought-provoking situations. Its authenticity may cause readers to search their own hearts, examine their own motives, and, like Addison, ultimately claim their faith as their own.

What I Like: I like how Addison considered the consequences of her decisions. Although Addison’s faith comes through in a strong way at the end, the story wasn’t preachy. The refreshing dose of honesty, painful predicaments, and nail-biting choices just seemed to FIT together. Also, although Addison is a preacher’s kid, her life very well reflects that of a typical teenage girl, especially one who was brought up in a Christian home. The dilemmas and pressures are the same, as well as the crucial element of faith… believing not because of what your parents taught you, but because of what you yourself believe.

What I Dislike: Okay, I’m a mom, but Addison’s eating habits bothered me. How could she eat so much ice cream, cupcakes, and sweets, and drink so much sugared coffee, and still maintain her weight?!

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: ages 15 and up
Publisher Info: Barbour Books, 2012; ISBN: 978-1616265557; Paperback, 368 pgs., $9.99
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Special Info: The story touches on the following teen topics: bulimia, abuse, gossip, peer pressure, and premarital sex.