Review: Worth the Wait
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 22, 2013
I recommend you read the first book before this one.  Serena was the best friend in the first book and I would never have guessed her secret. Her biggest flaw is being unable to be open about her past.  She uses her past experiences to be accepting of and help teenage girls that have backgrounds similar to her own.  What she fails to realize is the power her own story can have in helping these girls. I think shame is still an issue with her.  She knows Jesus has forgiven her and she's not that person anymore but she hides how Jesus has worked in her life.Alex is passionate about his work promoting teenage purity and avoiding premarital sex.  He is a virgin and is sure the woman God has for him will be a virgin, too. He is adopted but unlike his also adopted brother (Damian from book 1) he has never looked for his biological parents. It is implied that this is because he knows he is probably the product of a pre-marital relationship.  Sometimes it's hard to believe both boys were raised by the same adoptive parents.Alex and Serena have a strong attraction to each other but Serena knows that Alex is unlikely to accept her past so tries to avoid him. He has almost broken down her defenses when he discovers her past and rejects her. It takes awhile but he becomes aware his self-righteous attitude and comes to realize that he is judging her as a sinner when she is the spotless child of God. His experience also helps him become more compassionate with others who have given in to their sexual desires. Overall,he becomes a much nicer character.I especially liked the teenage pregnancy storyline and how it played out with the characters from the first book.  While I really enjoyed book one, I think this book could almost have a sequel of it's own because of the opportunity of growth for Alex, Serena and their ministry to teens.