The Virgin Diaries

Abby is a twenty-nine-year-old single woman, who has never shared that most intimate part of herself with anyone. While her goals in life are like most everyone else’s – get married, buy a house, have kids – she knows it won’t happen because she is physically defective and therefore unattractive and unworthy. She truly, honestly cannot have sex. Furthermore, she suffers from very low self-esteem caused by her overbearing mother who controls everything in her life. She has no choice where she lives, where she works (even though she is highly qualified with multiple degrees), or who she dates. When she becomes engaged, she believes she’s found someone who can accept her faults but still love her. When she realizes Ben is not who she thinks or needs him to be, she finally takes things in her own hands, packs up her car and best friend, and heads out wherever the road leads her. There she meets Jade, a much younger carefree spirit to whom she finally confides her deepest secret. This one decision to take responsibility for her own life leads to more than she expected or dreamed.

This fast read is a perfect accessory for the beach – pages turn quickly, and the plot-driven story doesn’t require a huge investment of time or effort. The couple spelling errors could be attributed to the author’s Canadian background, and do not distract from the story, as they are few and far between. Though the title leads the reader to believe this story may be told in diary entries, it is actually told more traditionally in third person, telling the tale of Abby’s trials and tribulations. At times, the reader may want to hug Abby, or smack her, or sometimes both at once! Readers will be alternately applauding her gumption and cursing her lack of self-confidence, but will ultimately enjoy this sweet romantic read.