valencia Writes

My review of “Purity” by Skyler Mason.

WARNING: *Contains some spoilers*

I discovered the author, Skylar Mason, while scrolling through TikTok. Her description of her novel, “Purity,” motivated me to borrow it from Kindle Unlimited. I don’t have any direct experience with Purity Culture, but since I was raised in a very religious household, I figured I would give it a try. I’m so glad I did.

I have to say that Livvy and I are so much alike it’s a bit scary. She is going into her senior year of college with a mission in mind: she wants to test her boundaries and explore experiences she’s denied herself due to her spiritual upbringing. She wears her silver Purity Ring as a promise not to surrender her virginity to anyone other than her future husband.

Livvy is about to break that promise and challenge her sexual boundaries. She has one person in mind who may be able to help her: Her best friend, Cole. 

Cole is handsome and sweet. He’s also unattainable in Livvy’s eyes. She’s been in love with him for years, but she’s safely entrenched in the friend zone. She plans on asking him to help her move through her list of “firsts” which would culminate in Livvy giving her virginity to Cole – the one man she trusts more than anyone. His extensive sexual experience doesn’t dissuade her from hoping he can help her in more ways than one. She’s even given herself a deadline: September 17, the day before she returns to college. 

I related to Livvy because I was also raised in a very religious family. Gospel music played on the stereo most of the day. We attended church regularly while I was growing up, and I was taught, like Livvy, to preserve myself for as long as possible…preferably until marriage. 

Livvy’s list includes getting her first kiss, having a drunken make out session, getting drunk, and losing her virginity. She basically had my ‘to do’ list of experiences when I was her age., but Livvy is much braver than I. She takes control of her body and her choices, so she can have the experiences she’s always wanted. Through it all, she continues to maintain her faith. 

She asks Cole for help with completing her list. At first, he’s skeptical about helping her through it because it’s out of character for Livvy to behave this way. He’s also afraid of jeopardizing their relationship. (And he’s been in love with her since they met.)

Miscommunication ensues in this novel, but it’s not frustrating at all. There’s some good angst in this novel as well as some good spice.

Livvy becomes my hero. She knows her “Purity Ring” is mentally holding her back, yet she can’t throw it away. She’s conflicted in many ways and it’s nice to see her growth over the course of the book. 

Then there’s Cole. Cole isn’t the typical overbearing, Alpha male that is usually seen in romance novels. He’s actually a good guy in almost every aspect of his life: except the bedroom. So basically, he’s perfect for a girl like Livvy. 

Their friendship is tested with this list of tasks Livvy wants to accomplish. 

What I like most about this book is that the conversations between the characters. These are realistic conversations that touch on themes of love, family, and faith. If you’re looking for the friends to lover’s theme, this book is your vibe. (I’m Gen X, so I don’t know if ‘vibe’ is a thing anymore.)