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The Whole Guy Thing
It’s time to deal with all those guy questions in your life. Guys can make life complex. Sometimes they’re nice, sometimes they’re not, and when they’re cute they sometimes leave our brains in a jumble. On top of seeing them every day, we have to figure out how to interact with the male gender, and exactly what to do with any romantic feelings. It’s no wonder girls have so many questions about guys! Well, here are answers to many of the issues and wonderings real girls like you have. The Whole Guy Thing explores how you can deal with boys now and in the future, as well as create self-respect that is rooted in God’s love. Featuring relationship topics, real feedback from guys, and even advice on how to talk to your parents about dating rules and guy-girl interactions, this may be the book you’ve been waiting for.
- GenresChristian
176 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2012
About the author
Nancy N. Rue
223 books293 followersNancy Rue is the author of over 100 books for adults and teens, including the Christy Award-winning The Reluctant Prophet, Unexpected Dismounts and Healing Waters (with Steve Arterburn), which was the 2009 Women of Faith Novel of the Year. She travels extensively—at times on the back of a Harley—speaking to and teaching groups of women of all ages. Nancy lives on a lake in Tennessee with her Harley-ridin’ husband, Jim, and their two yellow Labs (without whom writing would be difficult).
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 6, 2022
Tryna understand guys.
September 16, 2019
Nancy Rue is a great YA fiction writer. She takes her insight into that world and writes a clear and honest book for girls about boys.
April 17, 2025
Honestly, it wasn't anything I didn't already know, but good overall.
June 12, 2013
The two stars go to the sections on how God sees guys, what guys have to say, and definitely the counsel she gives regarding how to approach talking to and submitting to your parents.
As for the rest...
1) Well, for starters I don't think that the author is really focused on setting up girls to have a good relationship with their parents. I mean, clearly she understands that for the time being a girl's parents are her authority and God has commanded them to submit to them; but as far as I could tell, the relationship Nancy is primarily concerned with establishing and building is that between her and her young readers. She's the one who REALLY gets them. Bottom line with that approach is that it comes across primarily as lip service.
2) I can see how a girl would enjoy this book. There is ample digression into the drama that seems to be expected. Although, the reader who does not find herself falling into a version of soap-opera-ness is assured that she is fine. She could understandably feel less than, however, after reading about so much of what she is missing out on. Our author has way more confidence in the maturity of her readers than I do (who are, after all, somewhere between the ages of 14 and 16 I believe.) I was a girl that age once, and it so happens I'm the mom of two daughters somewhere in the middle and a bit above those ages, so I am fresh on the subject matter.
3) Regarding her treatment of boys, I'd just have to say, "Where's the respect?" I've also raised three fine sons, and they did not resemble the generally crude louts she describes. Once again, there are exceptions (and I found the Guys Comment boxes to be pretty upstanding in whole), but overall I did not feel that boys were given equal treatment. Although girls are still encouraged to nurture solid guy friendships with those they discover to be worthy, a wide berth is given for their not being gentlemen yet.
4) Finally, 'healthy' flirting is encouraged. I kept trying to keep an open mind while reading this book, and it did encourage me to reach back and remember what it was like to be a young lady. But Nancy is taking her lead from the culture, not taking the lead with the culture. Even as an adult, it is important for me to appreciate my friendships with men, but always keep a guard upon my heart with any man other than my husband. I felt the counsel given in 'The Whole Guy Thing' was more indulgent of the struggles girls face, when more help learning how to handle themselves well now and in the future would better serve them as young ladies, mature women, and possible wives and mothers.
Sorry for the wet blanket review, but I think Nancy wants to be my daughters' friend by by-passing me, their Mother.
Oh, and of special note: Joshua Harris's book 'I Kissed Dating Goodbye' took a little zinger from her for not attaining best-selling status - as proof that it was out of touch. Nancy and I are not on the same page.
As for the rest...
1) Well, for starters I don't think that the author is really focused on setting up girls to have a good relationship with their parents. I mean, clearly she understands that for the time being a girl's parents are her authority and God has commanded them to submit to them; but as far as I could tell, the relationship Nancy is primarily concerned with establishing and building is that between her and her young readers. She's the one who REALLY gets them. Bottom line with that approach is that it comes across primarily as lip service.
2) I can see how a girl would enjoy this book. There is ample digression into the drama that seems to be expected. Although, the reader who does not find herself falling into a version of soap-opera-ness is assured that she is fine. She could understandably feel less than, however, after reading about so much of what she is missing out on. Our author has way more confidence in the maturity of her readers than I do (who are, after all, somewhere between the ages of 14 and 16 I believe.) I was a girl that age once, and it so happens I'm the mom of two daughters somewhere in the middle and a bit above those ages, so I am fresh on the subject matter.
3) Regarding her treatment of boys, I'd just have to say, "Where's the respect?" I've also raised three fine sons, and they did not resemble the generally crude louts she describes. Once again, there are exceptions (and I found the Guys Comment boxes to be pretty upstanding in whole), but overall I did not feel that boys were given equal treatment. Although girls are still encouraged to nurture solid guy friendships with those they discover to be worthy, a wide berth is given for their not being gentlemen yet.
4) Finally, 'healthy' flirting is encouraged. I kept trying to keep an open mind while reading this book, and it did encourage me to reach back and remember what it was like to be a young lady. But Nancy is taking her lead from the culture, not taking the lead with the culture. Even as an adult, it is important for me to appreciate my friendships with men, but always keep a guard upon my heart with any man other than my husband. I felt the counsel given in 'The Whole Guy Thing' was more indulgent of the struggles girls face, when more help learning how to handle themselves well now and in the future would better serve them as young ladies, mature women, and possible wives and mothers.
Sorry for the wet blanket review, but I think Nancy wants to be my daughters' friend by by-passing me, their Mother.
Oh, and of special note: Joshua Harris's book 'I Kissed Dating Goodbye' took a little zinger from her for not attaining best-selling status - as proof that it was out of touch. Nancy and I are not on the same page.
May 10, 2012
I know I'm 18 turning 19 and I'm supposed to have the whole BGR thing more-or-less down, but honestly, I'm still confused. This probably came about due to 10 years in an all-girls-school and a tendency to assume everyone just wants to be friends. So, for those of you as confused/ignorant as me, it's a good idea to read The Whole Guy Thing by Nancy Rue.
The Whole Guy Thing is actually written for a much younger (say 5 years younger) audience. But it really doesn't matter what age you are because the principals in here are timeless. Nancy Rue covers things like if it's possible to just be friends, dating and relationships and of course, the various boy-girl dramas that take place in real life.
What I like about the book is that it's very focused on having a relationship with God, and to use that a guideline on how you should behave towards guys. In fact, my favourite piece of advice appears in chapter one - "take time every day to talk to God about this stuff." This book doesn't focus on how to get a guy, or how you don't need one, rather tries to show how you should approach this in a Godly way, and how your feelings don't have to be suppressed in an attempt to be Godly.
The book itself is very easy to read. It's written in a conversational tone of voice and is very well structured. There are things like quizzes (which will definitely appeal to all girls, especially the younger ones), a "twitter version" that summarises each chapter into less that 140 characters, a section on how to approach this with your parents and so on and so forth.
Probably because it's written for tween/teen girls to read, this book is quite short. But, don't let that deceive you, it contains a lot of information, all of it written in a way that reminds me of a wise, older mentor. And what is most interesting is how the book doesn't prescribe a set of rules (like courtship or dating or whatever is going on). Instead, it centers on getting girls to make the right, Godly decisions, treating them like mature adults instead of little kids who can't handle responsibility. Isn't that great?
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review.
And this doesn't end with a review! There's an author interview coming up, so stick around for that(:
First published at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
The Whole Guy Thing is actually written for a much younger (say 5 years younger) audience. But it really doesn't matter what age you are because the principals in here are timeless. Nancy Rue covers things like if it's possible to just be friends, dating and relationships and of course, the various boy-girl dramas that take place in real life.
What I like about the book is that it's very focused on having a relationship with God, and to use that a guideline on how you should behave towards guys. In fact, my favourite piece of advice appears in chapter one - "take time every day to talk to God about this stuff." This book doesn't focus on how to get a guy, or how you don't need one, rather tries to show how you should approach this in a Godly way, and how your feelings don't have to be suppressed in an attempt to be Godly.
The book itself is very easy to read. It's written in a conversational tone of voice and is very well structured. There are things like quizzes (which will definitely appeal to all girls, especially the younger ones), a "twitter version" that summarises each chapter into less that 140 characters, a section on how to approach this with your parents and so on and so forth.
Probably because it's written for tween/teen girls to read, this book is quite short. But, don't let that deceive you, it contains a lot of information, all of it written in a way that reminds me of a wise, older mentor. And what is most interesting is how the book doesn't prescribe a set of rules (like courtship or dating or whatever is going on). Instead, it centers on getting girls to make the right, Godly decisions, treating them like mature adults instead of little kids who can't handle responsibility. Isn't that great?
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review.
And this doesn't end with a review! There's an author interview coming up, so stick around for that(:
First published at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
June 11, 2012
originally appeared on: Bookshelf Confessions
The Whole Guy Thing is an advice book for young girls concerning boys. It talks about not just the feelings girls feel with the opposite sex but also with behavior and understanding about guys.
It was a fast-read, with evaluation quiz that would determine what we have learned in the chapters. I had fun answering these questions. And true to the author’s word, it didn’t made me feel like I was being accused or something, rather it make me realize and understand what level of understanding I had not just with myself but as well as how I react with others around me especially boys.
Nancy Rue knew her thing well. This book comes just like talking to her one on one. The words were easy to understand and the whole book sounded conversational, making teen readers confide in it wholly and truthfully.
It also comes with advises on how to talk things like these with our parents, who knew and experienced everything that’s going on with us. We just have to do the right thing, and talk to them in a way that they’d see themselves in us.
As a teen myself, I appreciate how the author used Twitter-like phrases which pretty sums up the whole book. It makes reading easier, especially when the long paragraphs look tiring. :) And not only that, she also gives us tiny advices like “What the Guy’s Says” or “God on Guys”.
The Whole Guy Thing is not just a book about crushes, dates and anything concerning guys, it’s a book that will make us realize that even if it’s a girl-guy business, there’s still our parents and God who will guide us in this complicated yet enjoying stage in life- our teen life.
This book comes with lessons that will surely leave a print in our minds and hearts. Highly Recommended!..:)
The Whole Guy Thing is an advice book for young girls concerning boys. It talks about not just the feelings girls feel with the opposite sex but also with behavior and understanding about guys.
It was a fast-read, with evaluation quiz that would determine what we have learned in the chapters. I had fun answering these questions. And true to the author’s word, it didn’t made me feel like I was being accused or something, rather it make me realize and understand what level of understanding I had not just with myself but as well as how I react with others around me especially boys.
Nancy Rue knew her thing well. This book comes just like talking to her one on one. The words were easy to understand and the whole book sounded conversational, making teen readers confide in it wholly and truthfully.
It also comes with advises on how to talk things like these with our parents, who knew and experienced everything that’s going on with us. We just have to do the right thing, and talk to them in a way that they’d see themselves in us.
As a teen myself, I appreciate how the author used Twitter-like phrases which pretty sums up the whole book. It makes reading easier, especially when the long paragraphs look tiring. :) And not only that, she also gives us tiny advices like “What the Guy’s Says” or “God on Guys”.
The Whole Guy Thing is not just a book about crushes, dates and anything concerning guys, it’s a book that will make us realize that even if it’s a girl-guy business, there’s still our parents and God who will guide us in this complicated yet enjoying stage in life- our teen life.
This book comes with lessons that will surely leave a print in our minds and hearts. Highly Recommended!..:)
August 8, 2012
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway -- as a 26 year old who's been in a relationship with the same guy for five years, this book was a little out of my wheelhouse--but I did pass it along to my 16 year old sister. While I found some of the advice to be wonderful, I also found some of the advice to be somewhat demeaning and insulting. I understand that this is a Christian book but I still think that saying that girls should reclaim their virginity to be a little strange--and it was pretty insulting to imply that the girls who were not married but not virgins were moral-less or unhappy. I think that people should live by their own rules--and I have an issue totally backing a book that is insulting regarding things that have happened in the past and can't be changed. Don't get me wrong, I totally support the idea of high school students (the seeming audience for this book) not having sex (I certainly didn't when I was in high school) -- but I also think that you a) shouldn't judge others and b) you certainly shouldn't be insulting to those high schoolers who may have had sex prior to reading the book. The past is the past.
I think the advice to women on many topics was quite applicable and wonderful--but I also think the book would be more applicable if the judgement had been left out. Overall, an interesting concept and a book I passed along -- but with my own set of disclosures for not supporting some of the more demeaning sections.
I think the advice to women on many topics was quite applicable and wonderful--but I also think the book would be more applicable if the judgement had been left out. Overall, an interesting concept and a book I passed along -- but with my own set of disclosures for not supporting some of the more demeaning sections.
May 3, 2012
Filled with great advice for young girls about how to behave around boys and how to have a better understanding of the opposite sex. Each chapter has an evaluation quiz, a section on how to apply what was learned in the chapter, what God says in His Word about the subject being discussed, and tips on discussing the topic with parents. As a parent I especially appreciate that the author always pointed out that the parent is the final authority and deserves respect and obedience, but also gave practical scenario's on how to broach a tough subject in a rational and non-confrontational/rebellious way. I think that the advice offered in each chapter was very practical and offers great insight into the relationships between boys and girls.
December 12, 2014
I loved this book so much! It is probably one of my favorite books! All girls wanna know how guys work and this is the closet thing to the answer. You learn so much and can very easily relate. It was so fun to read this book that I couldn't stop. I recommend this book to all young women. It gives great advice and at least one sentence per page had me shaking my head in complete agreement because it's so relatable. I think the deeper meaning of this book is boys will be boys, and they are hard to understand, but you will figure it out and even though it's hard sometimes you will make a breakthrough. There's many metaphors in this book, most of them are are funny ones that compare boys to complicated and dumb things. It just makes the book more enjoyable!
June 27, 2016
“I just don’t get guys.” “Can we just be friends?” “So, what about dating and boyfriends?” “And all of this is important because…?”
Nancy Rue answers a lot of questions we girls might have about boys in her usual I-so-get-where you’re-coming-from voice. I love that voice! Most of the time it makes me feel that she both understands me and my questions and knows at least some of the answers. She has that voice in her fiction too, but here and on her blogs this really shows itself. I recommend The Whole Guy Thing to all teen girls trying to figure it out.
~Review written by Sofia Marie of the Teens Live for Jesus blog~
Nancy Rue answers a lot of questions we girls might have about boys in her usual I-so-get-where you’re-coming-from voice. I love that voice! Most of the time it makes me feel that she both understands me and my questions and knows at least some of the answers. She has that voice in her fiction too, but here and on her blogs this really shows itself. I recommend The Whole Guy Thing to all teen girls trying to figure it out.
~Review written by Sofia Marie of the Teens Live for Jesus blog~
August 31, 2012
This book is very helpful for young girls who are slowly becoming young ladies and/or are becoming interested in the other gender. Although it does make religious references, if put aside it may help just about all kinds of young girls out there who may or may not know just what to do about boys. There were moments where it was repetitive or it seemed long to make a point. But it was great how there was a quiz and review at the end of each chapter, kind of refreshes the readers in what they have just learned.
August 9, 2012
A goodreads giveaway . I glanced at the book and flipped through it before giving it to the one it was intended for. My thiteen year old granddaughter who took the book(as not to offend papaw)home. Her mother said she caught her reading it a couple days later. She thanked me for the book about a week later. Endorsement enough for me.
August 1, 2012
I have received this book from Goodreads! I thought that this was definitely an informative book and I like how the author didn't just fill it full of her own opinions and wasn't judgmental. They definitely help you figure out where you're at and what to do about guys.
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January 31, 2013lets just say i read this okay?
March 8, 2013
Just a for fun book. I didn't like it that much.
June 18, 2023
This book was great for girls of all ages. Seriously a confidence booster and it was filled with good advice for girls in all stages of life, confidence level, and comfort level with boys.
July 22, 2012
This book had some cool quiz's , and is relatable, but I just could not stay focused ...
October 27, 2017
Even though I haven't finish reading this book yet, I know that it's going to be a good one. One day I was just searching up books about crushes in google, then this book popped out. I was interested because of the front cover. When I was done with the preview, I wanted more. So I went to Goodreads and search up this book. I'm was so excited to read the rest of the book. I want to thank Nancy N. Rue for writing this book. It's really really helpful for me, in my opinion, because now I know that a lot of people can relate to me, which kinda makes me feel better. Again, thank you, Nancy Rue
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews