1.5.

While the premise was interesting, the execution did not work, and the messages became very scrambled, jumbled, and ultimately problematic.

Shelby's journey was one that frustrated me because she was so close minded, and even in the end when she believes she's figured it out when it comes to boys -- (view spoiler)[ she has the realization she just loved her best guy friend, even though that was never once subtle nor obvious in the story prior to her having sex with a guy who wasn't her best friend (hide spoiler)] -- I still didn't find myself believing she got anything out of this.

More problematic for me was (view spoiler)[ the way that boys were depicted throughout the story. Shelby's got it in her head getting sex will be easy because that's all teen guys are interested in. She's offended when her moves on her ex-boyfriend go unmatched and he tells her he's not interested. And while she stands up for her beliefs in using a condom with the second guy, the way it's handled was unbelievable. She and the boy are naked, ready to have sex, and she pulls out the condom. He asks her when the last time she had her period was (just like that) and she responds by saying a few weeks ago (just like that). He says they don't need a condom then. This exchange ... made me really uncomfortable. It was so stilted and set up so the boy became the impetus for Shelby to make a strong and smart decision (and she does) but it wasn't authentic. The third guy she does have sex with, and while she is cool with the action at the time, she doesn't let herself enjoy it, realizing she's made a mistake. It's a believable moment, but it was also when she realizes she wants her best friend and she starts thinking about the fact he's had sex with someone else. Then it turns out the third guy was only having sex with her to get over losing his dad and thought he'd offer Shelby the opportunity to get some so she could overcome her mom's death. Unabashed grief sex, and yet again, the guy's made out to be the jerk here. (hide spoiler)]. I guess a lot of it boils down to a mixed set of messages about sex and power and gender.

Then there's the spirituality/religious aspect to this book too which sort of left me more questions than answers, and not necessarily in a good way.

Conversely, I found the end satisfying. I liked Shelby's dad. He may have been the only well-depicted male in the book.

Longer review to come.