Rebecca Ray gives a stunningly realistic portrayal of the patterns of abusive relationships. However, I agree with another reviewer on one gaping hole in the plot - I can not believe that any parents, no matter how dysfunctional, would be so accepting of their 14 year old daughter's relationship with a man seventeen years older. Additionally, I would have liked to see more loose ends tied up (for example, what was going on with Dawn and the protagonist's father? Definitely creepy undertones there, but they were never fully developed). However, the main character was touchingly real and the story was absorbing enough to keep me glued to it for three days. An admirable first novel, especially from such a young author. I look forward to future releases from this young woman.

Enchanted.
That was me reading the first few pages of this novel.
Inspired.
That was me reading on the back of the book that Rebbecca Ray dropped out of highscool (which I attended at the time) to write Pure.
Intriged.
That was me reading about the relationships the speaker in the novel embarks on with both the drunken Robin and abusive Oliver.
Disappointed.
That was me watching the downward spiral of the novel's heroine.
Yup, Definitely Disappointed.
That was me reading the ending to Pure.
You see, I was really fascinated by the speaker. She was a great voice for young adult fiction. Her descriptions were vivid and real. I was enthralled by the story of Oliver, perplexed by her tumble down the hill of lost innocence, and annoyed (who wouldn't be?) by the tattletale Dawn. Still, though. The climax I kept reading to find wasn't all that climactic. The end left me feeling empty. Like I'd climbed a mountain only to find that the meaning of life had to do with pocket lint.
Yep, definitely disappointing.... but still worth the journey.

Firstly, in the UK ((where i'm from)) this book is entitled 'A Certain Age', a more suitable title i think.
Ok, where to begin.
I loved it. I was totally entranced by the story simply because it painted a more than accurate picture of my own adolescence. Maybe it is a little far-fetched and hard for some people to 'get their heads round' but for me it was like looking into a mirror and seeing words to describe my life instead of my reflection. It was very valuable for me to read.
'Pure' has a certain charm to it, a natural youth that seems to stem from Ray herself being little more than a child at the time of writing. The style appears young, unsure and i love how Ray has captured that teenage voice.
However, much as though i love this book, I think it is for a particular person, i don't think it's suited to a wide enough audience.. but then, if it was, i probably wouldn't adore it so.